calibusje
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- T6.1 Coast 150
A year later after my last review: the sequel. So, 31000 km, more than half travelling, the rest daily use. I was already planning to post a thread with a few thoughts but waited until after our last big trip.
But first: why am I doing this? Maybe recent cali owners find tips in it. Maybe it can hearten those up who now have issues with their cali. But also: I've been criticized here for expressing some of my opinions about our cali, I've been summoned to travel with it more than to look at it and then recently called a fanboy. I guess people don't really understand how I feel about my cali, so also to create some clarity. Finally: the t6.1 deserves better than what some think of it.
Will this then be nothing but good? You'll see; it will certainly be an honest and personal review. And again a long one
I'll start. Now, the dimensions (length and height) are still a selling point for me. You can park a cali everywhere and quickly, also underground.
I see the colour ascot grey less than expected and I don't mind, I still like it a lot and makes this free colour a bit more exclusive.
The Control panel at the top that many have issues with: don't be blinded by it. I've read all kinds of things: from software updates to replacing cables to even replacing the batteries. Understandable: due to the very poor information that dealers gave (or even none), especially during the early days of the t6.1, people didn't really know how to use it. Thus came the so-called issues: the auxiliary heating system with it's various workings, the purpose of these and how to use them: The same about the indication of the instantaneous and rapidly changing number of the batteries' usage. Using the camping mode and why. If there had been a decent explanation then, there would have been a lot less negative reports and a better image for the t6.1 but this has also been a saving from Volkswagen: no more decent explanations for the dealers and this for such a heavily changed cali in terms of operation of the camper area compared to the previous one.
I have already mentioned in another thread that I learned a lot at CamperCenter Amersfoort in the Netherlands and since then I use the extra functions that are necessary due to the completely new electronic system of the t6.1. Ours is a very good travel companion that covers its course flawlessly.
Of course, this statement does not apply to those who really have a problem because this can of course also occur. For them I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a quick and adequate solution.
Something else: I still use the leveler feature regularly when travelling.
The leisure batteries: they are very well suited to their task and can even be fully charged thanks to the max. charging function that we do not need solar panels. You can also use the maximum load function perfectly while stationary (with the engine running, of course). We rarely stay in the same place for more than 1 night: I bought a small campervan for touring convenience (and the 2m height limit for the underground car parks that we see the benefit of on each trip). Everyone has their own idea of course.
Driving then: no remarks during travel; good for everyday use. It is mainly the combination of the engine (in our case 150 hp) and dsg gearbox that does it. The high seat and nice steering wheel finish it off.
I still find the dashboard beautiful and useful when it come to the storage compartments (and even a bit luxurious compared to a basic dashboard of a t6.1). I use the adaptive speed controller a lot and like it.
The gap at the bottom of the front window is annoying when small things fall in, but it was solved with buying a rubber, specially made for it. The other options I listed then all prove to be useful to us and glad I chose them.. except the automatic high beam, I've known much better ones but it is what it is and I do use it but with less satisfaction.
There are obvious savings in a few places with the t6.1: no felt in the glove box, the button on the center console to lock up before going to sleep gone, I can live with those but worse, I think the general final quality inspection (and maybe also the check on newer parts) has been strongly weakened. The last (double-layered) canvas may be a result of this, but I will not say anything more about it. Our single-layer canvas is waterproof but it does come loose in the top left corner - and continues to come off after returning in pushing the rail so needs to be resolved once more, the dealer knows it. We use the panorama opening in the front of the canvas a lot and it is nice to have. The camping lighting in the roof is a another plus.
The cabinets appear to be of good quality, even as good as those in our previous t4 with its highly regarded westfalia furniture. They are lighter in use and can hold at least as much as in our Westfalia. Only: the left door mechanism of today is very fragile and I suspect that this is because the right sliding door can withstand it and after a while it breaks off a piece. I took the handle apart and put it back together with acetone. Was very sturdy... until a little later it broke again. Not so good design. Anyway, that doesn't make me think our coast is inferior to the westy; I know that the t6.1 cali will probably not last as long as a t4 westy, but it doesn't have to for me: it has to be reliable from day one and this for many years. I'm not going to drive it for 30 years that's for sure but if it continues like this I'll be very happy. I expect it too. Software is software and things are going rather badly with the software department of Volkswagen (Cariad) but once this is in order, I see no problems to be able to use a t6.1 cali correctly for many years to come in terms of electronics.
Also with us, in the very beginnig, the refrigerator was once inexplicable turned off (but afterwards I suspect that this had to do with the voltage of the batteries being slightly too low; with us it happened while driving). No furher issues: the fridge is still a blast.
The plastic basic inner floor turns out to be not nearly as wear-resistant as previously thought: after 15 months and used for all kinds of things: daily use with the children in the back, extra seat in/out, traveling with the four of us and occasionally to a container park, but with thick cardboard as protection: still a lot of scratches, especially in the aluminum rail inserts and the hard plastic end pieces of the rails.
The roller blinds all around are nicely integrated, but no better than normal curtains: they keep coming up slightly, which is quite disturbing. I'm thinking of a possible solution but have yet to implement it.
The fact that no window can be opened at the back is a loss in our opinion (and is counteracted during hot nights with the suspension hook for the tailgate).
VW's comfort mattress itself didn't turn out to be the best and we cut a decathlon foldable foam mat into pieces the same size as the parts of the mattress and stuck it in there. Sleeps a lot better.
For the bicycle rack, which I still find a cumbersome thing and I think the previous ones are nicer, I plan to have a luggage bag made to hang on the folded rack. A plan not yet implemented.
With some judicious organization, the boot space is actually very voluminous (we don't have a pull-out tray and we don't need it at the moment). For us, also no extra drawers in the kitchen cupboard on the right or shelves in the large hanging cupboard (what a wonderful cupboard to stuff your coats, larger bags and wine bottles and so on). I understand many already bought and installed those items and are happy with them; we just organize differently.
What do I miss or do I think I miss: the LED headlights and maybe the towbar, but that's about it. Still this: if I knew that the smartphone inductive charging option wouldn't suit us, I wouldn't take it and spend the money on the digital screen. This screen was not a must for me, but now the inductive charging function turns out not to be either.
The multimedia system (discover media pro): when it comes to CarPlay it's a roulette; the navigation works ok and I'm glad I have this because already a few times we ended up without internet connection and there you are with all your navigation apps on the smartphone. But! Far too expensive as an option and therefore not entirely satisfied with it.
Big point of annoyance that came up then (I listed it as something to keep an eye on at the time, I didn't know how bad it was going to get) and it took me almost half a year to convince myself to continue and not to give up on the cali and kept our dealer on top of it: the creaking at the top of the front window and this turned out to be an issue that happened before with others; relatively easy to solve (and under warranty) but before I knew exactly what was going on, it was a long search on the internet for me. The dealer was already at his wits end but was then able to solve it with the new info I had given them. Mind you, I was about to sell our cali and wait for what the successor would be. That's how bad it was with how I felt. I therefore understand well some reactions from people who also have a problem that almost drives them insane. All I can say is: I'm so glad I didn't give up and kept going.
Consumption: even less than in the beginning: let's say a good 8 liters over a long time (35 mpg). Satisfied with that number. Occasionally I drive in a higher speed by going to manual and lowering one or two gears for a much better combustion so things don't get clogged.
In the meantime, our savings book has also been replenished after our purchase in 2022 with the price tag of 2020, I must add. Is the cali worth the money? Yes, for me it is because he is our perfect travel companion; that makes it one of the best purchases we've ever made.
I'm going to finish: Is the t6.1 without criticism? No. Yet, in those 15 months we have had not only some annoying big and small -now resolved- issues with our coast, but also a lot of wonderful trips, large and small and have already created masses of good memories for young and old and that is what matters to us. As stated: this would be an honest review of our cali, strongly influenced by our travels
Greetings
Calibusje
Picos de Europa, Spain. July 2023
My first review after three months: the beginning
vwcaliforniaclub.com
But first: why am I doing this? Maybe recent cali owners find tips in it. Maybe it can hearten those up who now have issues with their cali. But also: I've been criticized here for expressing some of my opinions about our cali, I've been summoned to travel with it more than to look at it and then recently called a fanboy. I guess people don't really understand how I feel about my cali, so also to create some clarity. Finally: the t6.1 deserves better than what some think of it.
Will this then be nothing but good? You'll see; it will certainly be an honest and personal review. And again a long one
I'll start. Now, the dimensions (length and height) are still a selling point for me. You can park a cali everywhere and quickly, also underground.
I see the colour ascot grey less than expected and I don't mind, I still like it a lot and makes this free colour a bit more exclusive.
The Control panel at the top that many have issues with: don't be blinded by it. I've read all kinds of things: from software updates to replacing cables to even replacing the batteries. Understandable: due to the very poor information that dealers gave (or even none), especially during the early days of the t6.1, people didn't really know how to use it. Thus came the so-called issues: the auxiliary heating system with it's various workings, the purpose of these and how to use them: The same about the indication of the instantaneous and rapidly changing number of the batteries' usage. Using the camping mode and why. If there had been a decent explanation then, there would have been a lot less negative reports and a better image for the t6.1 but this has also been a saving from Volkswagen: no more decent explanations for the dealers and this for such a heavily changed cali in terms of operation of the camper area compared to the previous one.
I have already mentioned in another thread that I learned a lot at CamperCenter Amersfoort in the Netherlands and since then I use the extra functions that are necessary due to the completely new electronic system of the t6.1. Ours is a very good travel companion that covers its course flawlessly.
Of course, this statement does not apply to those who really have a problem because this can of course also occur. For them I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a quick and adequate solution.
Something else: I still use the leveler feature regularly when travelling.
The leisure batteries: they are very well suited to their task and can even be fully charged thanks to the max. charging function that we do not need solar panels. You can also use the maximum load function perfectly while stationary (with the engine running, of course). We rarely stay in the same place for more than 1 night: I bought a small campervan for touring convenience (and the 2m height limit for the underground car parks that we see the benefit of on each trip). Everyone has their own idea of course.
Driving then: no remarks during travel; good for everyday use. It is mainly the combination of the engine (in our case 150 hp) and dsg gearbox that does it. The high seat and nice steering wheel finish it off.
I still find the dashboard beautiful and useful when it come to the storage compartments (and even a bit luxurious compared to a basic dashboard of a t6.1). I use the adaptive speed controller a lot and like it.
The gap at the bottom of the front window is annoying when small things fall in, but it was solved with buying a rubber, specially made for it. The other options I listed then all prove to be useful to us and glad I chose them.. except the automatic high beam, I've known much better ones but it is what it is and I do use it but with less satisfaction.
There are obvious savings in a few places with the t6.1: no felt in the glove box, the button on the center console to lock up before going to sleep gone, I can live with those but worse, I think the general final quality inspection (and maybe also the check on newer parts) has been strongly weakened. The last (double-layered) canvas may be a result of this, but I will not say anything more about it. Our single-layer canvas is waterproof but it does come loose in the top left corner - and continues to come off after returning in pushing the rail so needs to be resolved once more, the dealer knows it. We use the panorama opening in the front of the canvas a lot and it is nice to have. The camping lighting in the roof is a another plus.
The cabinets appear to be of good quality, even as good as those in our previous t4 with its highly regarded westfalia furniture. They are lighter in use and can hold at least as much as in our Westfalia. Only: the left door mechanism of today is very fragile and I suspect that this is because the right sliding door can withstand it and after a while it breaks off a piece. I took the handle apart and put it back together with acetone. Was very sturdy... until a little later it broke again. Not so good design. Anyway, that doesn't make me think our coast is inferior to the westy; I know that the t6.1 cali will probably not last as long as a t4 westy, but it doesn't have to for me: it has to be reliable from day one and this for many years. I'm not going to drive it for 30 years that's for sure but if it continues like this I'll be very happy. I expect it too. Software is software and things are going rather badly with the software department of Volkswagen (Cariad) but once this is in order, I see no problems to be able to use a t6.1 cali correctly for many years to come in terms of electronics.
Also with us, in the very beginnig, the refrigerator was once inexplicable turned off (but afterwards I suspect that this had to do with the voltage of the batteries being slightly too low; with us it happened while driving). No furher issues: the fridge is still a blast.
The plastic basic inner floor turns out to be not nearly as wear-resistant as previously thought: after 15 months and used for all kinds of things: daily use with the children in the back, extra seat in/out, traveling with the four of us and occasionally to a container park, but with thick cardboard as protection: still a lot of scratches, especially in the aluminum rail inserts and the hard plastic end pieces of the rails.
The roller blinds all around are nicely integrated, but no better than normal curtains: they keep coming up slightly, which is quite disturbing. I'm thinking of a possible solution but have yet to implement it.
The fact that no window can be opened at the back is a loss in our opinion (and is counteracted during hot nights with the suspension hook for the tailgate).
VW's comfort mattress itself didn't turn out to be the best and we cut a decathlon foldable foam mat into pieces the same size as the parts of the mattress and stuck it in there. Sleeps a lot better.
For the bicycle rack, which I still find a cumbersome thing and I think the previous ones are nicer, I plan to have a luggage bag made to hang on the folded rack. A plan not yet implemented.
With some judicious organization, the boot space is actually very voluminous (we don't have a pull-out tray and we don't need it at the moment). For us, also no extra drawers in the kitchen cupboard on the right or shelves in the large hanging cupboard (what a wonderful cupboard to stuff your coats, larger bags and wine bottles and so on). I understand many already bought and installed those items and are happy with them; we just organize differently.
What do I miss or do I think I miss: the LED headlights and maybe the towbar, but that's about it. Still this: if I knew that the smartphone inductive charging option wouldn't suit us, I wouldn't take it and spend the money on the digital screen. This screen was not a must for me, but now the inductive charging function turns out not to be either.
The multimedia system (discover media pro): when it comes to CarPlay it's a roulette; the navigation works ok and I'm glad I have this because already a few times we ended up without internet connection and there you are with all your navigation apps on the smartphone. But! Far too expensive as an option and therefore not entirely satisfied with it.
Big point of annoyance that came up then (I listed it as something to keep an eye on at the time, I didn't know how bad it was going to get) and it took me almost half a year to convince myself to continue and not to give up on the cali and kept our dealer on top of it: the creaking at the top of the front window and this turned out to be an issue that happened before with others; relatively easy to solve (and under warranty) but before I knew exactly what was going on, it was a long search on the internet for me. The dealer was already at his wits end but was then able to solve it with the new info I had given them. Mind you, I was about to sell our cali and wait for what the successor would be. That's how bad it was with how I felt. I therefore understand well some reactions from people who also have a problem that almost drives them insane. All I can say is: I'm so glad I didn't give up and kept going.
Consumption: even less than in the beginning: let's say a good 8 liters over a long time (35 mpg). Satisfied with that number. Occasionally I drive in a higher speed by going to manual and lowering one or two gears for a much better combustion so things don't get clogged.
In the meantime, our savings book has also been replenished after our purchase in 2022 with the price tag of 2020, I must add. Is the cali worth the money? Yes, for me it is because he is our perfect travel companion; that makes it one of the best purchases we've ever made.
I'm going to finish: Is the t6.1 without criticism? No. Yet, in those 15 months we have had not only some annoying big and small -now resolved- issues with our coast, but also a lot of wonderful trips, large and small and have already created masses of good memories for young and old and that is what matters to us. As stated: this would be an honest review of our cali, strongly influenced by our travels
Greetings
Calibusje
Picos de Europa, Spain. July 2023
My first review after three months: the beginning
A bit long but honest and personal review of our coast.
A review after our first big trip with our new california coast; it has been in our possession for 3 months and after some commute and a short and this journey (18 days in France) has now well more than 7000 km (4350 miles). Please note: we compare it with our old T4 westfalia california from...
vwcaliforniaclub.com
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