Cali virgins - advice please

[Resfeber]

I hope the comments have helped jillyfish and informed their search for a Cali.
Re cruise re adaptive. I believe the plain Cruise is a dealer retro fit as well if you undertake long journeys and want to rest your right foot or set a speed. The MF steering helps with all cruise controls under your left thumb for 1 mph up or down increments, 5mph increments 30, 35,40 etc. and cancel or resume.
Again personal choice, never used,never missed.
As the comments show adaptive is a different entity and for heavier traffic conditions helps safety with distance control combined with front assist braking system if it all goes pear shaped in front of you.
VWGuru or others know if adaptive is a retro fit?
LED headlights
Please check on your hire if the standard lights at night are good for you. A retro fit is prohibitively expensive if you find you really would prefer LED headlights.

 

[Bill R]

Crucial for Jillyfish to note on this: 'cruise control' and 'adaptive cruise control' (ACC) are very different things. Sorry if I'm stating the obvious but I think it does cause confusion.

(Jilly: in case you are confused, ACC adjusts your speed automatically when you come up behind another vehicle, but with basic CC it's only really useful when you have an open road ahead of you).

I'd be quite interested in having ACC on a future vehicle, but I find basic old fashioned ('dumb') CC a waste of time, on British/European roads anyway.

Spot on !
I’ve has CC on many cars and never used it. Had ACC on one Manual car and it was OK but still had to change gear obviously, but on the Cali the combination of ACC and the DSG means I use it all the time, it’s a dream to drive.

 

[JoeandMaggie]

App connect is simply a software add on that can be done at the dealership retrospectively with minimum effort (as long as you have the bigger screen). I therefore would suggest that if you don’t want it, fair enough, a future buyer can fit it no problemo!

 

[Perfectos]

I hope the comments have helped jillyfish and informed their search for a Cali.
Re cruise re adaptive. I believe the plain Cruise is a dealer retro fit as well if you undertake long journeys and want to rest your right foot or set a speed. The MF steering helps with all cruise controls under your left thumb for 1 mph up or down increments, 5mph increments 30, 35,40 etc. and cancel or resume.
Again personal choice, never used,never missed.
As the comments show adaptive is a different entity and for heavier traffic conditions helps safety with distance control combined with front assist braking system if it all goes pear shaped in front of you.
VWGuru or others know if adaptive is a retro fit?
LED headlights
Please check on your hire if the standard lights at night are good for you. A retro fit is prohibitively expensive if you find you really would prefer LED headlights.

Adaptive cruise is not a retro fit, the approved companies cannot fit it due to their insurance stipulations. I asked a VW approved company if it was possible, the answer was yes, the parts are available, the work is highly feasible to carry out, but No we can’t becuse of insurance restrictions.
This may change in future but for now retro fit ACC is not an option

 

[Toothlessjon]

I bought the California Ocean 4 wheel drive version this year. I would definitely by a low mileage used version if I was to buy today. There are some great deals out there , and I have seen some excellent California’s advertised on this website. In my honest opinion you are just throwing your money away buying new. Many people buy, and it would seem immediately realise the space restrictions in the California are not acceptable or the “dreams ” they had was just that. Ask yourself and your partner seriously “Are we actually going to use it”. With regard to driving the vehicle, in my opinion you will have no trouble driving it at all, but make sure you buy one with the reversing camera and the diesel heater. Also see if you can get one that had the 5 year warranty put on it. Finally one good driving tip when passing vehicles down tight lanes both you and your partner should breath in, it rarely fails.

 

[wessexcamper]

HI Jill and Steve, You have got some good replies on here already. We researched like most others, the conversion versus cali 2 years ago, we have no regrets buying our T5 TDI DSG Cali. We have a family member that recently did a Transporter conversion and there is nothing like putting these 2 vehicles side by side to have a proper look. I would advise looking carefully at engine size, the DSG gearbox etc as for long journeys, country lanes and hills (for us Devon and Cornwall), this makes a big difference. Knowing I can take it into any VW Van Centre for advice / service etc is very helpful as going back to the conversion firm can be a hassle. I could go on but others have covered it.

 

[jillyfish]

thanks again to all those replies with extremely useful info and advice. Have tweaked 'spec' in light of comments though still not sure about colour (ie. bright red; cheaper and good colour, or pearl black, dark blue, brown metallic) and tinted glass. I am favouring it,but steve thinks it will lessen light when inside and reduce visibility? The one we looked at in the showroom, I am sure, had standard glass and this had a slight tint, but were told it not the privacy glass which was darker. HOWEVER, although very helpful, salesman being new, make a couple of mistakes as not fully up on the details. planning to get a test drive and confirm some points. I am conscious of making impulsive choices and part of me wants to wait till we have rented one atthe endof Sept before taking this any further, but i feel myself becoming more and more keen on going ahead nontheless... some chat from VW about timeline/cut off for orders of the T6. Dealer says they have ordered 18 to come in before end of October and unable to g'tee any order might be processed by VW as no one knows when the T6 will cease production.
J

 

[Resfeber]

thanks again to all those replies with extremely useful info and advice. Have tweaked 'spec' in light of comments though still not sure about colour (ie. bright red; cheaper and good colour, or pearl black, dark blue, brown metallic) and tinted glass. I am favouring it,but steve thinks it will lessen light when inside and reduce visibility? The one we looked at in the showroom, I am sure, had standard glass and this had a slight tint, but were told it not the privacy glass which was darker. HOWEVER, although very helpful, salesman being new, make a couple of mistakes as not fully up on the details. planning to get a test drive and confirm some points. I am conscious of making impulsive choices and part of me wants to wait till we have rented one atthe endof Sept before taking this any further, but i feel myself becoming more and more keen on going ahead nontheless... some chat from VW about timeline/cut off for orders of the T6. Dealer says they have ordered 18 to come in before end of October and unable to g'tee any order might be processed by VW as no one knows when the T6 will cease production.

Don’t get too tied up with the privacy glass.
The standard tint is green and only noticeable if you open the side door cut out window and view out through this window when the amount of tint is noticeable.
Aftermarket films are readily available if you cannot live with standard tint. Only difficulty is getting a good match with the blacked out section behind the wardrobe and the small clear section with plastic blind above the fridge
Colour is personal but the images of my Cali where with standard tint windows. I added carpets & GTI seat covers from the shop (£700) to tone down the grey interior which worked better with a black exterior (IMHO).
Don’t know if you have Pet but Alcantara cleaning V Seat cover that can be washed needs considered although refitting covers is a bind and not everyone’s cup of tea.
Other than that and the issue of LED lights you have only to decide is it affordable & will I use it enough ( but I am sure you know the answers to these).
Enjoy and please report back on the final outcome.

 

[Ally Whitehead]

Hello there

We are seriously considering buying a Cali Ocean, and have done a bit of on line research although feel quite unsavvy around the issue and because it is a big spend for us, want to be sure, find out all we can before going ahead. It may be that we wait a year or two before buying, but that would also give us more time to save toward the full cost as opposed to taking a loan. We both semi retired, me 60 and Steve 63 and only i drive. I currently drive a Polo and not used to driving bigger vehicles although i did do once when had to hire a van to move. We have booked an ocean to rent for a weekend at the end of next month from OConnors in Devon (we live in Devon also) and going to try the manual first and then give the auto a trial after, if the first weekend works.

couple questions then:

Would love to buy new. Can you tell me HOW MUCH I can expect to pay for new Ocean from Dealer, with all the essential or standard 'extras' included. (i.e. parking sensors, awning, ) not sure what else but you guys will tell me what is advisable to include. It seems to me that the Cali is much in demand and there are likely to be few discounts or deals when purchasing?

Can someone recommend a VW dealership in the Devon/Somerset area? Would I go to a commercial specialist or to normal outlet?

Calis are hard to spot on the road as most camper vehicles seem to be Transporters. We are going to see a conversion company today and I expect they will expand on the merits of their product based on custom build and cost. Does the T6 provide the same driver experience as the Cali ? from what i have seen the cali has more comfortable seating as well as offering quite a few details that conversions cannot.

any advice much appreciated.

thanks
Jill and Steve

Hi both, Phil and ally here out on only our 3rd trip in Flossie, our brand new Ocean in Northern Spain. We’ve had a great time, ours cost about £63k, part financed from a be commercial dealership in Leicester. It has parking sensors, awning, all the mod cons and cool paint job. Additions we bought are all sides awning from everythingvw.com which is great extra space and a Duvalay topper for the mattress which is a MUST. We also got the official bike rack which is very sturdy. We bought a Cadac Safari 2 bbq so we don’t stink out the van at mealtimes and it stores small. Thoroughly recommend. Don’t hesitate to write again and I’ll message personally for more newbie advice!! Best decision you’ll ever make. X

 

[Ally Whitehead]

T

thanks again to all those replies with extremely useful info and advice. Have tweaked 'spec' in light of comments though still not sure about colour (ie. bright red; cheaper and good colour, or pearl black, dark blue, brown metallic) and tinted glass. I am favouring it,but steve thinks it will lessen light when inside and reduce visibility? The one we looked at in the showroom, I am sure, had standard glass and this had a slight tint, but were told it not the privacy glass which was darker. HOWEVER, although very helpful, salesman being new, make a couple of mistakes as not fully up on the details. planning to get a test drive and confirm some points. I am conscious of making impulsive choices and part of me wants to wait till we have rented one atthe endof Sept before taking this any further, but i feel myself becoming more and more keen on going ahead nontheless... some chat from VW about timeline/cut off for orders of the T6. Dealer says they have ordered 18 to come in before end of October and unable to g'tee any order might be processed by VW as no one knows when the T6 will cease production.
J

take the tinted windows for sure, privacy key, no depletion in visibility. Order from Leicester and see if they’ll deliver, they get a larger order allocation than most dealerships. Ask for Elizabeth le Messurier, she was sooo helpful.

 

[BikerGran]

I bought a 9 year old low mileage Cali with Tiptronic gears about 3 years ago from a local motorhome dealer with a good rep (research done). It still looked brand new and had LOTS of extras, never totted them up but a lot of value in them. It still looks new when it's clean which is rare.
I was trying to think about the privacy glass which I have, and have to say I like it and have never really noticed the difference when inside.
One thing I would definitely go for if buying new is the 4WD option (whatever they call it) as most of my camping is in fields in UK, therefore muddy fields! Never been quite stuck yet but have come uncomfortably close.
And yes, reversing camera would be very useful, also reversing sensors at the fron (I only have the rear ones).
I have no idea about the radio/satnav/phone technology and I'm 72 so my learning capacity isn't what it was!
I've never found a use for the Tiptronic aspect of the gears but the automatic aspect is excellent.

I too had thought about buying a conversion but there really is NO comparison!

 

[BeagleMum]

more to think about. we talked about privacy glass as the one in showroom didnt have it on and we agreed that this is not really a concern as blinds are there for when privacy is essential. the ordinary glass does provide better light we thought.

As for app connect I would like that but Steve says we should be better off with sat nav (although we are not likely to go outside the country) not very tech savvy, but imagine that with bluetooth the app connect enables all phone content/apps to be displayed including googlemaps, and automatically connects as my phone does currently in the car.

Cruise control - um never had it so not sure how i would find it or would i even want it if its something i have done without for 40 years! feedback on this from anyone would be interesting.

Another question. We think we would prefer to use campsites as little as possible and therefore, how long do you need to drive for/distance to charge the leisure battery if you were pootling about say in Dartmoor.?

Vehicle spec is a very personal issue. If you are not buying new & your list of 'absolute must haves' is short it gives you a wider selection of for sale vehicles. However, for us, as we will be keeping this Cali for many years so our 'must haves' included cruise control, automatic, privacy glass, reversing camera, heater, colour choice.
For example we frequently go to the far north of Scotland, the A9 is choc a block with variable speed cameras, in such circumstances cruise control for us is invaluable.
Consider what you need now to suit how you intend to use the vehicle, don't think about resale value at this point as hopefully that's going to be a very long time coming

 

[Matthew Wood]

I would pretty much agree with everything above. I have driven plenty of vans, when moving home etc, the Cali drives like a big car. I would definitely advise the parking sensors and the rear camera; the beeping can be annoying but has saved my blushes on a number of occasions!! We considered a conversion but it didn’t work out any cheaper than what you got as standard on a Cali, and besides a Cali has everything you need. We are currently 4 months through a 5 month trip around Europe and the Cali has been perfect, even in 40+ heat. 2 adults, a baby and a dog have all survived and actually enjoyed the experience. We managed to get one at a good price as an ex-showroom model, so if you can get one before the T6.1 comes out, I imagine you will make a saving, you may not get all the choices you wanted but these can be negotiated and haggled. Our showroom model had everything (except cruise control). And finally the 150DSG auto is amazing, always been a manual driver but love the auto...

 

[Norfolk Jim]

I agree on the cruise control being a must. I am still on the hunt for a Cali to suit me and have a T5 conversion which doesn't have cruise control. I agree with Matthew we go to Scotland twice a year and the A9 is a nightmare on cameras and I have to constantly keep my eyes on speedo; thankfully my sat nav has a speed warning. Cruise control does also save you on fuel if used correctly. I have a Nissan X Trail as my daily car and always use it on dual carriageway and motorways and found it can save 2 or more mpg. Drive is much smoother as not having to gauge accelerator on inclines and declines - cruise is a must for me!