Looking to buy a T5.1 Beach, what’s your ideal spec?

[Lewy888]

Hi All,

I’m just looking to take my first step onto the California ownership ladder having hired a number in the past which have all been amazing experiences. As I have two small-ish children I feel the beach is the right model for us with its added versatility.



I’ve downloaded the VW brochure for the age that I’m looking for as well as a bit of reading up on the different options. Based on my financial constraints as well as my personal wants I believe I have compiled my ideal spec.

Is there anything you think I should add or remove based on your experiences?

General
2012-2015 VW Beach

Non-negotiables
140PS Engine option
Good Condition
Full service history
Multi-functional steering wheel – this is purely a personal thing based on how much I use this in my VW golf
Air con front and back

Nice to have
Below 80k miles
Charcoal interior – I haven’t seen this on the list of options but some interiors appear darker and I’ve seen this description on a listing
Parking heater
Auto DSG box
240v hookup – I’m not sure if this was an option at this age
Roll out awning
Anthracite cloth

Nice to have but certainly not critical
I rather like the Olympia blue colour
The 18’’ Toluca wheels are nice
Deep chin spoiler
Day time running lights
Removable tow bar
Bike rack
Side rails
Front window in roof

Unsure
30mm lowering springs

 

[owen_h]

The big thing you haven't mentioned is do you want a 2 or 3 seater rear bench option.
Some of your requirements wont exist in that age range, some can be retrofitted.

Retrofittable
Multi-functional steering wheel
Parking heater
240v hookup (became std ~ 2014)
Roll out awning. Think it was std anyway
The 18’’ Toluca wheels are nice. Lots of OEM 17" on ebay and often this site for reasonable money,
Deep chin spoiler
Day time running lights - Presumably you mean the LED bar versions
Removable tow bar
Bike rack
Side rails
Front window in roof - Only by replacing the whole canvas, don't think Beaches have had front window as std until very recently. At that age it might be due a canvas change anyway.
30mm lowering springs. (My experience says also change the shocks)

Interior
Most early Beaches had a light interior cloth with blue stripe. The darker trim came in at some point but from memory only ever for the 3 seater versions.

 

[Lewy888]

Thank you for your reply.

You’re right I should have stated that it’s the three seater bench that I’m looking for.

The spec I’ve written is mostly the factory options as I’m keen to keep it close to an OEM spec if possible.

I get your retro fitted list but of course there’s always an additional cost associated with those and the time/effort to get everything done. The more I can get off the peg the better for me.

What would be your ideal spec list and why?

 

[owen_h]

For me I went for the 2 seater rear bench as have no need to carry multiple passengers and have changed the side storage box for a kitchen pod. Very happy with the 140 engine and full climatronic AC and wouldn’t want to lose those.

Shopping for used I think you need a few non negotiable spec requirements and then shop based on condition and how cared for the vehicle has been.
Some things are impossible/ difficult/expensive to change. Such as engine size, gearbox, rear aircon, xenon lights so major on those.
There is a huge scene for Transporter upgrades and modifications so I wouldn’t worry too much about much on any styling differences.
Where you might struggle to get a high spec Beach is that most early Beaches buyers didn’t tick many options. If they did the price got close to the SE. Obviously some exceptions if the person needed to carry 6 or 7 people. Then a 3seater + extra chairs Beach was the only option.

On condition find out how the roof and front spoiler issues have been dealt with. Almost certainly anything in those years will have some sort of ‘fix’.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Most earlier beaches (T5.1) came well spec’d, after that VW started charging extra for everything!

3 seat bench in the back & MFB
Separate aircon in the back
Factory fit camping heater
Fog lights (make the grill look better)
7 seats.
Bike rack.
Towbar (handy for boot box)

EHU/240v can be fitted easily retrospectively (£350 fitted) is that you can spec an additional socket in the boot, which comes in handy for a fridge. Alternative is to fit 2/3 solar panels then no need to hookup.

Headlights can easily be upgraded (£500 fitted approx).

Audio easily upgraded (approx £600)

 

[Lewy888]

For me I went for the 2 seater rear bench as have no need to carry multiple passengers and have changed the side storage box for a kitchen pod. Very happy with the 140 engine and full climatronic AC and wouldn’t want to lose those.

Shopping for used I think you need a few non negotiable spec requirements and then shop based on condition and how cared for the vehicle has been.
Some things are impossible/ difficult/expensive to change. Such as engine size, gearbox, rear aircon, xenon lights so major on those.
There is a huge scene for Transporter upgrades and modifications so I wouldn’t worry too much about much on any styling differences.
Where you might struggle to get a high spec Beach is that most early Beaches buyers didn’t tick many options. If they did the price got close to the SE. Obviously some exceptions if the person needed to carry 6 or 7 people. Then a 3seater + extra chairs Beach was the only option.

On condition find out how the roof and front spoiler issues have been dealt with. Almost certainly anything in those years will have some sort of ‘fix’.

Thank you for that advice. I’m sure it’s been talked to death on other posts but in a brief description what are the roof and front spoiler issues that you refer to?

 

[Lewy888]

Most earlier beaches (T5.1) came well spec’d, after that VW started charging extra for everything!

3 seat bench in the back & MFB
Separate aircon in the back
Factory fit camping heater
Fog lights (make the grill look better)
7 seats.
Bike rack.
Towbar (handy for boot box)

EHU/240v can be fitted easily retrospectively (£350 fitted) is that you can spec an additional socket in the boot, which comes in handy for a fridge. Alternative is to fit 2/3 solar panels then no need to hookup.

Headlights can easily be upgraded (£500 fitted approx).

Audio easily upgraded (approx £600)

Thank you too for your advice. It sounds like I’m on the right track with my non negotiables. What specific headlight upgrade are you referring to?

 

[owen_h]

Thank you for that advice. I’m sure it’s been talked to death on other posts but in a brief description what are the roof and front spoiler issues that you refer to?

Multiple multi page discussions on this and other forums . Relate to bubbling in the aluminium roof ; most severe in the front roof spoiler casting. Also under the rubber seal of the elevating part of the roof. Often referred to as corrosion but really oxidisation of the aluminium causing the paintwork to bubble and then flake off leaving unsightly mess. Many theories as to the underling reason (wrong grade of Al, poor preparation, galvanic issues with steel body or seal, wrong primer etc).
VW eventually admitted the issue (across all California's ) . There were people on this and the German forum instrumental in driving this admission. And put a series of fixes in place:

Campaign
Vans were taken to one of 5 nominated bodyshops and the front spoiler section removed, replaced with a new one and repainted. The elevating roof seal area was checked. Minor bubbles were sanded and the section repainted. For more severe bubbles the elevating roof section was also replaced.
This was ~ 2/3 weeks work for the bodyshop as the whole roof including strengthening frame needed to be removed (spoiler section has 2 'legs' that extend back to the B pillar). Typically the canvas would also be damaged and also needed to be replaced.
Technically this was a good solution but logistically for the owners it involved a long wait (6mth to > year). Must have cost VW £££ per vehicle. Other issue was the bodyshop doing the work was suppose to provide the warranty on the fix and any future issues, customer snagging. So they didnt like doing the work and pulled out.

To try and simplify and speed up the 'fix' to the spoiler section was changed. Instead of removing and replacing any bubbling was cut out in situ and a plastic cap bonded over the top. Thus the roof & frame didn't need removing and more body shops could take on the job.
With this fix check the bonding of the plastic cap is still good as it is what's stopping water getting into the cabin (original aluminium section now has lots of holes cut into it.

There was also a separate campaign dealing only with the elevating roof rubber seal and bubbles under that. Rubber seal removed, any bubbles rubbed down, roof edge repainted, clear barrier tape applied and new rubber seal applied.

Personal experience
I got in early enough for the original spoiler replacement fix, van was away for 2 weeks and 10+ years later the spoiler section is still good. The elevating roof edge repaint after ~7 years had faded and was noticeably duller than the original roof paintwork. Then the van also came up on the other roof seal fix (on waiting list for ~ year). Van was at the bodyshop for ~ 3 months! and on return the repaint was barely ok. Within a year I was getting lacquer peel and being ghosted by VW. For my sanity I had at my expense the whole roof resprayed by a local well respected bodyshop. Looked at it as a 'depreciation' expense on a 10 year old vehicle.

(not sure the above is brief ;-) )

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Thank you too for your advice. It sounds like I’m on the right track with my non negotiables. What specific headlight upgrade are you referring to?

Transporter HQ with LED bulbs.

(Bulbs are not technically legal in UK, but pass the MOT beam test & you can see at night!)

 

[Lewy888]

Multiple multi page discussions on this and other forums . Relate to bubbling in the aluminium roof ; most severe in the front roof spoiler casting. Also under the rubber seal of the elevating part of the roof. Often referred to as corrosion but really oxidisation of the aluminium causing the paintwork to bubble and then flake off leaving unsightly mess. Many theories as to the underling reason (wrong grade of Al, poor preparation, galvanic issues with steel body or seal, wrong primer etc).
VW eventually admitted the issue (across all California's ) . There were people on this and the German forum instrumental in driving this admission. And put a series of fixes in place:

Campaign
Vans were taken to one of 5 nominated bodyshops and the front spoiler section removed, replaced with a new one and repainted. The elevating roof seal area was checked. Minor bubbles were sanded and the section repainted. For more severe bubbles the elevating roof section was also replaced.
This was ~ 2/3 weeks work for the bodyshop as the whole roof including strengthening frame needed to be removed (spoiler section has 2 'legs' that extend back to the B pillar). Typically the canvas would also be damaged and also needed to be replaced.
Technically this was a good solution but logistically for the owners it involved a long wait (6mth to > year). Must have cost VW £££ per vehicle. Other issue was the bodyshop doing the work was suppose to provide the warranty on the fix and any future issues, customer snagging. So they didnt like doing the work and pulled out.

To try and simplify and speed up the 'fix' to the spoiler section was changed. Instead of removing and replacing any bubbling was cut out in situ and a plastic cap bonded over the top. Thus the roof & frame didn't need removing and more body shops could take on the job.
With this fix check the bonding of the plastic cap is still good as it is what's stopping water getting into the cabin (original aluminium section now has lots of holes cut into it.

There was also a separate campaign dealing only with the elevating roof rubber seal and bubbles under that. Rubber seal removed, any bubbles rubbed down, roof edge repainted, clear barrier tape applied and new rubber seal applied.

Personal experience
I got in early enough for the original spoiler replacement fix, van was away for 2 weeks and 10+ years later the spoiler section is still good. The elevating roof edge repaint after ~7 years had faded and was noticeably duller than the original roof paintwork. Then the van also came up on the other roof seal fix (on waiting list for ~ year). Van was at the bodyshop for ~ 3 months! and on return the repaint was barely ok. Within a year I was getting lacquer peel and being ghosted by VW. For my sanity I had at my expense the whole roof resprayed by a local well respected bodyshop. Looked at it as a 'depreciation' expense on a 10 year old vehicle.

(not sure the above is brief ;-) )

Wow that’s an astonishing situation, something that I wasn’t aware of at all!

I work in the automotive painting industry directly for an OEM. Your summary of the likely route causes seem very plausible.

I’ll certainly be asking the relevant questions regarding this and looking out for what repairs have been done. Thank you so much for comprehensive description, it’s much appreciated

 

[Lewy888]

Transporter HQ with LED bulbs.

(Bulbs are not technically legal in UK, but pass the MOT beam test & you can see at night!)

Ok great, I’ll check those out.

 

[Lewy888]

Multiple multi page discussions on this and other forums . Relate to bubbling in the aluminium roof ; most severe in the front roof spoiler casting. Also under the rubber seal of the elevating part of the roof. Often referred to as corrosion but really oxidisation of the aluminium causing the paintwork to bubble and then flake off leaving unsightly mess. Many theories as to the underling reason (wrong grade of Al, poor preparation, galvanic issues with steel body or seal, wrong primer etc).
VW eventually admitted the issue (across all California's ) . There were people on this and the German forum instrumental in driving this admission. And put a series of fixes in place:

Campaign
Vans were taken to one of 5 nominated bodyshops and the front spoiler section removed, replaced with a new one and repainted. The elevating roof seal area was checked. Minor bubbles were sanded and the section repainted. For more severe bubbles the elevating roof section was also replaced.
This was ~ 2/3 weeks work for the bodyshop as the whole roof including strengthening frame needed to be removed (spoiler section has 2 'legs' that extend back to the B pillar). Typically the canvas would also be damaged and also needed to be replaced.
Technically this was a good solution but logistically for the owners it involved a long wait (6mth to > year). Must have cost VW £££ per vehicle. Other issue was the bodyshop doing the work was suppose to provide the warranty on the fix and any future issues, customer snagging. So they didnt like doing the work and pulled out.

To try and simplify and speed up the 'fix' to the spoiler section was changed. Instead of removing and replacing any bubbling was cut out in situ and a plastic cap bonded over the top. Thus the roof & frame didn't need removing and more body shops could take on the job.
With this fix check the bonding of the plastic cap is still good as it is what's stopping water getting into the cabin (original aluminium section now has lots of holes cut into it.

There was also a separate campaign dealing only with the elevating roof rubber seal and bubbles under that. Rubber seal removed, any bubbles rubbed down, roof edge repainted, clear barrier tape applied and new rubber seal applied.

Personal experience
I got in early enough for the original spoiler replacement fix, van was away for 2 weeks and 10+ years later the spoiler section is still good. The elevating roof edge repaint after ~7 years had faded and was noticeably duller than the original roof paintwork. Then the van also came up on the other roof seal fix (on waiting list for ~ year). Van was at the bodyshop for ~ 3 months! and on return the repaint was barely ok. Within a year I was getting lacquer peel and being ghosted by VW. For my sanity I had at my expense the whole roof resprayed by a local well respected bodyshop. Looked at it as a 'depreciation' expense on a 10 year old vehicle.

(not sure the above is brief ;-) )

one more question; was this finally rectified by VW in volume production and if so in which year?

 

[Ch1pbutty]

one more question; was this finally rectified by VW in volume production and if so in which year?

They applied double sided tape to stop the metals reacting.

 

[owen_h]

one more question; was this finally rectified by VW in volume production and if so in which year?

Given that my front spoiler issue was fixed ~ 2013/2014 and has remained good since then I think whatever the underlying reason for that part was identified and solved for factory production late 2013.
The roof edge 'bubbled' on much longer. Working theory is that the steel gripper within the seal caused galvanic reaction with Al roof if there was a break or cut in the rubber. Hence the barrier tape. I'm not totally convinced this is the only reason as I never saw any evidence in the rubber being damaged on mine (I check & clean it regularly).

 

[Kayleigh]

Ok great, I’ll check those out.

These are the ones to get…

VW Transporter T5.1 (2010-15) - Headlights - Sequential Indicator - V3 - LED DRL - RHD - Black

These VW T5.1 headlights are finished in a black surround and are the V3 edition of our fantastic VW Transporter headlights.

transporterhq.co.uk