Propsective new T7 owner saying hello!

[Tengocity]

Hello all, have just registered so saying hello! My wife and I are close to ordering a new California, and searching for some answers led me here, so thought I may as well register. Having considered new v used, and T6 v T7, Cali v conversion, and even Marco Polo v VW! Test driven a T7 Ocean PHEV a few weeks back, and we are leaning towards a new T7 Ocean Petrol at the moment, and just looking to explore the final decision on spec and deals.
It's as much to be a weekend lifestyle vehicle, and long distance roadtrip vehicle, with two decent sized dogs, rather than just a campervan for holidays, so the T7 with two sliding doors, and the individual removable seats, and all the modern in-car tech, is really appealling.
I shall no start reading through the T7 forum and seeing what answeres there are already to some questions I have.

 

[Sad]

 

[Dodge1311]

Hello all, have just registered so saying hello! My wife and I are close to ordering a new California, and searching for some answers led me here, so thought I may as well register. Having considered new v used, and T6 v T7, Cali v conversion, and even Marco Polo v VW! Test driven a T7 Ocean PHEV a few weeks back, and we are leaning towards a new T7 Ocean Petrol at the moment, and just looking to explore the final decision on spec and deals.
It's as much to be a weekend lifestyle vehicle, and long distance roadtrip vehicle, with two decent sized dogs, rather than just a campervan for holidays, so the T7 with two sliding doors, and the individual removable seats, and all the modern in-car tech, is really appealling.
I shall no start reading through the T7 forum and seeing what answeres there are already to some questions I have.

Hi and welcome, i have a petrol T7 Ocean and a large Viszla I have now covered over 6000miles. Previously had a 6.1 Ocean for 48,000 miles. Any questions happy to help.

 

[Paul Norris]

Hi I have a diesel t7 ocean happy to help

 

[sticky1]

I bought a stocked petrol Ocean, so tried to find the best spec available in the UK, if I had any patience I would have waited and added the advanced parking package.
I don’t have full electric doors and wouldn’t miss them after I met someone with that option and they were frustrated with how slow they are when it’s raining.
I’d recommend mudflaps, 4 key option (make sure you get the parking heater remote key) and make sure you order the towbar as it’s your only option for a rear bike rack.
I have the Art Velour seat option (which seems to have disappeared from the configurator) but seem pretty good.
After market I added a Spacemate rear drawer and Solar Camper Solutions solar panels, Duvalay Freshtec mattress topper, ceramic paint protection and have been really pleased with the additions.
I needed to add a tracker for the insurance, I opted for the Scorpion S5 without the immobiliser as I wasn’t sure how that would cope with a van being locked from the inside and in camper mode.
I previously had a T6 California and I am enjoying the T7, I cannot comment on trying to camp with two big dogs - but I’m sure others on here can.

 

[omaralrawi]

This is very useful, thank you. Can I ask:
What’s the benefit of having 4 keys?
Do you have advice on the PHEV version?

 

[Tengocity]

I bought a stocked petrol Ocean, so tried to find the best spec available in the UK, if I had any patience I would have waited and added the advanced parking package.
I don’t have full electric doors and wouldn’t miss them after I met someone with that option and they were frustrated with how slow they are when it’s raining.
I’d recommend mudflaps, 4 key option (make sure you get the parking heater remote key) and make sure you order the towbar as it’s your only option for a rear bike rack.
I have the Art Velour seat option (which seems to have disappeared from the configurator) but seem pretty good.
After market I added a Spacemate rear drawer and Solar Camper Solutions solar panels, Duvalay Freshtec mattress topper, ceramic paint protection and have been really pleased with the additions.
I needed to add a tracker for the insurance, I opted for the Scorpion S5 without the immobiliser as I wasn’t sure how that would cope with a van being locked from the inside and in camper mode.
I previously had a T6 California and I am enjoying the T7, I cannot comment on trying to camp with two big dogs - but I’m sure others on here can.

Thank you, this is really helpful. Can you tell me more about the Art Velour option? I don't see it on the configurator, but it's on the Drive the Deal spec page. I am inclined to go for it! Our current spec is indeed manual doors (easier to manage the dogs rather than waiting or a door to open or close), the trailer assist plus (towbar plus the advanced parking together), smaller wheels with all season tyres, adaptice chassis control, mudflaps, 4 folding remotes, graphite grey cupboards. I have a Scorpion tracker on another car, so will likely stick with them if we need to get one. Haven't even vaguely thought about aftermarket stuff yet!

 

[Tengocity]

Hi and welcome, i have a petrol T7 Ocean and a large Viszla I have now covered over 6000miles. Previously had a 6.1 Ocean for 48,000 miles. Any questions happy to help.

How are you transporting your Viszla? Using a crate (and if so, which one?), or just tethered with a harness in the back? For day and weekend use around Scotland I think a harness a tether would work fine, but we would like to do some Euro roadtrips, in which case I think we would need a crate option.

 

[Sad]

This is very useful, thank you. Can I ask:
What’s the benefit of having 4 keys?
Do you have advice on the PHEV version?

4 keys is a personal preference. I, personally, don't see the point, but there are people that do.
FYI - It appears that there are curently some issues with battery management on some PHEV vehicles - https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/battery-management-issues-vw-new-california-t7.57626/