Potential New Build

[Wobblehead]

Hi All

Existing T2 owner but now want to start going a bit further afield without the worry of taking days to get anywhere and mechanicals

Thinking of the below, anything 'missing' viewed as a must have?

Anything below a complete waste of cash?

204PS 4 Motion DSG
Indium Grey
Shower connection
App Connect
6.33 Screen Media
Comfort Sleeping Mat
Comfort Plus lighting
Lockable Storage
ACC or just Cruise, not sure as yet
Parking sensors with Camera
Power steering with column adjust
Side Scan
Led lights
Magnetic Flashlight
Awning
Mudflaps
Towbar (bike rack)
Four keys

Think that's it....

Will also have to be dear wife's daily drive to work when I am away using company car. 70 mile round trip across A65 from near Skipton to Kendal. Ok at present but when the winter comes not sure which is why we are thinking 4 motion and sticking some all weather / winter boots on. 150 DSG would be preferable re cost and fuel but I need to ensure it will do both jobs (commute and camping) as well as it can

She currently has an Evoque which will have to go, as will the T2 eventually but she hasn't agreed to that as yet.....

Thanks for looking and I look forward to advice / comments

 

[Wobblehead]

Missed three, not sure how to edit post, sorry

Heated Windscrfeen
Laminated Glass
Privacy Glass with heat insulation

 

[Thruxton]

Not sure you could add much.... we have the shower attachment and haven’t used it yet, or attempted to to clean some boots, but it wasn’t powerful enough

 

[Thruxton]

Also ours came with a small torch as standard that fits in the cigarette lighter (still can’t stop calling it that)... it’s tiny, but saves buying one as an extra...

 

[sapto]

Welcome Wobblehead
Is there any chance to see some pictures of your T2?

Your futur Cali sounds great! I think you ticked almost every box I would/I am dreaming of

I would add - unless I missed it - extended warranty, brandrup seatcovers (sometimes you can order it at the same time at your VW dealer. Here you place the order at the VW Center) and think about some extra security like Bearlock or something similar.

 

[RetroRed5]

Sounds like a great spec for sure; similar to the spec we ordered about a month ago.

You could argue that you don't really need any of the options because many folks manage just fine with the standard factory spec with no options at all and so on the one hand you could say they are all perhaps a waste of cash but then again none of them are a waste of cash if you want them; if your budget can stretch to it and you want them then go for it.

I went through a similar process when spec'ing up our CaliO; I researched and researched every possible option and in the end I went with a spec very similar to what I'd originally selected; the main difference after research was that I chose to add a couple of things I'd previously missed.

As per sapto above, be sure to go for the extended warranty, it is an absolute bargain.

There are a few "dealer" options you might want to consider that they can add before you take delivery; we added several of these "dealer" options that we selected from the official VW Accessories catalogue plus a couple of other extra's for good measure

Anyway, good luck figuring out the spec and be sure to let us all know what you finally settle on

 

[Velma's Dad]

Welcome.

Depending on your travelling plans with the Cali and size of family crew, just be aware that if you go for both 4 Motion + DSG you will only have limited payload left (not sure how much offhand but others here will know). Only an issue though if you need to travel with kids, bikes, awning etc etc.

A couple of forum posters have said they never really use the lockable storage as it's buried at the bottom of the 'wardrobe'. But maybe a useful reassurance if you plan to travel with your diamond tiara.

ACC has a big following, people seem to love it (don't have it myself but can see it would be great).

The magnetic flashlight seems an expensive gadget to me and a couple of people have said the same. I just keep a cheap LED mini-torch near the door and if it ever breaks I'll dig deep for a fiver for a new one.

Oh and I've never really got the point of mudflaps, but that's just me...

 

[Elmo3]

Chrome pack. Looks great on the grey, really lifts it.

 

[motacyclist]

Delete mudflaps, flashlight and heated screen. First two are useless and the heated screen seems to be no improvement over standard, in my experience. And !

 

[Properjob]

I would delete:
-mudflaps
-(un)comfort mattress
-torch

We have the comfort mattress and have spent a long time working out a better solution to give comfort, which the comfort mattress doesn't, and better space under the terms shelf. At the moment, having gone through the options we have a both the zonesleep and the duvalay on top and it massively better than the comfort...

 

[Properjob]

Chrome pack looks great on the indium grey

 

[Properjob]

...and another thing,,, HD anti roll bars make a massive difference to the ride. They would be right at the top of my list, having had both.

 

[larrylamb]

Hi, that's pretty high spec and some good choices. I have to disagree with other posters re mudflaps. We have the factory fit ones and find they work well. Hardly any mud etc reaches our front doors and also reduces the chance of stonechips.. I see your journey to Kendal and think, rural roads in winter, I'd be keeping the mudflaps. I also agree with the above poster re anti roll bars and rural roads.

 

[DaNish]

Hi and welcome
I would not go without ACC and HD rollbars.
I would ditch the torch and comfort mattres. Buy a mattress that gives more comfort over the seats and allow you to have the shelf in the high position. I have the Calibed and there are several threads in the forum on alternatives.
I have the shower, but think it is mostly useful for cleaning sand of your feet and wetsuit at the beach. As said above not really powerfull enough for muddy boots. And way overpriced.

 

[Moakesy]

As others have said really.

- I wanted the safe. Now I have it, never used it
- Love ACC, even thought I don't like cruise. Worth giving it a go on a test drive if you can

Maybe the heated front washer system (also has headlamp washer system). Don't know how much extra this is on the Cali, but had it on a car a few years ago and it makes a huge, real world difference in winter.

Obviously you can just go super strength when topping up the washer bottle, but if it's ready-mix in there, then the water will freeze. Don't want that driving into low winter sun when the roads are kicking up crud.

It's on my van, but not been cold enough to try it yet. I had it on a previous car and it was one of my favourite options.

 

[Moakesy]

As others have said really.

- I wanted the safe. Now I have it, never used it
- Love ACC, even thought I don't like cruise. Worth giving it a go on a test drive if you can

Maybe the heated front washer system (also has headlamp washer system). Don't know how much extra this is on the Cali, but had it on a car a few years ago and it makes a huge, real world difference in winter.

Obviously you can just go super strength when topping up the washer bottle, but if it's ready-mix in there, then the water will freeze. Don't want that driving into low winter sun when the roads are kicking up crud.

It's on my van, but not been cold enough to try it yet. I had it on a previous car and it was one of my favourite options.

Edit : Just checked and it was £186. Around the same price as safe + torch combined.

 

[Velma's Dad]

Heated Windscrfeen

Worth mentioning on this on: some people who use their Cali for daily commuting just click on the aux heater (using the remote control) ten mins before they leave home. The the whole van interior is warm, and no need for heated windscreen.

 

[Borris]

1. "anything 'missing' viewed as a must have?"

Well only you can answer that question! IMO, apart from having the right number of seats to meet your needs, a towbar - but only if you are actually going to need one and an awning, there are no extra must haves. A bog standard California Ocean comes with nearlly all of the must have stuff included as standard. It will function perfectly and provide the same wonderful experience without most of the other options in the brochure. They are merely nice to haves. However, the above mentioned exceptions are better included in a factory order. IMO the towbar is a must have but only if you are likely to use it. They can be difficult and much more expensive to retro fit so it's best to spec one in your order. The awning is a must have because it just would'nt be a California without one and they are also mega bucks to have retro fitted later. Finally, if you haven't enough seats then you've bought the wrong vehicle! On the other hand, "nice to haves" are down to personal choice!

If you were buying a Beach then add a Parking heater to the "must haves" list.

2. "Is anything mentioned a complete waste of cash?"

Only if you are not likely to use it! You just have to ask yourself will I use it and if so how often. Then only you can do that cost v benefit analysis.

 

[motacyclist]

Hi, that's pretty high spec and some good choices. I have to disagree with other posters re mudflaps. We have the factory fit ones and find they work well. Hardly any mud etc reaches our front doors and also reduces the chance of stonechips.. I see your journey to Kendal and think, rural roads in winter, I'd be keeping the mudflaps. I also agree with the above poster re anti roll bars and rural roads.

I think the problem with ours is that the mudflaps are just not wide enough to do anything, possibly due to the larger wheels fitted.

 

[motacyclist]

I have mixed feelings about the safe. It's a PITA to get to, but you do feel a bit less anxious about leaving your tablet or laptop or whatever if it's in the safe. I should imagine it would be a PITA for a thief to break in to, that's if they were aware it actually existed!

 

[Wycoller]

I’m not far away, at skipton Park run in the morning for example. You’re welcome to have a look at my late 2017 204 DSG 4wd. Let me know. Might give you a better idea . Paul

 

[Stoneybroke]

Definitely Adaptive Cruise Control - a dream with DSG.

 

[Borris]

I have mixed feelings about the safe. It's a PITA to get to, but you do feel a bit less anxious about leaving your tablet or laptop or whatever if it's in the safe. I should imagine it would be a PITA for a thief to break in to, that's if they were aware it actually existed!

If they were aware it existed and had already broken into your Cali, I doubt if the very basic lock on the safe would pose any sort of problem to even the most inexperienced of thieves. I agree, it is a PITA to get to.

 

[Wobblehead]

Thanks for your posts and comments.

After much deliberation, we are going to have a new engine installed in the T2, not ready to see it go yet. Plus the shocking trade in / valuation of our Evoque after one year, think it has lost three years depreciation in one.....

I'll keep a copy of this for when we are ready for a change, maybe in a couple of years....

Thanks Paul for the offer of a van peak

Kind regards

Ed

 

[larrylamb]

I think the problem with ours is that the mudflaps are just not wide enough to do anything, possibly due to the larger wheels fitted.

Now you're just showing off! (Springfield envy)