2015 Cali SE - A few questions

[Spunyarn]

Hi All,

I've just put a deposit down on a 2015 California SE, and I've got some burning questions which I'm hoping the good community here could assist me with?

• The bellows have a horizontal tear above the drivers seat. It's right on the corner seam and is about 5-6 inches long (3 inches either side of the seam). The dealer is getting this professionally repaired before delivery at their own cost, however the fabric looks fairly tired and faded anyway and I wondered if I am better off pushing for a discount for the amount of the repair and just doing my own DIY repair after purchasing to tide me over until I decide to have the whole bellows replaced in a year or two. Are DIY repairs on bellows a bit of a nightmare? I've read on here that its about £900 to replace them with a new set and something you can even do yourself with patience.
• It has the 140 engine, and a 6 speed manual gearbox. I was really dead set on an auto (my previous 3 cars being auto), however almost all of the autos seem to also have the 180 engine which I am dead set on avoiding. I'm sure when new the 180 engine was the one to go for but obviously the fullness of time has proved the long term reliability of the 180 to be somewhat of a gamble and I'm pretty unlucky with car reliability so I wont risk it. What do people think of the 6 speed manual, and is touring on the continent (France, Alps etc) still good fun, or does the manual ruin the experience somewhat? I'm kind of unsure about going 'back' to a manual!
• There is no gas bottle so I will need to buy a Campinggaz 907 - is there anything specific I should know about this, or any tips on where to get it from.
• Service history looks good and from what I remember from the paperwork, the cambelt & water pump were changed in 2021 or 2022 at about 58k miles. Other than that there's been a variety of the usual remedial work and servicing (fluid changes, replacement springs) done annually. It will have a normal service before collection but is there anything mechanical that would be due now, on a 2015 van with 70k miles?

Overall the van seems good, its had 1 proper owner, and before that it seems it was a demonstrator for the first few months of it's life. It has clearly been well used as the surfaces and blinds etc all show some signs of wear, so it doesn't feel pristine but it seems honest and is coming from VW themselves with a warranty. Any purchase is obviously a gamble but hopefully this cali will serve me and family well with adventures and road trips for several years to come. I will of course keep you posted on how things unfold and post pictures in due course.

Any advice etc you have would be really helpful.
Thanks

 

[pchmlk]

I have almost the same vehicle, just one year older.

I had exactly the same reservations about manual but I’m finding it no problem at all. It’s a very torquey engine so you tend to sit in a high gear for quite a range of speeds. Also, I tend to drive quite sedately in it in contrast to previous cars.

The 140 is ample really, I’m sure if I drove a 204 6.1 I’d rethink this but as my first Cali, it’s fine. On long hills it may start to struggle a little but on the whole it’s very happy keeping up with traffic and sits at 130kph nicely in France. Also economical.

 

[Louis II]

I have the same year, engine and gearbox. I do find it a bit underpowered on hills, especially when fully loaded but it’s fine really. With any vehicle that age you should probably expect some repairs. Cambelt I think is every 4 or 5 years so that will come round soon. I’ve had egr and clutch need replacing recently both of which my garage said is fairly common for the vehicle and age.
Personally I would save yourself the hassle and let the garage fix the bellows.
Overall an I think it’s an awesome vehicle that I wouldn’t be without and apart from it being euro 5 not really any meaningful difference to the newer versions.
If anything I’d consider a slightly older / cheaper / higher mileage van and keep some cash aside so that you don’t have to worry about the odd thing needing fixing - but that’s just me

 

[OtterCali]

I recently bought exactly the same (2015 SE with 140 manual). If the dealer is offering to repair the bellows I’d let them do it. Mine has a couple of small holes where the canvas has been caught in the scissor mechanism that I plan to repair in the near future using Tear Aid tape. I also wanted an auto originally, but had the same issue finding a 140 DSG and settled for the manual eventually. I agree with the last poster’s comment that the 140 engine has plenty of grunt so the manual box isn’t really an issue.

The Campingaz 907 bottle is widely available from camping shops and Halfords, or check your local free ads sites. You will also need a Campingaz valve adapter which should come with the van, but is sometimes missing (mine was!). Your dealer should be able to sort this out.

 

[WelshGas]

I have the same year, engine and gearbox. I do find it a bit underpowered on hills, especially when fully loaded but it’s fine really. With any vehicle that age you should probably expect some repairs. Cambelt I think is every 4 or 5 years so that will come round soon. I’ve had egr and clutch need replacing recently both of which my garage said is fairly common for the vehicle and age.
Personally I would save yourself the hassle and let the garage fix the bellows.
Overall an I think it’s an awesome vehicle that I wouldn’t be without and apart from it being euro 5 not really any meaningful difference to the newer versions.
If anything I’d consider a slightly older / cheaper / higher mileage van and keep some cash aside so that you don’t have to worry about the odd thing needing fixing - but that’s just me

VW have officially changed the Cambelt replacement to the same as the EU, 140,000 miles with No Time Limit.

 

[Louis II]

Interesting, have they changed it for vans originally sold with the 4/5 year time limit? Or just for newer vans?

 

[WelshGas]

Interesting, have they changed it for vans originally sold with the 4/5 year time limit? Or just for newer vans?

All VW Transporters T5/5.1/6 and 6.1.. Your Dealership will confirm.