Purchase of Beach vs velle - help required

[c_paul]

Hi!

We have two kids (3 & 6) and have a third on the brew.

We love our daily runner (golf GTI) but it isn’t going to fit our third child.

We are thus looking to buy a cali beach but we cannot find one with a spec getting close to the golf. Let alone parking heater etc. As the beach is no longer available in the uk, we can’t spec a new one.

It is looking like our only choice is to buy a velle executive and fit a poptop, swivels on the front seats and jiggle the interior.

The main issue is finding a firm who will fit a poptop, source + fit the ducting and headlining from a beech to keep the Climatronic. Preferably fitting an aux heater in the process.
Far more hassle than I have energy for. I would rather purchase a high spec beach.

Have I missed anything?

Are there any other options? Other than ‘get an ocean and strip out the cupboards’.

Thanks in advance.
C

 

[Volkywagen]

Hi there. I would advise against fitting a pop top in a velle as all the air ducting for the rear runs though the headlining.
have you had a look on the T6 forum for ideas? There are plenty of modded velles one there. You can also pick up some good run out beaches now still on the forecourt. You would be better off to modify a high spec beach than to carve up a caravelle.

 

[jamessclarke]

Hi there. I would advise against fitting a pop top in a velle as all the air ducting for the rear runs though the headlining.
have you had a look on the T6 forum for ideas? There are plenty of modded velles one there. You can also pick up some good run out beaches now still on the forecourt. You would be better off to modify a high spec beach than to carve up a caravelle.

How about a pre-loved Beach?

 

[paul_f]

What about this one

Used Volkswagen Vans | Details - - : Volkswagen UK

used.volkswagen-vans.co.uk

 

[WelshGas]

What about this one

Used Volkswagen Vans | Details - - : Volkswagen UK

used.volkswagen-vans.co.uk

That’s got all that you require, ex-demo so almost 3 yrs warranty. Might even be able to swing the extra 2 yrs Factory Warranty.

 

[c_paul]

What about this one

Used Volkswagen Vans | Details - - : Volkswagen UK

used.volkswagen-vans.co.uk

That is a pretty decent option. That didn’t come up in my search (not sure why).

 

[2into1]

The market is awash with 6 month old 150 DSG beaches at £36995 from the car supermarkets. That is seriously cheap.
Buy one of those and get a heater fitted following the advice here. Boom. Sorted for Spring and no depreciation for years.

 

[jamessclarke]

There are some Beaches for sale on the " Cal's for sale" section of this site.

 

[c_paul]

Hi there. I would advise against fitting a pop top in a velle as all the air ducting for the rear runs though the headlining.
have you had a look on the T6 forum for ideas? There are plenty of modded velles one there. You can also pick up some good run out beaches now still on the forecourt. You would be better off to modify a high spec beach than to carve up a caravelle.

That was my thought but I just can’t find a decent beach that has our required options within budget.

We can find a velle with enough leeway to spend 7k getting the roof done.

Has anyone converted a velle with the Climatronic / evaporator?

Does anyone know where the 2nd evaporator is? Is it actually in the headlining or is it just ducted to the vents?

 

[2into1]

What is the 'spec' you can't find on a beach? Plenty of tech bits can be retrofitted by specialists far easier, cheaper and non value destroying vs chopping up a caravelle. 'Half' californias don't sell well.

 

[paul_f]

Most of the cheap beaches are a very basic spec, missing things which many normal cars have as standard

 

[2into1]

Most of the cheap beaches are a very basic spec, missing things which many normal cars have as standard

Such as?

 

[2into1]

There's a British family living in Italy with a YouTube channel who camp with 3 kids in an SE (Ocean). The amount of stuff they carry triggers my OCD but they manage with the 5th seat.

 

[c_paul]

Most of the cheap beaches are a very basic spec, missing things which many normal cars have as standard

Exactly. This will have to be the main family car. Unfortunately, the GTI has us spoiled.

Our wish list is namely:

Led headlights
Leather+Alcantara
Adaptive cruise control
Climatronic
Powerful engine (199ps)
DSG
Multifunction wheel
Electrically folding mirrors

Would like heated windscreen

oh, and my budget is a fiver.

Many of those are expensive extras - hence why they are not frequently in the beach. If I up-spec, it will cost more than putting a roof into a velle or buying an ocean.

 

[paul_f]

Cruise control and parking sensors missing on some, but now I look again most seem to have those

 

[CALI FATE]

Go for a Beach as mentioned and retro fit things you need. When the existing T6 stock is sold you wont get another chance unless you go LHD or pre-loved - even it is doesnt have all the toys you think it needs, you will find other ways of appreciating it and your priorities will change - if i won the lotto id buy another one

 

[c_paul]

There's a British family living in Italy with a YouTube channel who camp with 3 kids in an SE (Ocean). The amount of stuff they carry triggers my OCD but they manage with the 5th seat.

Can the bed go down without removing the 5th seat?

 

[2into1]

That’s got all that you require, ex-demo so almost 3 yrs warranty. Might even be able to swing the extra 2 yrs Factory Warranty.

The linked Beach is £4k more than someone here just paid for a brand new Ocean with pretty decent spec!

 

[2into1]

Can the bed go down without removing the 5th seat?

No... This starts the chain of events as to why they need so much stuff. They now just take a pop up pup tent to 'throw' the extra seat in when camped. (they weigh a tonne!)

 

[c_paul]

The linked Beach is £4k more than someone here just paid for a brand new Ocean with pretty decent spec!

Yes.
But we need to practically have 3 child seats.

95% of journeys will not need a kitchen.

 

[CALI FATE]

Exactly. This will have to be the main family car. Unfortunately, the GTI has us spoiled.

Our wish list is namely:

Led headlights
Leather+Alcantara
Adaptive cruise control
Climatronic
Powerful engine (199ps)
DSG
Multifunction wheel
Electrically folding mirrors

Would like heated windscreen

oh, and my budget is a fiver.

Many of those are expensive extras - hence why they are not frequently in the beach. If I up-spec, it will cost more than putting a roof into a velle or buying an ocean.

The only thing i have from your list is the heated screen - ive had all that in other cars and can say i dont miss any of the fancy extras - i use my Beach as my daily drive and do 15k miles a year - keep it simple and enjoy the ride

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Get a 2nd hand beach, the older ones tend to have a lot higher spec than the newer ones Such as factory fitted heater(s) & 3 zone climate control, additional 2 seats, fog lights, etc. Wouldn’t worry too much about LED headlights but that’s just me (as I get blinded by them coming in the other direction when I cycle to work each day!)

For conversion - I think stealth roofs allow for the rear climate control ducts, but by the time you have added all the conversion costs up, you will be close to the price of just buying a Beach, which will have a higher resale especially as they are not selling them in the UK at the moment.

 

[Volkywagen]

If you got a caravelle and did convert the pop top, you would still only be able to sleep 2.
or modify the interior seating to make another bed. Beach style

 

[2into1]

Yes.
But we need to practically have 3 child seats.

95% of journeys will not need a kitchen.

I understand. Just pointing out some of the cost implications in what is currently a crazy market. Unless money is no object, there are £18k swings on similar age vans at the moment.
All the experience seems to point to chopping a hole in a caravelle costs a fortune in labour and parts. Not only is that added spend is immediately lost at resale, but the original value of the caravelle is reduced in the process.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Can the bed go down without removing the 5th seat?

Yes