Grand California 680 - Build DELAY!

[Paddy GC680]

Have you taken delivery? If so, when?
I'm curious, mine is at Emden cleared for shipping?

No, still no update apart from my call to VW a few weeks ago. Looking at other options like the wildax elara that could be available quicker. What date did you order yours? Did you review other potential campervans ?

 

[Jester]

Have you taken delivery? If so, when?
I'm curious, mine is at Emden cleared for shipping?

Normally 7/10 days normally the shorter period. ordered mine in December taken in early April.

 

[Zephyr]

No, still no update apart from my call to VW a few weeks ago. Looking at other options like the wildax elara that could be available quicker. What date did you order yours? Did you review other potential campervans ?

Hello Paddy,
Ordered my GC680 1st December. Got caught up in the hassle over the diesel heater. Could have it, couldn't have it, then finally I could have it. I'm hoping to have it in the next few weeks. I'm sure it will be worth the wait.

I gave up caravanning November 2019 and bought a new Swift Bessacarr. That motorhome was falling apart and I had nothing but grief from the Caravan Dealer. I rejected the motorhome and after three months got my money back. I wouldn't touch a coach-built with a barge pole. You end up with one company building the cab and chassis and another doing the bodywork conversion plus the dealer who doesn't specialise in both. You end up with a caravan shell stuck on a chassis.

With the VW California variants you have one company building the entire vehicle. The largest global car manufacturer with an international support network.

The GC isn't built with fake wood, plastic and cardboard. It doesn't shake rattle and roll and it isn't held together with 'mastic'. I've had enough of the chintz and wood look after years of caravanning. I've opted for a quality built, modern, well designed Grand California 680. I think it's well worth the wait.

 

[Zephyr]

Normally 7/10 days normally the shorter period. ordered mine in December taken in early April.

Do you mean early May?

 

[Jester]

Do you mean early May?

No took delivery 9th April. Loving every moment.
Will

 

[Paddy GC680]

No took delivery 9th April. Loving every moment.
Will

That's good to know jester. I wish the upholstery was leather or just a little bit more special. For £83,000 sometimes I do think twice. I have ordered all the extras. Also would love an extra battery. But, your are correct, it's built by VW and got great finance deal. Shame no microwave , but I can buy one.

 

[Paddy GC680]

That's good to know jester. I wish the upholstery was leather or just a little bit more special. For £83,000 sometimes I do think twice. I have ordered all the extras. Also would love an extra battery. But, your are correct, it's built by VW and got great finance deal. Shame no microwave , but I can buy one.

 

[Jester]

Hi Paddy,

I agree, would like a second leisure, but I will be upgrading to leather in the close season. When it arrives best get your galley sockets turned by 45% because plugging in x2 appliances wont fit. VW have fixed the router issue.

 

[Topsy]

Hi Will,
Did you turn the galley sockets by 45% yourself or is it something that the dealer has to do?

 

[Jester]

Hi Will,
Did you turn the galley sockets by 45% yourself or is it something that the dealer has to do?

Morning Topsy,

I advised the dealer prior to handover as my original 600 was the same.
It works like this
The top one needs turning so the tail faces to the right side when looking at it.
The bottom one, the plug tail should face downwards.

Will

 

[Mike5265]

Hello Bendwg, Jester & Paddy,
Have you taken delivery? If so, when?
I'm curious, mine is at Emden cleared for shipping?

Hey Zephyr, mines at Emden too, it arrived this morning, has yours set sail yet?? Exciting times right!

 

[Jester]

Hey Zephyr, mines at Emden too, it arrived this morning, has yours set sail yet?? Exciting times right!

Happy Days, hope you have ordered your accessories.

 

[Zephyr]

Hey Zephyr, mines at Emden too, it arrived this morning, has yours set sail yet?? Exciting times right!

Hello Mike,
Just found out my GC is onboard the ship heading for Port Sheerness.
I've just ordered the last few accessories.

 

[Paddy GC680]

Great news recon it might be at the stealers by Friday or next Tuesday. Same here re extras (24). No satellite or air con. Hope you didn’t order all season tyres as it will not arrive with them.

Hi jester. You were due to pick your up on the 9th April . But then you say you pick it up from Steelers on the 19th. What was this delay for? Have you tested it much so far?

 

[Paddy GC680]

I got confirmation mine arrived in the UK port on Friday. I to ordered most extras except the satellite and air con.
I hope it comes in the spec I ordered.

hi pal, did you get your van yet? Did you also order the tyre pressure monitoring system. California Chris said this can cause delays.

 

[Jester]

Hi jester. You were due to pick your up on the 9th April . But then you say you pick it up from Steelers on the 19th. What was this delay for? Have you tested it much so far?

Hi Paddy, sorry if I said 19th I did actually pick it up on the 9th. No trips to date really just a weekend shake down before my trip up to the highlands this weekend. In the mean time I have been prepping it ie protective film over the bonnet and bumper, and gas installation.

 

[Bendwg]

hi pal, did you get your van yet? Did you also order the tyre pressure monitoring system. California Chris said this can cause delays.

Hi Paddy. Not as yet. I’m hoping I’ll get a call this week to get it at weekend but I think it’ll be week after.
Pretty sure I ordered with TPS. I did see Cali Chris mention it.

 

[Bendwg]

Hi Paddy, sorry if I said 19th I did actually pick it up on the 9th. No trips to date really just a weekend shake down before my trip up to the highlands this weekend. In the mean time I have been prepping it ie protective film over the bonnet and bumper, and gas installation.

Hi Jester. What gas system did you go for?

 

[Jester]

Hi Jester. What gas system did you go for?

Hi Bendwg,

Funny just had it refitted and posted it today.

Gaslow fitted to GC 680

For those interested I have just had my Gaslow Reinstalled into my 680 from my 600. On this occasion I chose a different company to install as I wasn’t really satisfied with the company that did the original install. Please see the photos below this will give you an indication as to the care...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

Hopefully the link works to my earlier post.

Will

 

[IanH777]

Hello Ian,
I've just been told by my dealer that VW are saying that I have the choice of removing the diesel heating from the specification or walking away from the deal and have the deposit refunded. Waiting is not an option. Have you had any feedback about your?
Alan

Hello, Alan.
I am so sorry about the delay in replying: we had given up on our delivery and we’re prolonging the decision on whether to cancel it.
The good news though: having thrown caution to the wind , we decided to wait and have just been told that our 680 is waiting dockside in Germany.
It looks like we’ll be taking delivery mid-June, spec as originally ordered.

 

[Amarillo]

I wonder if the build delays are due to German healthcare requisitioning their use as mobile vaccination centres:
- Fridge to keep the vaccine chilled
- Stove for cups of tea
- Bed for the woozy
- Toilet for micturition

 

[Paddy GC680]

Guy's, got update from dealer in Crawley after I phoned him up. I have a build week of wk20.
This is the 3rd week in May. I have a weeks holiday booked for the 10th July. This is 8 weeks from the build date given. Fingers crossed. I like the colours above.

 

[Bendwg]

hi pal, did you get your van yet? Did you also order the tyre pressure monitoring system. California Chris said this can cause delays.

Hi Paddy
Mine is delivered to the dealership today so fingers crossed I can get it at the weekend.

 

[Paddy GC680]

That's great news. I would have a check list ready to inspect your van when you collect it. I am sure it should all be good, but just worth checking all the items. eg open close all the doors, gaps between bed mattresses , shower holder is in place etc.
Bendwg, do you know what week they started your build?

 

[Bendwg]

That's great news. I would have a check list ready to inspect your van when you collect it. I am sure it should all be good, but just worth checking all the items. eg open close all the doors, gaps between bed mattresses , shower holder is in place etc.
Bendwg, do you know what week they started your build?

Week 13 was my build week so I guess you should get yours 7-8 weeks from now.