must have's

[ElsJan]

Hi and welcome Els&Jan , it took three pages to welcome a fellow Belgian witch is rare for me as i usually welcome people on the first day....
We are on a trip (current in Poland) and been not that much online the last week.

The options that are must haves variates a lot on Cali's , it is all about what "you"are ok with . One can tick the whole list of options , but many things on the list (to me) are overkill . I heard from many other owners they easy could do without some things they added , the T6 option list is endless and very dificult to understand , even some dealers can't figure it out.
There are many posts on these things (like thisone just recent: https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/what-option-do-you-regret-not-getting.17971/#post-205319) as you can see already three pages filled here ....did it make you dicide yet or are you even more confused now

I you go for a Beach important are the aux. heater (heats up the Cali while camped up) and 220v hook up for easy aces to power.

Regarding sat. nav. (GPS) , radio , cruise control, app connect,......i am not the one to speak as my T5 does not have these . It has the RNS510 radio-gps witch was a 2500€ option back then and all i can say os that i never use it ....a 200€ Tom-Tom is way better spent money , alltough the GPS on the T6 suppose to be better (VW says)

Witch part from Belgian are you from , where are you planning to order?

Hi I'm from the Bruges area. Haven't decided on a dealer yet. I would like to know where there's a Beach demo vehicle available though (without having to call every dealership one by one). Question, can you point me out if the warranty extension options are a possibility in Belgium ? Can't seem to find it on the VW website. Thanks for the info !

 

[Hotel California]

Affraid can't help , got no clue on the T6 warreny extra's on the optionlist .
VW Dieteren at has a showroom in Grimbergen where Cali's should be visible , never been there do.
There should be VW dealer near Gent who is reccomended for Cali's also , forgot the name.

 

[Jay586]

Question, can you point me out if the warranty extension options are a possibility in Belgium ? Can't seem to find it on the VW website. Thanks for the info !

Ask the dealer once picked, I never found any info on the extended warranty either, just picked up on it from the forum.

 

[ElsJan]

Thanks everybody for the info so far. I have an appointment in a fortnight with the importer to discuss & testdrive a Cali Beach. No doubt you'll see the outcome of it (or more questions !) somewhere on this forum.

 

[Jabberwocky]

"Which option do you regret having spend a single penny on"

I think this would be a great approach!!

For what my comment is worth (I have an Ocean) you must do something about the headlights if you plan any significant night driving. The std fitment are dreadful! The Ocean twin lights are passable.

 

[Sandyvan]

If going for the 150ps then the big brake option for £100.00 no brainer, all the parts to convert later are over £1200.00. great if you wish to remap later, or a fully loaded Cali descending mountain roads, less chance of fade.

 

[ElsJan]

If going for the 150ps then the big brake option for £100.00 no brainer, all the parts to convert later are over £1200.00. great if you wish to remap later, or a fully loaded Cali descending mountain roads, less chance of fade.

Again, something that I can't find on the configurator. Will ask the dealer. Or could this be another difference between UK vs. continental build ?

 

[Sandyvan]

Both myself and a friend who have identical Oceans except colour, went for the Big brake option. which are the 204 front discs and callipers but on our 150s, We thought it would future proof the van and for £100 worth it. We can map them now and good for resale

 

[CYCLOPATH]

Unless of course you use a Tow Bar cycle rack as the Parking Sensors are switched off but the camera still functions and if covers to the bicycles are not fitted, can still be used. Although having said that one forum member managed to damage his VW fitted bike rack whilst depending on the Parking sensors. Don't know if a camera might have prevented that. The extended rack projects further than the Parking sensors "Alert" zone.

But the sensors on the rear have zones on the display, mone has a distinct zone that, if you stop at, you can still open the tailgate.....and not flatten your bikes!

 

[WelshGas]

But the sensors on the rear have zones on the display, mone has a distinct zone that, if you stop at, you can still open the tailgate.....and not flatten your bikes!

You'll have to work that out yourself by trial and error. Shouldn't be too hard to do.. as you reverse I would try stopping at the 1st beep or when you get the yellow zone displayed if you have a camera.

 

[ElsJan]

Well...this is what I worked out so far:

Heater: yes for all the obvious reasons
Cruise control: yes, have it om my current car - huge driver comfort (the beach will become my main vehicle so it will do mostly highways)
DSG: Hesitating, have it on my current main car but not on other cars where I don't miss it - quite an expensive option
Rear camera: no, don't really need parking sensors either. Have them on my current car and I keep them switched off, annoying. And I'm also used to driving a T2 vintage camper (did I mention that already ) without any electronic gizmo's.
Colour: Still deciding. No extra trims, chrome, alloy wheels etc. needed.
Extra sliding window: Yes.
Satnav: No. Have a smartphone and a co-driver and I prefer maps anyway.
4 wheel drive: No. Haven't really needed it in all my years of driving and camping all over Europe.
LED lights: Doesn't seem to be an option in Belgium but you can choose extra powerful halogen lights. Will look into it. Seems like a safety option (shouldn't be an option really !)
150 HP engine: yes.
Matress: Will look (and dive) into it at the dealers.
Dark upholstery: yes.
Awning: yes
Towbar: yes. Need it frequently.
Bike rack: Hesitating between retro-fit / factory-fit/ on towbar /...
Bigger fuel tank: yes
Privacy glass: yes
220v inlet: Hesitating. Will look into it.
Stronger battery: yes.

All the other possibilities most probably not...must keep an eye on my budget...

Cheers

 

[thehorse]

Rear camera: no, don't really need parking sensors either. Have them on my current car and I keep them switched off, annoying. And I'm also used to driving a T2 vintage camper (did I mention that already ) without any electronic gizmo's

Parking sensors and preferably the camera are must haves for me.

You only need to avoid reversing into one bollard and it pays for itself. But most importantly I don't want to squash my or anyone else's kids that might wander behind as there is no way you'd see them without sensors or a camera.

 

[B J G]

I found that the privacy glass didn't give any privacy and had mine done internally with a ceramic heat reducing film which has a lifetime guarantee. I'd say don't bother with factory option and have a top spec one done for about the same money.

 

[Strong]

I found that the privacy glass didn't give any privacy and had mine done internally with a ceramic heat reducing film which has a lifetime guarantee. I'd say don't bother with factory option and have a top spec one done for about the same money.

This is true. I have the factory priv. glass on mine and you're right it's not quite dark enough, particicularly if you want to leave items on top of the matress in the top boot space.

 

[Joker 1299]

This is true. I have the factory priv. glass on mine and you're right it's not quite dark enough, particicularly if you want to leave items on top of the matress in the top boot space.

In that case, wouldn't you just use the black-out blinds?

 

[Teejay]

In that case, wouldn't you just use the black-out blinds?

'Tis what we do.

 

[Strong]

In that case, wouldn't you just use the black-out blinds?

That's precisely what we do. Indeed, I'm nowhere near motivated enough to have anything done retrospectively, I'm just saying that blacker glass would be better. So as the OP is asking for opinions on what are and aren't 'must haves' I'm agreeing with an earlier poster and saying maybe don't bother with factory privacy glass go for a darker aftermarket treatment.

 

[B J G]

This is true. I have the factory priv. glass on mine and you're right it's not quite dark enough, particicularly if you want to leave items on top of the matress in the top boot space.

Yes, that was one of my main concerns. Too tempting for the smash & grab brigade I thought.

 

[B J G]

In that case, wouldn't you just use the black-out blinds?

I tried that but found it a 'pain' to put them down & remember to put them up before driving off. It also gets rid of the sitting in a goldfish bowl feeling plus the difference in the sun heat coming in is dramatically obvious between the rear windows with film and the front windows without.
Obviously for night time security the blinds would have to be down.
Other bonus is that Grand Children and I assume children think its really cool and approve.

 

[Strong]

I appear to have touched a nerve somewhat with my first post. I have earned myself three 'disagree' stickers and counting for suggesting that the DSG gearbox is a worthwhile option.

I would like to apologise if drivers of manual gearbox vehicles feel so strongly that they're moved to give me negative feedback for my suggestion and make the following appeal: if you have a counter argument, please express it rather than award me arbitrary demerits. I inferred that the OP asked for opinions, I was just giving mine - I didn't mean to stray into a manual vs auto war.

Once again, sorry.

 

[T6 CFO]

I appear to have touched a nerve somewhat with my first post. I have earned myself three 'disagree' stickers and counting for suggesting that the DSG gearbox is a worthwhile option.

I would like to apologise if drivers of manual gearbox vehicles feel so strongly that they're moved to give me negative feedback for my suggestion and make the following appeal: if you have a counter argument, please express it rather than award me arbitrary demerits. I inferred that the OP asked for opinions, I was just giving mine - I didn't mean to stray into a manual vs auto war.

Once again, sorry.

so I see. Upped your agrees. Your now +2


Mike

 

[Strong]

Many thanks! Hoping this isn't war though!

 

[Max-Felix]

To the OP, I posted earlier some thoughts but as a 'looking to buy a Cali again currently' member there are certain must have, like really MUST have options that I think most buyers will require as 'optional standards' if I can put it that way, and will have to forego vehicles for sale without them.

DSG vs manual is another argument but once driven most would never go back to manual for this sort of (definitely not a balls out sports) car. And you avoid any issues with DMF's, clutches etc. Easily worth the extra and you will recoup much when you sell.

So, these are my 100% top four, truly must have essentials that are also a relative pain to retrofit and expensive (privacy film excepted) too:

1. Don't even think about not fitting parking sensors.

2. Same for Privacy - yes, you can have aftermarket film but I know which I'd prefer - factory tinted glass.

3. And Cruise.

4. And the factory awning (much more expensive to retrofit)

I'd also want a MFSW (not so bad to retrofit) but a cheap option anyway.

And a towball - although retrofitting is around the same as the option price.

And in addition and above all else if offered and you plan on keeping more than three years then the 5 year warranty for relative peanuts is the best non-brainer available.

 

[B J G]

In UK insurance now requires sensors or better a reverse view camera to be fitted.
No idea about Belgium.
I personally wouldn't be without one, if you ever watch the video of a guy reversing over his 2/3 year old you would too.

 

[Stoneybroke]

In UK insurance now requires sensors or better a reverse view camera to be fitted.
No idea about Belgium.
I personally wouldn't be without one, if you ever watch the video of a guy reversing over his 2/3 year old you would too.

Not heard about an insurance retirement before...

But yes, it is too easy to reverse into someone - been to a carpark at a beauty spot today and parents just letting their kids wander around...