California vs Conversion

[Bellcrew]

ABSOLUTELY

There is a lot of difference between a conversion company and a motorhome manufacturer. Westfalia invented the California many, many years ago and the design hasn't really changed since.

I have no issues with conversions but you get what you pay for. A matching conversion to a Cali is often very little difference.
If you are going to do a conversion, buy your own van and find a converter to do it. For example I know a local VW Camper specialist who buys in the vans for about £12k, sends to a converter to convert for £12k and then sells for £36k making £12k profit. Could easily save yourself £12k or spec it much higher quality.

My niece bought one of these, her husband loved the 20" alloys, so cool.
Sold it a couple of years later, could not get more than £18,000, bog standard 84 hp with a chip, just rubbish.

 

[Haves1979]

I've had my heart set on a newer california for a while, but in all honesty cant justify the asking prices at the minute. I had assumed that 30-32k would put me in a nice 10-12 plate t5.1, but not much around at the minute. The 30-35k being asked for old T5s on here is just insane. That would put me in probably a 3 or 4 year old van with new built conversion and a pretty decent spec. The other thing is not sure if the older Van's fault foul of the new ULEZ rules which my old T4.

Currently planning to either hold out until the market levels, which given the way the economy is looking is likely or alternatively have a look a few conversions.

 

[larrylamb]

I've had my heart set on a newer california for a while, but in all honesty cant justify the asking prices at the minute. I had assumed that 30-32k would put me in a nice 10-12 plate t5.1, but not much around at the minute. The 30-35k being asked for old T5s on here is just insane. That would put me in probably a 3 or 4 year old van with new built conversion and a pretty decent spec. The other thing is not sure if the older Van's fault foul of the new ULEZ rules which my old T4.

Currently planning to either hold out until the market levels, which given the way the economy is looking is likely or alternatively have a look a few conversions.

Spot on, hold out for the end of season sale!

 

[HamishEeyore]

What a lovely reply!

Indeed. Your reply demonstrates one of the best sides of a forum. Some of the glib, acidic and unhelpful responses to people who post comments make me feel a sense of despair for people who post honest thoughts and would like forward-looking responses so they are being helped and not smashed. This seems to happen on so many threads.

 

[GrannyJen]

Indeed. Your reply demonstrates one of the best sides of a forum. Some of the glib, acidic and unhelpful responses to people who post comments make me feel a sense of despair for people who post honest thoughts and would like forward-looking responses so they are being helped and not smashed. This seems to happen on so many threads.

I am sorry to read this.

In rapid succession we have had a series of national/international crises that have impacted negatively on all social media where people gather to discuss topics, broad or narrow based.

Following one of those crises, coronavirus issues, we made a positive statement of intent on this forum that responses that you describe will not be tolerated. Should you feel you are a victim, or just an observer, of such a response can I please ask you to use the "report" post button ...(first of the four buttons below every post on the left)....

This forum has a history of being overwhelmingly friendly and welcoming to new members but a result of that also is an increase in postings that now mean that moderators cannot read every post, there simply is too many, but we will respond to every reported post.

 

[BeeBee]

We looked at Jerba conversions (North Berwick) and were very impressed by the quality and finish but when we took a test drive in the Ocean just fell in love with it ... whatever you choose it’s all about what suits you, price, spec, drive and how you are going to use it. Hope you get your van x

 

[circa35mm]

We looked at Jerba conversions (North Berwick) and were very impressed by the quality and finish but when we took a test drive in the Ocean just fell in love with it ... whatever you choose it’s all about what suits you, price, spec, drive and how you are going to use it. Hope you get your van x

They were one option I'd taken a look at. Would certainly like to go and see them just to see how they compare.

 

[Haves1979]

Jerba certinaly look well built so may take a look as just up the road from us in Berwick. The tiree is closest to cali layout (albeit with a normal style fridge). £49k new or £18k if you provide the van.

 

[MattC]

I've had my Jerba van for just over 2 years now (bought new). I'd vouch for the quality, and the after-sales support has been excellent too, so if you're considering a conversion I'd certainly recommend them as an outfit to look at.
My van is the Sanna, based on a LWB T6, since the different layout with single rear seats, a full length aisle and a built-in cassette toilet suited our requirements. We also went for a Wallas diesel-powered hob/heater so we've no gas bottle on board. Jerba vans might not appeal to those who light a lot of "bling" but even so they offer some very smart finishes. They also offer a lot of options within their standard layouts and are happy to discuss further customisation if you really want/need it. One other point - their conversions use their own elevating roof design which is very good (and I've not heard of any corrosion problems!)

 

[circa35mm]

Jerba certinaly look well built so may take a look as just up the road from us in Berwick. The tiree is closest to cali layout (albeit with a normal style fridge). £49k new or £18k if you provide the van.

The £49k can quickly increase if you want the DSG and Highline spec which adds £8k+ to the price.

 

[HamishEeyore]

They were one option I'd taken a look at. Would certainly like to go and see them just to see how they compare.

Although we didn’t buy one in the end we were very impressed with the company. The do some great demo videos of their products which can be seen on their website - comprehensive tours of each model.

 

[Wild Bob]

What a lovely reply!

Yes I thought so too, understanding when older your less adventurous but still wanting to explore this lovely country of ours

 

[Wild Bob]

It’s just a new chapter in your life, growing older is a privilege denied to many.
There are hundreds of beautiful places in the U.K for you to enjoy, we hope you do.

Thank you for your very kind reply and yes we bought our new Cali Sep last year with the intention of seeing more of the lovely country.

 

[Ting Tong]

If you price up a T30 Highline panel van on the configurator with as much of the same van spec as a Cali Ocean, the difference in price is about £18k....you be hard pushed to get a quality conversion with aircon in the back and camping tables/chairs etc for that and you’d still end up with a van plastered internally with carpet, a big hole cut in the roof and no 3 year warranty on it all.......

 

[WelshGas]

If you price up a T30 Highline panel van on the configurator with as much of the same van spec as a Cali Ocean, the difference in price is about £18k....you be hard pushed to get a quality conversion with aircon in the back and camping tables/chairs etc for that and you’d still end up with a van plastered internally with carpet, a big hole cut in the roof and an no 3 year warranty on it all.......

View attachment 63286

Agree. When I was looking back in 2014 none of the conversion companies, who were VW Associates, and able to buy base vehicles from VW were able to supply the base vehicle and VW options I wanted. VW wouldn't supply them. I had to buy the vehicle and then get it converted. This made buying the California with the engine and options I wanted a no brainer.

 

[AndyWT]

If you price up a T30 Highline panel van on the configurator with as much of the same van spec as a Cali Ocean, the difference in price is about £18k....you be hard pushed to get a quality conversion with aircon in the back and camping tables/chairs etc for that and you’d still end up with a van plastered internally with carpet, a big hole cut in the roof and an no 3 year warranty on it all.......

I think it's unlikely you can save any money basing a conversion on a new van with similar spec as a Cali, if you want the same quality camper. Something has to give, either a lower spec van or a used van of unknown origin or a lower spec camper or simpler camper.

Having looked at several conversions, my son in-law has a T5 LWB beach style with pop-top, its good enough for weekend warriors, I would stick to a California "any California" whatever fit's the budget...

As to the bit about "a big hole cut in the roof" well! thats exactly what VW does! any competent camper builder will use the kit that VW supplies its riveted and Sika'd to the body and restores the integrity to the van body, there are some none VW kits available that should be avoided as to unknown design and metal strength.

A bigger issue is holes cut in the van for windows, VW has strict instructions as to reinforcement needed to retain body integrity in an accident, some is as simple as Sike'ing existing internal ribs to the outer panels, some is a bit more complicated, in many cases these requirements are not followed.

As to me, I'm sticking with my 2000 T4 2.5 Tdi, solid build and stood the test of time, it's indestructible as is the Audi 5 pot, yes its a bit like driving a truck, suites me fine been around trucks all my life.

If I change it's coz the boss want a higher van with a toilet, I'm digging in... if I do it will be self build, or maybe compromise and put on a high-top, Reimo is looking favourite.

 

[Ting Tong]

As to the bit about "a big hole cut in the roof" well! thats exactly what VW does! any competent camper builder will use the kit that VW supplies its riveted and Sika'd to the body and restores the integrity to the van body, there are some none VW kits available that should be avoided as to unknown design and metal strength.

No they don't. I've been to the factories and it's a totally different roof pressing from the start (as is the rear left 1/4 panel with the socket/waterfiller) with no cutting of the panel or cross-members involved. The pressing has peripheral strengthening that cut Transporter roofs don't have.

 

[AndyWT]

No they don't. I've been to the factories and it's a totally different roof pressing from the start (as is the rear left 1/4 panel with the socket/waterfiller) with no cutting of the panel or cross-members involved. The pressing has peripheral strengthening that cut Transporter roofs don't have.

You are of course correct I was checking parts and it is so, don’t change the issue as there’s still a big hole in the top.
The T4 Cali was cut, VW still supply the parts for converters and if fitted correctly it still passes the crash tests.
As that is the case what are converters doing to the T5/6, maybe using the Reimo reinforcement which looks ugly but looks fairly robust, maybe Reimo could come up with some documentation in English as I can only find in German to verify, it’s € 350 - 430 depending on type for the reinforcement kit.

The T4 Cali is a much better solution not requiring leaky roof drains etc, VW has a habit of over engineering things.

I will have to look a my son-in-law’s T5 pop-top conversion to what was done to secure the “big hole” in the roof next time I’m in Blighty.

 

[66tim99]

Interesting to hear a conversion owner convincing himself of the merits of a California

 

[PhilR]

Being able to move the driving seat back without restriction is a massive plus for me, being quite tall. Some conversions I’ve seen and tried were very compromised in that respect. Luckily my Co-driver isn’t too tall

 

[Jay586]

You are of course correct I was checking parts and it is so, don’t change the issue as there’s still a big hole in the top.
The T4 Cali was cut, VW still supply the parts for converters and if fitted correctly it still passes the crash tests.
As that is the case what are converters doing to the T5/6, maybe using the Reimo reinforcement which looks ugly but looks fairly robust, maybe Reimo could come up with some documentation in English as I can only find in German to verify, it’s € 350 - 430 depending on type for the reinforcement kit.

The T4 Cali is a much better solution not requiring leaky roof drains etc, VW has a habit of over engineering things.

I will have to look a my son-in-law’s T5 pop-top conversion to what was done to secure the “big hole” in the roof next time I’m in Blighty.

We had a Reimo roof in the last van & it did indeed have a bracing to reinforce the hole in the roof. Think it was glued on place with Silkaflex. Lots of it.

 

[Wildcamper]

This topic will always be up for debate for as long as VW sell Californias and panel vans. As already said, Californias are great but do not suit everyone, us included. Our LWB high top conversion suits us. The roof is fully reinforced, we have very little carpet - my mistake as we could have had none. We had a full 3 year VW warranty on the van after conversion plus 3 year warranty on the habitation conversion. We now have extended warranty on the van. The cost might have been a bit less than a California but not by much but we have a vehicle that suits rather than one that would not.

 

[soulstyledevon]

I can’t stress how important one California feature is, which is rarely seen on any other conversion…
Rear Climate AC.
I didn’t have it on my Beach and after a trip to Chamonix, where I spent time in the back with three adults in winter. It convinced me of the necessity to have this feature.

Just try driving more than an hour in hot weather. It’s miserable for the kids too, it’s miserable for the parents. It can ruin a good trip before it’s even started. I wouldn’t buy another van without it…

Don’t get me started on pop top roofs which hinge from the roof line and fixed rear seats. The Calis excellent features soon start to shine through.

 

[WelshGas]

These Conversion v California threads are virtually meaningless because none of the comparisons are like for like.
Comparing a LWB hardtop with a California is like comparing apples with bananas. There is no comparable California.
The accredited VW conversion companies cannot buy a new base vehicle comparable to a California because VW won't sell them one. The only way of doing it is to buy the base vehicle with all the options you want and then hand it to the converter. Once you do that you end up paying more than the equivalent California otr.
There are very few, if any , Conversions that are fully comparable with a new California. They may cost less, because they are less. Less powerful engines, less options, or 2nd hand base vehicles etc, etc.

 

[66tim99]

These Conversion v California threads are virtually meaningless because none of the comparisons are like for like.
Comparing a LWB hardtop with a California is like comparing apples with bananas. There is no comparable California.
The accredited VW conversion companies cannot buy a new base vehicle comparable to a California because VW won't sell them one. The only way of doing it is to buy the base vehicle with all the options you want and then hand it to the converter. Once you do that you end up paying more than the equivalent California otr.
There are very few, if any , Conversions that are fully comparable with a new California. They may cost less, because they are less. Less powerful engines, less options, or 2nd hand base vehicles etc, etc.

Its true. The chap in the video I posted is convincing himself to add £25k to upgrade his perfectly serviceable conversion to a new Ocean. Several reasons including being able to have kids on the back seat close to the driver and more 'boot space', more generous driver legroom and rear AC making it look likely he thought it worth another twenty five thousand pounds.