Ocean 2024 lowering with vw options

[Dizzy]

Advice needed as I am more confused than ever after reading a number of lowering posts.

We have a new 2024 cali ocean, we covered 1000 miles and are pretty much convinced we need to do something about the suspension as its way too wallowy and sometimes makes the Mrs feel a bit queezy.

I don't want to risk any impact on the 5y warranty so don't want to consider third party options and only want to go vw approved parts (albeit don't need to be fitted by vw).

Options are the springs only or the coilovers.

From what I understand springs only will firm things up but won't necessarily improve the comfort. Where as the vw coilovers should do both.

Current quote from vw is 2200 fitted, but they are telling me the kit is for a t30. And to add some unhelpful comment suggested that one customer reverted their california back to standard...

Does the t30 kit sound right ? Or don't they know what they are on about ? I don't want to name the dealer, but I am in the south east.

Cheers

D

 

[Dizzy]

Vw are now offering me this eibach kit fitted.

 

[S.H.A.T Inc.]

Hi Dizzy

We have had our last two Cali's lowered on the VW Sports pack springs Part Number: ZGBSGB0716 77A , stops the body roll ride a bit firmer.

Regards T

 

[AdamsFamily]

Jeeez £550 a corner?? I didn't realise it was that expensive to stiffen it up slightly.
I must be honest, coming from a Volvo with air suspension that could be a bit wallowy - albeit relative, I've not noticed it in the Cali.
So does this lower it and tighten it?

 

[Dizzy]

Jeeez £550 a corner?? I didn't realise it was that expensive to stiffen it up slightly.
I must be honest, coming from a Volvo with air suspension that could be a bit wallowy - albeit relative, I've not noticed it in the Cali.
So does this lower it and tighten it?

They lowered it to 1500+vat for the kit I mentioned above.

Anyone got that fitted?

 

[Shadrack]

Advice needed as I am more confused than ever after reading a number of lowering posts.

We have a new 2024 cali ocean, we covered 1000 miles and are pretty much convinced we need to do something about the suspension as its way too wallowy and sometimes makes the Mrs feel a bit queezy.

I don't want to risk any impact on the 5y warranty so don't want to consider third party options and only want to go vw approved parts (albeit don't need to be fitted by vw).

Options are the springs only or the coilovers.

From what I understand springs only will firm things up but won't necessarily improve the comfort. Where as the vw coilovers should do both.

Current quote from vw is 2200 fitted, but they are telling me the kit is for a t30. And to add some unhelpful comment suggested that one customer reverted their california back to standard...

Does the t30 kit sound right ? Or don't they know what they are on about ? I don't want to name the dealer, but I am in the south east.

Cheers

D

Hi Dizzy,
When I first bought my Ocean in 2016 I was disappointed by the amount of rolling and swaying it did on the slightest of bends, roundabouts being a nightmare. The drive was so skittish at higher speeds, any movement to the steering started an uncomfortable sway.
After doing a lot of research on best way to resolve this issue, I went for an upgrade to the anti role bars. I fitted a set of ARB’s from H&R. It took away all the rolling whilst still maintaining the comfort of the factory fitted springs. It drives now as if on rails.
I hope you find a suitable solution.

 

[Dizzy]

Hi Dizzy,
When I first bought my Ocean in 2016 I was disappointed by the amount of rolling and swaying it did on the slightest of bends, roundabouts being a nightmare. The drive was so skittish at higher speeds, any movement to the steering started an uncomfortable sway.
After doing a lot of research on best way to resolve this issue, I went for an upgrade to the anti role bars. I fitted a set of ARB’s from H&R. It took away all the rolling whilst still maintaining the comfort of the factory fitted springs. It drives now as if on rails.
I hope you find a suitable solution.

Thanks for the input, I hadn't considered this route, will read up.

 

[Kayleigh]

The Eibach T30 kit is correct as the California is based on the T30 Transporter. It’s not entirely clear what your aim is. The title says to lower your Cali, but the text says to make the handling less wallowy.
If looking to do both then I guess you would be best off with the coilovers as they allow for some adjustment. The ARBs sound like an interesting solution to me though.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

If not already fitted then change to uprated ARB’s. They will remove the wallow, only downside is that you will feel every pot hole.

Should cost about £600 approx including fitting.

Give Bognor Motors a call - they are very friendly.

 

[Dizzy]

The Eibach T30 kit is correct as the California is based on the T30 Transporter. It’s not entirely clear what your aim is. The title says to lower your Cali, but the text says to make the handling less wallowy.
If looking to do both then I guess you would be best off with the coilovers as they allow for some adjustment. The ARBs sound like an interesting solution to me though.

Thanks for this detail much appreciated.

My cali has the vw sport kit with 245x45-18s in black (dont know what they are called), i want to keep these.

Aim is a bit lower (max 40mm), but i need the rear a bit higher to accommodate the dive cylinders i am going to but transporting. I also want a better ride and less wallow.

I am tempted to go with the coilovers and see how it she feels, if i then need the uprated ARB will do that as well.

 

[Dizzy]

Update.
Spoke with Steve at CRS and the recommendation was hold off the vw t30 kit as it can't cope with the extra weight of the california.

He made some recommendations which I have been mulling, need another chat with him.

D

 

[briwy]

VB Air suspension doesn't affect the warranty and you get other benefits apart from lowering.

 

[pjm-84]

Odd as the Cali is based on the T30 chassis .......measured the rears on mine the other day as it looked higher and after the 4 or 5th time of saying this I grabbed a tape measure. Turns out its 5mm higher and I suspect this is related to the Powerflex bottom cups. However on the plus side I was happy to notice 5mm

 

[66tim99]

Update.
Spoke with Steve at CRS and the recommendation was hold off the vw t30 kit as it can't cope with the extra weight of the california.

He made some recommendations which I have been mulling, need another chat with him.

D

Steve fitted some uprated ARBs to my MY22 when it was new. He was surprised when he took off the factory that they were only a couple of mm smaller than the upgrades.
I suspect these last Cali’s have decent ARBs as it is.
Your sports pack wheels are VW Springfields. Best looking wheels if you ask me, plus presumably 18’s are less wallowy than higher-sided 17inch wheel tyres?
I am pretty happy with the optional Dynamic Chassis Control. It’s not got the abilities of air suspension, but does noticeably firm up the ride (and if you want, weight up the steering) with the push of a button…

 

[Ged1625]

Update.
Spoke with Steve at CRS and the recommendation was hold off the vw t30 kit as it can't cope with the extra weight of the california.

He made some recommendations which I have been mulling, need another chat with him.

D

I am getting my 2024 Ocean suspension done by Steve next week. I will let you know how the ride is on 245-45-20 wheels

 

[Ged1625]

I am getting my 2024 Ocean suspension done by Steve next week. I will let you know how the ride is on 245-45-20 wheels

Had my suspension done by Steve Hurley at CRS. Massive improvement compared to standard shocks. No role on cornering and lowered 40mm. 2 year warranty. Great service and honest advice. Defo recommend

View attachment IMG_4862.jpeg

 

[Lambeth Cali]

You need to be aware that less wallowing and more comfort are a little contradictory.

I got Koni Active shocks from Steve a while ago. They make it about 20% more firm and quite a bit less lean when you go around roundabouts. I don’t regret having it done.

I was hoping it would make the ride more comfortable. It didn’t. The ride is about 20% firmer.

 

[tedgina]

You need to be aware that less wallowing and more comfort are a little contradictory.

I got Koni Active shocks from Steve a while ago. They make it about 20% more firm and quite a bit less lean when you go around roundabouts. I don’t regret having it done.

I was hoping it would make the ride more comfortable. It didn’t. The ride is about 20% firmer.

We also had the koni shocks fitted I think they are more comfortable on slow speed bumps but they do firm up at higher speeds .They seem to handle all road surfaces from broken up tarmac in Italy to speed bumps in France very pleased with the ride.

 

[Wannabecamperman]

Had my suspension done by Steve Hurley at CRS. Massive improvement compared to standard shocks. No role on cornering and lowered 40mm. 2 year warranty. Great service and honest advice. Defo recommend

View attachment 129997

Nice looking Cali

 

[Dizzy]

You need to be aware that less wallowing and more comfort are a little contradictory.

I got Koni Active shocks from Steve a while ago. They make it about 20% more firm and quite a bit less lean when you go around roundabouts. I don’t regret having it done.

I was hoping it would make the ride more comfortable. It didn’t. The ride is about 20% firmer.

Thanks for this detail, did you go with an uprated ARB.

Definitely happy for it to be a bit firmer and less lean on roundabouts.

Nice looking Cali

Oooh nice.

Thats what i am hoping for sitting nice and level, not sure i want to drop 40mm though. Think the missus would be a bit unimpressed.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Thanks for this detail, did you go with an uprated ARB.

Definitely happy for it to be a bit firmer and less lean on roundabouts.

Oooh nice.

Thats what i am hoping for sitting nice and level, not sure i want to drop 40mm though. Think the missus would be a bit unimpressed.

I wrote this in June apparently

“Having just returned from half term trip to Anglesey I noticed a slight change in my view of the suspension with Koni shocks. There were a couple of times at almost exactly 40mph down some country lanes that were wide enough to have a white line down the middle, where I actually would say I found it a teeny bit enjoyable to drive. Just a bit.”

An uprated ARB seems sensible but I haven’t gone that far. My van is 2008 so the Konis replaced 15 year old shocks. Even so on the very long drive home I couldn’t feel any difference at all on motorway or South London speed bumps.