Caravelle

[KernowLad]

We currently have a 14 plate Caravelle Executive courtesy vs while our darn Cali is being sorted again (the warranty ran out last night!).

It's a really nice bit of kit with full leather, nice alloys and twin electric sliding doors.
Clearly you can't camp in it but it's very versatile and being lighter, feels a bit more agile despite having a 140 engine.

Slightly weird spec omissions are no Bluetooth or satnav and no electric folding mirrors but it's otherwise nicely kitted out.

I noticed the dashboard screen is more modern too.

The classy brown leather does clash a bit with the very plasticky dash (it highlights how low rent our cabins are!) but the seats look superb with the contrast stitching.

It has the DSG box; I just cannot get on with it but that's been done to death so I'll leave it!

We have a kids party this weekend; half hoping we still have it then so we can carry a few little ones around; our little 1 series BMW actually has more seats than our massive Cali!

 

[soulstyledevon]

Sounds like you need a Beach...
:mrgreen:

 

[KernowLad]

Sounds like you need a Beach...
:mrgreen:

No 4Motion, no 180 engine.

Naaaah.

But they are definitely a bit more versatile than a full fat Cali.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Must admit, I would love the 180 engine. Cant see why Volkswagen wouldn't offer it :crazy

 

[KernowLad]

Blimey, still no news on our Cali - sounds like a full diagnostics report is being sent to VW for inspection - this would have been terrible out of warranty!

So wife is using the Caravelle to do her London trip for a major client - save sticking another 500 miles on the BM :smile

I reckon the DSG box will shine on that trip.

 

[KernowLad]

Only just realised; the selector writing of the DSG box is on the WRONG side so you can't see it.
How on Earth did that get signed off?!!

 

[soulstyledevon]

What's wrong with the Cali...?

Had a brand new Polo whilst my Beach was in having it's leaking sliding window replaced last week . It wasn't bad and the engine was so quiet. Which made me think, this is why they want everyone in auto/DSG or whatever they may call em. It's was so quiet, Infact too quiet and wondered what the point of shifting gears if you can't really hear the thing revving.

Personally glad mines a manual as prefer having that extra control in the mountainous areas I've visited.

 

[Freeley]

Only just realised; the selector writing of the DSG box is on the WRONG side so you can't see it.
How on Earth did that get signed off?!!

It's the same with my tiptronic - when I stick it into manual I can never remember which way is + and - and because the writing is on the other side my first change is usually the wrong way!
One of those things they didn't thing was worth changing for rhd I suppose

 

[Freeley]

Only just realised; the selector writing of the DSG box is on the WRONG side so you can't see it.
How on Earth did that get signed off?!!

It's the same with my tiptronic - when I stick it into manual I can never remember which way is + and - and because the writing is on the other side my first change is usually the wrong way!
One of those things they didn't thing was worth changing for rhd I suppose

 

[KernowLad]

Soul; it's back in for the FOURTH time for an EGR valve fault. Been "fixed" three times, keeps flashing up the warning light each time. It's now with VW's head office...

In the meantime we have the Caravelle which is mostly pretty nice.

 

[KernowLad]

Fairly stern words with VW Customer Service today about the issues we've had.
Sure the Cali is complex and things can break on any vehicle but I think we've experienced almost every "common" fault as well as this EGR issue.

What I got back wasn't any guarantee but that VW do often cover up to 90% of claims if they think something pre warranty expiring caused it. In very rare cases they pay for the lot. The is for an additional 12 months after the three year warranty.

He mentioned the extended warranty but I shot him down in flames as these are just tarted up insurance policies.

So not exactly a concrete guarantee but slightly reassuring nonetheless - because if we get the van back (still no idea when!) and we get an EGR related fault and had to pay full whack for the repair, I would be such a nuisance to VW, they'd actually give up on making cars and become trappist monks.

I don't winge for the sake of it but if I feel genuinely aggrieved I pull off things like making BMW pay for a new windscreen when their poor wiper design caused it to smash. Or getting a replacement watch from Nixon for a watch well out of warranty. Or getting Sytner to pay for a full wheel refurb a year after I bought a used car from them.

The list goes on…

I'd also like to add that when I really DO like something, I make a very loud noise about it too.

 

[smgcowfoldparts]

Fairly stern words with VW Customer Service today about the issues we've had.
Sure the Cali is complex and things can break on any vehicle but I think we've experienced almost every "common" fault as well as this EGR issue.

What I got back wasn't any guarantee but that VW do often cover up to 90% of claims if they think something pre warranty expiring caused it. In very rare cases they pay for the lot. The is for an additional 12 months after the three year warranty.

He mentioned the extended warranty but I shot him down in flames as these are just tarted up insurance policies.

So not exactly a concrete guarantee but slightly reassuring nonetheless - because if we get the van back (still no idea when!) and we get an EGR related fault and had to pay full whack for the repair, I would be such a nuisance to VW, they'd actually give up on making cars and become trappist monks.

I don't winge for the sake of it but if I feel genuinely aggrieved I pull off things like making BMW pay for a new windscreen when their poor wiper design caused it to smash. Or getting a replacement watch from Nixon for a watch well out of warranty. Or getting Sytner to pay for a full wheel refurb a year after I bought a used car from them.

The list goes on…

I'd also like to add that when I really DO like something, I make a very loud noise about it too.

We have a calculator that we use for the first six months out of warranty. Generally after that six months it will be down to a matched contribution with the van centre towards the repair but each case is taken on its own merit.

cheers

 

[KernowLad]

If anything does happen I will be comparing all prices with a good local independent garage.

I use a BMW specialist for our 335d once the warranty expired; they were much more knowledgeable and enthusiastic

The only downside is a lack of a courtesy cast.

 

[KernowLad]

The Caravelle was sold (unseen!) so we now have another Golf. 64 plate, lowish spec engine (5 speed box) but the funky parking stuff - I like this one more. Rather gutless but nice and light and airy.

 

[smgcowfoldparts]

Parks itself?

 

[KernowLad]

I think so. Very good full perimeter parking sensors too with a great graphic display; makes the basic Cali ones seem veeeery dated.

This one also appears to drink no fuel. At all.

 

[robo]

I have it on my Golf as well. Works really well but does have limitations.
What's more useful, in fact invaluable , is Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). All vehicles will have this as standard soon.

rob

 

[smgcowfoldparts]

Mum's A class has it and it is a bit of a gimmick but quite good. Agree that adaptive cruise control is fantastic. My SL has Distronic which is the same thing and is great. Haven't been brave enough to see if it will bring me to a complete stop yet thought...

 

[Californiaman]

Infiniti Q56 and FX50s have it and its great. The thing amazes me on sharpish curves on the motorway when it knows about the vehicles being in different lanes - even when you are bearing down on them at speed

 

[KernowLad]

Not sure if it does have ACC but I've heard it works very well.

 

[smgcowfoldparts]

Infiniti Q56 and FX50s have it and its great. The thing amazes me on sharpish curves on the motorway when it knows about the vehicles being in different lanes - even when you are bearing down on them at speed

This is where the SL and Distronic fails as on a sharp curve it can pick something up directly in front and adjust speed. Still pretty good considering it is 10 years old and was an earlier system but would like to try a newer one to see the differences.

cheers