Grand or not?

[Mullaghroe]

What did you order?

The Limited Edition in Black

 

[Mullaghroe]

Sorry to break ranks . We only need to sleep 2 and I prefer the lower profile.

 

[Jay20cali]

The Limited Edition in Black.

Congrats we have had ours coming up to 3 years this March and love it

 

[Mr T]

Sorry to break ranks . We only need to sleep 2 and I prefer the lower profile.

Congrats, very nice in black too. How long’s the wait?

 

[Mullaghroe]

Congrats, very nice in black too. How long’s the wait?

Not long. It was already on order as a Campersales demonstrator for March delivery. Here's hoping.

 

[Mr T]

Not long. It was already on order as a Campersales demonstrator for March delivery. Here's hoping.

Fab! Hopefully not too long then. Look forward to seeing it!

 

[Mullaghroe]

I certainly hope so. The Sven is part of the VW family heritage and that's how we feel about our friends in VWCC.

 

[Wondering Star]

Purchased our van from Campersales excellent dealer.

 

[Svenhedintony]

I certainly hope so. The Sven is part of the VW family heritage and that's how we feel about our friends in VWCC.

You won‘t regret it.

 

[Californication69]

Van picked up. Travelling already.

View attachment 102893

Is this iridium grey ?

 

[Jay20cali]

Is this iridium grey ?

Indium grey

 

[Barry Chuckle]

On this subject, I ordered my Sven end of March, build completed last week and collect early June, can't wait to join the elite club!!!!

 

[Californication69]

Indium grey

That’s the one. Still enjoying it ?

 

[Jay20cali]

That’s the one. Still enjoying it ?

Definitely used to love my Cali but it’s a totally different experience,

 

[Adno]

Yesterday I sold my Cali, The lack of a bathroom was the main reason, not for me but mainly for my wife. Now we are looking for something bigger. I keep my eye on a campervan based on the Ford Transit. something like Giottivan 60FT or Dreamer D51 Select .

 

[Californication69]

Definitely used to love my Cali but it’s a totally different experience,

I need the easy life now.
Need to be able to rock up.
Take a shower and chill if I want to.
And use the loo, without worrying I’m gona poop on the floor in the Cali and miss the portapotti lol

 

[Jay20cali]

It’s next level a whole different experience your beds ready the toilets right there you can stand up and walk around.i always went back to the cali from a fiat ducato then we got a big motorhome then back to a cali just because there not cool..when you’re buying something you want to look at it and think THATS COOL.and the crafter/man certainly is…its a transporter on steroids.drives nice looks nice nice quality ect .its a natural progression in my opinion and experience.

 

[Californication69]

It’s next level a whole different experience your beds ready the toilets right there you can stand up and walk around.i always went back to the cali from a fiat ducato then we got a big motorhome then back to a cali just because there not cool..when you’re buying something you want to look at it and think THATS COOL.and the crafter/man certainly is…its a transporter on steroids.drives nice looks nice nice quality ect .its a natural progression in my opinion and experience.

Thanks for the perspective.
Really very helpful, we’ve got the wife’s first trip.
Off to Sennen Cove for 8 nights.
We’ll see how she copes with the Cali.
I totally agree, love how the Cali looks.
I have it just right. For me.
Would need the MAN TGE to have the same “look”
Might wait for the new MY25 with improved gearstick on steering column as I think that would enhance the “out of seat into back” experience.
And electronic handbrake.
Hoping it might even be in a 4Motion config with 190 PS.
Safe in the knowledge I won’t be losing money on the Cali ocean.

I get where you’re coming from swapping from / to.
Had a FWD Cali Ocean, wobbled too much.
Went to a Velar. Like a reverse tardis.
Got the 4Motion Cali and it drives like it’s on rails.
Had that many cars, maybe around 40 different motors over the last 36 years.
The one that stands out at the moment is the Defender 110 D250 XS edition.
It’s sublime, air suspension, goes nicely, but really good on fuel too.
Wife loves it. Let’s me drive it once a week while she’s chauffeured about
But no loo and shower or bed !

 

[Darrel Crilley]

Just collected my Knaus Boxdrive 600XL, which is the equivalent of the GC600, so far very impressed with everything about it.

Build quality is excellent, the main factors for me over the GC were the less clinical interior and the less challenging appearance, they have made a better job of hiding its bulk in my opinion.

Well worth a look if you are not sure about the GC.



View attachment 106092

Hi

Wondering how you are getting on with the Knaus Box drive a year or so after taking the plunge. I have been debating one versus a Sven Hedin. A 4x4 variant is just about available in the UK with a rise n falling rear bed mechanism which greatly adds to the versatility of the van. I thought the build quality of cabinets and catches actually as good if not better than the Westfalia and way ahead of the GC. The 4x4 comes with uprated rear axle capacity and 4000kgs which is no issue for us since we are pre-93 drivers. They put a semi-air vB set-up on the rear. I would be very interested to hear your experience of the van. The SH is great but I have become a little tired of its failings being brushed aside - the front skylight howls like a wolf and needs a baffle or spoiler fitting, there is not a single hook in the van, no 12 v sockets anywhere, few plug or USB points, rear cabinets are Diddy and its just not possible to fit a roof rack one one because of how Westfalia mount the awning. Also, no $WD option.

 

[Barry Chuckle]

Hi

Wondering how you are getting on with the Knaus Box drive a year or so after taking the plunge. I have been debating one versus a Sven Hedin. A 4x4 variant is just about available in the UK with a rise n falling rear bed mechanism which greatly adds to the versatility of the van. I thought the build quality of cabinets and catches actually as good if not better than the Westfalia and way ahead of the GC. The 4x4 comes with uprated rear axle capacity and 4000kgs which is no issue for us since we are pre-93 drivers. They put a semi-air vB set-up on the rear. I would be very interested to hear your experience of the van. The SH is great but I have become a little tired of its failings being brushed aside - the front skylight howls like a wolf and needs a baffle or spoiler fitting, there is not a single hook in the van, no 12 v sockets anywhere, few plug or USB points, rear cabinets are Diddy and its just not possible to fit a roof rack one one because of how Westfalia mount the awning. Also, no $WD option.

I have the SH, and whilst not perfect it's a very good van. Although minor points it does have a couple of built in hooks near the door also there is a 12v socket. Your point about the cupboards being small I do agree with but there are lots of them. I would have loved a 4x4 option on the SH but if available would have taken the cost to well north of £100k

The Boxdrive is definitely very well built but I discounted it a it's over 3.5t and I felt it would limit it's resale audience. I have too have a pre 93 licence but a local motorhome dealer said those buying over 3.5t reduces year on year due to the age demographic.

 

[Californication69]

I have the SH, and whilst not perfect it's a very good van. Although minor points it does have a couple of built in hooks near the door also there is a 12v socket. Your point about the cupboards being small I do agree with but there are lots of them. I would have loved a 4x4 option on the SH but if available would have taken the cost to well north of £100k

The Boxdrive is definitely very well built but I discounted it a it's over 3.5t and I felt it would limit it's resale audience. I have too have a pre 93 licence but a local motorhome dealer said those buying over 3.5t reduces year on year due to the age demographic.

Interesting point you make about the 3.5t
And yep, it will reduce year on year.

I enjoyed looking at the Knaus Boxdrive XL with 4x4.
Be interesting to see the next gen of MAN & GC with gearstick on steering column and electric parking brake.

 

[rod_vw]

Interesting point you make about the 3.5t
And yep, it will reduce year on year.

I enjoyed looking at the Knaus Boxdrive XL with 4x4.
Be interesting to see the next gen of MAN & GC with gearstick on steering column and electric parking brake.

I've gone over the 3.5tonne with my LWB MAN TGE but it's only the medical that I needed to regain my C1. I'm not too worried about the resale value as contrary to many folks opinion that I would loose money on a 'self build' but in reality I have hardly lost a pound on any of the five that I have built.

Has anyone seen a picture of the facelift dash on an auto version? Up to now I have only been able to find one of a manual version.

 

[Wondering Star]

Its possible that with the introduction of hybrid/electric vans the EU will change the weight categories.
Will be safer as most continental vans are overweight and perhaps it will force manurgactures to fit adequate suspension.
How does a Hymer MLT 4x4 or similar even exist on a 3500kg chassis?

 

[G-A-R-Y]

I thought the Hymer is 4.1 where the grand is 3.88.
I think both vehicles can be uprated with no physical changes.

 

[Barry Chuckle]

I'd be interested to know if any younger people have actually taken tuition & sat a test to gain a C1 license with the sole intention of buying an RV over 3.5t?