Pride and Joy

[andrew bazeley]

I know this is self-indulgent and not helpful, but I just want to share my joy of my original 2008 2.5 TDI, which I still own, although - sadly -- can't use it for camping quite so much these days. After all these years, it is still a gorgeous and practical vehicle and camper. I can't see me ever selling it!

 

[JohnCalifornia]

Almost 15 years old and looks in great condition. I’ve had mine for a month and loving it. My other car is a Range Rover Sport and I haven’t even been in it since we bought this. I can see us keeping this for years…..

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Same fantastic vehicle. Irreplaceable.

 

[2into1]

You and me both (2006, same grey). Saw this today at Hayfield, recognising that the originals were the best!

 

[jeff]

here’s another one owned from new. Love it.

 

[Viktorgeorge]

It would be interesting to hear any long term cherished ownership maintenance tips, as I am hoping to do the same and keep my Ocean until I can no longer drive.

One thing I am musing on, given that I live right on the seafront, is long term rust prevention treatment: particularly on the underside.

I have booked next week to see a chassis cleaning expert in Norwich, for a consultation/inspection, and have in mind a regular annual clean down below with local treatment of any emerging corrosion. Perhaps a bit over the top but, as I say, living in a saline atmosphere does accelerate rust massively.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

My maintenance plan involves slowly working out how all the camping stuff works as VW won’t fix that. The mechanicals can be done by my VW specialist - I don’t really touch the oily stuff.

I have it regularly serviced but I don’t go looking for problems. I believe it’s ultimately a very tough vehicle.

The bodywork should never rust as fully galvanised. There isn’t any on my 2008 van. To be honest there isn’t any rust on my 2008 Golf either and that’s got a more basic electro galvanised body rather than ‘dipped’ like the Transporter, as I understand it. I wash it well about 4 times a year and have probably waxed it 3 times.

I’m sure keeping the underside clean is a good idea but ultimately anything can be replaced fairly easily. I mean Transporter parts will be available for decades.

 

[Viktorgeorge]

My maintenance plan involves slowly working out how all the camping stuff works as VW won’t fix that. The mechanicals can be done by my VW specialist - I don’t really touch the oily stuff.

I have it regularly serviced but I don’t go looking for problems. I believe it’s ultimately a very tough vehicle.

The bodywork should never rust as fully galvanised. There isn’t any on my 2008 van. To be honest there isn’t any rust on my 2008 Golf either and that’s got a more basic electro galvanised body rather than ‘dipped’ like the Transporter, as I understand it. I wash it well about 4 times a year and have probably waxed it 3 times.

I’m sure keeping the underside clean is a good idea but ultimately anything can be replaced fairly easily. I mean Transporter parts will be available for decades.

All good points, and a new owner can be carried away with worries - but at the same time our 2006 Golf Plus and our also 2006 Phaeton, bought new and kept for many years, both had underbody corrosion issues which with hindsight I would have caught earlier if I knew. As I say, living on the seafront add a new, and unfortunate dimension to corrosion!

The fact that it is galvanised dipped not electro plated (I did not know that) is reassuring.

 

[andrew bazeley]

Me too - bought from new in 2008!

 

[2into1]

There's an amazing low mileage cherished 05 silver, left hand drive example in the classifieds here. Auto.

 

[Gecko_Bioyag77]

All good points, and a new owner can be carried away with worries - but at the same time our 2006 Golf Plus and our also 2006 Phaeton, bought new and kept for many years, both had underbody corrosion issues which with hindsight I would have caught earlier if I knew. As I say, living on the seafront add a new, and unfortunate dimension to corrosion!

The fact that it is galvanised dipped not electro plated (I did not know that) is reassuring.

As a T6.1 and T2 owner (46 year old T2) I can tell you that if you are concerned that an excellent product called Waxoyl when applied underneath will provide protection that will prevent rust, it is a flexible weatherproof skin that lasts for years. However I have not yet put it on my T6.1. I too, live near the sea and have seen the detrimental effect of salt from wind and roads on pristine vehicles.

 

[Viktorgeorge]

As a T6.1 and T2 owner (46 year old T2) I can tell you that if you are concerned that an excellent product called Waxoyl when applied underneath will provide protection that will prevent rust, it is a flexible weatherproof skin that lasts for years. However I have not yet put it on my T6.1. I too, live near the sea and have seen the detrimental effect of salt from wind and roads on pristine vehicles.

Thanks, I know of and rate highly Waxoyl. Like you I have/had older cars (Series 1 Land Rover, etc) and treated them with it.

Last week I took my now 6 month old Ocean to a Waxoyl installer in Norwich, for an underside ‘ramp’ inspection. I was pretty surprised at the (admittedly surface only) amount of visible rust. I have booked it in for 15 June for treatment.

I was planning to take some photos and report on how I felt it went, afterwards, in a posting. I did not find it easy to find what appears to be the right person for this job.

... then today I discover roof rust:

Avoiding roof corrosion?

Yes still on seal #4 I had one seal fail in exactly the same spot as in your photo that is classic rust in the seal, get it cleaned off ASAP, look at the seal recess in the corresponding spot where the rust has transferred to the roof. dry the seal fully (leave it off until the seal is fully...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[2into1]

Thanks, I know of and rate highly Waxoyl. Like you I have/had older cars (Series 1 Land Rover, etc) and treated them with it.

Last week I took my now 6 month old Ocean to a Waxoyl installer in Norwich, for an underside ‘ramp’ inspection. I was pretty surprised at the (admittedly surface only) amount of visible rust. I have booked it in for 15 June for treatment.

I was planning to take some photos and report on how I felt it went, afterwards, in a posting. I did not find it easy to find what appears to be the right person for this job.

... then today I discover roof rust:

Avoiding roof corrosion?

Yes still on seal #4 I had one seal fail in exactly the same spot as in your photo that is classic rust in the seal, get it cleaned off ASAP, look at the seal recess in the corresponding spot where the rust has transferred to the roof. dry the seal fully (leave it off until the seal is fully...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

Can you share an idea of cost?

 

[Viktorgeorge]

Can you share an idea of cost?

Will send you a PM

 

[Viktorgeorge]

Having read opinions both ways about whether to underbody treat my near new California; given that I live on the seafront, based also on my experience with previous vehicles and corrosion, I decided to do it.

As posted above I initially made plans with a Waxoyl specialist in Norwich, then I read speculation that the paraffin in Waxoyl damaging the water based sealant used more recently on car underbodies. Also Norwich were going to spray as found rather than strip back where practicable.

I then looked into Languard corroson protection and got details from them on their nearest specialist, in Kings Lynn. But then the latter said the Lanoguard is slower drying (I imagine because it has no paraffin or similar as a solvent), so must dry off for 24 hours or more before being driven away: and I didn't fancy waiting at a Premier Inn there, or doing the trip four times.

I then heard of a ex-VW technician (of 15 years), Joe, who had taken on an established garage local to me here in Felixstowe. Cutting a long story short(ish) they kept the van for several days on their ramp, took out the wheel arch liners etc. and did an impressive job with both Lanoguard and Wurth underbody protection. They took lots of photographs, and showed me all the nooks and crannies they had treated: they focussed in particular on the areas that have corrosion problems on older T5 and T6 vans which they maintain. Altogether, Joe was very conscientous and VW knowledgeable.

Interestingly, he thinks he might be noting more corrosion on newer VW than they used to on previous cars/vans.

I am lucky to have got the 5 services and 3 MOT plan now on offer from VW, but I will be going back to Joe every year or two for corrosion protection and possibly other work outside of the VW plan.

I cannot recommend them more highly. All in (excluding the Lanoguard bought by me), less than £500. If anyone is interested, contact is Joe Symonds 01394 277472 (phone better than email for them) , address 13 Bridge Rd, Felixstowe IP11 7SL. No effective website currently...