4Motion California Returns

[Kayleigh]

I really wanted the 4 Motion when I ordered my 2wd in September, it's now been built. So I've asked the dealer if they'll offer me a guaranteed value on the 2wd (subject to mileage, condition etc) to swap if I place another order now for a 4M. It'll be interesting to see if they come up with a proposal.....

Good luck with that!!

 

[Barry Chuckle]

Good luck with that!!

Fair point and I'm not expecting a positive outcome but you don't ask you don't get, but I'm not prepared to take the gamble on what they'll offer me on a 6 month old Cali in part exchange.

 

[Kayleigh]

Fair point and I'm not expecting a positive outcome but you don't ask you don't get, but I'm not prepared to take the gamble on what they'll offer me on a 6 month old Cali in part exchange.

I wasn’t saying in a negative way! If you don’t ask, you don’t get as you say

 

[stationmaster]

I wasn’t saying in a negative way! If you don’t ask, you don’t get as you say

It will all depend on the dealer and their approach to business. Some are fair and pragmatic, others...
If the 4 motion is what you need and it can be sorted at a reasonable cost - all is good.

 

[Barry Chuckle]

I wasn’t saying in a negative way! If you don’t ask, you don’t get as you say

No I didn't perceive your post in a negative way and in view of your experience with said dealer your comment was perfectly understandable!!!!

 

[Andy C Berks.]

By my maths I make a £5k increase over 7%

Current price of £81k versus 2023 price of £79.8k is a 1.5% increase - the question I was replying to was what was the price prior to the figure announced today

 

[2haw]

Having just gone from a 204 4m Kombi to the 150 fwd Ocean, i do miss the extra power and feel that the 4wd gives, far more than I thought I would!

@Tomdbreeze, the 4motion isn’t available with a 5th seat is it?

 

[Aubisque]

I’ve never understood the bias for either 4M or 204.
I’ve seen people driving to snowy northern Norway with 2WD, keeping pace with a 4WD. It’s all about the tyres. Been on plenty of muddy fields and still haven’t needed my mats, just let off the brake and leave the throttle til you’re rolling.
The 150 darts off the line, wheels spinning if you want. I’ve never wished I had more power.
I’d rather keep £6,786 for a fortnight in the Maldives, and the extra mpg.

All that…and you can’t put a fifth seat in a 4M and I’ve definitely used that lots of times.

 

[JuanVecino2023]

I’ve never understood the bias for either 4M or 204.
I’ve seen people driving to snowy northern Norway with 2WD, keeping pace with a 4WD. It’s all about the tyres. Been on plenty of muddy fields and still haven’t needed my mats, just let off the brake and leave the throttle til you’re rolling.
The 150 darts off the line, wheels spinning if you want. I’ve never wished I had more power.
I’d rather keep £6,786 for a fortnight in the Maldives, and the extra mpg.

What tyres do you run? Are you on Cross Climates?

 

[ParachuteMan]

So far (despite lots of rain) no.

Although just specced a 4M, I pad £73k, with the same options it comes out A LOT more. Not sure i need to get out a muddy field that bad

The £15K difference isn't worth it

A pull from a tractor from a muddy field + £100 x 3 times a year x 5 years = £1,500.

 

[JuanVecino2023]

A pull from a tractor from a muddy field + £100 x 3 times a year x 5 years = £1,500.

4 hessian sacks per year - £4 (coffee shops sell their empty sacks for £1).

Pint for a friendly Landy driver with a winch - £5 (depending what they drink and where you are).

 

[California Rob]

If me being able to have a 5th seat fitted as and when required out weighed opting for the 4wd. You can’t have the third rail when ordering the 4wd.

 

[WelshGas]

If me being able to have a 5th seat fitted as and when required out weighed opting for the 4wd. You can’t have the third rail when ordering the 4wd.

The reason the 4Motion no longer comes with the 3rd rail and 5th seat from the factory is to do with the Payload.
VW have decided there is insufficient payload when carrying 5 adults.
I believe in the past the 4Motion could be ordered ex-factory with a 5th seat.
You could get the extra rail fitted and hence 5th seat as long as the overall weight is not exceeded when fully loaded.

 

[Aubisque]

A pull from a tractor from a muddy field + £100 x 3 times a year x 5 years = £1,500.

But that scenario that has never ever happened or is ever likely to

 

[Barry Chuckle]

But that scenario that has never ever happened or is ever likely to

Although the poster makes a very valid point about the perils and costs of getting towed out of a field, I think if I were having rely on tractors 3 times a year I'd probably adapt where I stayed or get specialist items to get me out of the mud such as 4x4 mats etc...

 

[Barry Chuckle]

Good luck with that!!

You were right it was a no! It was suggested I order one and if I didn't ultimately want it like many people I could sell it immediately at a profit. When I suggested if it that were that simple why don't they offer to refund my deposit if I change my mind so they can sell it at a profit, you can guess their answer......

 

[Kayleigh]

You were right it was a no! It was suggested I order one and if I didn't ultimately want it like many people I could sell it immediately at a profit. When I suggested if it that were that simple why don't they offer to refund my deposit if I change my mind so they can sell it at a profit, you can guess their answer......

Yes, so easy to sell for a profit. Two months later mine is still on the forecourt and has been reduced by £1k. It still listed at £5k more than I paid for it, so a potential profit if the right punter comes along

 

[Barry Chuckle]

Yes, so easy to sell for a profit. Two months later mine is still on the forecourt and has been reduced by £1k. It still listed at £5k more than I paid for it, so a potential profit if the right punter comes along

They can justify that price due to the unique indoor shower.....

 

[Kayleigh]

They can justify that price due to the unique indoor shower.....

Plus the pimply pop-top paint and rusty scissors… and more!

 

[wildslammer22]

Absolutely agree. It's easy to be a kid in a sweet shop and want to tick every option.

I would imagine it's like most SUVs which barely ever travel off road, except the same grass car park all the 2WD are happily navigating. I had a Macan, because I was certain I needed a 4WD for snow when my daughter was born.

The irony being that my little Abarth 500 FWD was more surefooted in the snow as it had softer compound tyres. And who is taking a 65k SUV off-road anyway?

Thirstier and more to go wrong - bi-turbo engine and electronic 4WD. And I know from experience the electronics hate uneven tyre wear - it perceives the different rolling radius as one corner losing grip. Can make tyres an expensive hobby.

I doubt I would use a pristine £80k + California in situations I really needed 4WD anyway (no offence to those who do, I am just to precious).

I concluded that if I love using a camper that much, I will pick up a used 4motion that isn't pristine, fit some swampers and a lift kit and have at it for off road adventures.

Just my thoughts.

That’s exactly what I did. It’s remarkable capable off road with beefed up suspension and a lift kit. The rattling of the fixtures and fittings is the most unnerving thing about driving off road!

 

[JuanVecino2023]

That’s exactly what I did. It’s remarkable capable off road with beefed up suspension and a lift kit. The rattling of the fixtures and fittings is the most unnerving thing about driving off road!

Love to see a pic of your bus

 

[wildslammer22]

Love to see a pic of your bus

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[myvanrodney]

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Very cool

 

[myvanrodney]

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Whats on the roof?

 

[JuanVecino2023]

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That’s my ideal Cali look