Farewell to Cali 6.1

[Defender90]

4 motion is good but our local Ben Nevis guides manage fine with 2wd + winter tyres + chains on the odd time. The forest mountain track to 300 metres elevation is not cleared and they manage fine.
For me its not the purchase cost but weight, overall fuel cost of lugging something around 99% of the time I don't need.

That’s good to know bet the 4 motion with winter tyres and chains is unreal,the fuel cost is more but when spending that amount of money on a Campervan whats a few quid extra on fuel

 

[andyinluton]

If the digital dash is cost cutting, why haven't they made it standard on all the vans, the numbers produced for Oceans alone wouldn't give any payback.

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Agree
The T5.1 & T6 was a steady evolution from the original T5.
The T5.1 probably being the sweet spot from the late T4s for reliability.

T6.1 is a complete different beast and no doubt the early ones will be the test mules.
What becomes apparent with Volkswagen vans is waiting for the update model in 3 years time. The only reason they changed the Casio camper controls was to save some costs, same with the digital dash.

It’s a cost cutting exercise...

Nothing wrong with cost cutting (unless quality is compromised) and certainly nothing wrong with moving into electronics based technology.
Example: Flat Screen digital televisions are cheap to produce, feature rich and far more reliable than old fashioned cathode ray tube sets.
Furthermore if the base hardware is well designed additional features and functionality can be added with a software update rather than a hardware swapout.

How many 6.1 critics have a Smartphone, Smart TV, Smart home, etc?

 

[willwander]

Moving to right conclusions.
T6.1 is a good van, some improvements.
Move to ipad type control panels are cheaper, easier to produce.
Except...software.
Software is the bit VW have done badly, across the entire range, including the T6.1
The T6.1 is a good van, but it's release to the market has not been well executed.
Not enough testing done before release.
Software fixes and updates not rolled out quickly enough.

 

[Wesel]

So, no improvements and too expensive? Why did you buy one?

It was 4 years ago

 

[soulstyledevon]

Of course it’s cost cutting.
It’s going to be cheaper to insert the digital aspect inline with all their other vehicles.
However, digital doesn’t mean it’s more reliable. That’s something we will have to wait and see.

It’s like watches.
Some like digital, some like a good old fashioned mechanical pieces.

My mother in law has a digital kettle. Does lots of things incredible things, but ultimately the only real consideration is that it boils water...

 

[calibusje]

It was 4 years ago

4 years ago they were also an (price?)evolution of what went before; were they so cheap, you think? I also saw the prices then...
Enjoy your coast!

 

[WelshGas]

Moving to right conclusions.
T6.1 is a good van, some improvements.
Move to ipad type control panels are cheaper, easier to produce.
Except...software.
Software is the bit VW have done badly, across the entire range, including the T6.1
The T6.1 is a good van, but it's release to the market has not been well executed.
Not enough testing done before release.
Software fixes and updates not rolled out quickly enough.

The trouble is with lots of software, it works fine when tested by " software developers" but it needs testing by " users" the ones who don't read the handbook, who press the wrong key or press too long etc. Apparently VW are in the process of doubling the size of their software division. So there is hope.
Good software driven electronics do not need a 200 page manual for the user and car manufacturers haven't got there yet. My new iMac didn't have one, but I was able to set it up copy all data and programs from my old one in a few hours. The new smart TV just worked.
I'm sure they'll get there eventually.

 

[B J G]

Your T5 owner wouldn't have been able to diagnose control panel faults 6 months after the launch. I seem to remember that it wasn't until peoples warranties had expired that control panels started getting repaired.
Give it some time & someone will have it worked out. As long as its before my 5 year warranty is up.
VW themselves have been saying that their technicians are behind with training due to covid.

T6.1 is a bit beyond 6 months now.

I think you are getting into too much defensive detail on what is basically a points of view comments.

There are those who like all the latest options and those who just want a simple campervan which is probably why VW introduced the Coast to the UK. Not entirely simple I know.

Having also got a car with a touch screen to control most functions such as simply changing the air temperature setting and operating whilst driving even more distracting than using a mobile phone, which I don't do, I do wonder about the safety aspect of the move to electronic dashboards.
Will they soon be inoperable once in motion?

 

[Virgil van Bike]

T6.1 is a bit beyond 6 months now.

I think you are getting into too much defensive detail on what is basically a points of view comments.

There are those who like all the latest options and those who just want a simple campervan which is probably why VW introduced the Coast to the UK. Not entirely simple I know.

Having also got a car with a touch screen to control most functions such as simply changing the air temperature setting and operating whilst driving even more distracting than using a mobile phone, which I don't do, I do wonder about the safety aspect of the move to electronic dashboards.
Will they soon be inoperable once in motion?

I don't agree it's getting too much defensive, more a realistic take on a product we have, whereas there's so many posts from non-T6.1 owners who apparently know more about the technologies and faults than actual owners.
I don't get it..

 

[soulstyledevon]

T6.1 is a bit beyond 6 months now.

I think you are getting into too much defensive detail on what is basically a points of view comments.

There are those who like all the latest options and those who just want a simple campervan which is probably why VW introduced the Coast to the UK. Not entirely simple I know.

Having also got a car with a touch screen to control most functions such as simply changing the air temperature setting and operating whilst driving even more distracting than using a mobile phone, which I don't do, I do wonder about the safety aspect of the move to electronic dashboards.
Will they soon be inoperable once in motion?

I had a Seat Altea years ago.
They changed the heating controls to a button that had to be pressed repeatedly to move the temp up or down.
It’s was infuriating and distracting.

Nothing wrong with a round knob that was far easier and quick to select the temperature.

Sometimes the wheel doesn’t need re-inventing...

 

[calibusje]

Well, since all that comment keeps coming from that same corner, the following: Why? is it because all those who bought a T6 for a higher price than the T5.1 only got a few tweaks, and now find it necessary to look at the T6.1 skewedly : I sort of understand you, it was a lot of money for a 'T5.2' at the time. Now there is also a price increase but the changes now made are frequent and more radical. Oh, and don't worry, the software will be fine: they called it teething problems at the time ...
I look forward to the delivery of our T6.1; try to enjoy your T6 (I know I would). No one attacks your choise.
Greetings

 

[willwander]

Well, since all that comment keeps coming from that same corner, the following: Why? is it because all those who bought a T6 for a higher price than the T5.1 only got a few tweaks, and now find it necessary to look at the T6.1 skewedly : I sort of understand you, it was a lot of money for a 'T5.2' at the time. Now there is also a price increase but the changes now made are frequent and more radical. Oh, and don't worry, the software will be fine: they called it teething problems at the time ...
I look forward to the delivery of our T6.1; try to enjoy your T6 (I know I would). No one attacks your choise.
Greetings

 

[andyinluton]

Having also got a car with a touch screen to control most functions such as simply changing the air temperature setting and operating whilst driving even more distracting than using a mobile phone, which I don't do, I do wonder about the safety aspect of the move to electronic dashboards.
Will they soon be inoperable once in motion?

I am going to get defensive of the T6.1 now!

What of the above is relevant to a T6.1? the heating controls are still exactly the same as the T6 and T5.1 ie push buttons & rotary knobs.

What part of the electronic dashboard do you think is changed when driving? the only thing you would change is music & sat nav & changing them is the same as just about every other recent car using CarPlay.

Having extra information such as an enormous MPH digital display is surely an advantage & being able to have things like the central display showing a zoomed out map covering say the next 10 miles with a zoomed in map showing the next 400 meters in front of the driver means you need to interact with the screens less.

 

[Cali Phillip]

That’s good to know bet the 4 motion with winter tyres and chains is unreal,the fuel cost is more but when spending that amount of money on a Campervan whats a few quid extra on fuel

For sure !
Yes, we cut our general emissions elsewhere so the cali isnt much great than we were. Also we whf travel is less at the moment too.

 

[Tarquers]

If the digital dash is cost cutting, why haven't they made it standard on all the vans, the numbers produced for Oceans alone wouldn't give any payback.

Because people are willing to pay extra for it. Same across all VAG range. Have it on current golf and didn’t add to the van order for exactly the future reliability issue.

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

I had a Seat Altea years ago.
They changed the heating controls to a button that had to be pressed repeatedly to move the temp up or down.
It’s was infuriating and distracting.

Nothing wrong with a round knob that was far easier and quick to select the temperature.

Sometimes the wheel doesn’t need re-inventing...

My 6.1 does have round knobs to set the temperature
However it also has a Sync button that allows me to synchronise all 3 zones with the temperature set for the drivers zone.

 

[soulstyledevon]

My 6.1 does have round knobs to set the temperature
However it also has a Sync button that allows me to synchronise all 3 zones with the temperature set for the drivers zone.

Same as the T6...
Let’s enjoy these buttons whilst we can, no doubt in the not to distant future it will be touch screen controls...

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Same as the T6...
Let’s enjoy these buttons whilst we can, no doubt in the not to distant future it will be touch screen controls...

No, touch screen will soon be a thing of the past, it will all be voice and gesture control. After that, if Elon Musk gets his way, we will all have implants in our brains (Neuralink) and will control everything by thought alone.

 

[clarinetbcn]

My 6.1 does have round knobs to set the temperature
However it also has a Sync button that allows me to synchronise all 3 zones with the temperature set for the drivers zone.

So does my 5.1.

I think there is a difference which so far no one has pointed out. There are two groups of owners when it comes to issues of reliability: those who change their vans every few years before the warranty runs out, and those who have made a one time purchase and plan to keep their van for a long time. For the second group, electrical complications tend to be a disadvantage, because unless you are a specialist these kinds of faults can be much more difficult to diagnose and expensive to repair than mechanical ones. I had my Suzuki Bandit 400 motorcycle, one of the very first 16 valve motors, for 20 years, and when it met its end motor and chassis were in perfect condition because I took care of it. But the ECU for the fuel injection gave up, and a replacement part was 1600 euros, which 10 years ago didn't make sense for a 20 year old motorcycle (now it would be a collector's item). I sold it to the dealer I bought it new from for parts. I plan to keep my van, which is why I searched for a low milage 5.1. I'm not worried about mechanical failures, it's when I look at the cost of repairing the electronic systems that I cross my fingers and hope my luck is good.

 

[calibusje]

So does my 5.1.

I think there is a difference which so far no one has pointed out. There are two groups of owners when it comes to issues of reliability: those who change their vans every few years before the warranty runs out, and those who have made a one time purchase and plan to keep their van for a long time. For the second group, electrical complications tend to be a disadvantage, because unless you are a specialist these kinds of faults can be much more difficult to diagnose and expensive to repair than mechanical ones. I had my Suzuki Bandit 400 motorcycle, one of the very first 16 valve motors, for 20 years, and when it met it's end motor and chassis were in perfect condition because I took care of it. But the ECU for the fuel injection gave up, and a replacement part was 1600 euros, which 10 years ago didn't make sense for a 20 year old motorcycle (now it would be a collector's item). I plan to keep my van, which is why I searched for a low milage 5.1. I'm not worried about mechanical failures, it's when I look at the cost of repairing the electronic systems that I cross my fingers and hope my luck is good.

If that is your reason for buying your california, good for you.
I certainly do not count myself among the first group but does this mean that we had to buy a T5 with as little electronics as possible instead of a new T6.1? Now we have a 30 year old T4 westfalia. We really just wanted a successor to the T4 with more horsepower en an airco.... one that I can drive around with every day and travel with. Or am I a third group?
Enjoy your T5.1, we will enjoy our T6.1
Greetings

 

[Borris]

You can off course minimize everything and be ironic about it but I don't understand the need for that. It is not neseccary to be scornful about any California.

This is a forum dedicated to the VW California Campervan in all it's forms. It will rightly contain both praise and criticism of various aspects of said vehicles. Everyone will have their own opinions and everyone has a right to voice them providing they keep things polite and civil. If you think I've been scornful about the T6-1 then you haven't understood my point.

The T6-1 is a fine vehicle. This latest incarnation should represent the current pinacle of the California's development, a vehicle with a richly deserved reputation for being the gold standard. Maybe that's right. However, that isn't my point. My post #46 merely posed the question: does the T6-1 represent progress? I believe that is a legitimate question to ask and don't for a minute consider it to be in any way a scornful remark. Opinions are bound to differ. However there is nothing wrong with debate or taking a long term view and questioning a vehicles viability when it has left the warranty period.

 

[flying banana]

i think VW will sort these issues quicker once covids taken out the equation.6.1 is a fine camper but i reckon it's time for a coast v ocean thread ! or is there one already ?

 

[calibusje]

This is a forum dedicated to the VW California Campervan in all it's forms. It will rightly contain both praise and criticism of various aspects of said vehicles. Everyone will have their own opinions and everyone has a right to voice them providing they keep things polite and civil. If you think I've been scornful about the T6-1 then you haven't understood my point.

The T6-1 is a fine vehicle. This latest incarnation should represent the current pinacle of the California's development, a vehicle with a richly deserved reputation for being the gold standard. Maybe that's right. However, that isn't my point. My post #46 merely posed the question does the T6-1 represent progress? I believe that is a legitimate question to ask and don't for a minute consider it to be in any way a scornful remark. Opinions are bound to differ. However there is nothing wrong with debate or taking a long term view and questioning a vehicles viability when it has left the warranty period.

Nice explanation about your posts and also partly correct.
However: you not only wonder whether the T6.1 represent progress but you keep getting stuck in it and therfore to me you do not come across as objective but as an opponent of the T6.1. Could I be wrong? It's not just about post #46 ... Everything that has already been applied, you brush off the table or minimize or ridicule. Yes, you can question something and talk about it, you can have your own opinion but after all that has already been posted in this topic (and others), you can now see what changes there are in the T6.1 compared to the previous T6 and what the progress is.
Do you wonder what your T6 meant as progress for the T5.1? Or did you buy one just like we did and didn't want to be criticized for your choice?
Have a nice evening

 

[Paulro]

So frustrating and disappointing for you. Not a good advert for VW either although it seems like they got the compensation correct.
I seem to think there’s a lot more vehicles leaving the factory with issues that need sorting?
Anyone else thinking the same?
Paul