Cali Beach Camper as main car

[California219]

Hi folks,

Considering ordering a new 6.1 Beach Camper to replace current MB E Class estate as the main family transport. Had toyed with the idea of keeping the E and getting a cheaper secondhand T6 van conversion but apart from slower 0-60 times the T6.1 would seem to be able to do both roles - especially like the fact auto is now standard, electromechanical steering has been introduced and the 6.1 has radar cruise (have this on the Merc) which should make it a capable long distance cruiser.

With the Beach Camper being a motorhome rather than a car as far as the DVLA/tax system is concerned, is there anything to be aware of insuring the car? Ie am I going to be able to transfer my 20 years no claims over from my Merc if the Camper is my only day to day transport? (I have a couple of classics on a separate policy but they don't require the no claims).

TIA for any guidance.

 

[WelshGas]

Hi folks,

Considering ordering a new 6.1 Beach Camper to replace current MB E Class estate as the main family transport. Had toyed with the idea of keeping the E and getting a cheaper secondhand T6 van conversion but apart from slower 0-60 times the T6.1 would seem to be able to do both roles - especially like the fact auto is now standard, electromechanical steering has been introduced and the 6.1 has radar cruise (have this on the Merc) which should make it a capable long distance cruiser.

With the Beach Camper being a motorhome rather than a car as far as the DVLA/tax system is concerned, is there anything to be aware of insuring the car? Ie am I going to be able to transfer my 20 years no claims over from my Merc if the Camper is my only day to day transport? (I have a couple of classics on a separate policy but they don't require the no claims).

TIA for any guidance.

2 things to be aware of.
Some specialist firms will either refuse or penalise you for only having 1 vehicle for daily use. Some don't so you'll have to ring around if you go down this route. Some accept NCD some don't.
Mainline car insurers will insure BUT cover for camping equipment can be significantly less than specialist insurers and they may not provide the same cover for " Camping " accidents compared with normal " Traffic " accidents.

eg: Camping accident, cooker fire when cooking bacon for your bacon butty or roof bellows/awning damage in a gale.

 

[2haw]

Hi folks,

Considering ordering a new 6.1 Beach Camper to replace current MB E Class estate as the main family transport. Had toyed with the idea of keeping the E and getting a cheaper secondhand T6 van conversion but apart from slower 0-60 times the T6.1 would seem to be able to do both roles - especially like the fact auto is now standard, electromechanical steering has been introduced and the 6.1 has radar cruise (have this on the Merc) which should make it a capable long distance cruiser.

With the Beach Camper being a motorhome rather than a car as far as the DVLA/tax system is concerned, is there anything to be aware of insuring the car? Ie am I going to be able to transfer my 20 years no claims over from my Merc if the Camper is my only day to day transport? (I have a couple of classics on a separate policy but they don't require the no claims).

TIA for any guidance.

The Beach is absolutely great main car but as a daily driver, it all depends on the type of regular journey you’ll make.

If I’m nipping about local and staying off motorway’s, I’d always take my partner’s Up! GTI if she’d let me!

 

[Algor]

Hi folks,

Considering ordering a new 6.1 Beach Camper to replace current MB E Class estate as the main family transport. Had toyed with the idea of keeping the E and getting a cheaper secondhand T6 van conversion but apart from slower 0-60 times the T6.1 would seem to be able to do both roles - especially like the fact auto is now standard, electromechanical steering has been introduced and the 6.1 has radar cruise (have this on the Merc) which should make it a capable long distance cruiser.

With the Beach Camper being a motorhome rather than a car as far as the DVLA/tax system is concerned, is there anything to be aware of insuring the car? Ie am I going to be able to transfer my 20 years no claims over from my Merc if the Camper is my only day to day transport? (I have a couple of classics on a separate policy but they don't require the no claims).

TIA for any guidance.

Any Cali makes a perfectly reasonable every day run-around, Insurance is relatively easy, by all means ring the insurer if you are concerned but they are a factory built VW, insurer's know what they are. Some poster's will make an issue out of insurance which in my opinion is completely unnecessary, but if nervous call them and clarify. Having owned an E class myself for a few years I can assure you that you won't even feel like you are in a bigger vehicle (other than the higher seating position), they are a doddle to drive and park. If you can't test drive a Cali ask for a Caravelle or shuttle to test drive as they will give you similar visibility.

 

[TripleBee]

I am doing this already for 12 years.
Got rid of my Golf 4 when I bought the Cali.
I had no reason to buy a second car, pay double insurance, double MOT, double road tax, ... I still don't have a reason to do this.

Only and daily driver. Still for a long time to come, I hope.

 

[chockswahay]

Hi folks,

Considering ordering a new 6.1 Beach Camper to replace current MB E Class estate as the main family transport. Had toyed with the idea of keeping the E and getting a cheaper secondhand T6 van conversion but apart from slower 0-60 times the T6.1 would seem to be able to do both roles - especially like the fact auto is now standard, electromechanical steering has been introduced and the 6.1 has radar cruise (have this on the Merc) which should make it a capable long distance cruiser.

With the Beach Camper being a motorhome rather than a car as far as the DVLA/tax system is concerned, is there anything to be aware of insuring the car? Ie am I going to be able to transfer my 20 years no claims over from my Merc if the Camper is my only day to day transport? (I have a couple of classics on a separate policy but they don't require the no claims).

TIA for any guidance.

Eh? Our Coast is taxed as a car, luckily we are the 2nd owner so we only get stung for £490 annual road tax . Bigger motor homes get away with much less tax and no penalty for being over £40 k

 

[California219]

Eh? Our Coast is taxed as a car, luckily we are the 2nd owner so we only get stung for £490 annual road tax . Bigger motor homes get away with much less tax and no penalty for being over £40 k

Current Ocean and Beach Camper are motorhome according to the Vw UK brochure. Imagine Coast would be the same. Beach Tour remains car…

Think this is a relatively recent development.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Been driving a T series since 1998.
Full time as main car since 2004.
Couldn’t think of a better work horse. Hospital visit today, perfect vehicle

 

[jamessclarke]

7 years Beach as main car after Volvo V70, 4 children. Never looked back. Beach is ideal car, base camp, mobile office, changing room and more. I love the driving position. Only snag is occasional multi-storey which is below 2 metres - stops me going to my local Tesco in Chester.

 

[paul_f]

I swapped a 2012 E350 estate for a beach after owning a splitscreen for many years that didn't get used a lot

Economy isn't that different if I stay at 70, above it's worse than the E350 was.

Parking is similar, although a few multi stories I can't get into.

Great for days out, rubber floor and matts so don't worry about getting it muddy

Downsides are - T6s are fairly low tech, and a Beach is low spec as standard.
Cloth seats are a pain as they get dirty, on the other hand they are cool in the summer

 

[hirsty]

T6 Beach is my only vehicle, and a T5 conversion predecessor before that, back to 2013.

I alternate insurance between LV and Admiral who seem the most open towards it being parked on the street full-time.

This weekend it's had the seats folded flat carrying a huge number of flat-packed cardboard boxes and separately a new-to-us 'vintage' door that's had to be taken to an annoying number of different places during it's prep.

 

[Calimili]

It is a capable long distance cruiser, but the comfort will never be at the level of a E class. Whatever people here say.
I went from a 2017 280bhp Q7 to a Cali, and the comfort is certainly different. 0-60 is very different. Braking and cornering, overtaking is very different.
But you'll have a lot more other advantages that are unthinkable in a E-class.

 

[Tim T]

Two things to be wary of:
1) We originally had the camper insured as a second vehicle and so got in trouble when we made a claim for a broken rear window (Storm Arwen), and moaned about the lead time as the camper was our main vehicle... Be careful as it was a declaration made on the initial form and is not repeated in the renewal quotes, but should still be declared to your insurers if it subsiquently becomes your only vehicle. I think it was mainly because of...
2) As a campervan the cover was social and domestic, excluding commuting to and from work, which I was aware of. I don't think that there will be any problem insuring the vehicle for general use, just that specific motor-home policies that cover the motor-home part have some exclusions.

 

[California_Ocean]

Apart from the insurance and tax implications - can't comment as I live in Germany - I have a California Ocean which we use as a daily driver and shopping trolley.

With the parking aid option it parallel parks itself pretty well.
With the awning removed it can go through the car wash - I hate washing cars by hand.
It is very comfortable to drive long distances, you just need to adjust your driving style to accommodate its lack of dynamic performance - it is a camper van after all.
ACC is good but other manufacturers do a better job - my BMW system feels smoother.
I got the 4Motion version with all season tyres - but the winter/summer tyre question may not be such an issue in the UK.
Boot is huge - even bigger in a Beach.
Rear passenger door is on the road side for the UK - if you have kids it might be an issue.

 

[Neilos]

Apart from the insurance and tax implications - can't comment as I live in Germany - I have a California Ocean which we use as a daily driver and shopping trolley.

With the parking aid option it parallel parks itself pretty well.
With the awning removed it can go through the car wash - I hate washing cars by hand.
It is very comfortable to drive long distances, you just need to adjust your driving style to accommodate its lack of dynamic performance - it is a camper van after all.
ACC is good but other manufacturers do a better job - my BMW system feels smoother.
I got the 4Motion version with all season tyres - but the winter/summer tyre question may not be such an issue in the UK.
Boot is huge - even bigger in a Beach.
Rear passenger door is on the road side for the UK - if you have kids it might be an issue.

Honestly never find the sliding door side an issue. If anything I prefer it. As a driver I can get out and I have control of the sliding door without walking around the van. So I can stop kids getting out etc. if it’s really not safe then they climb through the gap between the seats and out the passenger door.

We have a second car but I think if we had to we could live with the beach only. It’s a great shopping car. Nice to drive round town with great visibility and DSG is good in traffic. Not as nippy and harder to park but not at all bad. Very manoeuvrable for a large thing. Easier than our old estate I feel. Bette returning circle and visibility.


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[Van Maurice]

Hi folks,

Considering ordering a new 6.1 Beach Camper to replace current MB E Class estate as the main family transport. Had toyed with the idea of keeping the E and getting a cheaper secondhand T6 van conversion but apart from slower 0-60 times the T6.1 would seem to be able to do both roles - especially like the fact auto is now standard, electromechanical steering has been introduced and the 6.1 has radar cruise (have this on the Merc) which should make it a capable long distance cruiser.

With the Beach Camper being a motorhome rather than a car as far as the DVLA/tax system is concerned, is there anything to be aware of insuring the car? Ie am I going to be able to transfer my 20 years no claims over from my Merc if the Camper is my only day to day transport? (I have a couple of classics on a separate policy but they don't require the no claims).

TIA for any guidance.

We sold 2 cars and have been using our Ocean as our only vehicle since 2018, with no problems.
Indeed, we would heartily recommend it! And our NCD was transferred over without a problem.
Hope this helps.

 

[Agnes_Cali]

I know it's an old thread, but I wanted to add my comments regarding Beach as a daily driver. I use mine in that capacity, but it's not my only car.

I use it for commuting in London and it works better than small car previously. Being bigger, means other drivers leave me more space and are more cautious (and probably hate driving behind me.) I also use it for commuting to other place of work outside of London. When moving between work places, I bring with me change of clothes and meals, so I have everything on board and can use Cali as a changing room.

I also sometimes sleep in it in a car park, when it make more sense to drive straight to work from a trip, rather than going home and to work and waste time. I slept couple of times after or before work, had a meal and then went happily into the workplace/ next destination.

Sliding doors are very useful when shopping or in tight car parks. I prefer to put my shopping in the cabin on the floor, rather than open the boot. Emergency braking system already taught me not to put eggs on the back seat.

So far, I did 7400 miles in less than 5 months, so I average around 1500 miles per month.

Obvious issues: car parks with height limit. Had to park in Oxford in place which is further from city centre, because closer P+R now has 1.9m limit. I parked there last year in my other car and there was no limit back then. No issues with parking at my work places. Length of Cali is no issue, had longer saloon before.

Regardless of Cali being great daily, I miss having something sporty and I suspect my fleet will go back to 3 cars: Cali, 4x4, something sporty.

 

[RedWhiteMonkey]

Our T6.1 Beach is our daily driver, although my wife generally cycles to work and we do have ready access to two other cars. I am also considering getting a small electric car for my work commute but only to stop putting excessive miles on our Beach.

 

[DavidofHook]

We use our 2012 TDi as our only car. Have been so since our Smart car packed up after being left for a month whilst we were away in our he van! We have had it as a car for maybe 2 years now, and in practical terms it is fine. Avoid insuring with the Camping Club as the insurers seem to think you only use your vehicle for holidays. Otherwise no problem and of course it is a lovely vehicle to drive