Wannabe Beach owner

[GreggB]

Hello! We’re currently researching a new camper to replace our old T4. Not settled on a California yet, well I am but the other half wants look at a conversion. Been browsing the forum for a few months but may have some more questions to be answered.

Current ‘camper’ is a LWB T4 Caravelle, cheap pull out bed, second battery and a drive away awning. It also has a VR6 engine and auto box so fuel economy is woeful! Only sleeps two adults and a child across the cab, not much use now we have two kids so with the help of a chunk of inheritance an upgrade to something much newer is on the cards.

A California Beach is my preferred option, not sure we would make full use of the kitchen facilities in an Ocean plus we like a full width bed and the practical versatility of a van, lower initial cost appeals as well. Current T4 has been used more for furniture moving than camping recently.

Booked to have a proper look at a Beach tomorrow, my wife has reservations about the drivers side only sliding door, spoilt with twin sliders on the T4. Initially it won’t be the main car, I drive a T5 van for work and a Honda FRV does the daily stuff. My 330Ci will have to go

Gregg

 

[Jonathan Duke]

The Beach sounds perfect for your needs/expectations..... We love ours. The off-side door it great IMO, saves me walking around the van to get something from the back....

Here's a post on same discussion.....

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/sliding-door-is-on-the-correct-side.18918/

 

[flying banana]

I have a beach. love it. the thing is though about that full width bed. I find I 95 % of the time I sleep upstairs anyway. as for the off side door I don't know why anyone thinks that's an issue. I don't. in fact I actually prefer it there

 

[Amarillo]

We've been rigorously testing our Beach and are 200 days into a trip around Europe with two boys and a dog. No serious problems so far - and we too love the family sized lower bed.


Follow my blog: www.au-revoir.eu

 

[Bellcrew]

I have a beach. love it. the thing is though about that full width bed. I find I 95 % of the time I sleep upstairs anyway. as for the off side door I don't know why anyone thinks that's an issue. I don't. in fact I actually prefer it there

I agree, we just unload the grand children through the passenger door if traffic is busy on the offside, no problem for adults and for them it is part of the adventure.

 

[CALI FATE]

Ref the drivers side door - i had a combi for a couple of months during the summer (door on the passenger side) and can honestly say it is much better to have the door on the drivers side. In day to day use i hardly ever use the boot - i park close to a wall and this makes getting family in and out easy - i always load shopping into the side door too - if i were order new and there were two options, i would def spec it this way.

A Beach is all you want it to be, and the manual roof is a bonus too. We use / need the three seat bench, but for maximum flexibility, the two seat bench, and the Maxxcamp demountable kit is probably the best of both worlds. We dont cook / wash up inside so we have got best of all world.

I parked up a the filling station next to a bloke in a new Bentley Coupe with lots of bling - 'cool van' he shouted to me ...... felt a bit mean not returning the complement, but we both knew it wasnt as cool as the Beach

 

[flying banana]

Ref the drivers side door - i had a combi for a couple of months during the summer (door on the passenger side) and can honestly say it is much better to have the door on the drivers side. In day to day use i hardly ever use the boot - i park close to a wall and this makes getting family in and out easy - i always load shopping into the side door too - if i were order new and there were two options, i would def spec it this way.

A Beach is all you want it to be, and the manual roof is a bonus too. We use / need the three seat bench, but for maximum flexibility, the two seat bench, and the Maxxcamp demountable kit is probably the best of both worlds. We dont cook / wash up inside so we have got best of all world.

I parked up a the filling station next to a bloke in a new Bentley Coupe with lots of bling - 'cool van' he shouted to me ...... felt a bit mean not returning the complement, but we both knew it wasnt as cool as the Beach

too right. Nothing on the road is as cool as a beach

 

[GreggB]

Moderately successful day of Cali shopping. Not bought one yet but were able to have a drive of a manual Beach and a DSG Kombi. Reinforced my expectation that the California is quieter/more refined, convinced us both DSG is the way to go and help my wife better understand the attraction of California’s over a converted van.
Search is on for a DSG Beach with the spec we want/like, the dealer we visited have used all their allocation for new ones so may enquire elsewhere to cover all the options. Used/nearly new is the preference but if the price jump to new isn’t too much it could be worth it to get exactly what we want.

 

[CALI FATE]

Moderately successful day of Cali shopping. Not bought one yet but were able to have a drive of a manual Beach and a DSG Kombi. Reinforced my expectation that the California is quieter/more refined, convinced us both DSG is the way to go and help my wife better understand the attraction of California’s over a converted van.
Search is on for a DSG Beach with the spec we want/like, the dealer we visited have used all their allocation for new ones so may enquire elsewhere to cover all the options. Used/nearly new is the preference but if the price jump to new isn’t too much it could be worth it to get exactly what we want.

most of us have been there Gregg - most end up placing an order and waiting for the van to arrive .......

 

[parrot2]

Hi welcome to the forum. Good luck with your search you are sure to find what you are looking for as the beach is a popular option.

 

[GreggB]

Thanks for the welcomes, I've even signed up for VIP membership

Slight change of direction following an email from the van centre salesman we're dealing with. After our first visit he sent through a video of a 2015 Beach that had just arrived in as part ex on a new Ocean. Didn't think much initially but having gone back to see a 67 DSG Beach (thumbs up for Blackberry and comfort dash, thumbs down for no cruise or parking sensors) we thought we may as well take a look. Even in it's un-valeted condition the appeal was there, good price, low mileage, DSG, 7 seats and most of the extras we want. Only concern so far is a couple of small pin holes in the roof bellows.

Anyway, we're back there tomorrow for a proper look and drive, and for the first time our 5yr old son will be joining us.

 

[Crell]

Thanks for the welcomes, I've even signed up for VIP membership

Slight change of direction following an email from the van centre salesman we're dealing with. After our first visit he sent through a video of a 2015 Beach that had just arrived in as part ex on a new Ocean. Didn't think much initially but having gone back to see a 67 DSG Beach (thumbs up for Blackberry and comfort dash, thumbs down for no cruise or parking sensors) we thought we may as well take a look. Even in it's un-valeted condition the appeal was there, good price, low mileage, DSG, 7 seats and most of the extras we want. Only concern so far is a couple of small pin holes in the roof bellows.

Anyway, we're back there tomorrow for a proper look and drive, and for the first time our 5yr old son will be joining us.

We came from a Caravelle 5.1 - We miss the second door! It's still funny watching the kids on auto pilot walking round, staring at the side of the van and then the "lightbulb" comes on. If you're buying a factory Beach it's just one of those things and you do get used to it - though our kids are older.

on the 67 T6, I'd think about how easy it is to retrofit the options, as CC and parking sensors / cameras aren't particularly difficult or expensive.

Interesting they had a 67 Blackberry as it was discontinued as a colour in H1 in 2017. It'll be one of the last available.

Good luck with the hunt.

 

[Heiney]

Thanks for the welcomes, I've even signed up for VIP membership

Slight change of direction following an email from the van centre salesman we're dealing with. After our first visit he sent through a video of a 2015 Beach that had just arrived in as part ex on a new Ocean. Didn't think much initially but having gone back to see a 67 DSG Beach (thumbs up for Blackberry and comfort dash, thumbs down for no cruise or parking sensors) we thought we may as well take a look. Even in it's un-valeted condition the appeal was there, good price, low mileage, DSG, 7 seats and most of the extras we want. Only concern so far is a couple of small pin holes in the roof bellows.

Anyway, we're back there tomorrow for a proper look and drive, and for the first time our 5yr old son will be joining us.

Hi Gregg,
Out of curiosity, was the 2015 Beach at Listers in Coventry - in Grey? If so, that's our old van!!! We switched into an Ocean from the Beach after a HUGE amount of deliberation and much emotional turmoil.
The beach is a great van and if you need to know anything about it then please feel free to PM me and I can fill you in!

 

[MattBW]

I have pinholes in mine, even being uber careful with the roof I have them, Ive never even trapped it to my knowledge.

You can get the tear aid stuff which would prevent any issues getting worse.

Once we get our ISOTOP I dont think we will notice again

 

[MattBW]

Thanks for the welcomes, I've even signed up for VIP membership

Slight change of direction following an email from the van centre salesman we're dealing with. After our first visit he sent through a video of a 2015 Beach that had just arrived in as part ex on a new Ocean. Didn't think much initially but having gone back to see a 67 DSG Beach (thumbs up for Blackberry and comfort dash, thumbs down for no cruise or parking sensors) we thought we may as well take a look. Even in it's un-valeted condition the appeal was there, good price, low mileage, DSG, 7 seats and most of the extras we want. Only concern so far is a couple of small pin holes in the roof bellows.

Anyway, we're back there tomorrow for a proper look and drive, and for the first time our 5yr old son will be joining us.

That is weird cruise should be standard, although I guess they moved to adaptive cruise since my 2015 one.

I wouldnt be without parking sensors personally but its a small thing for many.

 

[RoB5urf]

Cruise (regular and adaptive) is a cost option. At least it was for the MY2017 build.

 

[MattBW]

Cruise (regular and adaptive) is a cost option. At least it was for the MY2017 build.

Ahh it was standard as part of bluemotion on the T5 upto 2015 I guess they changed that into the T6, shame as I love cruise even non adaptive one. For me its fantastic arm rests down, cruise on and the miles fade away.

 

[GreggB]

Hi Gregg,
Out of curiosity, was the 2015 Beach at Listers in Coventry - in Grey? If so, that's our old van!!! We switched into an Ocean from the Beach after a HUGE amount of deliberation and much emotional turmoil.
The beach is a great van and if you need to know anything about it then please feel free to PM me and I can fill you in!

It is grey and it is Listers in Coventry we’re dealing with! We’ll see how we get on today and be touch if the dealer can’t answer anything.

 

[GreggB]

Reference to the cruise control on the 67 plate, it is an option although this van had a multi function steering wheel fitted. Dealer confirmed it can be retro fitted, along with parking sensors, but the costs add up when you start doing that.
Think we’d have gone for it if it had them at its current price as they are two of our most wanted options. The 15 plate has these and offers a good saving that I can spend on wheels and accessories! I just need to shake off the desire for something shiney, new and different to my work van.

 

[Heiney]

Reference to the cruise control on the 67 plate, it is an option although this van had a multi function steering wheel fitted. Dealer confirmed it can be retro fitted, along with parking sensors, but the costs add up when you start doing that.
Think we’d have gone for it if it had them at its current price as they are two of our most wanted options. The 15 plate has these and offers a good saving that I can spend on wheels and accessories! I just need to shake off the desire for something shiney, new and different to my work van.

If he is indeed our old van, I completely agree about the wheels... the rims look tiny against the Sportline bumper.

 

[GreggB]

Bought it Collection next week along with some pictures.
Thanks to Heiney for the very useful insight of a previous owner

 

[GreggB]

C9E61D55-9C34-4189-B63D-64F3B5E38805

• GreggB
• Jan 31, 2018

Collection day

We've got it! Pleasure dealing with Lister's Coventry and I feel like we've got a good deal, price was very close to similar privately listed Cali's, service done before pick up and they replaced a damaged awning without much prompting. Also got a little gift for the kids, a money box in the shape of a splitscreen camper

Next step is to sort through our camping gear to see what we need to upgrade and plan some minor upgrades. I've already bought a Carista OBD dongle so I can tweak a few things, wheels definitely need an upgrade, set of front fog lights for the Sportline bumper and add some multi function buttons to the steering wheel (possibly with DSG paddles). Headlight upgrade and a suspension drop would be good as well.

Not planned any trips away yet but building up a list of available dates and places to visit with the intention of being able to get up and go at short notice.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Nice one Gregg.
Van looks great. Don’t worry about the side door thing. It’s actually a bonus. Actually prefer it now.
Loads of info on here to aid the camping side. So many tricks and tips.

The Beach is a great all rounder do anything vehicle

 

[Digger]

Looks great. Don't worry about add ons just enjoy and have happy times.

 

[James Parkin]

Looks great, congrats!