T6.1 Beach Prices

[stoobthealien]

Hi all - looking at getting a T6.1 beach in the next few months - read lots on here about options, spec, etc but the pricing seems very variable....we're super keen on a 2 tone (although recognise we could wrap / spray) and like the look of this one, especially as it comes with the 7 seats and we'd prefer a tour https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506263880411 - looking at a few car value sites suggests it's over-priced but would appreciate the sage advice on here!

Chris.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Hi all - looking at getting a T6.1 beach in the next few months - read lots on here about options, spec, etc but the pricing seems very variable....we're super keen on a 2 tone (although recognise we could wrap / spray) and like the look of this one, especially as it comes with the 7 seats and we'd prefer a tour https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506263880411 - looking at a few car value sites suggests it's over-priced but would appreciate the sage advice on here!

Chris.

Beach prices seem to be coming off.

Two tones are a marmite colour so can take longer to sell. Don’t pay over the odds for one as might be difficult to sell versus one colour.

You can pick the additional seats up for between £125 - £350 each.

There is a fully spec’d yellow/grape one for £10k less on auto trader (2018, 27k miles) that also comes with the 3 zone aircon which is hard to find, and will help with resale and makes the van for more comfortable for rear passengers.

 

[stoobthealien]

That's what I'm thinking - I do really want a 6.1 for the more modern features as it'll be a daily driver so not really looking at 2018 models. Re the rear aircon - I've read quite a few threads on here suggesting that it's totally fine in UK / European temps and no-one seems to struggle for not having it but interested in further experiences.

 

[Kayleigh]

That’s expensive for a private sale. The main options appear to be LED headlights and two-tone, bike rack and awning. No parking heater. The extra seats don’t match the others and can be picked up relatively cheaply anyway. It was probably about £57k new (if full price was paid), but has over 30k on the clock and two owners.
WBAC says £41k for reference. I would keep looking for a better value Beach.

Edit: I have never had any issues with the basic aircon, the climate control is a nice to have.

 

[stoobthealien]

That’s expensive for a private sale. The main options appear to be LED headlights and two-tone, bike rack and awning. No parking heater. The extra seats don’t match the others and can be picked up relatively cheaply anyway. It was probably about £57k new (if full price was paid), but has over 30k on the clock and two owners.
WBAC says £41k for reference. I would keep looking for a better value Beach.

I was playing with WBAC, Motorway, etc and they all suggest it's over-priced, I've seen a few comments on here about how they are inaccurate with Calis but as you say it's quite a margin of error if so! Motorway has it at 43 so still quite a way out.

It does have the canvas opening top which we're very keen on as well though!

 

[Kayleigh]

I was playing with WBAC, Motorway, etc and they all suggest it's over-priced, I've seen a few comments on here about how they are inaccurate with Calis but as you say it's quite a margin of error if so! Motorway has it at 43 so still quite a way out.

It does have the canvas opening top which we're very keen on as well though!

Most people would have specified the opening canvas. It wasn’t an expensive option. I agree the price is way out for a private sale. They won’t sell it at that price, I’m sure.

 

[stoobthealien]

Most people would have specified the opening canvas. It wasn’t an expensive option. I agree the price is way out for a private sale. They won’t sell it at that price, I’m sure.

I'm seeing about 50:50 on used ones - I'm not sure if some people really understood what it was! Either way feedback / confirmation of what I thought it appreciated, I'm not in a rush so might just bide my time and see what else comes up!

 

[Tarquers]

I would definitely get 3 zone climate. The second AC condenser helps things cool down much faster and previous experience was that the front only solution doesn’t work.

The Tour with 2 sliders is a great option and I would prefer it (even living on continent). The kitchen unit I can take or leave, used a handful of times in 4 years of ownership and it limits options for interior pods.

Would look at LED lights and factory parking heater otherwise not much else to add.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Re the rear aircon - I've read quite a few threads on here suggesting that it's totally fine in UK / European temps and no-one seems to struggle for not having it but interested in further experiences.

The comments are normally made by those who don’t have it. It was a very expensive option on new vans and cannot be retrofitted. Parking heater, additional seats, upgraded headlights (or bulbs) can easily be retrofitted.

Opening roof canvas are great but can be a magnet for mossies / uninvited guests depending on camping location.

 

[stoobthealien]

The comments are normally made by those who don’t have it. It was a very expensive option on new vans and cannot be retrofitted. Parking heater, additional seats, upgraded headlights (or bulbs) can easily be retrofitted.

Opening roof canvas are great but can be a magnet for mossies / uninvited guests depending on camping location.

Interesting - just need some very bored forum members to run the AC on their beaches with and without it and a thermometer to see the difference!

Agree re the rest of the retrofit from what I've read on here - although without LED or light+vision pack I think you're restricted to turning the lights / wipers on by themselves...it's back enough going back to having to use a key and a manual handbrake so I'm not sure I could go that far!

 

[Tarquers]

Interesting - just need some very bored forum members to run the AC on their beaches with and without it and a thermometer to see the difference!

Agree re the rest of the retrofit from what I've read on here - although without LED or light+vision pack I think you're restricted to turning the lights / wipers on by themselves...it's back enough going back to having to use a key and a manual handbrake so I'm not sure I could go that far!

Had both. While front passengers are ok, rear ones overheat.

 

[AdamsFamily]

I wanted a beach myself, I wasn't worried about the cooking side, and thought I could live without the wardrobes and fridge... but finding one with the base spec was important...
Turns out I couldn't find "the one" and couldn't live without the home comforts.
Having it all built in is so much easier....

But for you, as has been said, it's overpriced for a Private Sale - but if its what you really want, and its got what you want spec wise, and you've the money to do it, sometimes you let your heart rule your head.
Finding that "just perfect" model could take you months, years!!

 

[larrylamb]

Interesting - just need some very bored forum members to run the AC on their beaches with and without it and a thermometer to see the difference!

I've had an SE with standard a/c and one with 3 zone climate control. Massive difference between the two imo but if i liked a van with standard a/c it wouldn't be a deal breaker if that makes sense.

 

[Sad]

We were looking for a Beach to begin with when we started looking a couple of months ago. But the prices were so crazy it was only a few grand more to get the fully fledged Ocean. It felt like a better 'compromise' to spend up to the Ocean, than spend what feels so over the odds for a basic Beach, with zero options.
Appreciate we are only 2 adults plus the dog so had the 'luxury' or being able to go with only the four seats.

 

[stoobthealien]

We were looking for a Beach to begin with when we started looking a couple of months ago. But the prices were so crazy it was only a few grand more to get the fully fledged Ocean. It felt like a better 'compromise' to spend up to the Ocean, than spend what feels so over the odds for a basic Beach, with zero options.
Appreciate we are only 2 adults plus the dog so had the 'luxury' or being able to go with only the four seats.

We're very much after a 5 seat with occasional kids friends joining us "daily driver" as well as a camper so the beach fits the bill well - appreciate I'll be paying for the privilege but as long as the depreciation continues to be low (I note the new T7 beaches are dropping rapidly!) then it'll be a good deal for me over the next 5 years or so.

 

[stoobthealien]

I've had an SE with standard a/c and one with 3 zone climate control. Massive difference between the two imo but if i liked a van with standard a/c it wouldn't be a deal breaker if that makes sense.

It does - thanks!

 

[Scarlett]

We have a beach. The one you posted certainly has curb appeal. It’s a lot of money, but that seems to be how much three year old beaches are priced at. True, most of them are with dealers - for which you get a little more confidence. I would have thought a private sale might be tough at that price, but it would disappear in seconds if it was listed at £43k! Even at £50k it would go pretty quick. So they are probably looking for somewhere around £53k. That would be cheaper than a trade sale at the moment and would probably be as good as you are going to get. They are really holding their value because the new beach is considered to be not quite as versatile (you can’t remove the kitchen pod in the rear).

Oh and… we don’t have rear aircon and the kids don’t complain. The bench is pulled quite far forward and we have the middle vents aimed through the middle of the seats. I don’t think it’s a problem but according to other posts - people without it always say that, and people with it always say you need it!

Will be interested to hear what you decide to do! Good luck.

 

[stoobthealien]

We have a beach. The one you posted certainly has curb appeal. It’s a lot of money, but that seems to be how much three year old beaches are priced at. True, most of them are with dealers - for which you get a little more confidence. I would have thought a private sale might be tough at that price, but it would disappear in seconds if it was listed at £43k! Even at £50k it would go pretty quick. So they are probably looking for somewhere around £53k. That would be cheaper than a trade sale at the moment and would probably be as good as you are going to get. They are really holding their value because the new beach is considered to be not quite as versatile (you can’t remove the kitchen pod in the rear).

Oh and… we don’t have rear aircon and the kids don’t complain. The bench is pulled quite far forward and we have the middle vents aimed through the middle of the seats. I don’t think it’s a problem but according to other posts - people without it always say that, and people with it always say you need it!

Will be interested to hear what you decide to do! Good luck.

Thanks Scarlett - more very useful feedback! Totally agree re the new beach - it's the lack of removable kitchen that's putting us off and probably others as well!

 

[Scarlett]

I had another thought - and do your own research to confirm this - but the two door beach tour is not classed as a motorhome. And so luxury car tax is payable. I think that goes for the first 5 years? So you might have a couple of years of high tax rates on this particular vehicle.

 

[stoobthealien]

I had another thought - and do your own research to confirm this - but the two door beach tour is not classed as a motorhome. And so luxury car tax is payable. I think that goes for the first 5 years? So you might have a couple of years of high tax rates on this particular vehicle.

It is and you are correct, I've factored that in