The Beach is Back!

[vananarama]

The California Beach is BACK!

In response to high customer demand, we are delighted to announce the California Beach has been re-introduced to the 6.1 range! The Beach will be offered in two variants, Camper and Tour, which both feature:
- Manual pop-up hydraulic roof
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Composition colour DAB+ radio with App Connect
- Camping table & two chairs
- 2.0TDI 150ps 7-speed engine & DSG

Available to order from Breeze Van Centre Poole from the end of October. Call our California specialists on 01202 713100

Seriously?? Was a daft decision to do away with it. Prices of the all those nearly new / new but previously registered Beaches (one of which we bought in Jan 2020) will drop now as a result of this news.

 

[hirsty]

This is great news - more choice is good for everyone (including future used buyers) though my next one will likely be a T8, 9, 10 ...

 

[vananarama]

Seriously?? Was a daft decision to do away with it. Prices of the all those nearly new / new but previously registered Beaches (one of which we bought in Jan 2020) will drop now as a result of this news.

(Quite jealous of the idea of the new Beaches with the twin sliding doors. Really miss that feature from our old van.)

 

[Ch1pbutty]

(Quite jealous of the idea of the new Beaches with the twin sliding doors. Really miss that feature from our old van.)

Air awning on one side, roller awning on the other. Create one big connected space.

 

[OGII]

Prices of the all those nearly new / new but previously registered Beaches (one of which we bought in Jan 2020) will drop now as a result of this news.

Ignoring the high prices caused by the staycation demand (which at this rate may still be a factor next summer the way things are going) I can't see existing prices dropping too much as a result of the Beaches return.

The price hike for the new model, which could be even higher if there is a no deal "B×××××", plus the discounts most late model T6 Beaches would have been bought at, especially the pre-registered bargains, mean that no one will lose out by much. Factor in the Cali enjoyment factor and we are all ahead. Only issue comes at a potential replacement time when, as suggested in Borris' "Have Calis become too expensive?" thread, there is a big difference to find to trade up. In less than 3 years the gap has grown by £13k for me between a loaded no use prereg and the base price for a new one. That's more than decent family runaround or 2nd hand fun car money.

 

[OGII]

They just need to put the kitchen in one of the twin sliding doors on the Tour to solve the VED issue. There is probably a good reason why they can’t do this...but would be good!

Nah. Raid that oh so elegant stove solution from the Caddy California parts bin and stick it in the boot on easily removed bolts. Easy workaround.

 

[Lalala]

This is great news. We were planning to sell our ocean for a new beach when we returned from holiday this time last year and when I enquired I found out VW had closed T6 sales a few days beforehand. Two weeks later we found our they were not brining back the beach at all!. We have struggled to find the spec we wanted on a 2nd hand beach ... suddenly we have options again

 

[Crell]

Choice is a good thing.
When I had a caravelle my ideal van was something (from VW) with the caravelle spec (inc the twin doors) but with the VW pop top and a parking heater. I didn’t want an se/ ocean; which seemed hard for a lot of people to understand with “you may as well but an ocean” comments when you have a >55k beach. The beach at launch was close (but not perfect) but I went on to buy a beach. I’ve loved it but do miss the twin door flexibility. Circumstances change (kids going to uni) so our next van may well be an Ocean, but it’s great so see those beach variants being available in the UK along with the coast.

 

[Borris]

Seriously?? Was a daft decision to do away with it. Prices of the all those nearly new / new but previously registered Beaches (one of which we bought in Jan 2020) will drop now as a result of this news.

Well we'll have to wait and see but somehow I doubt that. If, as has been stated, the starting price is to be circa £53k then that's nearly £6k dearer than last years cheapest Beach. I can't see that price hike making the price of T6 Beaches fall. If anything that should ensure that they continue to hold their price well indeed.

I'm very pleased that they've decided to re-introduce it but I wonder if the new changes, nice as they are, will be worth the hefty extra premium?

There's no doubt that the pop up stove will prove to be a very useful addition for some. However I'm not so sure that every Beach owner will welcome it. The Beach is at it's best as a multi purpose family wagon. If the van's full of kids and dogs firing up a stove is last thing you'd want to engage in. However, regardless of you views, the lower rate of VED payable has to be a good thing and it's great for it's pure 007 gadget appeal alone. I'd love one but doubt if it would ever get used after the first week of ownership. I prefer cooking outside.

As for the second sliding door, I have to admit that originally I thought a second slider would be very useful especially in seven seat mode. However I'm not now so sure it would be worth the eye watering outlay. Having only one has never been an issue and even having it on the offside isn't really a problem either. If I'm dropping off the grand kids I merely park the other way round. I can see two other advantages though:

1. If the nearside gets damaged then it might be easier and possibly cheaper to fix.
2. In an accident involving damage to the O/S slider rear passengers could still be able to get out via the N/S slider.

 

[AlisonF]

Well we'll have to wait and see but somehow I doubt that. If, as has been stated, the starting price is to be circa £53k then that's nearly £6k dearer than last years cheapest Beach. I can't see that price hike making the price of T6 Beaches fall. If anything that should ensure that they continue to hold their price well indeed.

I'm very pleased that they've decided to re-introduce it but I wonder if the new changes, nice as they are, will be worth the hefty extra premium?

There's no doubt that the pop up stove will prove to be a very useful addition for some. However I'm not so sure that every Beach owner will welcome it. The Beach is at it's best as a multi purpose family wagon. If the van's full of kids and dogs firing up a stove is last thing you'd want to engage in. However, regardless of you views, the lower rate of VED payable has to be a good thing and it's great for it's pure 007 gadget appeal alone. I'd love one but doubt if it would ever get used after the first week of ownership.

As for the second sliding door, I have to admit that originally I thought a second slider would be very useful especially in seven seat mode. However I'm not now so sure it would be worth eye watering outlay. Having only one has never been an issue and even having it on the offside isn't really a problem either. If I'm dropping off the grand kids I merely park the other way round. I can see two other advantages though:

1. If the nearside gets damaged then it might be easier and possibly cheaper to fix.
2. In an accident involving damage to the O/S slider rear passengers could still be able to get out via the N/S slider.

I just sold my Ocean as could not access the tailgate when towing. With 4 dogs, I needed to have 2 in tailgate. A beach with double sliding door and a 2 seat bench (I wish) would solve all the reasons I sold my beloved Cali. And have far better residual value than the over specced Kombi I’ve ordered to replace it. If I could have 199, DSG and 4Motion I wouldn’t hesitate to push the button.
It’s all down to personal circumstances and how you want to use it.

 

[Borris]

I just sold my Ocean as could not access the tailgate when towing. With 4 dogs, I needed to have 2 in tailgate. A beach with double sliding door and a 2 seat bench (I wish) would solve all the reasons I sold my beloved Cali. And have far better residual value than the over specced Kombi I’ve ordered to replace it. If I could have 199, DSG and 4Motion I wouldn’t hesitate to push the button.
It’s all down to personal circumstances and how you want to use it.

Hi Alison,
Is it too late to cancel your Combi order and go for a T6-1 Beach in your preferred spec? However I doubt if the 199ps 4motion will be on the menu.

I welcome the changes but question the hefty price rise over the 2019 Beach starting price. IMO the Beach was well overpriced then!!!

 

[2haw]

Hi Alison,
Is it too late to cancel your Combi order and go for a T6-1 Beach in your preferred spec? However I doubt if the 199ps 4motion will be on the menu.

I welcome the changes but question the hefty price rise over the 2019 Beach starting price. IMO the Beach was well overpriced then!!!

Borris,
I understand the initial price difference is eye watering but I really believe that the additional standard specification will make the increase fairly minimal.

The Beach has also probably missed 2 or maybe 3 price rises during the last year that it hasn’t been available.

We’ll have to wait a few weeks to find out though!

 

[Borris]

Borris,
I understand the initial price difference is eye watering but I really believe that the additional standard specification will make the increase fairly minimal.

The Beach has also probably missed 2 or maybe 3 price rises during the last year that it hasn’t been available.

We’ll have to wait a few weeks to find out though!

You may well be right. I suppose it depends on what else is included as standard. However unless VW have changed their pricing philosophy, they've always offered the standard Beach with poverty spec.

 

[ashcurrie]

I just sold my Ocean as could not access the tailgate when towing. With 4 dogs, I needed to have 2 in tailgate. A beach with double sliding door and a 2 seat bench (I wish) would solve all the reasons I sold my beloved Cali. And have far better residual value than the over specced Kombi I’ve ordered to replace it. If I could have 199, DSG and 4Motion I wouldn’t hesitate to push the button.
It’s all down to personal circumstances and how you want to use it.

Hi Alison,

I am very much in the same situation as yourself. I'm a new member around here but I started looking for a new vechile for my wife and I and our 2 GSP's during the early summer. I loved the looked of the previous Beach and was dissapointed when I found out VW didn't offer it. We really wanted 3 seats and plenty of boot room for the dogs. Therefore much like you I came to the conclusion that a Kombi would be a good solution with then retro fitting for some additional camping capabilities. We've had it on order now since the start of July and it is due to be built in week 43, 12th October. Now seeing that VW are going to offer the Beach again (3 seater bench, pop top, heater & leisure electrics) I'm torn about what to do.

 

[2haw]

Hi Alison,

I am very much in the same situation as yourself. I'm a new member around here but I started looking for a new vechile for my wife and I and our 2 GSP's during the early summer. I loved the looked of the previous Beach and was dissapointed when I found out VW didn't offer it. We really wanted 3 seats and plenty of boot room for the dogs. Therefore much like you I came to the conclusion that a Kombi would be a good solution with then retro fitting for some additional camping capabilities. We've had it on order now since the start of July and it is due to be built in week 43, 12th October. Now seeing that VW are going to offer the Beach again (3 seater bench, pop top, heater & leisure electrics) I'm torn about what to do.

Speak to your dealer, with a lack of stock lately, I’m sure they will be happy to transfer your deposit to a new Beach.
The residuals on the Beach will be better than the Kombi. Better to change your mind now than after collecting the Van .

 

[subthree]

Borris,
I understand the initial price difference is eye watering but I really believe that the additional standard specification will make the increase fairly minimal.

The Beach has also probably missed 2 or maybe 3 price rises during the last year that it hasn’t been available.

We’ll have to wait a few weeks to find out though!

Just checked the German VW site and, for example, LED headlights are only standard on the Ocean. Beach Tour, Beach Camper and Coast still get the H7 headlights as standard. Really? It is 2020! VW fit non-LED headlights on a vehicle costing £50k! So the racket continues of extracting £1k per decent optional extra.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Hi Alison,

I am very much in the same situation as yourself. I'm a new member around here but I started looking for a new vechile for my wife and I and our 2 GSP's during the early summer. I loved the looked of the previous Beach and was dissapointed when I found out VW didn't offer it. We really wanted 3 seats and plenty of boot room for the dogs. Therefore much like you I came to the conclusion that a Kombi would be a good solution with then retro fitting for some additional camping capabilities. We've had it on order now since the start of July and it is due to be built in week 43, 12th October. Now seeing that VW are going to offer the Beach again (3 seater bench, pop top, heater & leisure electrics) I'm torn about what to do.

Switch to a Beach (I’m biased); roof bed, 3 seat bench on full length rails, proper heater makes the van more versatile. Also allows you the option to add 2 extra seats at a later date if required.

 

[GrannyJen]

I keep reading the title of this thread and replying "I never left ...."

 

[AlisonF]

Switch to a Beach (I’m biased); roof bed, 3 seat bench on full length rails, proper heater makes the van more versatile. Also allows you the option to add 2 extra seats at a later date if required.

I added captain chairs, heater, heated seats, etc to the Kombi (which by the way came with the better lights as standard!). Wanted pop top and awning - was considering retro-fitting. number 1 factor is being able to get a 2 up, 2 down, dog crate in the back, and be able to access from the sliding doors when towing (using what is usually termed the escape hatches), as tailgate catches on caravan handbreak / jockey wheel.
So a Beach Tour looks perfect. Just prefer 4Motion... for wet agility fields with an Eriba...
Big decisions...

 

[WelshGas]

I added captain chairs, heater, heated seats, etc to the Kombi (which by the way came with the better lights as standard!). Wanted pop top and awning - was considering retro-fitting. number 1 factor is being able to get a 2 up, 2 down, dog crate in the back, and be able to access from the sliding doors when towing (using what is usually termed the escape hatches), as tailgate catches on caravan handbreak / jockey wheel.
So a Beach Tour looks perfect. Just prefer 4Motion... for wet agility fields with an Eriba...
Big decisions...

You could have extended the Hitch on the Eriba.

 

[AlisonF]

You could have extended the Hitch on the Eriba.

Indeed. But I was also fitting 4 dog crates in (2 parcel shelf, one in floor and one on bench seat). Not really safe in an accident. And no escape hatches. Left me with no access to wardrobe, overhead cupboard, fridge, hob or cupboards.
So my wonderful Ocean became a very expensive dog transport Vehicle. And Wasn’t even doing that safely (if I had an accident).
So I knew I needed to change.

 

[Camperfamily]

I added captain chairs, heater, heated seats, etc to the Kombi (which by the way came with the better lights as standard!). Wanted pop top and awning - was considering retro-fitting. number 1 factor is being able to get a 2 up, 2 down, dog crate in the back, and be able to access from the sliding doors when towing (using what is usually termed the escape hatches), as tailgate catches on caravan handbreak / jockey wheel.
So a Beach Tour looks perfect. Just prefer 4Motion... for wet agility fields with an Eriba...
Big decisions...

Apologies if obvious, but why does the one sliding door on the Ocean not give you the required access to the dog crate? I can’t see why you need two sliding doors to achieve this, but I’m clearly missing something

 

[AlisonF]

Apologies if obvious, but why does the one sliding door on the Ocean not give you the required access to the dog crate? I can’t see why you need two sliding doors to achieve this, but I’m clearly missing something

I was assuming not enough access from RHS sliding door. So a 2 seat bench with space on LHS would allow access with a sliding door, to the crates.
I’ve since seen some photo’s (thanks @Borris ) that show access is ok behind the bench seats when they are pushed all the way forward and tipped forward. This is independent of door.

 

[Camperfamily]

I was assuming not enough access from RHS sliding door. So a 2 seat bench with space on LHS would allow access with a sliding door, to the crates.
I’ve since seen some photo’s (thanks @Borris ) that show access is ok behind the bench seats when they are pushed all the way forward and tipped forward. This is independent of door.

Yes, with the floor stops removed and bench forward you can quite easily get into the back - Ocean or Beach. I presume you’re planning taking 3 passengers, otherwise would suggest you just put the crate in the middle between front seats and back bench

 

[AlisonF]

Yes, with the floor stops removed and bench forward you can quite easily get into the back - Ocean or Beach. I presume you’re planning taking 3 passengers, otherwise would suggest you just put the crate in the middle between front seats and back bench

4 dogs - 4 crates... it gets a bit complicated... maybe 5 next year...
Edit to say - camping max 1 passenger. Other times, very very very rarely 4.