How far is too far?

[AlisonF]

I picked my van up from VW in Hamburg. No idea how many miles that is from Aberdeen, where I was at the time.

Easy drive to IJmuiden over the Aflsuitdijk. Ferry and then up the A1 around Edinburgh and the A90. Worst part coming into Garthdee... almost home and can get stuck for an hour... At least now there is the new A90 so it’s 15 mins from Stonehaven to Aberdeen.

 

[Barbara]

I went to Preston from Suffolk ( about 220 miles) it was cheaper there and had a van I liked in stock. I had test drive nearer to home but they could not get a beach at a reasonable price. For the first 3 years while under guarantee I had it serviced in a local VW van dealer (not a California dealer), no problems they phoned me if there were any recalls. I did go back to Preston to have a tow bar fitted. Damaged mirror fixed in Spain in a very small garage who just ordered the part from the VW dealer. Now I just use a local small garage, after all a beach is really just a VW van with a raising roof. Maybe I have been lucky that I have had no problems with the California specific fittings.

 

[Tim Hook]

My wife and I flew Gatwick to Hannover, train to Wolfsburg to collect from VW, then drove via Gelsinkirchen in Germany to visit family and then tunnel to UK. It was a bit of a faf importing the van into the UK......I had ordered a RHD vehicle bit it was built with a KM speedo and left hand lights which had to be changed at by local dealership in the UK. Still, all worked out in the end.

 

[Croydongirl]

well the best laid plans.... I didn't receive my van today as my bank- despite reassuring me yesterday that I had done all the correct fraud security checks and it would all go though - said they couldn't make the lump sum payment this morning! So now I am heading to Poole tomorrow to collect my van after all.

 

[AlisonF]

well the best laid plans.... I didn't receive my van today as my bank- despite reassuring me yesterday that I had done all the correct fraud security checks and it would all go though - said they couldn't make the lump sum payment this morning! So now I am heading to Poole tomorrow to collect my van after all.

No panic. Things happen for a reason. Download the checklist. Ask them to put the van somewhere you can check everything. And let us all know if you have any concerns.
It will be fine.

 

[Ladymuck]

I went to Preston from Suffolk ( about 220 miles) it was cheaper there and had a van I liked in stock. I had test drive nearer to home but they could not get a beach at a reasonable price. For the first 3 years while under guarantee I had it serviced in a local VW van dealer (not a California dealer), no problems they phoned me if there were any recalls. I did go back to Preston to have a tow bar fitted. Damaged mirror fixed in Spain in a very small garage who just ordered the part from the VW dealer. Now I just use a local small garage, after all a beach is really just a VW van with a raising roof. Maybe I have been lucky that I have had no problems with the California specific fittings.

Paying for my cali the other week wasn't straight forward for me either. I first tried to pay by my mobile app (lol) then my laptop and then instructed to go into the bank with ID. I was there for an hour, socially distanced from the counter whilst they shouted at me 'how much do you want to transfer' 'what's it for?' Everyone could hear, rather embarrassing.
I had my cali delivered (1 hour drive) but they did offer collection too. Got a really good handover video and bar a bit of mud the van arrived in perfect condition, went through the checklist thoroughly and no issues very pleased with the service

 

[Abx]

Silly question maybe....seen a few mentions above about checklists, I’ve seen the one for buying a used Cali, is there one for a new Cali? Thanks

 

[Ladymuck]

Silly question maybe....seen a few mentions above about checklists, I’ve seen the one for buying a used Cali, is there one for a new Cali? Thanks

Yes there is one for the new Cali but you need to join as a VIP to access it. The used one I've seen goes through checking everything works, the one for the new Cali also lists all extra items that should be included.

 

[66tim99]

Yes there is one for the new Cali but you need to join as a VIP to access it. The used one I've seen goes through checking everything works, the one for the new Cali also lists all extra items that should be included.

This the latest one?

 

[Ladymuck]

View attachment 76045
This the latest one?

Oh I used one dated 2016 no reference to T6.1 is that in the VIP lounge ?

 

[66tim99]

Oh I used one dated 2016 no reference to T6.1 is that in the VIP lounge ?

I was sent it in a conversation. Have sent you a link

 

[Graham T]

I was sent it in a conversation. Have sent you a link

I'd be really interested in that link too, @66tim99 if its not too much trouble? (You may get swamped, sorry).

 

[brooodie]

I'd be really interested in that link too, @66tim99 if its not too much trouble? (You may get swamped, sorry).

Same.

Maybe you can upload it to the download section? (there is a red 'Add Resource' button) https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/resources/categories/buyers-checklists.3/

 

[66tim99]

Same.

Maybe you can upload it to the download section? (there is a red 'Add Resource' button) https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/resources/categories/buyers-checklists.3/

Happy to have a crack at that, but it wasn't produced by me. I think it might have originated from @GrumpyGranddad? Would you mind me uploading it GG?

 

[El Greco]

So Ive decided to bite the bullet and go for this model rather than wait until Christmas. The dealership have offered to drive it up to my house tomorrow and do a handover at social-distance. The delivery fee is £640 .They said they are paying for fuel for both the van and the spare car to take the salesperson back to the dealership. It will be about a 7 hour round trip for them I suspect. Has anyone else taken a home delivery in the past year? If so how was it?

For that amount of money, I would have thought a transporter would be preferable. The vehicle would have fewer miles and arrive potentially cleaner though you may not get the handover.

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Happy to have a crack at that, but it wasn't produced by me. I think it might have originated from @GrumpyGranddad? Would you mind me uploading it GG?

In a bit of a rush so couldn't find the Upload area, but here's a PDF version. I have Excel and Numbers versions but couldn't attach for some reason!?

 

[brooodie]

In a bit of a rush so couldn't find the Upload area, but here's a PDF version. I have Excel and Numbers versions but couldn't attach for some reason!?

Thank you this is much appreciated. I've added to the downloads section (pending approval: https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/resources/my21-california-ocean-handover-checklist.209/) so that other members can find it, hope that's OK (can remove if not).

 

[Viktorgeorge]

In a bit of a rush so couldn't find the Upload area, but here's a PDF version. I have Excel and Numbers versions but couldn't attach for some reason!?

Hello Grumpy, might you be able to upload or DM the excel version of your handover list? I am due to collect hopefully later this year and wanted to make up my own checklist. I have failed to import your pdf list into excel.

For example, I am wondering whether to ask the dealer to have the roof up fore 24 hours before I arrive to collect - to check for the 'roof-sink' some have experienced. Perhaps they do this anyway, as part of the PDI?

Any other additional items/thoughts would be welcome.

 

[66tim99]

Hello Grumpy, might you be able to upload or DM the excel version of your handover list? I am due to collect hopefully later this year and wanted to make up my own checklist. I have failed to import your pdf list into excel.

For example, I am wondering whether to ask the dealer to have the roof up fore 24 hours before I arrive to collect - to check for the 'roof-sink' some have experienced. Perhaps they do this anyway, as part of the PDI?

Any other additional items/thoughts would be welcome.

Good idea on the roof sag. I really doubt they do that. Touch wood I've had no problems. I'd ask them for a video of when it arrives at the dealer for you to watch at home before you go.. I spotted one of the black B-pillars was missing, which their PDI had missed.
Ask them to set you up as a user on the infotainment, and run you through the settings. Mine was clueless!

 

[Viktorgeorge]

Good idea on the roof sag. I really doubt they do that. Touch wood I've had no problems. I'd ask them for a video of when it arrives at the dealer for you to watch at home before you go.. I spotted one of the black B-pillars was missing, which their PDI had missed.
Ask them to set you up as a user on the infotainment, and run you through the settings. Mine was clueless!

Thanks, Tim. I think I am going to start a new string under the heading "Up To Date Checklist for 2022 Ocean Pickup" and link back to this.

 

[Viktorgeorge]

I have started a new post on checklists:

Up To Date Checklist for 2022 Ocean Collection

Grumpy Grandad's post from 1 April 2021: https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/how-far-is-too-far.39530/post-505991 Appears to have the most up to date (that I can find) checklist. There is also the excellent 2016 source document in 'Resources'. As the replies to Grumpy after 1 April 2021...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[Yodaalwaysgoes]

I live near Oxford but bought van from Newcastle. Unfortunately we were on holiday in west Devon when it came up for sale so took the train to view and drove it back to Devon to continue the holiday.....
820 mile round trip. 22 hours with food breaks and power naps.
No where's was too far for the look on the children's faces when they woke up to find 'Poppy' had arrived!

Find myself with the prospect of doing something similar. How much did you know in advance and how sure were you that your journey would be worthwhile?

 

[Corradobrit]

I bought in Amsterdam and was living in Dallas TX at the time. Thats a 9814 round trip

Good thing I now live in Hannover Germany, a much less onerous journey.

 

[Drpps]

Find myself with the prospect of doing something similar. How much did you know in advance and how sure were you that your journey would be worthwhile?

I had been looking for a while. (So
much so I had the vw brochure I picked up at the dealer when originally looking for a new van which ended up correct for the 4 year old van I bought) I had been to view a few, some of which sold as I was on my way to view them, although I was able to look around them, so had a good idea of what I wanted spec wise and had seen some good and some poor ones. I bought mine from an Autotrader advert and it wasn’t advertised on the forum. It hadn’t sold for a week or so. I just had a feel from the advert and my interaction with the seller, who provided lots of extra information etc, that it was a good one. Thanks to the forum I knew more about the van than the seller.
The reasons for it not selling earlier were logistical not the van itself.
I’ve bought most of my cars privately and you often get a sense.
It was a risk but it somehow seemed right, and I am generally pretty risk averse! It came up when I was on leave otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to fit in a 2 day round trip which just added to that gut feeling.
That was 4 years and 30,000 miles ago.

In short ask lots of questions. Whatsapp photos, use the VIP checklist and check with the seller that all the bits are there etc. After that if it all adds up, then by the time you get there there shouldn’t be any surprises.

 

[California_Ocean]

Saw mine appear for sale when I switched the computer on one morning, phoned the dealer to check the van really was for sale - turned out it was an ex-display model they had decided to sell - so I did a 450km round trip and bought it the same day. Did the same trip again a few weeks later to pick it up - 900km in total.