To swivel or not to swivel

[rod_vw]

If you want height adjustable seats with swivels then order the Cali without swivels and with height adjustment. Then have after market swivels fitted. You will have to fit a hand brake lowering bracket and remember to raise the seat to swivel it (if you drive with it lowered). I have that that scenario in my self build and find it works well, on a T5 it has enabled seat rotation without opening the front doors which was not possible with VW swivels although I believe this has been resolved with the new door trims on a T6. My seat swivels are Sportscraft from http://www.jennings-seats.co.uk/shop/19/ note the various versions for seats with a battery fitted below.

Rod.

 

[T6 Tom]

I have a T6 ocean on order (being built this week), and only after reading this thread have I realised that the nil cost option of the comfort seats means I have lost the swivel function. Maybe serves me right for speccing the van in my own without speaking to the dealer!

Can anybody answer the following questions;

1- are the comfort seats definitely non swivel?
2- what's my best option to rectify now it's built, swivel plate or replace seats????
3- any suggestions on where to get it sorted.

Still excited about owning my first Cali but this has kind of took the wind out of my sales as swivelling seats is all part of the experience.......

 

[Sp0_0k]

Yea in most configurators it says the comfort seat is non-swivel. The one that has height adjustment. Also confirmed and warned by a dealer.

 

[treecity]

We nearly got caught as well. Went to order electric seats but dealer pointed out they were no swivel.

 

[WelshGas]

It would seem there are going to be a number of new T6 California owners who are going to have their first experience tarnished because of the appalling way in which the clowns at VW Commercials have introduced the new range.

 

[larrylamb]

I have a T6 ocean on order (being built this week), and only after reading this thread have I realised that the nil cost option of the comfort seats means I have lost the swivel function. Maybe serves me right for speccing the van in my own without speaking to the dealer!

Can anybody answer the following questions;

1- are the comfort seats definitely non swivel?
2- what's my best option to rectify now it's built, swivel plate or replace seats????
3- any suggestions on where to get it sorted.

Still excited about owning my first Cali but this has kind of took the wind out of my sales as swivelling seats is all part of the experience.......

2, Fit 3rd party swivel plates. Should be lots of choice as they are popular with conversions.
3, Buy a monthly VW T5 campervan magazine, lots of ads and ideas.

 

[Batmobile]

This is where *good* dealers are useful. I got my initial price off DTD and then got the dealer to match it. He has helped me with quite a few questions and I am very glad indeed that I chose the dealer route.

P.S. My Beach is now Indium Grey LOL. My dealer is probably going to head butt me when I collect it, considering all the changes I have made I am very happy now though.

 

[MattBW]

We always swivel at least one, didnt even realise it was no longer standard.

 

[Batmobile]

I think it is standard, but non-swivelling 'comfort seats' are a no-cost option.

I can see why people might prefer the non-swivelling comfort seats, but think overall it would affect resale value as I suspect most people want to be able to rotate the seats.

We always swivel at least one, didnt even realise it was no longer standard.

 

[MattBW]

Have you been able to sit in both seats? My swivels are pretty comfy. I've driven 6 hours with only a ten min break without discomfort.

I do find the seats quite firm but I put that down to being new.

In older vans swivel plates are desirable and can be quite expensive. My old van only has one swivel but it always got used.

Maybe someone is nearby to let you try the seats for comfort?

 

[JohnnyP]

I have a T6 ocean on order (being built this week), and only after reading this thread have I realised that the nil cost option of the comfort seats means I have lost the swivel function. Maybe serves me right for speccing the van in my own without speaking to the dealer!

Can anybody answer the following questions;

1- are the comfort seats definitely non swivel?
2- what's my best option to rectify now it's built, swivel plate or replace seats????
3- any suggestions on where to get it sorted.

Still excited about owning my first Cali but this has kind of took the wind out of my sales as swivelling seats is all part of the experience.......

The height adjustable seats which are not compatible with the swivel function have quite a high cost as an extra, it is not a cost free option. When I looked at it (august options list) the cost for both seats was approx £1k and the drivers seat on its own was approx £600

 

[Batmobile]

It looks like things have changed. In the Dec 15 brochure it states that Comfort seats are a no cost option - see bottom line.

The height adjustable seats which are not compatible with the swivel function have quite a high cost as an extra, it is not a cost free option. When I looked at it (august options list) the cost for both seats was approx £1k and the drivers seat on its own was approx £600

 

[JohnnyP]

It looks like things have changed. In the Dec 15 brochure it states that Comfort seats are a no cost option - see bottom line.
Appologies, my knowledge of the options list is out of date and no doubt some memory fade involved aswell.

 

[JohnnyP]

Apologies, my knowledge of the options list is out of date and no doubt some memory fade is involved aswell

 

[Batmobile]

It isn't made easy by VW....

I mean, cruise control is standard on the T5 and stated as standard on the earlier T6 brochures, but isn't standard at all. Then the brochure states that for £204 you get 'multifunction steering wheel plus cruise control', but that actually does not include a multi function steering wheel.

Only Jedis feel comfortable with the full spectrum of T6 options and most of them are still walking into walls in broad daylight. I thought I worked for the least organised organisation on Earth, but VW has managed to make even them look professional....

 

[Sp0_0k]

Though with all those extras T6 turns out cheaper than comparable used T5 ones.

 

[Quinnster77]

If you want height adjustable seats with swivels then order the Cali without swivels and with height adjustment. Then have after market swivels fitted. You will have to fit a hand brake lowering bracket and remember to raise the seat to swivel it (if you drive with it lowered). I have that that scenario in my self build and find it works well, on a T5 it has enabled seat rotation without opening the front doors which was not possible with VW swivels although I believe this has been resolved with the new door trims on a T6. My seat swivels are Sportscraft from http://www.jennings-seats.co.uk/shop/19/ note the various versions for seats with a battery fitted below.

Rod.

The door trims seem to be chunkier on my T6. I had no trouble with the swivel on a T5 rental we had last year.

 

[WelshGas]

Though with all those extras T6 turns out cheaper than comparable used T5 ones.

That's because no one knows what they will actually get with a T6 until it actually arrives. With a used T5 - at least you can see what you are getting!

 

[larrylamb]

Though with all those extras T6 turns out cheaper than comparable used T5 ones.

I thought people were generally spending more with the vast T6 options list, agree with others, it's a minefield.

 

[T6 Tom]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, quite amusing seeing all the comments saying how poor VW dealers are as I had a reply from my dealer today saying he didn't tick the "comfort seat" option when he put the order through despite being on the quote that I agreed so hopefully their incompetence has helped me out on this occasion and I will have swivel seats after all!! Bit worrying if the rest of my spec will be correct though.......

2, Fit 3rd party swivel plates. Should be lots of choice as they are popular with conversions.
3, Buy a monthly VW T5 campervan magazine, lots of ads and ideas.

 

[Matthew Mills]

Swivel... even if you do not sit in it, it makes the interior feel bigger and ingress to the upper bed is much easier. I could not imagine not being able to swivel the drivers seat - and frankly it's perfectly comfortable.

 

[fred]

Though with all those extras T6 turns out cheaper than comparable used T5 ones.

Dealer premium on "drive away there and then" over the waiting list, especially in spring when buyers want a vehicle for this year rather than next.

 

[GeoffB]

We have a T5 and never swivel the driver's seat. We put an Ikea stool on it and Rose, who sits in the passenger seat, uses it as a table, then at bedtime it's a step upstairs.

 

[GSX1300R]

I agree with most of the people on here about swivel seats. We havnt had our van that long but we did get down to Spain last year and the difference in the "living area" without the swivel seats is massive. Thats where we normally put our clothes and bits and bobs. It really does make a big difference. As far a Comfort I cant see anything wrong with out T5 ordinary lovely heated seats. Just my opinion.

 

[GSX1300R]

The point about a VW california is that it is supposed to be a 4 berth camper. What is the use of a 4 berth camper if only 2 people can eat at the small but usable table. I suppose the other 2 would have a nice view out of the front screen. VW have not thought this through very carefully. These no swivel seats are fine in a van or bus but NOT in the modern camper van of today.