Slightly Disappointed

[MattBW]

I always found the rear suspension in my T5 beach harsh but it has softened over time. It is much less so when loaded and may be intentionally so. It's more noticable if you live in an area with terrible roads though. I visited Northumberland in my first few weeks and omg it was teeth rattling.

 

[WelshGas]

Oh..... So Welsh man, is that like The Eagle says.. Take the fuse out and I think we are saying raise the tap? Is that it? Then open the drain tap again? Thats not in the manual is it?

Many thanks....

The water in the Tap/Pipe/Pump will drain back into the tank, about 100mls or so. You can drain it out of the water tank if you wish, but the important thing is to get it out of the tap, pipes and pump because if there is water there and it freezes it expands and can cause damage. If there is any left in the tank after doing this and it freezes in the tank at least it has room to expand.

 

[B J G]

Thanks for that. Im in Switzerland so its the law to have winter tyres. But for the UK I would agree that all year round tyres would be a great option. I spoke to the dealer today and he confirmed that Winter tyres can get noisy. I also think the sound get amplified because of the Van size. Thanks for your help.

Just wondered as 4x4's have all year tyres normally.

 

[Sonas]

The water in the Tap/Pipe/Pump will drain back into the tank, about 100mls or so. You can drain it out of the water tank if you wish, but the important thing is to get it out of the tap, pipes and pump because if there is water there and it freezes it expands and can cause damage. If there is any left in the tank after doing this and it freezes in the tank at least it has room to expand.

True fact. I didn't drain the tubes sufficiently in our caravan some years ago, and the pump was damaged. It cost a good bit to replace.

 

[B J G]

I always found the rear suspension in my T5 beach harsh but it has softened over time. It is much less so when loaded and may be intentionally so. It's more noticable if you live in an area with terrible roads though. I visited Northumberland in my first few weeks and omg it was teeth rattling.

Roads are due to get worse by lack of full repairs, patching and cosmetic action seems to be the trend.
Where are the good road areas? Must visit for the novelty..

 

[Teejay]

Oh..... So Welsh man, is that like The Eagle says.. Take the fuse out and I think we are saying raise the tap? Is that it? Then open the drain tap again? Thats not in the manual is it?

Many thanks....

Hi Mike,
It is there under "Water Supply and Disposal". On the downloaded PDF from here, it's page 238 also check "Winter Conditions" page 253. I just did all of this in the last few weeks.

..me..

 

[Digger]

I think some have expectations well beyond any vehicles capability. I know of one Merc owner who is already unhappy and to be honest a campervan was not for him. Seasoned users know the reality of life with the Cali and its small foibles which are insignificant when you look at the capability and potential use. Far better than any SUV or people carrier and apart from roof issues nearly perfect (hence reason VW change very little).

 

[Sonas]

I think some have expectations well beyond any vehicles capability. I know of one Merc owner who is already unhappy and to be honest a campervan was not for him. Seasoned users know the reality of life with the Cali and its small foibles which are insignificant when you look at the capability and potential use. Far better than any SUV or people carrier and apart from roof issues nearly perfect (hence reason VW change very little).

I agree. Im a beginner so I didn't know what to expect. Since I first posted I have resolved a few issues and am very happy to be a Cali owner. I suppose I was so excited about finally being able to buy one, and having been a member here for 5 months, I suppose I expected it to be amazing in every way, but I know now that the overall capabilities far outweigh any small gripes I might have. I love the van, and can't wait to get out there in the spring

 

[s2bear]

I too have some small rattles on my new T6 Beach that weren’t there on the drive home from Bavaria (at least I don’t think they were) but I’ve narrowed these down to the armrests being in the unused position sounding like they’ve got a couple of tic tacs rolling around in there. I’m sure it’s the adjuster wheel that needs some tension in it so going to work it out in a minute.... livin the dream. If you don’t have HD Anti Roll bars - I reckon in terms of value for money, they must be the biggest improvement you can make to the handling if you’ve come straight from a car. Yes it is a bit of a shock how van like it can be sometimes but you bought it for a reason. For me, seeing how excited my children are about the fact that it IS a van... that they can sleep in if they want... has a table etc... all the little things. I’ll take that every day over previous cars. I work in it some days, listen to the rain on the roof, the birds singing. When you’re having a ‘flip flop moment’ in some Swiss alpine meadow next spring, I’m sure the van-ish bits will vanish!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[MattBW]

Roads are due to get worse by lack of full repairs, patching and cosmetic action seems to be the trend.
Where are the good road areas? Must visit for the novelty..

Compared to my experience in Berwick, relatively speaking everywhere else is good .

I used to work in the "streetworks" area of my business and dealt with highway authorities on a day to day basis. They've not had sufficient budgets and thus have not been maintained properly for over 15 years now. In fact 5 years ago they were talking about being at a crisis point where the issue would take another 15 years at the available budgets to fix all the bad roads. You've also got more and more demand for assets under there, broadband, gas, electric etc.

The Govt cutting investment in roads has resulted in cutting corners/cheaper construction methods to cut costs which has in turn resulted in roads that don't last as many years, are less able to cope with bad winter weather and ironically end up being more expensive in the long run. Like most things you get what you pay for.

The HAs have done some great work to get as much as they can for their shrinking budgets but once you get to the point where your roads are made of patches its just pouring money away.

When you get a smooth road however (Scotland had a lot of them), the Cali is a pleasure to ride in.

 

[zeratul]

VB air suspension. Not cheap, but much better ride quality, auto height adjust based on load, and you can lower the van with just a push of a button.

And then the auto leveling on campsites. So worth it. My next van or camper, if ever, will have it as well, so worth it

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

 

[andrew bazeley]

Re tyre noise: you do notice a change. I got some second-hand replacement wheels (via this forum) and the Bridgestones are noticeably noisier than the originals, whatever they were. As for rattles; they can usually be traced and fixed. The sliding table is the usual cuprit; I have to ram mine in rally hard to make sure it is firmly in place. Pots and pans, tools in the toolbox, tent pegs and stuff in the back cupboard, loose plug in the sink; even the passenger seat being a bit far back, and the seat belt clasp (when the seat's not uccupied) rattling on the glass sink cover. Get someone to sit in the back and trace where the rattles are coming from. Other than all that - turn the radio up!

 

[DavidKeith]

After just over a week with our new Cali Beach Cherry Red, I am a little disappointed with the ride/ suspension of the van. I guess I didn't expect it to be so Van like given its a T6, and expected it to be a bit more refined. This could also be that the van is empty, and I hoping will settle down when fully loaded. Or is it just not great on the road, and I have to accept its not car like in its on road driving. I also have bad rattles and I just can't find where they are coming from. Its going to be out daily driver. I guess I have to get used to the idea that its a camper at heart, and has it uses as an everyday car, but its really a camper at the end of the day. I also seem to be getting a noticeable tyre noise for our new winter tyres especially around 110 KPH. Ill be talking to the dealer about it.
I look forward to the spring and the chance to use the van for camping, where Im hoping it will shine.

My T5 definitely handles better when fully loaded and there are less rattles!

 

[Carolinegallen]

After just over a week with our new Cali Beach Cherry Red, I am a little disappointed with the ride/ suspension of the van. I guess I didn't expect it to be so Van like given its a T6, and expected it to be a bit more refined. This could also be that the van is empty, and I hoping will settle down when fully loaded. Or is it just not great on the road, and I have to accept its not car like in its on road driving. I also have bad rattles and I just can't find where they are coming from. Its going to be out daily driver. I guess I have to get used to the idea that its a camper at heart, and has it uses as an everyday car, but its really a camper at the end of the day. I also seem to be getting a noticeable tyre noise for our new winter tyres especially around 110 KPH. Ill be talking to the dealer about it.
I look forward to the spring and the chance to use the van for camping, where Im hoping it will shine.

We

 

[Paul S]

It will also bed in a little through use which takes some of the edge away from the firm ride. Also check the tyres are not over inflated which can severely affect it. And as others have said true winter tyres are designed purely for function over refinement. Regular tyres are definately quieter and less harsh. But at the end of the day it's still a van. IMHO it drives very well for a van and it's better than say a 1993 Nissan Micra but if you're comparing it with a similar cost conventional car you'll always be disappointed. I've driven I new Vivaro and they actually are very nice but then I got out and looked at it and...ugh. Horses for courses.

 

[BagmanJim]

My 2015 California SE drives and rides really well, I couldn't be more pleased with it.

 

[Carolinegallen]

I've had my cali for 4 weeks. I absolutely adore it. Previously I had a subaru outback. I think the cali with dsg, acc, reversing camera and sensors, is the easiest thing I have ever driven. Even parking is a doddle.
I love the hight, I live in rural Wales and on the winding roads I can see much further ahead, and spot on coming traffic much more easily. The views are also so much better as you can see over the hedge tops.
After a test drive my husband insisted I opt for the heavy duty anti roll bars.
I absolutely love my cali. I grin when I drive it. I make silly songs up about it while drivibing. "That'd be another of your van songs then" .... says the husband.

 

[soulstyledevon]

It’s definitely a van...!!!
It definitely does not drive like a car...

Step into a Range Rover or Audi A6 and you will know where you spent £60k.
The California isn’t in the same league for refinement and luxury.

However compared to other vans, it’s easily the best of the bunch.
Personally I have driven vans for many years and like the no nonsense approach.

However, if you looking for a smooth luxurious ride. You won’t find that with a California.
It’s a converted van and there’s no hiding that.

 

[Ocean Spirit]

I make silly songs up about it while drivibing. "That'd be another of your van songs then" .... says the husband.

Whilst everybody on here shares your glee to some extent, you do realise you confessed that last bit willingly? absolutely no pressure at all? hmmm?

 

[Stuart]

Whilst everybody on here shares your glee to some extent, you do realise you confessed that last bit willingly? absolutely no pressure at all? hmmm?

I think we need a video of one of these van songs!

 

[Meoncoast]

Our van gets from A to B
Happy with the ride
Enjoy the drive
No one throws up

No thoughts on changing suspension of the van. Happy so why would I

 

[Borris]

My 2015 California SE drives and rides really well, I couldn't be more pleased with it.

The OP was expressing his disappointment about his new Beach. Having owned both versions side by side I can say that they feel completely different to drive.

The SE 4motion that we owned until recently represented a fairly well loaded van even when it was empty and before we had put any of our clobber into it, (the payload on a 4motion being quite small). It therefore felt more planted on the road basically because it was, to the tune of something approaching three tonnes. Whilst a front wheel drive SE/Ocean will weigh a little less the same comment applies.

On the other hand, the OPs new Beach is more representative of an almost empty van with only the seats, pop top roof and some light weight trim adding any real weight above a standard panel van. The difference was immediately noticable on our seven seater beach when we collected it. In the OPs case the situation may stand out even more if he has the lighter four seater version. Apart from the storage box that this version can have, it is almost the same as an SE/Ocean but without the heavy kitchen and electro /hydraulic roof mechanism etc. Therefore, an empty Beach doesn't feel glued to the road in quite the same way. Without exaggerating, it will transmit more of the defects in the road surface to the driving experience because a lightly loaded commercial vehicle with a stiffish spring/suspension set up isn't really designed give its best ride when used empty.

 

[Carolinegallen]

I think we need a video of one of these van songs!

Believe me .... you really don't

 

[Sonas]

Thanks all for your advise.
I have accepted that it will behave like a van and the when empty it does rattle and jig about a bit. But I do love it and am already getting used to it. I have let some air out of the tyres and that has reduced the hard impacts over bumps etc. Im takeing it to the dealer on Tuesday to see if the rattle can be sourced. It appears to be coming from the rear left panels and continues into the rear left roof. Very hard to pin point. My guess is that its a loose cable behind the rear left paneling . Ill let you know

 

[Borris]

Thanks all for your advise.
I have accepted that it will behave like a van and the when empty it does rattle and jig about a bit. But I do love it and am already getting used to it. I have let some air out of the tyres and that has reduced the hard impacts over bumps etc. Im takeing it to the dealer on Tuesday to see if the rattle can be sourced. It appears to be coming from the rear left panels and continues into the rear left roof. Very hard to pin point. My guess is that its a loose cable behind the rear left paneling . Ill let you know

I had a similar rattle which persisted for a long time until I discovered it was coming from the rear window blind. In my case it was the metal section of the pull out blind which was rattling against the plastic rear door card. To cure it, I stuck small self adhesive cushion thingys to the metal blind bar wherever it contacted, from memory one at each end and one in the middle. The result? Silence.