GC680 Lead Times

[Chainline]

Does anyone know of a recent GC680 order and the quoted lead time? I’ve just missed out on a 4Motion that came up used (same price as new but obviously available now…) and to help decide whether to go to the trouble of pulling together a new order or keep trying to find a Used 4 motion I wondered if there was a general view on lead times?

One or two available on the continent and I’m not concerned about LHD but Brexit has made bringing anything newish used into the UK uneconomic (according to my research) and no German dealers are replying to me when I ask about purchasing[new] on an export basis e.g. ex vat for the GC or alternatives I‘ve looked at.

Everything is a compromise and on balance I think a GC (as opposed to a specialist conversion like RP, La Strada etc) might arrive before end 23 early 24 (quoted times from converters currently) For 90% of what I am after.

I’m currently a Beach owner, came from an Ocean and looking to head into my kids heading to uni years (one this year, one next) with a bit of remote work/touring with my wife for snowboarding/mountain biking/hiking etc and the extra facilities would be welcome.

 

[Mr T]

Hi @Chainline I can’t answer your specific question regarding leadtimes if you place an order now, but I can tell you things currently are very difficult and ever-changing due to supply issues.
So whatever you may be told now, this could well slip several months.
I placed an order in July 2021 for a GC600 with a delivery expectation given of 4 months.
I’m still waiting.
You would hope to get something within 12 months of order, set that as an expectation and you shouldn’t be too disappointed.

Good luck.

 

[Chainline]

I’d be ok with 12months. As you say much uncertainty, I’ll keep looking for now I think.

 

[Chainline]

Decided to wade in on an available 2wd to see if I love the bigger van experience! going to see it tomorrow, approved used, so hopefully all good, I think based on feedback I’ll consider a parallel order ‘my’ spec 4 motion and decide if that’s what I want to do, noting my snowboarding, mountain biking and exploring ambitions, after a bit of experience with the 2wd, assuming I manage to complete.

I certainly have a good list of ‘has there been an issue with’ questions from reading all the threads and I know the fist list of needed upgrades batteries Etc. and of course some AT tyres given potential use.

This community is so helpful.

 

[jonclareVWGrand]

I placed an order for my GC at the end of April and was given 'about 10 months' for lead time. Given the global situation on chips, Ukraine etc etc then I suppose it may come a bit sooner, or a lot later...

Will provide updates as and when I get any.

 

[Chainline]

I placed an order for my GC at the end of April and was given 'about 10 months' for lead time. Given the global situation on chips, Ukraine etc etc then I suppose it may come a bit sooner, or a lot later...

Will provide updates as and when I get any.

Thanks for this it’s helpful, I imagined 12months. What is the deposit position for ordering if you don’t mind me asking? I want 4wd, but as ever I’m not sure I ‘need’ it hence my flip flopping and trying to hedge my bets so to speak.

 

[jonclareVWGrand]

Happy to DM you an answer, but not sure how to do that?

We thought about 4WD a lot, but decided to go for it in the end to give us the extra ability to get away from the crowds and camp with nobody else in sight, but hopefully the security of knowing we won't get stuck. The ground clearance of the van is pretty good, but with the long wheelbase 4WD is really just for increased traction on relatively smooth ground rather than going up bumpy and rutted tracks etc.

 

[Mr T]

Happy to DM you an answer, but not sure how to do that?

We thought about 4WD a lot, but decided to go for it in the end to give us the extra ability to get away from the crowds and camp with nobody else in sight, but hopefully the security of knowing we won't get stuck. The ground clearance of the van is pretty good, but with the long wheelbase 4WD is really just for increased traction on relatively smooth ground rather than going up bumpy and rutted tracks etc.

Need to be a paid up VIP member to message people.
@Chainline When I placed my order last year it was a £1000 deposit, but I think that may have changed now.

 

[Chainline]

Helpful, I'll ask the dealer tomorrow.

 

[Mr T]

Helpful, I'll ask the dealer tomorrow.

Which Dealer are you talking to?
Recently (think still valid) autoebid had some deals on new orders. At least use this as a negotiating tool. Lots of forum members have used Autoebid or DrivetheDeal, your order will be passed to a Van Centre once placed anyway.
For example:

https://www.autoebid.com/new-vans/Volkswagen/Grand-California/all-uk-deals

 

[Chainline]

For the one i'm looking to buy imminently Conway, but i"m not wedded. I'm mainly keen on a good dealer! I'm local to Parkway and Listers, Leicester and Coventry.

 

[Chainline]

Thats a pretty outstanding price from Autoebid I must say. I have no experience of using them but if I like the 2wd this is something I'll definitely consider if only to use as a basis for discussion with a dealer.

I would happily use a dealer with good knowledge and backup. This used to be the case for Listers Coventry when I had my Ocean but the ownership changed, so did the people and unfortunately so did the service...

 

[The Yorkshireman]

Great looking van with good level of extras. Good luck

 

[Chainline]

Thanks @The Yorkshireman I’ve reserved it, having missed out on the 4M by an hour, but maybe fate, this seems like a good way of dipping my toe in bigger van in a way where the van could easily be a keeper. I’m not sure on the complete level of options from the description but what is listed looks good for us.

 

[Chainline]

Test drive and viewing went well. Options list good enough, basically as new, ex demo - then 1st owner ordered it, planning to retire from mid 2020, took delivery in lockdown, headteacher, life went mad and he put it in storage, never used it, hasn’t retired! suboptimal obviously.
Assuming finance goes well should be sorted next week.

Surprised how well it drove and how small my Cali looked next to it!

Onwards - Wheels and tyres, carpet (nothing up front), bike rack, figure out spare wheel situation, supplementary power station and solar (it has no solar) some gas regulators suitable for more than once country of course some fairy lights (no ambient) and hedge some diesel

 

[The Yorkshireman]

Sounds positive, this was a no solar solution on another forum. -
A simple and very quick solution to upgrade solar. The complete system with 135 W for just 430 Euro and very easy to connect. The hood can of course be closed
Good luck

 

[Chainline]

Yes my thoughts with a Jackary or Bluetti 1000Wh or 2000wh with 200w solar.
Could plug into external hook up easily.

 

[Chainline]

Thats would be an excellent solution with a 100ah LiFeP04 battery too.

Just waiting for finance response now as decided not to tie up my liquidity. Hopefully I can grab it at the weekend and look forward to praying to the tap/internal water pump/heating gods for a moderately trouble free beginning to ownership.