T6.1 quality drop?

[Perfectos]

I fear it will be the lack of software support that will be the nail in the coffin! At what point will VW (or any other manufacturer) stop supporting older vehicles in the same way as computer/IT companies cease support for old equipment and software.

VCDS?

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Consumerism is better for the govt than things being built to last. Keeps people working away on the treadmill to buy new stuff they don’t need. Disastrous for the environment of course.

A new EU directive putting the onus on manufacturers to make products repairable (rather than replaceable modules) is a step in the right direction.

 

[Borris]

Consumerism is better for the govt than things being built to last. Keeps people working away on the treadmill to buy new stuff they don’t need. Disastrous for the environment of course.

Yes I agree. Unfortunately for the planet almost everything these days is deliberatly designed to have a built in obsolescence because manufacturing items that are built to last is seen as being akin to comitting commercial suicide. Build something that will fail and is uneconomical to repair and you'll get another customer.

Motor vehicles are no exception. The "flavour of the month" is electric vehicles at present but that won't last. Once the market nears saturation or more likely sooner, they will likely end up being vilified just like the current diesel fleet. It is essential to protect people's health and the environment but there will always be strong commercial interests fighting against these aims. I can't see how built in obselescence can continue if we are serious about saving the planet?

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

New EU rules have been introduced that require manufacturers of electrical goods such as fridges and televisions to make their products repairable for at least 10 years after first coming to market.

The rules are designed to enshrine circular economy practices into law and reinforce consumer rights to repair products.
Manufacturers or importers will now be obliged to make a range of essential parts such as motors, pumps, shock absorbers and springs available to professional repairers for up to ten years after the last unit of a specific model has been placed on the EU market.
For end-user consumers, manufacturers must make certain spare parts available for several years after a product is taken off the market - products such as doors or hinges and seals, which are suitable for DIY action. The maximum delivery time for all these pieces will be 15 working days after ordering.
The new rules are part of the EU’s efforts to cut the environmental footprint of manufactured goods and make them more repairable.
“This is a really big step in the right direction” said Daniel Affelt of the environmental group BUND-Berlin, which runs several ‘repair cafés’ that help customers repair their goods.
“If you need specialist tools or have to break open the device, then you can’t repair it,” he added. “People want to repair their appliances. When you tell them that there are no spare parts for a device that’s only a couple of years old, then they are obviously really frustrated by that.”
As well as parts being made available, products will also need to come with repair manuals and built in a way that they can be easily dismantled using conventional tools.
German environment minister Svenja Schulze has proposed that, in the future, manufacturers may be forced to state how long a product is expected to work for and repair it if it breaks down earlier in order to encourage companies to build more durable products.
The new rules come as part of a brand-new version of the widely recognised EU energy labels. The new labels will initially apply to four product categories: fridges and freezers, dishwashers, washing machines, and television sets (and other external monitors). New labels for light bulbs and lamps with fixed-light sources will follow in September 2021, with other products expected to follow in the coming years.
With more and more products achieving high ratings such as A+, A++ or A+++ according to the previous scale, the most significant change is to return to a simpler A-G scale which is stricter and designed so that very few products are initially able to achieve the ‘A’ rating, leaving space for more efficient products to be included in the future.
EU energy commissioner Kadri Simson said: “The original energy label has been very successful, saving an average household in Europe several hundred euros per year and motivating companies to invest into research and development.
“Until the end of February, over 90 per cent of products were labelled either A+, A++ or A+++. The new system will be clearer for consumers and ensure that businesses continue to innovate and offer even more efficient products. This also helps us to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.”
With the UK now out of the EU, the new rules will not directly affect it, although British customers may still see the same labelling system on products offered for sale in the UK.
In November 2020, the Environmental Audit Committee said the UK needs to do more to tackle its growing e-waste problem, including improved rules around repairing. Data analysis has also shown that UK households rank second-lowest across Europe for recycling e-waste.

 

[ArunAlec]

New EU rules have been introduced that require manufacturers of electrical goods such as fridges and televisions to make their products repairable for at least 10 years after first coming to market.

The rules are designed to enshrine circular economy practices into law and reinforce consumer rights to repair products.
Manufacturers or importers will now be obliged to make a range of essential parts such as motors, pumps, shock absorbers and springs available to professional repairers for up to ten years after the last unit of a specific model has been placed on the EU market.
For end-user consumers, manufacturers must make certain spare parts available for several years after a product is taken off the market - products such as doors or hinges and seals, which are suitable for DIY action. The maximum delivery time for all these pieces will be 15 working days after ordering.
The new rules are part of the EU’s efforts to cut the environmental footprint of manufactured goods and make them more repairable.
“This is a really big step in the right direction” said Daniel Affelt of the environmental group BUND-Berlin, which runs several ‘repair cafés’ that help customers repair their goods.
“If you need specialist tools or have to break open the device, then you can’t repair it,” he added. “People want to repair their appliances. When you tell them that there are no spare parts for a device that’s only a couple of years old, then they are obviously really frustrated by that.”
As well as parts being made available, products will also need to come with repair manuals and built in a way that they can be easily dismantled using conventional tools.
German environment minister Svenja Schulze has proposed that, in the future, manufacturers may be forced to state how long a product is expected to work for and repair it if it breaks down earlier in order to encourage companies to build more durable products.
The new rules come as part of a brand-new version of the widely recognised EU energy labels. The new labels will initially apply to four product categories: fridges and freezers, dishwashers, washing machines, and television sets (and other external monitors). New labels for light bulbs and lamps with fixed-light sources will follow in September 2021, with other products expected to follow in the coming years.
With more and more products achieving high ratings such as A+, A++ or A+++ according to the previous scale, the most significant change is to return to a simpler A-G scale which is stricter and designed so that very few products are initially able to achieve the ‘A’ rating, leaving space for more efficient products to be included in the future.
EU energy commissioner Kadri Simson said: “The original energy label has been very successful, saving an average household in Europe several hundred euros per year and motivating companies to invest into research and development.
“Until the end of February, over 90 per cent of products were labelled either A+, A++ or A+++. The new system will be clearer for consumers and ensure that businesses continue to innovate and offer even more efficient products. This also helps us to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.”
With the UK now out of the EU, the new rules will not directly affect it, although British customers may still see the same labelling system on products offered for sale in the UK.
In November 2020, the Environmental Audit Committee said the UK needs to do more to tackle its growing e-waste problem, including improved rules around repairing. Data analysis has also shown that UK households rank second-lowest across Europe for recycling e-waste.

As someone who tends to carry out diy repairs this is a very encouraging move.
It will be interesting if it results in a price increase for new products or a reduction in the churn of “new” models for marketing/cosmetic purpose, hope so!
These EU lot seem pretty sensible to me

 

[soulstyledevon]

Consumerism is better for the govt than things being built to last. Keeps people working away on the treadmill to buy new stuff they don’t need. Disastrous for the environment of course.

I read this yesterday…
Interesting.

 

[andyinluton]

Its a bit like everyone giving up smoking, the taxes raised on cigarettes used to more than pay for the NHS.

 

[Calimili]

New EU rules have been introduced that require manufacturers of electrical goods such as fridges and televisions to make their products repairable for at least 10 years after first coming to market.

The rules are designed to enshrine circular economy practices into law and reinforce consumer rights to repair products.
Manufacturers or importers will now be obliged to make a range of essential parts such as motors, pumps, shock absorbers and springs available to professional repairers for up to ten years after the last unit of a specific model has been placed on the EU market.
For end-user consumers, manufacturers must make certain spare parts available for several years after a product is taken off the market - products such as doors or hinges and seals, which are suitable for DIY action. The maximum delivery time for all these pieces will be 15 working days after ordering.
The new rules are part of the EU’s efforts to cut the environmental footprint of manufactured goods and make them more repairable.
“This is a really big step in the right direction” said Daniel Affelt of the environmental group BUND-Berlin, which runs several ‘repair cafés’ that help customers repair their goods.
“If you need specialist tools or have to break open the device, then you can’t repair it,” he added. “People want to repair their appliances. When you tell them that there are no spare parts for a device that’s only a couple of years old, then they are obviously really frustrated by that.”
As well as parts being made available, products will also need to come with repair manuals and built in a way that they can be easily dismantled using conventional tools.
German environment minister Svenja Schulze has proposed that, in the future, manufacturers may be forced to state how long a product is expected to work for and repair it if it breaks down earlier in order to encourage companies to build more durable products.
The new rules come as part of a brand-new version of the widely recognised EU energy labels. The new labels will initially apply to four product categories: fridges and freezers, dishwashers, washing machines, and television sets (and other external monitors). New labels for light bulbs and lamps with fixed-light sources will follow in September 2021, with other products expected to follow in the coming years.
With more and more products achieving high ratings such as A+, A++ or A+++ according to the previous scale, the most significant change is to return to a simpler A-G scale which is stricter and designed so that very few products are initially able to achieve the ‘A’ rating, leaving space for more efficient products to be included in the future.
EU energy commissioner Kadri Simson said: “The original energy label has been very successful, saving an average household in Europe several hundred euros per year and motivating companies to invest into research and development.
“Until the end of February, over 90 per cent of products were labelled either A+, A++ or A+++. The new system will be clearer for consumers and ensure that businesses continue to innovate and offer even more efficient products. This also helps us to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.”
With the UK now out of the EU, the new rules will not directly affect it, although British customers may still see the same labelling system on products offered for sale in the UK.
In November 2020, the Environmental Audit Committee said the UK needs to do more to tackle its growing e-waste problem, including improved rules around repairing. Data analysis has also shown that UK households rank second-lowest across Europe for recycling e-waste.

quite frankly, 10 years for a campervan is nothing. If in 10 years they stop producing spare for my California, its purchase would have not been a savvy one for me.

 

[WelshGas]

quite frankly, 10 years for a campervan is nothing. If in 10 years they stop producing spare for my California, its purchase would have not been a savvy one for me.

Never mind if it can be repaired, will you be allowed on the Public Highways?
The likelihood of Autonomous vehicles existing with human controlled vehicles are slim.

 

[Calimili]

Never mind if it can be repaired, will you be allowed on the Public Highways?
The likelihood of Autonomous vehicles existing with human controlled vehicles are slim.

Highways are usually safer . no intersections, one direction of travel only .... And there will still be motorbikes that aren't going to be autonomous anytime soon. why should they ban us from Highways ?

 

[WelshGas]

Highways are usually safer . no intersections, one direction of travel only .... And there will still be motorbikes that aren't going to be autonomous anytime soon. why should they ban us from Highways ?

Easily done. Ban all non-autonimous vehicles, from motorways as they will be a danger unable to travel in high-speed convoys then main roads and cities etc. Motorcycles banned, too dangerous etc. Health & Safety.

 

[California4x4]

I've been trying to get details on a lid for the tray... Is it possible do you think? Can't bear the reflection... Anyone looked in to this please?

VanX seem to be doing something: https://www.instagram.com/p/CQRYL0sh7in/?utm_medium=copy_link

 

[andyinluton]

That’s for the tiny T6 dash top tray, not the lavish expanse of useful space provided on a T6.1

 

[Calimili]

That’s for the tiny T6 dash top tray, not the lavish expanse of useful space provided on a T6.1

That’s where you can put the manual! Always handy to fix all the bugs of the CU or work out how the heater works today.

 

[Bellcrew]

View attachment 80254
That’s where you can put the manual! Always handy to fix all the bugs of the CU or work out how the heater works today.

As long as nothing resting there will reflect in the windscreen, fly around the cab after a crash and/or obstruct access to that sophisticated cup holder.

 

[Borris]

View attachment 80254
That’s where you can put the manual! Always handy to fix all the bugs of the CU or work out how the heater works today.

For me that dash top storage area is such a odd shape. It looks as if the whole dash has been buckled in an accident. Hardly an aesthetically pleasing feature in my opinion. Also as someones has already said, without a lid anything placed there will reflect onto the windscreen which is never good.

However, it's great to see the return of the dash top cup holders. This is an improvement over the T6 Comfort dash. The T6 uncomfortable dash had them and I found them very useful. The pull out cup holders in the T6 Comfort dash appear to be designed for tins of drink. The majority of insulated mugs we've tried either don't fit or are a poor fit making them less stable when full. The best IMs we've found were made by Stanley but even they are a fairly poor fit. The only saving grace is that they don't spill if they fall off.

 

[Karlos]

The 6.1 dash IMO isn't as pleasing on the eye as the old comfort dash but I thought the hard door cards compared to the fabric cards on the T6 Cali are probably more practical especially if you bang them with a swivelled captains chair.

 

[andrew bazeley]

I thought the quality on the 2 T6 Oceans we had to be pretty good. However, the T5.0 we currently have is in a different league! It really does feel very solid, with extremely practical surfaces which have stood the test of time and 114K miles of use. It will be interesting to see how a 12 year old T6 and 6.1 look at the time, if they’re not taxed off the road by then!

Totally with you - I have a 2008 T5 as well! When people look inside, they can't believe it's that old, and based on a Transporter van. OK - the cloth on the doors is getting a bit grubby, but I'm sure it can be cleaned. Still, if the price of a T6 is twice as much as the T5 was 12 years ago, I can understand if people think it should be a bit better!

 

[Hamish S]

I love my T6.1 but there is one real bug that I have. How can you have a glove box that is so small the manual won't fit in it? Bad design or what?

 

[Kayleigh]

Just wondering but does the manual have to fit inside the glove box? I’m not sure it is mandatory in automotive design and there really are loads of storage places in a California!

 

[AlisonF]

Just wondering but does the manual have to fit inside the glove box? I’m not sure it is mandatory in automotive design and there really are loads of storage places in a California!

Of course not.
But it is really handy to have it there.
And the old box in the top was perfect for passports and pet passports going through customs.
Now I fear I will be causing even more hold ups (needing to scan 4 dogs…)

 

[Lightning]

That’s for the tiny T6 dash top tray, not the lavish expanse of useful space provided on a T6.1

That’s where the superb DynaAudio bass speaker goes on the T6, an option not available on the 6.1 instead replaced with a mandatory sea of cheap plastic, combined with a mediocre stereo.

 

[SusiBus]

Just wondering but does the manual have to fit inside the glove box? I’m not sure it is mandatory in automotive design and there really are loads of storage places in a California!

Most vehicles I've owned, including a T5.1 and T6 had a convenient place in the glove box to store the handbook. It may not be mandatory, but it's certainly is very convenient. The California may have loads of storage in your opinion, but I don't know whether you've actually looked at a T6.1 dashboard, the lack of storage box on the top, and silly little slots for pens to get stuck in. The whole design is pants. IMO

 

[ArunAlec]

I love my T6.1 but there is one real bug that I have. How can you have a glove box that is so small the manual won't fit in it? Bad design or what?

If they removed all the safety notices from the manual it would fit!

 

[soulstyledevon]

Just wondering but does the manual have to fit inside the glove box? I’m not sure it is mandatory in automotive design and there really are loads of storage places in a California!

Absolutely not.
Mine goes in the safe with all the other stuff I rarely need that possibly might come in handy, one day…