New roof bellows quandary

[Jef4130]

Hello all. I have seen that there are a few threads regarding roof bellows already, but none very recent.

I have a 2009 Cali, in white and I have owned it for 14 years. The charcoal grey roof bellows is original and very tired with lots of holes and tears.

I have recently been in touch with Breeze VW in Poole enquiring about having a new bellows fitted. I spoke to someone a month or so ago to ask if the leaking issue was resolved with the new design, which it had been. I mentioned that I would like the latest design with the zip down front fitted to my T5. This was provisionally agreed and an estimate quote over the phone. I had another trip planned this year so it was suggested that I get in touch after this and get her booked in.
I spoke to Breeze again last week and have been told that they will only fit the original standard bellows that came on the van and wouldn't entertain using third party supplied parts. I only enquired about genuine VW parts, just wanted the newer bellows.

I am based in North East Hampshire but was prepared to drive to Poole for the work as their reputation has always been good for Cali customers.

Can any of you lovely people offer me some information regards these roof bellows please?

Is it possible to fit a later bellows to an older van? A quick search through this forum suggests that it is but I wanted to ensure that I have not been looking at third party / pattern parts fitted.

Can anyone guide me toward a fairly local and trusted supplier that would happily source and fit the newer version of the roof bellows t my T5?

Apologies again, I do see that there are more than a couple of threads already but as they are all a few years old and info may change over time I though I would start another.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Try below, expect they can also do same for T5:

Volkswagen California Roof Bellows | Kernow Transporters

This is a brand new Volkswagen T6.1 California electric elevating roof canvas. This is the latest panoramic version 061S that has had the leaking isuues finally sorted. The inside surface has a white thermal coating which is has improved the light filtration. The standard 6.1 colour is Graphite...

www.kernowtransporters.co.uk

 

[colintfcolintf]

They have a campsite opposite Kernow Transporters

 

[Beeechke1]

I have a 2010 SE, the bellows were original but by this summer worn out like yours. My research led me to believe that the only VW bellows available for SE & Ocean electric roof vehicles were the latest T6/T6.1 version O6S. Also based on recommendations on this forum I contacted Richard at Kernow Transports, details as at #Ch1pbutty above.

Well worth the trip down to Marazion stayed at Wheal Rodney Holiday Park 50m from Richards workshop and 15 minute walk into Marazion

This our T5.1 with the new bellows

 

[Jef4130]

Thank you Beeechke, this is exactly the bellows I was hoping to upgrade to. I too was under the impression that the new design would be fitted even by a VW dealer. I hit a wall at the dealer that I was told were the best. I will bear Kernow Transporters in mind. Thank you al for recommending them.

 

[OllieCollieCali]

Definately recommend @kernowtransporters I have a 2006 T5, and they replaced my bellows with the latest 06S panoramic opening bellows. Dropped it to them at 0830am, and I was back on the road driving home by 1pm! Great price compared with the main dealers, and they do loads of these each year so definately know what they were doing. They even checked over the rest of the roof, and replaced a couple of anti vibration clips for free that I didn't even know were missing.
I drove from Southampton, stayed overnight the night before and was definitely worth the trip. He has a campsite 5 mins away if needed too.

 

[AlistairC]

Advice re Kernow is good and if the price and travel works then all well.

I would say that it really isn’t a difficult job and if you’re fairly hands on it’s quite do-able at home. I did mine without much trouble using the guide online and my mini scaffolding tower to make things easier.

Doing this means there’s also no risk of someone else doing damage in the process.

There is a thread somewhere of me putting the panoramic on my 2006 SE. Great upgrade.

 

[Kjetil]

Definately recommend @kernowtransporters I have a 2006 T5, and they replaced my bellows with the latest 06S panoramic opening bellows. Dropped it to them at 0830am, and I was back on the road driving home by 1pm! Great price compared with the main dealers, and they do loads of these each year so definately know what they were doing. They even checked over the rest of the roof, and replaced a couple of anti vibration clips for free that I didn't even know were missing.
I drove from Southampton, stayed overnight the night before and was definitely worth the trip. He has a campsite 5 mins away if needed too.

May I ask what the cost was?

 

[Jaka Rovan]

Hi there!

If you have the space and are reasonably handy, I would recommend doing it yourself.

You can find the details in my post here: https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/roof-conversion-hydraulic-manual.21626/post-762396

BR, Jaka

 

[OllieCollieCali]

May I ask what the cost was?

Hi Kjetil,
I paid £975 all in last November. That was the brand new bellows and fitting.
I contemplated fitting them myself, but for the extra £50 ish I decided it was worth getting them fitted properly and a much quicker job than it would have taken me.

 

[Phil Dub]

Hello all. I have seen that there are a few threads regarding roof bellows already, but none very recent.

I have a 2009 Cali, in white and I have owned it for 14 years. The charcoal grey roof bellows is original and very tired with lots of holes and tears.

I have recently been in touch with Breeze VW in Poole enquiring about having a new bellows fitted. I spoke to someone a month or so ago to ask if the leaking issue was resolved with the new design, which it had been. I mentioned that I would like the latest design with the zip down front fitted to my T5. This was provisionally agreed and an estimate quote over the phone. I had another trip planned this year so it was suggested that I get in touch after this and get her booked in.
I spoke to Breeze again last week and have been told that they will only fit the original standard bellows that came on the van and wouldn't entertain using third party supplied parts. I only enquired about genuine VW parts, just wanted the newer bellows.

I am based in North East Hampshire but was prepared to drive to Poole for the work as their reputation has always been good for Cali customers.

Can any of you lovely people offer me some information regards these roof bellows please?

Is it possible to fit a later bellows to an older van? A quick search through this forum suggests that it is but I wanted to ensure that I have not been looking at third party / pattern parts fitted.

Can anyone guide me toward a fairly local and trusted supplier that would happily source and fit the newer version of the roof bellows t my T5?

Apologies again, I do see that there are more than a couple of threads already but as they are all a few years old and info may change over time I though I would start another.

Hi Jeff.
I have a roof bellow in my garage that come off my old 2018 beach. Absolutely nothing wrong with it. If you are interested get in touch and I can work something out.
I’m based near Aldershot.

 

[The Lost Jockey]

Good information here.

Please can anyone recommend a company in the south east or London area? Living in Kent and going to Penzance is a long drive.

North of London, Kent, Surry, Essex would be a lot nearer. Thank you.

 

[vmaxkiddy]

Hi Jeff.
I have a roof bellow in my garage that come off my old 2018 beach. Absolutely nothing wrong with it. If you are interested get in touch and I can work something out.
I’m based near Aldershot.

Bellows for an unpowered beach roof are slightly different to those for a powered roof. A tad smaller I think

 

[andyinluton]

Bellows for an unpowered beach roof are slightly different to those for a powered roof. A tad smaller I think

I seem to remember from the discussions on here in about 2014! when roof toppers started to become popular that early T5 were also different, the easy way to tell was if the bottom of the roof side windows were horizontal its a later roof, if the bottom of the windows slant upwards at the same angle as the roof it was an early one which is a different size.

 

[Jef4130]

I seem to remember from the discussions on here in about 2014! when roof toppers started to become popular that early T5 were also different, the easy way to tell was if the bottom of the roof side windows were horizontal its a later roof, if the bottom of the windows slant upwards at the same angle as the roof it was an early one which is a different size.

This is great info, thank you. The bottom of my side windows are horizontal, not angled but no front window. Bought it 2 years old always with the mind that the second bellows would have at least front window but once I saw the panoramic type I was sold.