Swapping an SE for a Beach

HowieDog

HowieDog

Lifetime VIP Member
Messages
621
Location
Poole
Vehicle
Just browsing
I'm not starting a thread to discuss the pros and cons of each type of California as they're both great for different reasons......

But how do you work out the price differential between a used SE and a used Beach. If we assume same year, mileage and transmission and a reasonably good overall specification.
 
I guess it depend on both parties agreeing.

presuming both parties are going benefit from the deal, tangible or otherwise, you Could you take the list price from the year of manufacturing (assuming the same year) to determine the cost & base difference + the additional extras of the beach / SE if any (from basic spec)?
I.E. determine the new cost of both at the time of sale when new, which would potentially give you a starting point for discussion.
 
A complete guess from memory but I thought the difference in cost between and similar spec Beach (with parking heater) and Ocean was in the region of 5-6k.
 
In the current market I'd say there are no set rules. Desirability of either could vary so much based on condition, mileage, colour, ved bracket etc. Just because an SE/Ocean was x% higher than the Beach at outset doesn't mean the differential will stay x% later on. Less Beaches sold as well which will influence their scarcity and, as generally cheaper, may make them easier to sell keeping the residuals high. Good luck.
 
Basic vs Basic was about £10k.
When I looked at replacing my Beach I added the necessary extras. Climate, parking heater etc etc and the cost was nearly the same as an Ocean. Hence why I bought an Ocean.
However, I’m not sure that price would stack up on a used Beach and imagine residuals to be a lot worse than an Ocean.
 
I'm not starting a thread to discuss the pros and cons of each type of California as they're both great for different reasons......

But how do you work out the price differential between a used SE and a used Beach. If we assume same year, mileage and transmission and a reasonably good overall specification.
Compare used prices for both on the classifieds, eBay, FB Marketplace.

Put your number plate into WBAC, and enter details for a Beach basis same year and compare the difference.
 
be aware of some major differences between (basic) Ocean (or SE) and Beach which are;
- parking heater
- double glazed windows (comfort in loudness and warmth/cool)
- the build in kitchenette and wardrobes/lockers
- residual value (at least in the Netherlands)
 
It would be easier to just sell the beach. Then go out and buy an se
 
But the thread title says the poster is moving to the light.....

SWAPPING AN SE FOR A BEACH​

Ha. I got it the wrong way round. OK, sell the se and buy a beach
 
Basic vs Basic was about £10k.
When I looked at replacing my Beach I added the necessary extras. Climate, parking heater etc etc and the cost was nearly the same as an Ocean. Hence why I bought an Ocean.
However, I’m not sure that price would stack up on a used Beach and imagine residuals to be a lot worse than an Ocean.
Not sure why you would believe that a the Residual value of a Beach would be a lot worse than an SE & not wanting to reignite the age old discussion and mis held believes by some regarding the two (now three) models).

I bet you didn’t believe that when you owned a Beach Or indeed sold it ?

SE / ocean is a far more common model and supply is therefore greater than a Beach.

despite the misnomer held by some, that the Beach is the poverty spec Cali, it can be far from the case as has been discussed on many an occasion, horses for courses.

Demand for Calis and campers in General is through the roof.

a Dealer indicated very recently that my 2018 Beach would be worth Simiar to what I paid for it From new, as is the case with many Cali‘s IMO.

Just look at the for sales adds, SE /Ocean‘s are readily available, not so with a Beach, let alone a decent spec Beach, which are like hens teeth !

I Dare say that the residual value of a Coast will be surprisingly healthy too.


 
Last edited:
Not sure why you would believe that a the Residual value of a Beach would be a lot worse than an SE & not wanting to reignite the age old discussion and mis held believes by some regarding the two (now three) models).

I bet you didn’t believe that when you owned a Beach Or indeed sold it ?

SE / ocean is a far more common model and supply is therefore greater than a Beach.

despite the misnomer held by some, that the Beach is the poverty spec Cali, it can be far from the case as has been discussed on many an occasion, horses for courses.

Demand for Calis and campers in General is through the roof.

a Dealer indicated very recently that my 2018 Beach would be worth Simiar to what I paid for it From new, as is the case with many Cali‘s IMO.

Just look at the for sales adds, SE /Ocean‘s are readily available, not so with a Beach, let alone a decent spec Beach, which are like hens teeth !

I Dare say that the residual value of a Coast will be surprisingly healthy too.



Not really the point I’m making. Perhaps I didn’t construct my previous sentence correctly.
My point being. Options don’t necessarily add value.

If someone pays £2.5k for LED lights from new. Don’t expect to claw that £2.5k back at resale.
Therefore, if you add £10k of options, it doesn’t mean a used Beach will be £10k more over another basic Beach van.
You may see a bit more return and the van possibly a bit easier to sell, but only at the right price…
 
Not really the point I’m making. Perhaps I didn’t construct my previous sentence correctly.
My point being. Options don’t necessarily add value.

If someone pays £2.5k for LED lights from new. Don’t expect to claw that £2.5k back at resale.
Therefore, if you add £10k of options, it doesn’t mean a used Beach will be £10k more over another basic Beach van.
You may see a bit more return and the van possibly a bit easier to sell, but only at the right price…
If you were referring to just about any other vehicle then I would probably agree. However these are very strange times.

Currently, California Beaches of any spec are in short supply. Finding a highly specced used example is virtually impossible. This is mainly due to VW's skewed over priced Beach options policy! The situation is further compounded by the fact that VW in their infinate wisdom, have decided to limit what UK customers for the T6-1 versions can now order thereby deterring some current T6 Beach owners from renewing their vans. You can order a seven seat "Tour" but it doesn't have an EHU. If you instead go for the camper version you are limited to a maximum of six seats. I can't imagine what the reasons are for this and personally don't really care. The only comments worth making are that firstly, as far as I can see, our European cousins don't seem to have such restricted choices, being free in many countries to choose pretty much what spec they want. Secondly, there must like me, be other T6 Beach owners who have taken a look at the T6-1 Beach and have concluded that VW have made very few improvements of real worth whilst at the same time reducing the flexibility and appeal. In short I couldn't replace my current T6 seven seat Beach with like for like even if I wanted to.

So it seems to me that shortage of supply of new Beaches and more pertinent to this thread, the rarity of high specced used examples along with rising inflation and the associated inevitable regular price rises from VW will insure that at least for the time being, prices will remain very firm indeed. Throw in a more restricted T6-1 Beach line up causing some owners to retain their vehicles longer and the result is even fewer used vehicles in the supply chain. Accordingly, based on the principles of supply and demand alone, anyone who has spent out on the more popular beach options in the past will likely get most if not all of their money back if they were to sell just now. This situation will not last but IMO is likely to continue for some time yet.
 
My local dealership had a couple of highly specced 3 yo Beaches in at Christmas. They priced them accordingly...

Actually, just had a quick look and they've got a couple in now. I didn't look at the spec, only the price.

It's a Sytner dealership, so a California search on their general site brings up Ferrari Californias too.
 
My local dealership had a couple of highly specced 3 yo Beaches in at Christmas. They priced them accordingly...

Actually, just had a quick look and they've got a couple in now. I didn't look at the spec, only the price.

It's a Sytner dealership, so a California search on their general site brings up Ferrari Californias too.
QED
 
Basic vs Basic was about £10k.
When I looked at replacing my Beach I added the necessary extras. Climate, parking heater etc etc and the cost was nearly the same as an Ocean. Hence why I bought an Ocean.
However, I’m not sure that price would stack up on a used Beach and imagine residuals to be a lot worse than an Ocean.
Don't think the residuals will be worse, the new 6.1 version has a micro kitchen and a king bed and is highly desirable
 

Similar threads

Back
Top