T7 Cali Ocean

[Karlos]

It may have gone a little under the radar but I believe the leisure battery capacity in the new cali has been significantly reduced from the T6.1.

It’s now 2x 40Ah for an Ocean. Believe it was 2x 75Ah for a T6.1 (and 2x 105Ah for a T6)?

Appears everything is smaller on the new car (sorry Cali)

 

[Melyn]

another night camping - this time in aviemore with the wife. 2 dogs and 3 year old

Battery life when I woke up this morning 53hrs (80%) remaining

Couple of more sensible packing options in the van (you really do need to utilise all storage space to prevent disruption finding stuff in the boot)

Biggest issue is where to put shoes when you have 1-2 dogs on the floor, so need to just embrace the croc life and leave them outside or something.

Fridge is pretty quiet even without it being on quiet mode - you’d not really notice it’s running.

Air vents on the roof - I do need to look into midge netting for it in the next few months (might just use surgical tape and a cut piece of midge netting) as think it will reduce the airflow significantly and won’t always be needed

Head unit- slowly making sense - il make a post on this separately I think, as it’s the most un user friendly thing ever

Press the aircon button under the display unit or have fun finding the menu showing fan level etc (and demister buttons are on the right hand side under your light controls) again feels quite foreign where it is - but more it’s used more it’s making sense.

Now at 1000 miles since it arrived and the enjoyment is coming back after all the back and forth problems

View attachment IMG_1802.jpeg

Next issue - figuring out how to get the sliding fly screens that were meant to have come with the van

 

[Melyn]

8th weekend camping with the kid and dogs - definately feels more normal now - jetboil to speed up cooking and half prepare food at home (e.g pasta sauces etc)

Duvalay now do mattress toppers for downstairs so going to get one ordered this weekend as the wife’s really not a fan of the bed comfort.

Battery life and intenal heater work fine now. So glad the battery issues are fixed

In relation to the tow bar coding. Believe there is now an option available in Europe and will be available in the next couple weeks

Recommend coast and castles campsite if you’re ever near Alnwick

 

[calibusje]

I like your Cali and your report. There are certainly plenty of those who are at least suspicious of the new California on a multi-van basis. I understand their uphearings (less space, no indoor table on a rail, only one hob, narrower beds, and some more things). For me, that table and the narrower bed are the main reasons not to change now, our t6.1 coast is still the perfect travel companion for the four of us. But our coast also has the third rail and can be a five-seater and with the new coast/ocean it stops at 4 people. That is the most important reason for me not to change until our children are at school: the classmates are so happy to go along when I feed for extracurricular activities. I don't want to miss that
I'm curious how they're going to set up the California based on the ID-BuZz.
Anyway, enjoy your new acquisition! It’s just so that not everything can fit and serve for everyone. The new Cali is certainly not a bad campervan, only it has been modified in such a way that it not only appeals to a whole new group of people but is also very ‘strange’ to others and many of them are current Cali owners. Each to his own; I do understand some objections especially from families or if you will be travelling with it with more than two/three people. Up to this number I suspect that the new one can be a blissful travelling companion. That is just my personal view on it. I look at it with interest and also like it but: the new one is not for us.
If I may, a tip: if the new Cali can be ordered with a keyless entry/ start button, know that it is constantly in contact with your key and this decreases from the batteries. It is best to put your key in a small pouch that blocks the contact.

 

[WelshGas]

I like your Cali and your report. There are certainly plenty of those who are at least suspicious of the new California on a multi-van basis. I understand their uphearings (less space, no indoor table on a rail, only one hob, narrower beds, and some more things). For me, that table and the narrower bed are the main reasons not to change now, our t6.1 coast is still the perfect travel companion for the four of us. But our coast also has the third rail and can be a five-seater and with the new coast/ocean it stops at 4 people. That is the most important reason for me not to change until our children are at school: the classmates are so happy to go along when I feed for extracurricular activities. I don't want to miss that
I'm curious how they're going to set up the California based on the ID-BuZz.
Anyway, enjoy your new acquisition! It’s just so that not everything can fit and serve for everyone. The new Cali is certainly not a bad campervan, only it has been modified in such a way that it not only appeals to a whole new group of people but is also very ‘strange’ to others and many of them are current Cali owners. Each to his own; I do understand some objections especially from families or if you will be travelling with it with more than two/three people. Up to this number I suspect that the new one can be a blissful travelling companion. That is just my personal view on it. I look at it with interest and also like it but: the new one is not for us.
If I may, a tip: if the new Cali can be ordered with a keyless entry/ start button, know that it is constantly in contact with your key and this decreases from the batteries. It is best to put your key in a small pouch that blocks the contact.

At least on the Multivan the Keyless Entry Function can be switched Off via the Infotainment System.

 

[Melyn]

Yeah it’s definately not a one size fits all approach - some very strange changes from the previous - guess it’s going the same way as all car manufacturers are. All about cost saving and minimising production time and changes - the two tone paint is done in a strange way on the Cali too. Paint the whole vehicle one colour. Tape the top and spray again. And use chrome strips to hide the joints

The keyless entry is probably the biggest cause for weird things on the new Cali.

If you enter via the front doors and have the keys on you. They will flash forever… you need to put them down somewhere and hope you don’t move them.

Also if you lock via the keys the alarm will go off if your inside. So need to lock via the front door (or have the head unit light up and hit internal monitoring off)

 

[Californication69]

Correct, BUT they are Lithium batteries so can be run down to zero unlike the AGM which could be damaged below 50% capacity.
So same amount of power available.

Awesome van @Melyn !
Love the colour white, looks good, but as you say dirt magnet. I’m thinking red, or grey.

Apologies to Hijack thread, battery’s are now 2x 40aH LiPo ? So I guess these can be swapped out easily for 2x 180Ah ?

Any chance of a picture the battery please ?
Thanks so much.

 

[Jerrywho]

So after a bit of back and forwards I went for it - my inability to wait.

Will post details and answer any questions people have also.

The van in question ;
View attachment 133239

Van is ocean diesel, art velour seats, upgraded wheels, all driver assist packages, (but not a bloody towbar because I’m an idiot)


The California app is pretty handy - interactive manual on it (when it works) and a couple of videos as to how to open roof safely, empty grey Waste, fill water etc

You can check battery. Water levels etc (disabled while driving) - posting while wife’s driving. Will update later

View attachment 133240

You also have the vw connect app ;
View attachment 133241

It does feel slightly more cramped than a precious cali - due to the high inset kitchen allowing for the space of the doors.

I cannot stress the next point enough - Volkswagen uk (and Europe) do not have an authorised after market tow bar for the California at current.

Thule do not offer any bike racks at current for the California other than tow bar mounted, and there is no immediate plans for them.

If you do not get the factory fitted retractable towbar there is no official towbar at current that can be coded

The California does not come pre wired and there is no option for pre wired without a tow bar fitted


The van did come with a bunch of d rings that clip onto the rails - which il use for bike transporting in the meantime (or for short distances that don’t need camping just use my t6.1 camper)


Water tank…
Now this bits insanely strange - the release for the fresh water wasn’t closed, so originally had a panic when water was pouring out the bottom of my van on what looked like drill holes… this is the new release for the van, and there is no obvious hose. The garage was a bit confused as weren’t aware of this either - so was a nice following trip to describe this
View attachment 133242

Camping wise - about to camp near York so will update in the morning with setup photos etc

Hi Melyn....I experienced kind of similar ....as soon as filling draining from the bottom...they said something was not attched

 

[Melyn]

Hi Melyn....I experienced kind of similar ....as soon as filling draining from the bottom...they said something was not attched

Just seems to be a generic lack of information available on them. It’s baffling! Still nothing on vw side about the front doors affecting the battery either! Weird you have to leave via the front and then come back in the side

 

[Melyn]

Awesome van @Melyn !
Love the colour white, looks good, but as you say dirt magnet. I’m thinking red, or grey.

Apologies to Hijack thread, battery’s are now 2x 40aH LiPo ? So I guess these can be swapped out easily for 2x 180Ah ?

Any chance of a picture the battery please ?
Thanks so much.

Getting a proper picture is hard due to the location (under the sink and to the side a bit) il try and get a better one when the vans empty

 

[WelshGas]

Just seems to be a generic lack of information available on them. It’s baffling! Still nothing on vw side about the front doors affecting the battery either! Weird you have to leave via the front and then come back in the side

Unlocking and opening the drivers door boots up the vehicle computer and pressurises the fuel system ready to drive. It takes 20 minutes or so for all the electronic systems to power down after closing the door. Common to many modern vehicles but they're not used for camping.

 

[Californication69]

Getting a proper picture is hard due to the location (under the sink and to the side a bit) il try and get a better one when the vans empty

View attachment 135368

Thanks, okay, so two small 40Ah Batts
Wonder if they can be replaced with one 280Ah or 300Ah Fogstar ?

 

[Melyn]

Thanks, okay, so two small 40Ah Batts
Wonder if they can be replaced with one 280Ah or 300Ah Fogstar ?

With the amount of battery linked issues (mostly on the hybrids) I’d avoid touching anything to do with them until the problems are acknowledged/rectified

Or it’s just another excuse for vw to not honor any fixes (seems to be the battery management software that’s doing weird things) like a hybrid won’t start after a week of no use, or camping batteries lasting 6-8 hours

 

[Californication69]

With the amount of battery linked issues (mostly on the hybrids) I’d avoid touching anything to do with them until the problems are acknowledged/rectified

Or it’s just another excuse for vw to not honor any fixes (seems to be the battery management software that’s doing weird things) like a hybrid won’t start after a week of no use, or camping batteries lasting 6-8 hours

Interesting, yes, I read the issue somebody had with theirs and they had two new ones fitted.
Always issues with the first ones.

 

[Melyn]

Interesting, yes, I read the issue somebody had with theirs and they had two new ones fitted.
Always issues with the first ones.

I’ve had two new batteries week 1
But the Facebook group seems constant with problems on the hybrid too

 

[Californication69]

I’ve had two new batteries week 1
But the Facebook group seems constant with problems on the hybrid too

Luckily I have Brum Swansway close by so they can have a play and rectify any issues.
The 5* promise is too good an offer to miss out on tbh.
Let’s see how it plays out.

 

[Melyn]

Luckily I have Brum Swansway close by so they can have a play and rectify any issues.
The 5* promise is too good an offer to miss out on tbh.
Let’s see how it plays out.

The vw garage I bought from were absolutely attrocious to deal with - “oh it will be 4 weeks before we can see you” which soured the whole process and 5* promise

The wing mirror problems I have are also not covered by it (however seems to only happen 1/10 times unlocking the van now)

 

[Californication69]

The vw garage I bought from were absolutely attrocious to deal with - “oh it will be 4 weeks before we can see you” which soured the whole process and 5* promise

The wing mirror problems I have are also not covered by it (however seems to only happen 1/10 times unlocking the van now)

Wing mirror problems not covered by warranty?
Ring VW Commercial and ask why, could you be your local dealer thinking you don't know?
if you have a 5 year manufacturers warranty it includes all hardware, but not wear and tear items.
A wing mirror is not a wear and tear item.
Do you have a ghost installed, or aftermarket immobiliser?

 

[WelshGas]

Wing mirror problems not covered by warranty?
Ring VW Commercial and ask why, could you be your local dealer thinking you don't know?
if you have a 5 year manufacturers warranty it includes all hardware, but not wear and tear items.
A wing mirror is not a wear and tear item.
Do you have a ghost installed, or aftermarket immobiliser?

The OP said the garage stated the wing mirror had been damaged, without any evidence, so if that was the case it wouldn't have been covered by the Warranty, but the fact it is now working, but intermittently, seems to indicate a fault that would be covered.

 

[Californication69]

The OP said the garage stated the wing mirror had been damaged, without any evidence, so if that was the case it wouldn't have been covered by the Warranty, but the fact it is now working, but intermittently, seems to indicate a fault that would be covered.

Thank you, that makes sense.
I guess if there is outside visible damage then the garage will try to worm their way out of it.

 

[Melyn]

Thank you, that makes sense.
I guess if there is outside visible damage then the garage will try to worm their way out of it.

No visible damages or marks on it at all - also the fact that they fold in when locked as default. Garage claimed it could have been someone had manually moved it causing the plastic clip inside to break - but did stress it could have happened in transit. In the other vw garage or anywhere really.

I’ve just added it to my current vw Commerical escalation

Fun fact about vw Commerical call center now - unless you press for remediation constantly it does just link back to the actual garage - was my main source of frustration at the start

Finally got through with the complaints team and they are slowly dealing with compensation etc as a result of the problems I’ve had so far.

 

[Hawthorn37]

So after a bit of back and forwards I went for it - my inability to wait.

Will post details and answer any questions people have also.

The van in question ;
View attachment 133239

Van is ocean diesel, art velour seats, upgraded wheels, all driver assist packages, (but not a bloody towbar because I’m an idiot)


The California app is pretty handy - interactive manual on it (when it works) and a couple of videos as to how to open roof safely, empty grey Waste, fill water etc

You can check battery. Water levels etc (disabled while driving) - posting while wife’s driving. Will update later

View attachment 133240

You also have the vw connect app ;
View attachment 133241

It does feel slightly more cramped than a precious cali - due to the high inset kitchen allowing for the space of the doors.

I cannot stress the next point enough - Volkswagen uk (and Europe) do not have an authorised after market tow bar for the California at current.

Thule do not offer any bike racks at current for the California other than tow bar mounted, and there is no immediate plans for them.

If you do not get the factory fitted retractable towbar there is no official towbar at current that can be coded

The California does not come pre wired and there is no option for pre wired without a tow bar fitted


The van did come with a bunch of d rings that clip onto the rails - which il use for bike transporting in the meantime (or for short distances that don’t need camping just use my t6.1 camper)


Water tank…
Now this bits insanely strange - the release for the fresh water wasn’t closed, so originally had a panic when water was pouring out the bottom of my van on what looked like drill holes… this is the new release for the van, and there is no obvious hose. The garage was a bit confused as weren’t aware of this either - so was a nice following trip to describe this
View attachment 133242

Camping wise - about to camp near York so will update in the morning with setup photos etc

Just to reassure you on the fresh water drain, this is pretty much how the 6.1 works too. There isn’t a drain pipe on the fresh tank (there is on the kitchen waste tank). Water just makes its way across and through a sub plate.

 

[Californication69]

No visible damages or marks on it at all - also the fact that they fold in when locked as default. Garage claimed it could have been someone had manually moved it causing the plastic clip inside to break - but did stress it could have happened in transit. In the other vw garage or anywhere really.

I’ve just added it to my current vw Commerical escalation

Fun fact about vw Commerical call center now - unless you press for remediation constantly it does just link back to the actual garage - was my main source of frustration at the start

Finally got through with the complaints team and they are slowly dealing with compensation etc as a result of the problems I’ve had so far.

I have to say that VW Commercial complaints team are good once the ball is rolling.
You’ll get it sorted. Fingers crossed.