Buying a Coast: questions

[Corradobrit]

Another +1 for solar. Unless you're planning to visit campsites etc with hookups regularly, I think solar is a no brainer. Takes the worry out of off-grid excursions. I'll probably get 2x100W panels so I can charge the ebike battery, run the laptop and a portable projector.

 

[James Robbie]

Hi James
We have just got our coast - a MY20 with 3000 miles on the clock. We couldn’t quite go new in terms of cost but managed to pick up a really nice spec

Sound great - how are you finding it?

On batteries - i guess you could charge at any opportunity on campsites too once in a while?

Thanks, yes, I'll certainly be doing that when I can.

We found the privacy glass great as it is - not too dark when inside, looks nice from outside, and can just use blinds for extra privacy.

We dont have them but i have seen lots of people on this forum talk about extra covers for bellows for bad weather or winter? I‘ve seen some great DIY insulation too!

I'd not heard about those - thanks, I'll do some research.

Our coast definitely has the spare wheel - but we need to get the spare safe. also need to practice taking it on and off - not that i ever changed a tyre in my life! It’s steel - i dont think i would bother with an alloy spare.

Thanks, great to have that confirmed, and I agree about the alloy!

Just wanted to check you know the shower is cold (I think!). We dont have one but think it would be handy for washing down - but we are going to get one of the pump showers which can be heated in the sun or warm water added.

Thanks yes I did know. I'll look into alternatives though - & would be grateful for a pointer if you find something you like!

Have you considered the fly net for the side window? I am in the middle of making my own - but if it turns out terribly will bite the bullet and buy. Hopefully DIY ones for the tailgate and sliding door will work out okay.

The spec mentions a fly screen as standard for the side window now.

Hope useful (from a beginner!)

Very! Fantastic, thanks!

 

[Perfectos]

A dealer in the UK told me it wasn't. Someone on this forum kindly pointed out that it was.

Refer to post #9

 

[Explorer]

Sound great - how are you finding it?

Thanks, yes, I'll certainly be doing that when I can.



I'd not heard about those - thanks, I'll do some research.

Thanks, great to have that confirmed, and I agree about the alloy!

Thanks yes I did know. I'll look into alternatives though - & would be grateful for a pointer if you find something you like!

The spec mentions a fly screen as standard for the side window now.

Very! Fantastic, thanks!

Hi
we haven‘t use it at all outside the driveway due to lockdown! We are seasoned campers but having had one too many hurricane type moments on coastal campsites we decided it was time for an upgrade. I know there will always be niggles or things that people dont like but we have been impressed by the level of finish. We have never owned very new vehicles so maybe we are just easily satisifed but its pristine and everything is just so well put together. We did a lot of research and visited very good conversion companies. A few things that made us go with the Coast were really not being bothered by the electric roof (or we would have gone for the ocean), but it was moveable bench, the ability to have an inclined bed, and just the ease of converting between seats and bed. We found some conversions (not all and not complaining as we saw brilliant ones) required more effort or slight twisting which did not work with a back injury my partner has. The other thing was the cupboards in the Cali just seem to have much more space esp bigger door openings which might be easier to work with.

It’s good you get the side window fly screen as they are very expensive! I dont think the MY20 included them (though i will try to check just in case i can argue it was missing!).

We have practiced lots of thing on gas and water etc and our neighbours think we are crazy sleeping on the drive - but its just another set of lockdown memories for our little person (along with surfing on the bosu ball with the sprinklers on!).

We also tried to look at Ford Custom PHEV but were too early on that front) before going diesel - but they just are not ready yet In terms of experience for campervan use - and the cost was just not going to work. I am sure by the next time we upgrade it will a different matter. Having Euro 6 D Temp (RDE1) means its pretty future proofed for any clean air zones we may have to pass through. I think the models rolling off now are RDE2 which is slightly better than RDE1 and i think better for tax (though I haven’t been able to find one on the DVLA vehicle checker to see what it comes up as).

I hope one day to be up your way - hopefully somewhere near the pub on the road into Glencoe (if i remember!!) or up by Cape Wrath as its been years since i was there!

Enjoy your shopping

 

[Joker 1299]

Thanks - happy to travel. If anyone has a recommendation for a dealer in northern England please let me know

West Yorkshire van centre have always been great for me. They have a separate leisure vehicle centre with knowledgeable specialists. Mark knows his stuff.

 

[66tim99]

Coast was my ideal vehicle but not available where I live so went for the Ocean. Coming from a T5 the LEDs will be like, ahem, night and day.
I also intend to fit solar, maybe just a single 100w panel. Can’t hook up at home and the van will be garaged underground, and I rarely stay on sites with EHU. I figured the leisure batteries will last a long weekend with the fridge and/or the heater running, and recharge on the way home, but I’d like a bit more leeway than that.

Quoted delivery to Spain was October, ordered in Feb so a fair bit more than 7 months (150 DSG)

What do you intend to do regarding the battery?

 

[Trudi]

We ordered from Liverpool vw

There was a coast there with the privacy glass fitted. The side door was open and I could easily read a notice on the otherside of the van. That was through the sliding door window, rear window and off side window. For me, that wasn't enough privacy.
Liverpool vw offer a limo tint fitted by them.

Weve had a heated windscreen. I've got it on my car and find it invaluable for winter use. Takes 30 seconds to defrost, about 5 seconds to demist without the use of the blowers. Never had it before my last car but definitely a great bonus.

Watch A Bus and Beyond on YouTube. They had an Ocean but do great reviews on both the ocean and the coast. They have gone through most of the options available and the pros and cons. They also have the limo tint.

 

[James Robbie]

we haven‘t use it at all outside the driveway due to lockdown!

That must have been tough! You will be like a greyhound out of a trap when restrictions lift...

We have never owned very new vehicles

Same here. This will be the first new vehicle I've ever owned, and I've been driving since 1987 ... I'm finding it does add to the anticipation

so maybe we are just easily satisifed but its pristine and everything is just so well put together. We did a lot of research and visited very good conversion companies.

Sounds like we have been through a similar process - I've looked into conversions as well but came back to the Cali in the end

I think the models rolling off now are RDE2

Thanks I'll check, good to know the spec's good for Low Emission Zones

I hope one day to be up your way - hopefully somewhere near the pub on the road into Glencoe (if i remember!!) or up by Cape Wrath as its been years since i was there!

Thanks for all your help.
Aye, the Clachaig. I'm looking forward to visiting again too. And yes the far northwest is high on my bucket list too. See you there!

 

[James Robbie]

We ordered from Liverpool vw

Thanks I've already read good things about them. I'll contact them

Weve had a heated windscreen. I've got it on my car and find it invaluable for winter use. Takes 30 seconds to defrost, about 5 seconds to demist without the use of the blowers. Never had it before my last car but definitely a great bonus.

Thanks I'll consider that.

Watch A Bus and Beyond on YouTube.

Thanks, I'd already found them and spent a good couple of hours watching them.They're very helpful

 

[yossarian]

...the question is whether the standard heating system will cover me for winter trips in Scotland or Scandinavia, say -10 to -15C - can anyone advise?

AFAIK one can run the "night" or "parking" heater whilst driving and there's even another heater that lights up when starting with a coolant temperature below 5C. Sounds like there is lots of headroom in the heat department without the climatronic.

 

[Jandy61]

Sounds like you have done your homework as you know more than your dealer, always seems the way now, apart from a certain man in Liverpool...
We almost ordered a Coast similar to yours, with your options, plus a heated screen and towbar, went for the ocean in the end as we wanted LED lights.
Personally i now wouldn’t order using a local dealer, go with the best deal you can find in the uk using DTD or Autobid, then service the van locally.
Anyone buying across the channel will have a slightly different standard spec than the UK
give one spare key to a trusted friend, that could post out to you if you become keyless.
On the new ford vans, if the key fobs are motionless for a certain time, say placed on the table, they automatically shut down stopping the cloning done by thief’s using relay transmitters etc. Not sure if vw are the same, As far as I’m aware California’s are keyless, ie no key, just the fob, but not keyless start, you still need to push a button on the dash, although there’s an app, but I still don’t think you can start a California engine remotely.
A heated windscreen could be useful in Scotland and if it’s a daily driver, big high screen to scrape clear, but another costly option.
Good luck

 

[flying banana]

Sounds like you have done your homework as you know more than your dealer, always seems the way now, apart from a certain man in Liverpool...
We almost ordered a Coast similar to yours, with your options, plus a heated screen and towbar, went for the ocean in the end as we wanted LED lights.
Personally i now wouldn’t order using a local dealer, go with the best deal you can find in the uk using DTD or Autobid, then service the van locally.
Anyone buying across the channel will have a slightly different standard spec than the UK
give one spare key to a trusted friend, that could post out to you if you become keyless.
On the new ford vans, if the key fobs are motionless for a certain time, say placed on the table, they automatically shut down stopping the cloning done by thief’s using relay transmitters etc. Not sure if vw are the same, As far as I’m aware California’s are keyless, ie no key, just the fob, but not keyless start, you still need to push a button on the dash, although there’s an app, but I still don’t think you can start a California engine remotely.
A heated windscreen could be useful in Scotland and if it’s a daily driver, big high screen to scrape clear, but another costly option.
Good luck

Californias are keyless? That's wrong mate. There is a key blade for the drivers door and ignition. No start button either . Unless theres a start button on 6.1 but I can't see one on photos. The 4 keys can come in handy as you can make a surf key with one of them by removing the blade.
And trust me, you very much CAN lock the keys in the van!

 

[Jandy61]

Californias are keyless? That's wrong mate. There is a key blade for the drivers door and ignition. No start button either . Unless theres a start button on 6.1 but I can't see one on photos. The 4 keys can come in handy as you can make a surf key with one of them by removing the blade.
And trust me, you very much CAN lock the keys in the van!

Lol, i hold my hands up, it’s been a long time since I ordered the van, still waiting for it obviously, really thought they had a button, so we are still old school, that’s fine with me though as at least you know where the key fob is when you want to get out, unlike my work van, searching every door pocket and crevice for where I threw fob after starting up

 

[AlisonF]

AFAIK one can run the "night" or "parking" heater whilst driving and there's even another heater that lights up when starting with a coolant temperature below 5C. Sounds like there is lots of headroom in the heat department without the climatronic.

Climatronic is recommended for keeping passengers / pets cool in the rear, not for heat. Even in NE Scotland.

 

[James Robbie]

JYou may find it helpful to fiddle around with your options there. https://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/en/configurator.html

The outdoor shower option triggers the addition of the fancy internal lighting so £1100 total onto the cost.

And it seems you need to upgrade the wheels to be able to get all-weather tyres!

 

[James Robbie]

Personally i now wouldn’t order using a local dealer, go with the best deal you can find in the uk using DTD or Autobid, then service the van locally.

Thanks - I'll loo at those options too.

give one spare key to a trusted friend, that could post out to you if you become keyless.

Good tip!

A heated windscreen could be useful in Scotland and if it’s a daily driver, big high screen to scrape clear, but another costly option.
Good luck

I can see how that would be nice to have. I've had the odd stone fly up in my time though! I'll think about that.
Many thanks

 

[bob_summers]

What do you intend to do regarding the battery?

Haven’t really figured it out - it’s going to be a case of suck it and see. 99% sure I’ll fit solar, leisure batts will hold out over a typical 4 day weekend, but for two weeks without EHU - driving into town every few days or moving between sites won’t be enough to charge them.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Adding options to a Coast?
No point, just order an Ocean as most of what has been mentioned is standard.

 

[yossarian]

And it seems you need to upgrade the wheels to be able to get all-weather tyres! View attachment 76514

Yeah, I went through this exercise dozens of times initially with the coast. In my case I wanted 17" wheels, climatronic, side assist, led lights rear view camera, heated seats and sensors. Nice to have for me was the rear double glazing and digital cockpit, fog lights, panaramic window.

Long story short I wound up ordering a low spec ocean which had all this standard and hopefully will reflect it in resale value.

Ps the side assist might be useful for you driving in Europe...

 

[yossarian]

A heated windscreen could be useful in Scotland and if it’s a daily driver, big high screen to scrape clear, but another costly option.

The ocean (coast too I think) comes with a longish range remote for the parking heater. Not as fast but might work for James and a zero cost option.

 

[WelshGas]

The ocean (coast too I think) comes with a longish range remote for the parking heater. Not as fast but might work for James and a zero cost option.

Agree, warm car and All windows are ice free.

 

[B J G]

I had an idle session on the Configurator comparing the Coast spec against the Ocean spec in relation to what's included in the price and what I'd consider essential add ons to a Coast.
Result was that the Ocean gave better value for not much more money and could be about the same cost when the Coast was brought up to spec deemed as required.


If worried about the Limo level of tint just look at most saloon Car rear windows and if you don't already have sit in one to double check, neighbour? I find it gives a more relaxed ambience plus privacy for and security from prying eyes when parked as well as when you are inside.

 

[Trudi]

Speak to the dealer about all weather tyres. We've ordered them on our coast but not upgraded the wheels.
Also go to the comparison sites, print their prices off and ask the dealer if they can come close.

 

[pluc99]

I don't know about the all weather tires. It sounded like you were planning to go up hills in winter so wouldn't it be better to get a set of no compromise winter tires, especially as you didn't mention getting 4M?

 

[andyinluton]

Agree set of winters on 17inch steels is about £250