Hello and a big thank you

[Barry Chuckle]

I've taken the plunge and ordered myself my first ever VW California Ocean. Largely the process has been helped by the wonderful members of this forum.

I firstly contacted my local dealer VW Birmingham asking about a discount, they said there was a shortage of them and they could sell another 25 if they could get them. They were completely intransigent about even offering me a token discount, I knew this was nonsense as there are 15 currently on Autotrader with several £'000 discounts.
Thanks to information on here I've managed to negotiate nearly a 9k discount on an Ocean 204 ps, Eurovans of Crawley gave me this discount representing over 10% on list. As it's a lifetime purchase for me I've gone a bit trigger happy with the options, I've not opted for any of the visual packs as firstly I'm too old to worry about been in style anymore!!!!!! and secondly I want to minimise the risk of it getting nicked.

This leads me onto a few quick questions I have which I'm hoping someone can give me so tips on. I want to add a bike rack (I don't have a towbar specced) for 2 bikes & I want a tracker fitted. Do you think I'm best getting the dealer to put these on or should I get this done at an independent? Also is the VW bike rack worth the expense or should I be looking at an alternative like say Thule?

Once again thanks for helping me save a fortune and for all your wonderful posts pushing me over the line for this purchase.

 

[Alan Andrews]

We have the VW Kylie bike rack on our T6 Ocean. It is a large piece of kit to continually fit and remove, so decided to leave it attached.....it does not add to the overall length when closed and secured, plus provides an element of security to the rear window. Whilst the rack is designed for 4 bikes, it is easy to remove the bars to only carry 2 bikes. The bike rack can also be used to carry other items....we have used it to carry a large trunk from time to time! It also does not interfere with the vw rear view camera, which a towbar hooked bike rack would.

 

[CamperFam]

Welcome Barry! Great choice in our biased opinion

RE Bike Rack - it's easy to fit, but requires two able-bodied people to hoist it relatively high above you, and hook onto the boot without damaging. Also means that you can be confident (perhaps? ) in it being fitted correctly.

Towbar bikeracks are superior, but less convenient (ie - need to fit the rack each time, less valuable re multipurpose use, and so on). Make sure you get an Altera Strada DL3 or a Thule Velospace XT-3 for the tilt function though (most others dont tilt enough/at all for the tailgate to open).

RE Tracker - i'd get the dealer to fit it, but I challenge the value. It's not required by many insurance providers and should anything happen to your vehicle, that's what the insurance is for, right?

 

[Kayleigh]

RE Tracker - i'd get the dealer to fit it, but I challenge the value. It's not required by many insurance providers and should anything happen to your vehicle, that's what the insurance is for, right?

Eurovans do not fit trackers but will arrange for an expensive third party to do it for you.
I would recommend ConnectMyCar for Vodafone or Scorpion trackers. Very good price and service. They can be fitted at Eurovans as well. PM me if you would like more details.

 

[Viktorgeorge]

I've taken the plunge and ordered myself my first ever VW California Ocean. Largely the process has been helped by the wonderful members of this forum.

I firstly contacted my local dealer VW Birmingham asking about a discount, they said there was a shortage of them and they could sell another 25 if they could get them. They were completely intransigent about even offering me a token discount, I knew this was nonsense as there are 15 currently on Autotrader with several £'000 discounts.
Thanks to information on here I've managed to negotiate nearly a 9k discount on an Ocean 204 ps, Eurovans of Crawley gave me this discount representing over 10% on list. As it's a lifetime purchase for me I've gone a bit trigger happy with the options, I've not opted for any of the visual packs as firstly I'm too old to worry about been in style anymore!!!!!! and secondly I want to minimise the risk of it getting nicked.

This leads me onto a few quick questions I have which I'm hoping someone can give me so tips on. I want to add a bike rack (I don't have a towbar specced) for 2 bikes & I want a tracker fitted. Do you think I'm best getting the dealer to put these on or should I get this done at an independent? Also is the VW bike rack worth the expense or should I be looking at an alternative like say Thule?

Once again thanks for helping me save a fortune and for all your wonderful posts pushing me over the line for this purchase.

If you have or might have electric bikes, then a tow bar bike rack (several alternatives if you search the site, though you need to take out forum membership) is more practicable unless you are both young and strong. You could add a tow bar to your spec if you have only ordered recently.

 

[Barry Chuckle]

What a wonderful forum! my first post and loads of helpful suggestions.

I think I'll just wait on my tracker, @CamperFam you make a very salient point, and if my Cali was nicked I'd probably not want it returned!

@Viktorgeorge thank you so much for your insights, I have both but I'd probably only transport my cheapo non e-bikes due to to theft risk. I'll look into towbars, but to me it seems an extravagance just to fit a cycle carrier?

 

[CamperFam]

What a wonderful forum! my first post and loads of helpful suggestions.

I think I'll just wait on my tracker, @CamperFam you make a very salient point, and if my Cali was nicked I'd probably not want it returned!

@Viktorgeorge thank you so much for your insights, I have both but I'd probably only transport my cheapo non e-bikes due to to theft risk. I'll look into towbars, but to me it seems an extravagance just to fit a cycle carrier?

I was going to make that point, but then I got worried that if it ever did, the insurance company would find the comment and claim insurance fraud

 

[Viktorgeorge]

What a wonderful forum! my first post and loads of helpful suggestions.

I think I'll just wait on my tracker, @CamperFam you make a very salient point, and if my Cali was nicked I'd probably not want it returned!

@Viktorgeorge thank you so much for your insights, I have both but I'd probably only transport my cheapo non e-bikes due to to theft risk. I'll look into towbars, but to me it seems an extravagance just to fit a cycle carrier?

I am in the Austrian Tyrol currently in a mountain bike and ski resort. If you saw the number of tow bar mounted bike racks here you might consider a tow bar close to essential equipment just for that purpose and for any later resale.

 

[Hawthorn37]

We opted not to fit a tow bar - partly due to budget (our extras bill was ratcheting up) and at the time, the tow bar electrics were delaying production and delivery. I’m glad we went for the standard bike rack though - we don’t take bikes every time and when we do, they’re standard type. Weve also used the rack to carry a tent etc., and use it as a drying rack on site. Quite easy to fit by one person, and there’s a good YouTube video from A Bus And Beyond. During winter months when I know it’s not needed I remove it and store in our garage.

Trackers are a personal preference unless your insurer demands one. We did install one - with an immobiliser. We went for Scorpion as they have a lifetime single payment subscription. They have approved installers who will fit it at your house etc.

 

[Barry Chuckle]

A few people have mentioned towbar bike carriers and I don't dispute that they're probably the best and most secure. But they really do push up the options price and other than a fixed carrier I wouldn't have need for the functionality. Regarding resale, I'm assuming tow bars are very like privacy glass, they help the second hand values but aren't deal breakers as they're relatively easy to retrofit?

 

[Viktorgeorge]

A few people have mentioned towbar bike carriers and I don't dispute that they're probably the best and most secure. But they really do push up the options price and other than a fixed carrier I wouldn't have need for the functionality. Regarding resale, I'm assuming tow bars are very like privacy glass, they help the second hand values but aren't deal breakers as they're relatively easy to retrofit?

General advice from the forum seems to have been that retrofit of tow bars is potentially inferior from an electrical point of view and more expensive but there is also a consensus that you can over order and over equip your California. For everyone like me who had factory fitted tow bar at the top of their list there will be another who is pleased they never spent the money on something they won’t use.

The only real determining factor, I suspect, is electric bikes, which at close to 30kg are apparently (as I can imagine) a back breaker on high level racks.

Resale value is hit or miss, but personally I would not buy without a factory fit tow bar if I could avoid it: whilst, as above, others might not care.

 

[Barry Chuckle]

@Viktorgeorge thanks that information is really helpful.

I've just had the finance docs from Eurovans and the guaranteed future value is just shy of 50k based on 5000 miles. This is amazing to me as I've only paid 72k for it with my discount!!!

The dealers have told me that as the next design will be shared with the Ford transit so this will be the last 'iconic' camper from VW. I'm not quite so sure, VW aren't stupid so they're not going to kill a cash cow. The Porsche Cayenne & VW Toureg share the same platform but the former commands twice the price and is arguably the more sought after. I'm sure VW will come up with something pretty special to replace the 6.1. Let's not hope it's not too special or that will end up harming residuals of the 6.1!!!!!!!

 

[Viktorgeorge]

@Viktorgeorge thanks that information is really helpful.

I've just had the finance docs from Eurovans and the guaranteed future value is just shy of 50k based on 5000 miles. This is amazing to me as I've only paid 72k for it with my discount!!!

The dealers have told me that as the next design will be shared with the Ford transit so this will be the last 'iconic' camper from VW. I'm not quite so sure, VW aren't stupid so they're not going to kill a cash cow. The Porsche Cayenne & VW Toureg share the same platform but the former commands twice the price and is arguably the more sought after. I'm sure VW will come up with something pretty special to replace the 6.1. Let's not hope it's not too special or that will end up harming residuals of the 6.1!!!!!!!

Residuals have been remarkable to date, with well cared for California being resold years later for similar to purchase price. Whether this will remain is anyone’s guess.

Never done finance and don’t understand it: but I imagine your 5,000 miles should read 50,000, with you referring to a buy back after 3 years perhaps?

 

[Barry Chuckle]

Residuals have been remarkable to date, with well cared for California being resold years later for similar to purchase price. Whether this will remain is anyone’s guess.

Never done finance and don’t understand it: but I imagine your 5,000 miles should read 50,000, with you referring to a buy back after 3 years perhaps?

No 5000 miles a year 15000 miles after 3 years, this will be a third vehicle so don't expect to pile on the miles.

Covid has clearly had a big part to play in residuals, people paid crazy money when they thought UK holidays were the only option. From what I hear many of these panic buyers are starting to sell their RV's as they are finding they can't use them. But clearly VW will always have rock solid residuals, just perhaps not as great as they were for the past 3 years.

You're absolutely right, it's anyone's guess what will happen, but as long as you buy for your own benefit and not to flip I suppose it doesn't matter whatever.

 

[Viktorgeorge]

No 5000 miles a year 15000 miles after 3 years, this will be a third vehicle so don't expect to pile on the miles.

Covid has clearly had a big part to play in residuals, people paid crazy money when they thought UK holidays were the only option. From what I hear many of these panic buyers are starting to sell their RV's as they are finding they can't use them. But clearly VW will always have rock solid residuals, just perhaps not as great as they were for the past 3 years.

You're absolutely right, it's anyone's guess what will happen, but as long as you buy for your own benefit and not to flip I suppose it doesn't matter whatever.

I bought a new VW Phaeton on 2006, I paid £36,000. I sold it October last year when my new Ocean was delivered, I had looked after it regardless of cost, it had no problems was virtually concours with only 130,000 on the clock and got £4,575 for it, so 13%. I compared this with what I would have for for a similar condition California bought new at the same time and for the same price or perhaps a bit less and I think I might have got £15,000 or a bit more so perhaps around 50%. I have seen later California being resold after several years use for around their purchase price. I accept Covid (though personally I think it was a pseudo-pandemic) inflated prices but perhaps not all that much.

In summary, the California seem a safe bet compared with other vehicles.

Now my 1957 Series 1 Land Rover is even better, with a five fold increase in value since I bought it almost 20 years ago.

 

[Barry Chuckle]

A series 1 Land Rover, now that is even cooler than even a VW, what a discerning choice!!!

 

[wildslammer22]

What a wonderful forum! my first post and loads of helpful suggestions.

I think I'll just wait on my tracker, @CamperFam you make a very salient point, and if my Cali was nicked I'd probably not want it returned!

@Viktorgeorge thank you so much for your insights, I have both but I'd probably only transport my cheapo non e-bikes due to to theft risk. I'll look into towbars, but to me it seems an extravagance just to fit a cycle carrier?

I’m the opposite, I’m sure I’m not alone in that my Cali has become more than a just vehicle, it’s a place where great memories are made. Plus I’ve spent way too much money personalising it to fit exactly how we use it, it’s become part of our lives in a way no other machine has so I’d definitely want it back if it were stolen! The reality is a newish California is pretty difficult to steal, so much so that as long as you’re careful you are only really vulnerable to 'professional' thieves. This is where a tracker comes into its own, the pros will quickly abandon it if they know its being actively tracked, recovery rates for vehicles fitted with a good trackers are many many times higher than those without.

Anyway welcome to the club, I hope you get to make many happy memories in your Cali.