Moving to join you on the dark side......

[2into1]

So, it looks like I've finally resolved all the 'what ifs' and gone and done it!



Due to a change in circumstances (a happy divorce) I now can't justify 2 vehicles just for me, so I'm selling my specialist camper (T4 LWB hightop Westy Exclusive) and my workhorse van-like car, and buying a T5 pop top which hopefully will do all of the jobs almost as well.

Many of you will know I've been struggling with some aspects of the Cali's over (and under) engineering, and had been contemplating specing my own conversion, but this one caught my eye and subject to the usual last few last checks, will be mine.

Despite the more modern wheels, it's a 2010 (so the first of the facelifts) 140hp SE manual with 63k miles. It's just had the new 'cap' repair to the roof. One owner, sensible spec with awning, parking sensors, bike rack and 2nd skin seat covers (and the 17" Cascavals).

All the stuff I've read on the forum now becomes rather more real.....
First priorities are :
- a 'downstairs' mattress topper (or duvalays........or zonesleep......). I'll leave the top bed as standard for now.
- sensible price Insurance that allows for the business use that previously was confined to my car.
- a stereo that gives DAB and bluetooth phone and music. Anything fancier would be a bonus but not priority. Thinking RNS310 DAB with the bluetooth kit to keep the original look.
- seat back pockets? Do they make the seat turning more difficult than it already is? Anyone use the brandrup left hand one with the drinks cooler / bin?
- passenger area carpet. I fancy the fold-able one that covers the rails but it's on extended leadtime. Any plans for the shop to make one?

Any thoughts on the above welcomed, particularly new tips or old ones that are particularly valid given my route to this place.

I'm (not) looking forward to the obligatory hours spent walking around IKEA, buying one of every storage box, prior to trying them in all the spaces whilst in their carpark, and taking 95% of them back. Can anyone save me some legwork by pointing to a good thread resolving the issue?

My Exclusive will go up for sale once I've done the MOT and a couple of little jobs.

 

[Max-Felix]

Ahhh, I wondered who bought it!

Mr T4WFA - I will congratulate you and say that your purchase from Colin will IMHO be one of the very best Cali buy's of 2017. Superb spec, gorgeous colour, nice owner, great history and a price to die for - anyone checking the usual for sale areas and dealers involved in 'VW Camper Sales'.... will see similar vehicles advertised for maybe £6/7k more.

If it was not for a 1000 mile round trip and the fact I need a DSG I would have been up there myself as I made contact as soon as it was listed.

Well done!

My search goes on...

 

[Hotel California]

Welcome.....

 

[calimera]

Welcome to the other side
The foldable carpet looks good , but we are happy with the washable rug from Dunelm over the Brandrup carpet with the sliding rails gaps. One of the dogs was sick over it recently,so great it could be throw in the washing machine.

We have the pockets from california-camping.de , easy to turn chair after practicing.

We use the upperstairs zone sleeper on the lower bed .

 

[2into1]

@Max-Felix. Yes, Colin does seem a very nice guy and has kept 'all the bits that get lost' together.
The blue (can't establish if it's midnight blue or night blue) wasn't on my list of ideal colours but has grown on me. Perhaps they are quite rare and I simply hadn't seen enough.
I think it's a good price but the market's strength seems to be at the newer end, where folks are wanting to avoid a delay and the tax hikes. Many of the older ones are sticking around, despite sensible (*) pricing.
(* some sellers are recovering virtually all of what they paid new, as the rocketing list prices drag used prices up).

 

[Teejay]

You have chosen well young padawan, and today being May the forth as well. Good omens me thinks.

..me..

 

[The Blue Merle]

Looks like a good buy.

I have brandrup seat pockets, passenger seat still turns ok with a couple of bottles of wine in cooler pouch. You need to may sure seat isn't reclined to far back though.

I have an old kenwood 525dab stereo which is the retro fit to vw own. Sat nav on it is faulty, but everything else is fine on it.
Ps I work out of my Cali too

 

[MattBW]

Congrats, looks like a corker.

Are you at Brean Sands? Great opportunity to have a look at other vans

 

[sidepod]

 

[GrannyJen]

That looks lovely Peter, congratulations.

 

[2into1]

View attachment 21266

I'll make it a condition of sale that the new owner signs up here and rates all of your comments as funny! You shouldn't notice the change!

 

[2into1]

Congrats, looks like a corker.

Are you at Brean Sands? Great opportunity to have a look at other vans

I think I'm snookered on the dates Matt, so can't. It would have been a great help.

 

[sidepod]

Looks like a peach, gutted but happy for you. You'll always be welcome back.
Onwards.

 

[Joker 1299]

Welcome to the Dark Side! How appropriate that it should be announced on Star Wars day. May the fourth be with you.

 

[X4 VWC]

I can help with the Ikea part ... 2 x "60210552 SKUBB box w comp 44x34x11 black" exactly fill the bottom drawer and stop everything moving around:

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/...ubb-box-with-compartments-black-art-60210552/

 

[Wilmot]

Welcome to the other side
The foldable carpet looks good , but we are happy with the washable rug from Dunelm over the Brandrup carpet with the sliding rails gaps. One of the dogs was sick over it recently,so great it could be throw in the washing machine.
View attachment 21264
We have the pockets from california-camping.de , easy to turn chair after practicing.

We use the upperstairs zone sleeper on the lower bed .

Do you mind me asking where you got the stripy step rug from?

 

[BikerGran]

Ooh useful! I store my insulated blinds for the front windows in the drawer but I'm sure one box would fit in with those.

 

[AlisonF]

Sigh, I'll miss the trips with Rosie in T4WFA... oh and her master...
I'm sure Ellie, Grom, Peaches and Manny will love the new SE even if they're not allowed to drop hairs inside... but Master and Rosie welcome to squeeze in to the Silver Dream Machine on our next trip for a glass or two...
I hope the rest of the divorce goes as well as it can. Never easy.

 

[calimera]

Do you mind me asking where you got the stripy step rug from?

Ordered from from rugsforbugs,not sure they do the stripe step carpets any more. Give them a ring. Think they do the black steps rugs sold by the club shop.

 

[Granny1]

All packed up and ready to head west tomorrow.

 

[Brindisi]

Great news Pete , although it will be harder to spot you now parked up at West Runton . Shame you can't do the meet , we there from Thursday, can you book just for Thurs through the site itself ? Are you selling your number plate too ???
Lesley

 

[2into1]

Great news Pete , although it will be harder to spot you now parked up at West Runton . Shame you can't do the meet , we there from Thursday, can you book just for Thurs through the site itself ? Are you selling your number plate too ???
Lesley

Hi Lesley. Yep I expect the plate will go with the van. I don't think I'll be going back to a T4 (famous last words....) so hopefully won't regret it!
I'll hopefully make one of the meets later in the year.

 

[sidepod]

Hi Lesley. Yep I expect the plate will go with the van. I don't think I'll be going back to a T4 (famous last words....) so hopefully won't regret it!
I'll hopefully make one of the meets later in the year.

......give it a few electric roof fails, a couple of torn roof canvases, throw in a broken glass cooker top, a fridge hinge and half a dozen control panel issues and you'll be back.

Disclaimer - "No feelings or egos were harmed during the making of this post. The opinion is only that of the poster and is not intended to cause offence. Any body wishing to take offence does so at their own risk".

 

[douggiefox]

Pete

I'd be interested in your Exclusive. Can you get in touch? - we met on Anglesey I have the T4 California Club.

Cheers

Paul

 

[2into1]

give it a few electric roof fails, a couple of torn roof canvases, throw in a broken glass cooker top, a fridge hinge and half a dozen control panel issues and you'll be back.

Exactly my worries and as I tried to capture in my "over / under engineered" choice of words at the top.
- Roof hydraulic problems I'll be down to Kernow Transporters to find someone who actually know how they work
- Control panel issues - there is a firm in Holland to fix the screen by post. If it's just the knob's splines, I believe a rubber button from an old VW stereo (cassette era) fits inside the old knob and resolves the problem.
- Torn roof Canvases will be tear-aided until there is nothing left to fix to, then I'll swap to a coloured T6 canvas at about £600 (I think I saw) from Kernow
- Cooker tops / fridge hinges I'll just buy the parts from TPS and work out how to fit it myself

I am worried about the fragility of the (VW) Cali vs the Westy's but needs must.

I'll work hard to avoid letting VW Commercial touch the camping side. From what I can see, they just email Hannover and ask for a list of parts to (attempt to) replace at my expense.

Failing the above, I'll have to invest in 10000 sq ft of workshop and set up as an independent out of warranty Cali specialists.