Bigger vans

[Ch1pbutty]

If you need only one vehicle, the California makes a lot of sense.
It’s been our main vehicle for years, but that’s now changing for us.

As @Ch1pbutty mentioned the cost is another factor. Oceans seem to be around £70-80k similar pricing to bigger vans.
For us, we feel a slightly bigger van, will allow us to free camp easier with a fixed bed at the back and the child’s seat in a fixed location too. It’s problematic having to move on and re-make the bed to refit the booster seat…

Most of our non camping miles are done in the EV now; EV & Cali running costs offset by solar panels (& home battery if it ever arrives!). If we ever change the van it will most likely be for a larger one to avoid the bedtime shuffle.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Most of our non camping miles are done in the EV now; EV & Cali running costs offset by solar panels (& home battery if it ever arrives!). If we ever change the van it will most likely be for a larger one to avoid the bedtime shuffle.

Plus.
The vans we have looked at. You can store some of the bedding within the poptop area. I’m sure that will make a big difference with bedtime shuffles…

 

[kurienp]

This is turning out to be a dangerous thread ... having me looking at larger vans already. My only constraint - not sure why, still need to understand myself - is either a MAN/VW or a Mercedes base vehicle and of course Adaptive Cruise. The rest of it, I am flexible.

 

[IainB]

This thread has been so timely. We're toying with the idea of a (slightly) larger van too. The Cali is great fun, however having used it quite extensively since we got it in April last year we feel something a bit bigger with a little more convenience would work better for us. It's not a given that we would change as we love the Cali and what it allows us to do, just starting to look at what's out there, what would and wouldn't work, etc. One thing for certain, it will not be replaced with a "white whale"!

 

[ArunAlec]

This thread has been so timely. We're toying with the idea of a (slightly) larger van too. The Cali is great fun, however having used it quite extensively since we got it in April last year we feel something a bit bigger with a little more convenience would work better for us. It's not a given that we would change as we love the Cali and what it allows us to do, just starting to look at what's out there, what would and wouldn't work, etc. One thing for certain, it will not be replaced with a "white whale"!

Definitely worth a look at the Westfalia Joker then!

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

Hymer just made the concept van from 2019 a reality. Meet the newly released Hymer Vision Venture S:

HYMER Vision Venture S | HYMER motorhome

The HYMER Venture S defines a new vehicle category - an innovative motorhome with the highest standards of design and function.

www.hymer.com

 

[soulstyledevon]

Hymer just made the concept van from 2019 a reality. Meet the newly released Hymer Vision Venture S:

HYMER Vision Venture S | HYMER motorhome

The HYMER Venture S defines a new vehicle category - an innovative motorhome with the highest standards of design and function.

www.hymer.com

£225k, with an inflatable roof…

I would rather have this

 

[mpill990]

Wow that Venture S is amazing. I love our 680 but this takes it to another level!
I'm not sure who their target market is but I feel like I'm being sucked into a materialistic consumer vortex - I feel the need to give Hymer stacks of Euro's

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

 

[B J G]

Might be repeat info but--
Knaus have a solution for those dedicated T6.1 base vehicles

Highlights

www.knaus.com

 

[soulstyledevon]

Interesting concept.
Worth watching just for Simone…

 

[The Yorkshireman]

Interesting concept.
Worth watching just for Simone…

This is my pick so far from the expo.

Roberta Schumacher camper van.

 

[soulstyledevon]

@The Yorkshireman I’m over the Merc chassis. It looks great, but you loose a lot of internal space with the sloping sides.
A square box maximises internal dimensions, although the Mercedes does look good from the front and cab.

 

[Wondering Star]

Mercedes all the way for me, just completed our summer trip 2500 miles Slovenia, Croatia and Italy.
Some very demanding driving over mountain pass's plus plenty of peage and autobahn driving. Fully loaded with kids, bikes, paddleboards plus all the normal stuff.
Never missed a beat, 28.3 mpg, no problems what's so ever.
I now the Mercedes body shape has limitations but the driving experience is far better than our previous Fiat, no rattles, air con that can operate effectively in high temperatures and car like levels of comfort and technology.
Whenever I drive the Mercedes van , i never feel like I'm driving the poor relation to my car.

 

[soulstyledevon]

I finally ordered our Cali replacement yesterday.
Hymer 540 in the Fiat series 8 chassis with some toys.
It worked out almost £20k cheaper than the Westfalia of the same size.
The Westy is lovely, but I couldn’t justify the extra spend, this time. Maybe next van.

The California now up for sale, it will be the end of Volkswagen van ownership for me, after 20+ years driving the T-range…

 

[The Merle]

I finally ordered our Cali replacement yesterday.
Hymer 540 in the Fiat series 8 chassis with some toys.
It worked out almost £20k cheaper than the Westfalia of the same size.
The Westy is lovely, but I couldn’t justify the extra spend, this time. Maybe next van.

The California now up for sale, it will be the end of Volkswagen van ownership for me, after 20+ years driving the T-range…

Good choice if I was getting a fiat it would be the hymer too with 20k difference.
Which dealer did you go for, just as important.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Good choice if I was getting a fiat it would be the hymer too with 20k difference.
Which dealer did you go for, just as important.

Southdowns.
It’s the only place that had the potential for a delivery before 2029.
Cancelled order, so I stepped in

 

[HowieDog]

Mercedes all the way for me, just completed our summer trip 2500 miles Slovenia, Croatia and Italy.
Some very demanding driving over mountain pass's plus plenty of peage and autobahn driving. Fully loaded with kids, bikes, paddleboards plus all the normal stuff.
Never missed a beat, 28.3 mpg, no problems what's so ever.
I now the Mercedes body shape has limitations but the driving experience is far better than our previous Fiat, no rattles, air con that can operate effectively in high temperatures and car like levels of comfort and technology.
Whenever I drive the Mercedes van , i never feel like I'm driving the poor relation to my car.

Just did similar but in The Pyrenees in the Hymer.

It’s probably a bit different to your previous Fiat experience as the series 8 is a huge step forwards.

Zero squeaks and rattles from the chassis/dash or habitation. 180 bhp and 450Nm gives more than enough power on the road - seems Mrs Howiedog got carried away as my tracker tells me the top speed on the Autoroute was 89mph…and it was fantastic in the mountains over Col d’Aubisque and Portalet.

The 9 speed auto is very smooth and has sport and eco settings.

Maxi chassis gives great handling and the tech is really nice with the 10 inch screen and digital dash. Aircon freezing and the dashboard chilled compartment fits 3 x 330ml cans of IPA.

Build quality and plastics not up to Crafter standard but overall certainly not a compromise or a poor relation anymore and the extra volume makes a huge difference.

Depends if you want to pay ££a extra for the 3 star badge really.

Average mpg on a run up to London and back yesterday was 35mpg.

 

[66tim99]

Outstanding Hymer Venture S. Not sure I understand the inflatable roof though - for sound/heat insulation? No windows in the side, and looks bright in there?

 

[Wondering Star]

Not sure I understand the price!

 

[Billylou]

Southdowns.
It’s the only place that had the potential for a delivery before 2029.
Cancelled order, so I stepped in

We got our Burstner 540 from Southdowns which was also a canceled order.

 

[soulstyledevon]

We got our Burstner 540 from Southdowns which was also a canceled order.

How did you find them?
So far no issues, apart from the part-ex price they offered for the Cali

 

[Billylou]

How did you find them?
So far no issues, apart from the part-ex price they offered for the Cali

They were great to be fair, communicated well and good handover. They also supplied my solar and Gaslow prior to handover. In the first couple of weeks I had one issue which they dealt with quickly despite needing to find a solution on the day. I’d use them again.

 

[66tim99]

Knaus Tourer CUV - “cheaper than a California”
Yes it looks like it.
Interesting idea and shower though!

 

[Kevthegas]

I am joining this one a bit late but am now as confused as ever.
I accept Im a bit of a VW/VAG/PORSCHE group fan boy.
Currently in my 3rd California. ( 9 VW Transporters in total )
After buying far too many VW/ Porsche cars/vans/Californias to last any sane person a life time!
I saw a Grand Cali 680 online which I thought would scratch the current itch, 4M with diff lock.
The dealer I visited was very honest before we looked at the 21 plate GC that it needed some trim repairing and would be sorted and I am sure they would do all to put it right.
The interior was battered, I cant imagine how a vehicle with only 3k miles on it was so injured.
At least 3 of the multiple tiny cupboards would not open.
The hinge/bracket to hold up the main section of the bed was broken so I could not open the floor cupboards without using one arm to hold the bed up.
Electric step was removed as broken.
The shower hose as it came out of the sink looked like it had started to split/uncoil.
Loads of other marks/ scratches which really worries me about how these GC will look after a few years.

We drove away gutted as we had intended on buying if it was a good one and + £90k for a used VW needs to up its game.

Kev

 

[Mr T]

I am joining this one a bit late but am now as confused as ever.
I accept Im a bit of a VW/VAG/PORSCHE group fan boy.
Currently in my 3rd California. ( 9 VW Transporters in total )
After buying far too many VW/ Porsche cars/vans/Californias to last any sane person a life time!
I saw a Grand Cali 680 online which I thought would scratch the current itch, 4M with diff lock.
The dealer I visited was very honest before we looked at the 21 plate GC that it needed some trim repairing and would be sorted and I am sure they would do all to put it right.
The interior was battered, I cant imagine how a vehicle with only 3k miles on it was so injured.
At least 3 of the multiple tiny cupboards would not open.
The hinge/bracket to hold up the main section of the bed was broken so I could not open the floor cupboards without using one arm to hold the bed up.
Electric step was removed as broken.
The shower hose as it came out of the sink looked like it had started to split/uncoil.
Loads of other marks/ scratches which really worries me about how these GC will look after a few years.

We drove away gutted as we had intended on buying if it was a good one and + £90k for a used VW needs to up its game.

Kev

Sounds like it has been abused, don’t let that out you off others.