First Impressions - it was van day

[racali]

Ordered 4th December 2014 and picked up today.
Although I say it myself, it did look pretty good sitting in the dealer's forecourt and the natural gray does go really well with the other shiny bits. Understated perhaps, but as an intended wild camper I didn't want to stand out in a purple haze or hot tomato. The weather was glorious down south and the dealer's introduction was just right as there was no way more would have stuck - I just wanted to drive it. I swung by to see Adam for some additional goodies - thanks for the discount - before completing a seventy mile mixed driving route back home.
So first impressions - it's an easy drive sitting higher up than usual, but not so easy reversing but then I need to get to grips with the park pilot. The DSG is most impressive once on the move - really smooth - but with the engine cut out and that auto clutch hesitation when starting, pulling out at junctions will need more practice.
I kept noticing my dealer installed daytime LEDs reflecting in the vehicles in front, but I didn't know the van already came with daytime running lights but as these are, I assume, the side lights then they are nowhere near as bright. I also didn't know that that mosquito mesh for the sliding windows were supplied so I didn't need my Brandrup order - kindly refunded by Adam. Ditto the cutlery draw so I can only assume they are only intended for the Beach.
Great minimalist interior and decor, which looks robust enough - for me with no kids/pets anyway. I bought some rubber mats for the front, but that light colored carpet is crazy, particularly up and over the wheel arches. The mats look like a bikini with most of the flesh still on show. I can't see at the moment how on earth you can protect it.
The privacy glass is at best an understatement, as is the 'safe'. If you know the safe is there, then it shouldn't present much of an obstacle to the determined. I thought it would be plate rather than bent metal.
The power sliding door is fantastic. I didn't appreciate that it also operated remotely - how flash is that. The manual tailgate on the other hand is a lump and seems to close with a rather tinny bump rather than the expected clunk.
A bit emotionally drained by the time I got home so after a stiff drink, I did manage to take a couple of essential security measures - unfortunately it lives in the street. I covered up the vin number and fitted a security lock on the spare wheel. The latter is noticeable when viewing the van from behind, and also detracts a wee bit from my departure angle so will need to watch out for this when off roading.
I did intend to fit a 'fuel angel' but the gizmo did not have the colour/text indicators as shown in the accompanying instructions, but at that stage it was time for a sundowner so will look at it again tomorrow.
Lastly, I was also impressed by the revolving mirrors which reminded me somewhat of the thrusters on a star wars space craft - certainly big enough to boldly go.
Tomorrow, the handbook ........

 

[andyrob]

sounds like you had a fab day out. Pleased for you. I am possibly couple weeks behind you and looking forward to getting out and about. Which dealer did you purchase from?

 

[racali]

sounds like you had a fab day out. Pleased for you. I am possibly couple weeks behind you and looking forward to getting out and about. Which dealer did you purchase from?

Hello Andyrob
I bought the van from Eurovans Crawley via DrivetheDeal so I had little choice in this and with almost 10% discount I wasn't going to grumble. They have been quite efficient in our dealings, though I initiated most of the contact, and the handover was pitched just right at just over two hours including the paperwork. I noticed from a progress chart on the wall that they had five SEs going through the workshop so they were reasonably knowledgeable.

 

[racali]

DAY TWO

On my second day of ownership the weather turned nastly with the temperature in single figures and constant real wet rain - ideal for sitting in reading the handbook with the aux heater going like concord. Those seats show up every spot of liquid and I realise now I should have gone for the leather. I have the expensive second skin seat covers coming tomorrow from Andy, but there is something perverse in having to cover the factory supplied fabric seats to keep them in a reasonable condition - for the next persion who buys the van.
These conditions precluded a number of things I had lined up for today including the roof and awning. However, I now have the gas working but not before I installed a gas detector. The red lever adjacent to the cylinder recess stumped me until I read the instructions (!) which offered such good advise as to use the sharp end of the wedge pointing downwards. I have to own up and admit I didn't have any aerosol leak detection, but no bang so far. I didn't have anything to steirlise 30L of water in the tank either but that will be done tomorrow.
I managed to pair my iphone and Walkman to the system but would prefer to hard wire rather than bluetooth. The AMI MMI connection worked fine but is limited to the iphone (as ordered) but I couldn't find online a AMI MMI/ USB interface cable that specifically worked on the T5 so I have ordered a Sony cable with a plug to suit the aux-in socket and hope that works.
I appreciate that there are many items in the handbooks that don't specifically apply to my SE but I was particularly impressed reading about the tyre monitoring system which checks the rolling circumference of each wheel. The handbook refers to a button which I do not have but it came up on the dash screen asking me to confirm the pressures had been checked presumably to calibrate the process. If it works for me then wow.
I am also stumped by those mosquito blinds for the sliding windows. They come in rigid frames with extended tabs at each corner and a label saying 'face inside.' Could I fathom them out - could I hell. Help would be most appreciated even if they turn out to be replacements for the pollen filter.
I still have the satnav and dashcams to fix tomorrow but I'm not confident this is going to turn out a tidy job so may get some professional help with the wiring.
So it was never going to be a quick getaway. Tomorrow is another day - and the roof plus bungee.

 

[motacyclist]

Congratulations Racali and thanks for posting your first impressions.

Good luck with the manual!

 

[andyrob]

Hello Andyrob
I bought the van from Eurovans Crawley via DrivetheDeal so I had little choice in this and with almost 10% discount I wasn't going to grumble. They have been quite efficient in our dealings, though I initiated most of the contact, and the handover was pitched just right at just over two hours including the paperwork. I noticed from a progress chart on the wall that they had five SEs going through the workshop so they were reasonably knowledgeable.

Cheers racialist, that's a fair deal mi thinks. Just looking forward to getting hold of ours and enjoying your discovery post.

 

[motacyclist]

my autocorrect had fun with "racali" too

 

[racali]

DAY THREE - the last before the open road

Sorted out the mosquito blinds - they are of course 'fly screens' and there are instructions of sorts in the handbook.
Sorted out the sterilization of the plumbing after a visit to Boots for some Milton - the babies have long flown the nest but it brought back memories. No problems - great little shower at the rear and a lot of pressure at the tap.
Tried out the roof - amazing bit of engineering - and the bungee certainly worked, so great buy and highly recommended. Dispensed with the children netting.
Tried out the front screens - I now appreciate the comments in the forums. They are quick to install and small to pack away, but are not lightproof nor thermal. I shall probably add another layer of thin blackout material for general use and buy some external thermal screens.
Tried out the VW shower tent - neat bit of kit and fast to put up and take down. Probably will never be used for showering, but more for a bit of break out space if the weather turns or indeed for the toilet necessities. I can see an awning enclosure being next on the list, but may not be static enough to justify the expense.
My aux-in connection for my Walkman turned up today, thanks to Amazon - ordered yesterday - they will eventually rule the world but that's enough me droning on. It gives a simple play through from the Walkman, but none of the control you get through the iphone connection interface so will need to research this further.
I also cleaned the van and applied Opti-Seal - thanks to advice from the forum. It is one of those polymer concoctions that reduces surface resistance. You can actually feel it when applying as the first pass has a degree of resistance, but subsequent passes with applicator just skip across the surface - and the water definitely beads and runs off quickly. Whether this in anyway seals the pores in the paint and prevents bird crap burn (BCB) remains to be seen.
So that is my three day intro to my van which has been full of amazing discoveries and continuing appreciation of the California design and construction. I shall probably spend a night outside the house just to test the system and equipment and then it is off to Cornwall next week for a Minack production.
Enough said - now a happy camper.

PS - bit of a rant - fitted the fuel angel but not impressed. The gizmo did not have any of the colour and text coding shown on the instructions. These are important for alignment, but it wasn't too difficult to get the drift. The gizmo is a virtual fuel cap that screws into the existing filler hole and has a smaller diameter 'pipe' inside it which presumably is an exact fit for a diesel nozzle. These two items revolve separately, but not concentrically, to allow for the fact the fill pipe bends just after the fill hole. But it is still a tight fit so they locked and revolved together so I was only able to get a rough approximation of what was shown in the instructions. The most irritating thing about it is that the writing on the new orange filler cap is not horizontal but vertical. As the location is determined by the points of engagement of the threads I don't think I could have got it any other way. I have yet to try it out at the pumps - I have not thrown the old one away.

 

[2into1]

Doesn't the child 'safety net' serve to stop your pillows falling down below?

 

[racali]

..... good point T4WFA - a complicated contraption just for that purpose and a nuisance to store as it has the full width rigid piece - my pillow will be in my sleeping bag and I shall be sleeping mostly downstairs though there is a great feel to upstairs - being in a tent but not on the ground

 

[splitmike]

Great intro nothing beets the excitement of getting to know your Cali.
I turn my net 90* and lay it on the matress when not in use. And leave it up top. It's great to stop pillows falling off.
Hope you enjoy the first trip away.

 

[extentdweller]

Hi, you can lessen the effect of the torque converter delay by putting the DSG into sport when pulling away from junctions roundabouts etc.

ETD.

 

[racali]

Thanks splitmike (and T4WFA) ....good advice as always from forum ...... I will retrieve net from attic and have a little play ....

 

[Zebedee]

Welcome to another SW London Cali owner. Sounds like you are set for loads of fun.

Sat disappointed about not going away in today's lovely weather as the teenager is "revising" so the furthest we have gone in the Cali was Starbucks Happy Hour.....hey ho only a week to go and I shall be on the ferry!!!!

 

[Huey]

I was particularly impressed reading about the tyre monitoring system which checks the rolling circumference of each wheel.

Does this tell you which wheel though?
I have this feature fitted to my Superb Combi and one time when the light came on, happened to be on the M4, I duly stopped, got out, checked all the tyres and all seemed fine. 20 miles later after resetting the system the light came on again but the damage was done (tyre internals shredded on O/S rear, a screw was the culprit in the inside corner of the tread, picked it up deep down in Cornwall...).
I guess I should (and normally do) carry a pressure gauge, and that the vehicle can give you a pre-emptive warning of trouble preventing a more serious incident - but my point is that if the vehicle knows there's a tyre with a problem, then it should provide that information, not leave you wondering which of the four!

 

[racali]

Sadly, that level of sophistication appears not to be present. Although obviously it monitors each wheel, it only gives a general alert that there is something amiss with the rolling circumference of a tyre. The handbook says a 'sporty driving style' will deactivate the system - I'm still trying

 

[motacyclist]

Hi, you can lessen the effect of the torque converter delay by putting the DSG into sport when pulling away from junctions roundabouts etc.

ETD.

Sadly this doesn't work for me! Makes for some interesting moments

 

[GrannyJen]

It is always good fun to stutter out into a fast moving flow of roundabout traffic