First outing in my new 6.1 California Ocean

[sbmcd]

After almost 11 years of great and trouble adventures in my trusty 2014 5.1 180 bi turbo. Bought from new, it had travelled over 142K miles (and still needed no oil top ups between 12K services). Knowing this iconic range was coming to an end we decided to snap up one of the last of the 6.1 models.

We've just had our first trip, a trip to the Cairngorm mountains for some ski touring, I thought I'd share my experience

1 I went for the 150 hp and I'm very happy with the performance, and I'm learning to love with the DSG. Would have preferred a manual but now I'm a convert.

2 There is a small but noticeable increase in living space in the 6.1, about 5 cm, I noticed straight away when I fitted my 5.1 carpets in the middle and boot.

3 We had no rain, too cold for that, so the water resistance of the 5s bellows is still to be tested but I really liked the double skin which was much warmer than the old 5.1 single skin even at minus 7 Deg C with no topper. Also liked the light colour of the interior.

4 Bed area lighting is much improved.

5 Heater functions are a little more complicated but offer great flexibility. First night was about 0 Deg C we had no heating on, second very cold night we left is on a setting 1 which was perfect.

6 Split worktop works well.

7 Safe takes up valuable cupboard space with I would have preferred left open, it's riveted in so not easy to remove.

8 Driving seats are definitely more comfortable.

9 Sliding windows are difficult to open but I've now read the post about using dry PTFE so will endeavour to sort that. Now resolved.

10 Bit of a rattle noise from the cupboard doors on bumpy road surfaces, not unbearable.

11 Bought a set of HD 3 piece mats for the front when I picked up the van, essential for us and much better than the old monster mats which used to wear through on the elevated ribs.

12 Picked up an empty 907 at my local tip for free, filled at home.

13 Snow tyres now fitted on my old Davenport wheels, usual issue removing the wheels but now resolved with anti seize compound.

14 Media interface with phone is excellent

15 Sliding rear cupboard doors are a big improvement

All in all very happy with the improvements on the 6.1.

 

[Viktorgeorge]

Rivets are easy to remove, once you know how. Just carefully drill in the middle with a sharp (new) drill - either the current size for the rivet hole (if you can measure the river below with a micrometer) or about half width of the collar: BUT for the latter only drill enough to free the top collar. Then tap the neck and collar below with a smaller pin (a nail for example).

Probably best to find some redundant rivets first to practice on.

 

[sbmcd]

Rivets are easy to remove, once you know how. Just carefully drill in the middle with a sharp (new) drill - either the current size for the rivet hole (if you can measure the river below with a micrometer) or about half width of the collar: BUT for the latter only drill enough to free the top collar. Then tap the neck and collar below with a smaller pin (a nail for example).

Probably best to find some redundant rivets first to practice on.

Thanks, I'm familiar with drilling out rivets but what sort of drill fits into the box, the river heads are on the inside side walls of the box.

 

[andyinluton]

All in all very happy with the improvements on the 6.1

As someone else that went from a T5.1 to T6.1 on the face of it, they are the same van but there's an awful lot of little improvements that add up to quite a difference.

You forgot to mention the massively improved headlamps!

 

[sbmcd]

As someone else that went from a T5.1 to T6.1 on the face of it, they are the same van but there's an awful lot of little improvements that add up to quite a difference.

You forgot to mention the massively improved headlamps!

I did but to be honest I've not driven it that much at night so far. But they are big improvement for sure from the limited shortish journey experience I've had using them.

 

[sbmcd]

I'm still planning to ignore the 20K long life service intervals and maintain the 12k or 12 month timing I used on my 5.1.

I have seen a post about VW not wanting to honour the free services unless it's at 20k. Has anyone else had this issue?

 

[Viktorgeorge]

Thanks, I'm familiar with drilling out rivets but what sort of drill fits into the box, the river heads are on the inside side walls of the box.

I have not done the specific job of removing the safe, but might one of these work?

Amazon.co.uk : 90 degree drill adaptor

 

[Viktorgeorge]

I'm still planning to ignore the 20K long life service intervals and maintain the 12k or 12 month timing I used on my 5.1.

I have seen a post about VW not wanting to honour the free services unless it's at 20k. Has anyone else had this issue?

No, my experience is the opposite. My Ipswich VW Van Centre advised specifically to go for the long-life service intervals but bring in once a year whether or not service was shown as 'due' (unless of course due sooner because of high mileage). This was in the context of the 5 free services etc.

 

[sbmcd]

No, my experience is the opposite. My Ipswich VW Van Centre advised specifically to go for the long-life service intervals but bring in once a year whether or not service was shown as 'due' (unless of course due ooner because of high mileage). This was in the context of the 5 free services etc.

Thanks that's useful.

 

[subthree]

Thanks, I'm familiar with drilling out rivets but what sort of drill fits into the box, the river heads are on the inside side walls of the box.

I do not have the safe fitted, but would this help?

https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-10mm-angled-keyless-chuck/6746h

 

[acer]

I’ve also just switched from a 5.1 to a 6.1 and for the same reason.

There are indeed lots of little improvements that add up to a lot. Up front it now feels like I’m driving a car, rather than a van and I also love the new wardrobe sliding door.

However, I still hanker for a footrest for my left foot when driving and I prefer the old kitchen tap (or faucet if wannabecamperman is reading )

 

[Blackbrogue1962]

I'm still planning to ignore the 20K long life service intervals and maintain the 12k or 12 month timing I used on my 5.1.

I have seen a post about VW not wanting to honour the free services unless it's at 20k. Has anyone else had this issue?

 

[Blackbrogue1962]

I posted on this subject a couple of weeks ago as the VW service centre couldn’t get VW Finance to agree to pay for the service at 12 months and 11k miles. At the suggestion of the dealer I bought from I have submitted a formal complaint and waiting for the reply. In the meantime I’d already booked with another VW dealer next week and if I’ve not heard anything re the complaint will try and see if they’ll do the service. It’s clear that lots of people with the 5+ service plan have been able to have it at 12 months. Personally I can’t see what the issue is as I’ve paid for 5 services and it won’t cost VW any more if they’re done annually.

 

[sbmcd]

I posted on this subject a couple of weeks ago as the VW service centre couldn’t get VW Finance to agree to pay for the service at 12 months and 11k miles. At the suggestion of the dealer I bought from I have submitted a formal complaint and waiting for the reply. In the meantime I’d already booked with another VW dealer next week and if I’ve not heard anything re the complaint will try and see if they’ll do the service. It’s clear that lots of people with the 5+ service plan have been able to have it at 12 months. Personally I can’t see what the issue is as I’ve paid for 5 services and it won’t cost VW any more if they’re done annually.

Was that with Clarks at Loanhead?

 

[Blackbrogue1962]

Was that with Clarks at Loanhead?

Yes and I’ve now rebooked with Western.

 

[sbmcd]

Yes and I’ve now rebooked with Western.

Thanks for that

 

[sbmcd]

Should I have one of these as standard ?

 

[Flower Power]

Very rare in Germany from the factory. Apart from the cover a mounting hardware is required: 2 pieces on the top and one different on the bottom. Here is a better price if you need it. I can n to make up my mind.

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[andyinluton]

Should I have one of these as standard ?

View attachment 131307

Maybe!
T5.1 had one
T6.1 199 didn’t
T6.1 204 has one

 

[TripleBee]

Maybe!
T5.1 had one
T6.1 199 didn’t
T6.1 204 has one

What do you mean by saying that the T5.1 had an engine cover? It hasn't.
The T5 had it as an option.

The T5.1 doesn't, because of the heat of the DPF.
Well, you could try to fit this one on a T5.1, but it would need a little tweaking to fix the fitting.

 

[DJ315]

I'm still planning to ignore the 20K long life service intervals and maintain the 12k or 12 month timing I used on my 5.1.

I have seen a post about VW not wanting to honour the free services unless it's at 20k. Has anyone else had this issue?

Why would you? This is a much more modern engine that can do with less frequent maintenance. I would stick to the intervals VW advises.

 

[andyinluton]

If you do low mileage & the oil deteriorates you wont get to two years before your van indicates a change is needed, if you do high mileage you wont make it to two years.
Vw have reduced the mileage down to max 18 k between services not 20.

 

[sbmcd]

Why would you? This is a much more modern engine that can do with less frequent maintenance. I would stick to the intervals VW advises.

Changing the oil and filter is a very cheap way to help ensure engine long life and reliability, my last VW did 142K trouble free miles using this approach, I see no reason to change that.

At the end of the day it's a choice thing.

 

[DJ315]

Changing the oil and filter is a very cheap way to help ensure engine long life and reliability, my last VW did 142K trouble free miles using this approach, I see no reason to change that.

At the end of the day it's a choice thing.

Whatever works for you!

 

[acer]

At the end of the day it's a choice thing.

Isn’t everything really? If you really think about it. It’s what makes life fun. And, before you say “death and taxes”, I remain very optimistic about my choices there too. There’s a first time for everything you know?!