Help Comparing Two VW California T6 Campervans – Ocean vs Coast

[pr1m4te]

Hi everyone!
New user from Italy here. I'm currently in the market for a used VW California and trying to choose between two options I’ve found online. I'd really appreciate any advice, especially from those who know these models well. I have appointments to go see and test both of them in the next week or so.

Option 1: Volkswagen T6 California Ocean 4x4​

Asking price: €34,990 (I was told they could maybe go down to €32,000)
Mileage: 270,000 km
First registration: 07/2016
Engine: 150 kW (204 hp), Transmission: Manual
Maintenance: Full log history of controls available. It apparently got main parts replaced at 200.00 km.
️ Extras: 4Motion (AWD), rear differential lock, solar panel, tow hook, bike rack, bigger mattress, amongst others.
https://emojipedia.org/busts-in-silhouette Previous owners: 1

Option 2: Volkswagen T6 California Coast​

Asking price: €36,990 (maybe negotiable, but not sure)
Mileage: 153,300 km
First registration: 05/2017
Engine: 110 kW (150 hp), Transmission: Manual
Maintenance: Full log history of controls available.
️ Extras: nothing special.
https://emojipedia.org/busts-in-silhouette Previous owners: 3

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What I’m Looking For:​

• Will use as my main car, but I don't use it often as I work from home (maybe once per week)
• I like hiking and will hopefully start free-camping.
• I sometime go to leave in remote areas where roads are not great (not extreme terrain)
• I'm planning multiple-days trips on a monthly basis or so. During this, I might use it as my office.

My Thoughts So Far:​

• Ocean: I like it being 4wd for the occasional off-road, and seem like there are few thousands euros worth of extras which are not strictly required but all nice-to-have. I'm concerned about all those kilometers, but the fact that main parts were recently replaced might make it worth it? Lower price is a main factor.
• Coast: More recent, almost half km, but no AWD. I mostly prefer because it I expect the engine to be in better conditions due to less travel done.

My Questions:​

• Would the AWD and diff lock + the "Ocean" model make a big difference for maintaining value over time?
• How much of a risk is the 270k km vs. 150k, assuming both have full service history and good maintenance?
• Are extras on the Ocean a big thing?
• Is the price gap justified given the differences?

Thanks in advance for any insights or opinions you might have!

 

[Trudi]

I have a 21 coast. We chose it over the ocean because I wanted a manual roof. My thoughts are less to go wrong.

Ours is an automatic diesel so cant help there.

My old car was 4 x 4 but never used it. I have been looking at the mitchellin cross climate tyres. The reason..... a good friend owns a marquee company and was going to swap a long wheel base van for a 4 x 4 because he's aways driving over fields. He swapped the tyres instead to try. 4 years on and never been stuck because he has the correct tyres on a normal van.

So, how often and what sort of terrain? Would good tyres work ?

 

[pr1m4te]

I have a 21 coast. We chose it over the ocean because I wanted a manual roof. My thoughts are less to go wrong.

Ours is an automatic diesel so cant help there.

My old car was 4 x 4 but never used it. I have been looking at the mitchellin cross climate tyres. The reason..... a good friend owns a marquee company and was going to swap a long wheel base van for a 4 x 4 because he's aways driving over fields. He swapped the tyres instead to try. 4 years on and never been stuck because he has the correct tyres on a normal van.

So, how often and what sort of terrain? Would good tyres work ?

In 2025 alone, I've spent 3.5 months so far in country-side places with no asphalt, often muddy, irregular and with decent incline roads to reach them.
I've done it with no specific tires and no 4x4, but also with a much lighter car. I've never done in the winter so far, but would like to and snow is going to make it worse.

Not sure about off-road tires, because I might live in those places, but not exclusively and I wouldn't change them often. I'm concerned those tires should be used on those terrains only and might be easily consumed/damaged on asphalt?

 

[Trudi]

They are meant to be really good on normal roads. His van is used driving to and from venues.
Maybe ask the question on here about tyres?

 

[pr1m4te]

Little update:
Option 1: car seem to be negotiable to 34.000€, higher than I thought.

Option 2: confirmed at €36,990 and no less.
I went to see and test drive the car and it looks in a very good condition.
There are a few issues but the dealer agreed to fix them on their expense before selling it.
Any other issue is only aesthetic.

Thoughts: the cost gap is not as big as I initially thought. For 2-3 thousand Euro of difference, I feel like it's not worth to get double the kilometers of the Option 1.

I would really appreciate any second opinion.

 

[Wannabecamperman]

270,000 Kms is approaching end of life by any metric. Go for the lower mileage one which seems to be your instinct also. Good luck.

 

[pr1m4te]

270,000 Kms is approaching end of life by any metric. Go for the lower mileage one which seems to be your instinct also. Good luck.

Would you consider it end of life even with main components being replaced?

They told me the following are new:
- timing system (belt/chain) replaced at 200.000km
- breaks replaced at 200.000km
- clutch replaced at 200.000km
- Turbo replaced at 100.000km

And there should be official Volkswagen documents proving this.

 

[WelshGas]

Would you consider it end of life even with main components being replaced?

They told me the following are new:
- timing system (belt/chain) replaced at 200.000km
- breaks replaced at 200.000km
- clutch replaced at 200.000km
- Turbo replaced at 100.000km

And there should be official Volkswagen documents proving this.

No.
My 2014 180 biturbo 4 Motion DSG had done just under 150,000 miles (220,000 km ) when I sold it . Used no oil and apart from Cambelt and water pump at 80,000 miles ( in U.K. VWUK recommended 4 yrs/80,000 mile change interval now extended to 140,000 mile no time limit ) and brake pads and front disks at 90,000 miles still going strong.

 

[Wannabecamperman]

No.
My 2014 180 biturbo 4 Motion DSG had done just under 150,000 miles (220,000 km ) when I sold it . Used no oil and apart from Cambelt and water pump at 80,000 miles ( in U.K. VWUK recommended 4 yrs/80,000 mile change interval now extended to 140,000 mile no time limit ) and brake pads and front disks at 90,000 miles still going strong.

Nice! But this one has done more than 50k kms on top of yours and he's not selling - he's buying and intending to keep. I also suspect that the previous 270k kms were driven by people with less care and attention to detail than yourself, Welsh Gas.

I wouldn't advise anyone to part with the rough end of £30k for a vehicle that irrespective of maintenance, is approaching the end of it's working life. It's just too big a risk and potentially, cost.

 

[WelshGas]

Nice! But this one has done more than 50k kms on top of yours and he's not selling - he's buying and intending to keep. I also suspect that the previous 270k kms were driven by people with less care and attention to detail than yourself, Welsh Gas.

I wouldn't advise anyone to part with the rough end of £30k for a vehicle that irrespective of maintenance, is approaching the end of it's working life. It's just too big a risk and potentially, cost.

But it's based in Europe, its been properly serviced and used as intended. I wouldn't entertain any vehicle that's done significantly less than 10,000 miles/ Yr as that would indicate its been laid up for weeks on end and that's when problems occur.
My philosophy is use it or loose it.
The 2nd vehicle hasn't had clutch/dmf changed or cambelt/ water pump or brakes so at least 4000 + € will be spent soon.

 

[pluc99]

The Coast has had 3 owners. That's ringing warning bells in my head. How long did the last 2 owners keep it? If a short time then I would be suspicious that he realized his mistake and is now trying to make it yours. I also don't like the lack of options, especially no towbar.

The Ocean has 4Motion, which is active all the time and makes for better all around handling. I like that it has had only 1 previous owner who kept the vehicle for 70000 kms after having the engine work done. That's no guarantee that there are no problems, but I'm not seeing the 150k with no work done as being a substantially safer bet than the 270k.

Keep in mind that there may be more campers available for sale after the summer.