Hello, about to press the button

Rodz1300 · Sep 15, 2023

Hello all

First post on this forum after a couple of years of dithering over buying a California. I have finally decieded on a 204 Ocean through DtD and pressing the button tomorrow.
Still not set on the colour but am fairly settled on the following:

Heated WS
High beam assist
Removable tow bar
Art Velours
Wood flooring
4 x keys (seems silly not to)
17" Woodstock.
3 x free servicing.

I cant seem to settle on any of the colour choices. perhaps it is just because i cant have it but would really like to have the option of 2 tone.

Hope to be taking delivery in 3-6 months

I am enjoying reading through the many informative posts on here

Barry Chuckle · Sep 15, 2023

Rodz1300 said:
Hello all

First post on this forum after a couple of years of dithering over buying a California. I have finally decieded on a 204 Ocean through DtD and pressing the button tomorrow.
Still not set on the colour but am fairly settled on the following:

Heated WS
High beam assist
Removable tow bar
Art Velours
Wood flooring
4 x keys (seems silly not to)
17" Woodstock.
3 x free servicing.

I cant seem to settle on any of the colour choices. perhaps it is just because i cant have it but would really like to have the option of 2 tone.

Hope to be taking delivery in 3-6 months

I am enjoying reading through the many informative posts on here

Before you press the button call Eurovans in Crawley directly (who DTD use) the supplying garage doesn't have to pay DTD an a procurement fee of c£350 and I negotiated myself a full tank of fuel with the dealer because of this....

Andy C Berks. · Sep 15, 2023

Rodz1300 said:
Hello all

First post on this forum after a couple of years of dithering over buying a California. I have finally decieded on a 204 Ocean through DtD and pressing the button tomorrow.
Still not set on the colour but am fairly settled on the following:

Heated WS
High beam assist
Removable tow bar
Art Velours
Wood flooring
4 x keys (seems silly not to)
17" Woodstock.
3 x free servicing.

I cant seem to settle on any of the colour choices. perhaps it is just because i cant have it but would really like to have the option of 2 tone.

Hope to be taking delivery in 3-6 months

I am enjoying reading through the many informative posts on here

All good choices on the options, a couple of others that we have but I nearly left off the order are :-
1) power sliding door - super convenient
2)road sign assist - one of those things you don’t think you will use until you have it and now I find I am always looking at it (maybe that’s just psychological and I am trying to justify the cost to myself!)
3) comfort mattress - plenty of comments on here from people that don’t find it comfortable but we both find it works for us, so maybe give it a test

With regards the two tone probably worth asking the dealer as there is a comment on another thread today where somebody else has been told the blue/silver is available to order even though no longer on the configurator.

Good luck though, we are 3 months since ours arrived and it’s such a great piece of kit.

Kayleigh · Sep 16, 2023

Rodz1300 said:
Heated WS
High beam assist
Removable tow bar
Art Velours
Wood flooring
4 x keys (seems silly not to)
17" Woodstock.
3 x free servicing.

Swap the high beam assist for the traffic sign recognition.. that’s what I would do.

Barry Chuckle · Sep 16, 2023

These options, as it's been said before are so subjective. I've had traffic sign recognition in my other cars and I could happily do without it. 95% of the time it's great, but it's the 5% they're wrong I have the problem with, which can be misleading and could even result in a speeding ticket!
There's a very good review of the electric sliding doors on YT by a respected motorhome writer and he says it's an option not to bother with as it doesn't always work properly.
Visual packs are mega popular and I don't doubt they do make the Cali look much better, but again I feel they're going to make it more susceptible to theft and push your insurance premium up.
Although there are certain cars where you'll adversely affect the residuals if you don't spec certain items, I get the impression this is not the case with the Cali so choose what want.....

Rodz1300 · Sep 16, 2023

Andy C Berks. said:
All good choices on the options, a couple of others that we have but I nearly left off the order are :-
1) power sliding door - super convenient
2)road sign assist - one of those things you don’t think you will use until you have it and now I find I am always looking at it (maybe that’s just psychological and I am trying to justify the cost to myself!)
3) comfort mattress - plenty of comments on here from people that don’t find it comfortable but we both find it works for us, so maybe give it a test

With regards the two tone probably worth asking the dealer as there is a comment on another thread today where somebody else has been told the blue/silver is available to order even though no longer on the configurator.

Good luck though, we are 3 months since ours arrived and it’s such a great piece of kit.

Thanks Andy,
i am still debating the comfort matress and am presently thinking i may try a self inflating one, and if that doesnot work then look to buy a VW one second hand. I will be using it for work and will need to carry a fair bit of stuff in the boot.

i have road sign recognition in both my cars presently and dont find it that helpful, it also seems to get it wrong sometimes (both Ford and Kia systems)

may consider the sliding door but not keen on the beeping

Rodz1300 · Sep 16, 2023

Barry Chuckle said:
These options, as it's been said before are so subjective. I've had traffic sign recognition in my other cars and I could happily do without it. 95% of the time it's great, but it's the 5% they're wrong I have the problem with, which can be misleading and could even result in a speeding ticket!
There's a very good review of the electric sliding doors on YT by a respected motorhome writer and he says it's an option not to bother with as it doesn't always work properly.
Visual packs are mega popular and I don't doubt they do make the Cali look much better, but again I feel they're going to make it more susceptible to theft and push your insurance premium up.
Although there are certain cars where you'll adversely affect the residuals if you don't spec certain items, I get the impression this is not the case with the Cali so choose what want.....

Thanks Barry, all good advice

Rodz1300 · Sep 16, 2023

Kayleigh said:
Swap the high beam assist for the traffic sign recognition.. that’s what I would do.

I think i would really miss high beam assist, i have had it in my cars for the last 5 years now and find it really good

Rodz1300 · Sep 16, 2023

Rodz1300 said:
Thanks Andy,
i am still debating the comfort matress and am presently thinking i may try a self inflating one, and if that doesnot work then look to buy a VW one second hand. I will be using it for work and will need to carry a fair bit of stuff in the boot.

i have road sign recognition in both my cars presently and dont find it that helpful, it also seems to get it wrong sometimes (both Ford and Kia systems)

may consider the sliding door but not keen on the beeping

I will certainly ask about the blue and silver 2 tone-

Andy C Berks. · Sep 16, 2023

Rodz1300 said:
may consider the sliding door but not keen on the beeping

The beeping in the current van is only on closing, and is very quiet and not a very penetrating beep. Am not familiar with previous versions but from what some have said it seems like VW may have toned it down a bit.

Ozzy Pete · Sep 16, 2023

Barry Chuckle said:
These options, as it's been said before are so subjective. I've had traffic sign recognition in my other cars and I could happily do without it. 95% of the time it's great, but it's the 5% they're wrong I have the problem with, which can be misleading and could even result in a speeding ticket!
There's a very good review of the electric sliding doors on YT by a respected motorhome writer and he says it's an option not to bother with as it doesn't always work properly.
Visual packs are mega popular and I don't doubt they do make the Cali look much better, but again I feel they're going to make it more susceptible to theft and push your insurance premium up.
Although there are certain cars where you'll adversely affect the residuals if you don't spec certain items, I get the impression this is not the case with the Cali so choose what want.....

Traffic sign recognition is going to be no use in Wales from next week. Just set your speed limiter on the lowest possible setting of 20mph and leave it there. There will be plod out in force ready to make a killing until nobody has a licence any longer.

Kayleigh · Sep 16, 2023

Rodz1300 said:
I think i would really miss high beam assist, i have had it in my cars for the last 5 years now and find it really good

During my 30 days of Ocean ownership the traffic sign recognition was the one item I thought that maybe I should have checked. I’ve not had high beam assist, but I found the LED headlights fabulous on dipped beam.. but then I’m used to the H4 candles on the Beach, so anything would be amazing in comparison

Neuromancer11 · Sep 16, 2023

I’m potentially about to reorder and won’t be specing the comfort mattress again, it does fold away great but is anything but comfortable! I got the outdoor revolution one and it’s great to sleep on, but the logistics of inflating/ deflating and storing are a pain, but that’s the lesser of two evils for a better nights sleep!

Neuromancer11 · Sep 16, 2023

Also having looked at the wood flooring at Busfest, I’m not bothering, A it’s not wood and B seems really expensive for what just looks like a sticker on the floor, though no doubt it’s easier to maintain than fitted carpet

Kayleigh · Sep 16, 2023

Neuromancer11 said:
Also having looked at the wood flooring at Busfest, I’m not bothering, A it’s not wood and B seems really expensive for what just looks like a sticker on the floor, though no doubt it’s easier to maintain than fitted carpet

It would be interesting to know how many people have the ‘wood’ floor and have NOT covered it up…

AscotGreyCali · Sep 16, 2023

Enjoy finalising your specification, only advice on paint choice is to see as many as you can over the coming days. We were really undecided between Starlight Blue and Ascott Grey until a couple of dealer visits.

Rodz1300 · Sep 16, 2023

AscotGreyCali said:
Enjoy finalising your specification, only advice on paint choice is to see as many as you can over the coming days. We were really undecided between Starlight Blue and Ascott Grey until a couple of dealer visits.

Thank you, that seems like good advice. They are my choices if i can't have the starlight/silver 2 tone.
Embarassingly i am having second thoughts about going with the Beach Camper variant for the extra space in the boot or living area dependent on how set up. I will be using this pimerilly when working away as both office and summer accomodation.
I have a spec worked up similar to the Ocean one in respect to options but with extra options to get most of what i would have with the base Ocean.

Not too worried that the prices come in quite close when the Beach is fully specced up.

I already have a camping fridge, not sure i would miss the electric roof and can probably live without the digital cockpit.

decisions decisions?

B J G · Sep 16, 2023

Ozzy Pete said:
Traffic sign recognition is going to be no use in Wales from next week. Just set your speed limiter on the lowest possible setting of 20mph and leave it there. There will be plod out in force ready to make a killing until nobody has a licence any longer.

Sting in the tail will be getting a speeding ticket and then Insurance premium being loaded.
Driving at under 20mph is virtually impossible without eyes glued to speedo.

scottk · Sep 16, 2023

If you are going to be using it as an office, the oceans inside table is very useful.

18ME · Sep 28, 2023

Kayleigh said:
It would be interesting to know how many people have the ‘wood’ floor and have NOT covered it up…

I've ordered mine with the wood floor and will be covering it up and I've also ordered it with Art Velours and will be putting seat covers on. :embarrased

.......but only when using it as a camper.

18ME · Sep 28, 2023

Rodz1300 said:
Hello all

First post on this forum after a couple of years of dithering over buying a California. I have finally decieded on a 204 Ocean through DtD and pressing the button tomorrow.
Still not set on the colour but am fairly settled on the following:

Heated WS
High beam assist
Removable tow bar
Art Velours
Wood flooring
4 x keys (seems silly not to)
17" Woodstock.
3 x free servicing.

I cant seem to settle on any of the colour choices. perhaps it is just because i cant have it but would really like to have the option of 2 tone.

Hope to be taking delivery in 3-6 months

I am enjoying reading through the many informative posts on here

Have you ordered it now and if so have you been given a time frame for delivery?

66tim99 · Sep 28, 2023

Kayleigh said:
Swap the high beam assist for the traffic sign recognition.. that’s what I would do.

Both are brilliant.

Rodz1300 said:
thoughts about going with the Beach Camper

The Ocean's wardrobe/shelves and fridge are brilliant, but so is the outlook from the Beach. If you're one of those who won't cook in it because you're worried about smells - go Beach!
Personally, I dislike the Woodstock wheels. I think non-symmetrical wheels are ugly, and they are diamond cut so are susceptible to corrosion. If you don't want to upgrade the Devonports are great, if you do the Sports Pack Springfield wheels are fantastic.
Unless you're towing do you you really need the 204 engine? I'd save the money and gain the fuel economy - the 150 is more than enough, it bolts off the line and will cruise at 100mph all day. Spend it on the Sports Pack instead!
Finally - the mojave Beige colour is mis-named and looks fantastic...

Rodz1300 · Sep 28, 2023

martin.edwards said:
Have you ordered it now and if so have you been given a time frame for delivery?

Yes ordered last week and formally placed with the dealer on Monday.
no chance oif the 2 tone paint so went with the Indium metalic - bit of a compromise between the wife and I but an option that neither of us disliked.
I went with the spec in my original post minus the towbar which I will probably have fitted after market.
Quoted 3-6 months for delivery.
Telling a friend about the deal earler in the week, I think he may also be putting in an order soon.

Not sure if i am missing something but It does not seem plausible that VW will offer over 10% off list when the order book is already closed on Transporters and the options for T7 are either going to be based on the car platform or a shared Ford platform built in Turkey. I am sure both will be great options but, given the present uncertainty it does not seem thet VW would need to discount what is almost certainly going to be the last of what many will view as the last transporter based California?
Probably bodes well for residuals as well

Rodz1300 · Sep 28, 2023

martin.edwards said:
I've ordered mine with the wood floor and will be covering it up and I've also ordered it with Art Velours and will be putting seat covers on.

.......but only when using it as a camper.

Same and same for me

i know the rubber floor in the 6.1 is not as light as the 6 but all the pictures i see on line dont seem to be clean wheras the the wood option seems to be easier to keep clean when used day to day. I will probably put waterproof covers on and a 2 piece carpet in when camping, but i will also be using it as my daily without the covers

Rodz1300 · Sep 28, 2023

Kayleigh said:
Swap the high beam assist for the traffic sign recognition.. that’s what I would do.

went with the high beam, really like it in both my Mondeo and wy wifes Kia, dont find the traffic sign recognition that helpfun in either car. I also live in Wales where you practically drive at 20 other than signed 40, 50, or national speed limit as the rules are so confusing in respect to what is presently signed at 30 or not signed.

Hello, about to press the button

Rodz1300

Barry Chuckle

Andy C Berks.

Kayleigh

Back in the ‘non-leaking’ T6 Beach

Barry Chuckle

Rodz1300

Rodz1300

Rodz1300

Rodz1300

Andy C Berks.

Ozzy Pete

Kayleigh

Back in the ‘non-leaking’ T6 Beach

Neuromancer11

Neuromancer11

Kayleigh

Back in the ‘non-leaking’ T6 Beach

AscotGreyCali

Rodz1300

B J G

scottk

18ME

18ME

66tim99

Rodz1300

Rodz1300

Rodz1300

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