My Black Beast

[Rich Corrado]

This might not be to everyone's taste but I love it!
I've owned my Cali for 14 months now and loved every minute of it. (apart from the delivery delays)
We have two young boys (5 & 7) and they think its the best vehicle in the world. We have travelled to the South of France twice, The Alps, Wales, Cornwall , Dorset and plenty of other random road trips.
It does everything I ever wanted and more.
I use my Cali as a daily vehicle and get asked questions all the time but it always puts a smile on my face.
For anyone that's interested, I have had it lowered and I'm running 20" alloys.

 

[Meoncoast]

Nice Van + 1 for Kimeridge Bay

 

[Topman]

looks nice

 

[Kirk]

Would be ok if it was not black!

 

[Billy]

Black used to be quite popular, I think white is now the new black, it is not the most practical of colours especially for a campervan.

Our old black conversion used to really absorb the heat even at moderate temperatures meaning you cant win with it as they are an arse to keep clean in winter and too hot to use in the height of summer.

 

[Rich Corrado]

Kirk, I'm guessing you don't feel the love for black?
Billy, I completely agree about the fact that its a pain to keep clean but it does look amazing when its all shiny.
As for the comment about absorbing the heat, I cant say its been a problem. We have been to some very hot places and the van has stayed relatively cool. We were parked next to a white T5 conversion in St Tropez and the owner asked me if it was boiling inside?, so I said we should compare. My BLACK California was cooler than his white T5.

 

[Claudiopinto]

Very sporty like van. Like it

 

[Meoncoast]

Colour is such a personal choice

When looking for a new vehicle I made a list

1. Colour I would most like
2. Colours I would be happy with
3. Colours I would not buy

Black hits my number 2 list as did white. I could be very happy in your spec Cali. Blackberry fits my number 3 but for many it is a very desirable choice.

 

[Rich20]

That's a cool looking Cali. Loving the mean look. Got a white one myself and that gets hot inside when the sun shines even with dark glass.

 

[Raggedroy]

I don't like black.

 

[Rhyddin]

Looks good, buddy. I have a black edition A6 and you're right in saying that it is a bugger to keep clean but it looks amazing when it is!

 

[motacyclist]

Looks good, buddy. I have a black edition A6 and you're right in saying that it is a bugger to keep clean but it looks amazing when it is!

I agree, I too have a black car and find the same.

The van looks pretty cool, the chrome bits set it off

 

[cpjb@btinternet.com]

Hit 37 centigrade in Provence, and absolutely no problems with heat in our black van - surprisingly.

 

[Baxter007]

I'd not fit a kenwood stereo to a ford transit
Utter rubbish!!!
However van looks really nice
Perhaps chrome tailgate trim to finish?

 

[daz60]

Blacks the colour, what a van

 

[daz60]

I don't like black.
View attachment 8839 View attachment 8841

Me nether, I like a bit of red with mine View media item 472

 

[cpjb@btinternet.com]

I just reminded myself that one of the very best plusses of choosing black is the black paint finish around the hatch when viewed from within the elevated roof. Priceless - can't imagine any other colour coming close.

 

[Borris]

I don't like black.
View attachment 8839 View attachment 8841

Very very nice indeed.
My wife and I are in our early sixties and have just purchased a demo 180dsg 4motion bluemotion Cali SE in black. This was the last colour we would have chosen. We wouldn't have chosen the VW sport line front splitter/spoiler or the Stainless side pipes that this car is fitted with either. However we decided to buy as the supply of T5 180dsg 4motions was rapidly drying up and we didn't have the luxury of a colour choice. (Just in the nick of time as there doesn't appear to be any new or nearly new ones around now). We didn't want the untried T6 either. (Always better to buy the last and not the first). Despite all this, our grown up children now think that what we have done is really cool and therefore black appears to have been a good choice.
The colour is now growing on us and we are having the DRLs fitted like yours. Your wheels look superb and suit the black paintwork however will intend to keep the standard thunders.
We haven't collected ours yet and I am a bit apprehensive about the cleaning regime. Have you any good tips?
I am sorry, I am being dense, I have just realised that we met at Calis on the farm. You were very helpful and gave us much good advice before we took the plunge including your Cobb recommendation. Now purchased.

 

[motacyclist]

We wouldn't have chosen the VW sport line front splitter/spoiler or the Stainless side pipes that this car is fitted with either.

And why not, it looks great

Don't worry about the cleaning, it gives you more time to be close up and bond with it

 

[Raggedroy]

Very very nice indeed.
My wife and I are in our early sixties and have just purchased a demo 180dsg 4motion bluemotion Cali SE in black. This was the last colour we would have chosen. We wouldn't have chosen the VW sport line front splitter/spoiler or the Stainless side pipes that this car is fitted with either. However we decided to buy as the supply of T5 180dsg 4motions was rapidly drying up and we didn't have the luxury of a colour choice. (Just in the nick of time as there doesn't appear to be any new or nearly new ones around now). We didn't want the untried T6 either. (Always better to buy the last and not the first). Despite all this, our grown up children now think that what we have done is really cool and therefore black appears to have been a good choice.
The colour is now growing on us and we are having the DRLs fitted like yours. Your wheels look superb and suit the black paintwork however will intend to keep the standard thunders.
We haven't collected ours yet and I am a bit apprehensive about the cleaning regime. Have you any good tips?
I am sorry, I am being dense, I have just realised that we met at Calis on the farm. You were very helpful and gave us much good advice before we took the plunge including your Cobb recommendation. Now purchased.
View attachment 9510

Hi, good to hear from you again and welcome to the forum. For general washing I use this

http://www.ukvaletsupplies.co.uk/uk-valet-shampoo--wax-easy-rinse---25l-2003-p.asp

I wash and rinse with soft water to reduce water marks. A couple of times a year I clay bar it.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bilt-Hamb...st-Tree-Sap-/110637616810?hash=item19c2840eaa
I wax using this.

http://www.ukvaletsupplies.co.uk/auto-magic-e-z-wax-paste-664-p.asp

This is the tyre dressing I use

http://www.ukvaletsupplies.co.uk/uk-valet-high-profile-tyre-dressing---5l-139-p.asp

All other products are from Autoglym.

 

[Borris]

Hi, good to hear from you again and welcome to the forum. For general washing I use this

http://www.ukvaletsupplies.co.uk/uk-valet-shampoo--wax-easy-rinse---25l-2003-p.asp

I wash and rinse with soft water to reduce water marks. A couple of times a year I clay bar it.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bilt-Hamb...st-Tree-Sap-/110637616810?hash=item19c2840eaa
I wax using this.

http://www.ukvaletsupplies.co.uk/auto-magic-e-z-wax-paste-664-p.asp

This is the tyre dressing I use

http://www.ukvaletsupplies.co.uk/uk-valet-high-profile-tyre-dressing---5l-139-p.asp

All other products are from Autoglym.

Hi Raggedroy,
Thanks very much for all the cleaning info. I will certainly be ordering these materials. My only reservation is that our Cali has been treated to Autoglyms Lifeshine coating and I will have to enquire if there are any dos and don'ts with this treatment before getting stuck in.
Once again many thanks.

 

[kave]

What wheels do you have? Beautiful looking car btw.

 

[Borris]

What wheels do you have? Beautiful looking car btw.

Hi Kave,
If you were looking at the photo of my Cali then the wheels are standard 17" thunders.

 

[Rich Corrado]

Thank you for the kind comments.
My wheels are Dare NK1 8.5 x 20" in matt black
Be very careful when buying alloys and tyres and make sure they are load rated.
Mine are but I spent months researching before I purchased any.

 

[kave]

Rich: Ok, it seems easier to order wheels for a BMW for example with sites dedicated.