New Member - looking to buy a Cali Ocean

Iain Funnell 71 · Jul 14, 2023

Hi All,

We've just joined the site and are looking to buy a new Cali in the next 9 months. I've read a bunch of threads but would love some advice on the below if anyone has insight:

- I'm in two minds on whether to wait for the T7 or go with the T6.1. Obviously no one really know when the T7 is coming although I read on here that there may be some news at one of the forthcoming trade shows. I've previously had a T4 which was great but we got stung by the ULEZ, spent £3.5k fitting an exhaust to make us complain and then that was out of date when they amended the rules/extended the zone a few years later. I really don't want to spend a large sum and then find the goals post moving in two years time, but I also don't want to wait forever for a T7 to get announced. No easy answer as motoring is at a crossroads and camper vans are at the back of the queue. Would love to be as future proof as possible but prefer the idea of being full designed by VW Vs Ford.
- If it was the T6.1, from the threads I've read it sounds like the 150 engine is powerful enough for a fully loaded Ocean?
- I wondered what people through of the bike rack (4 Bikes) on the boot or having a toe bar with a cycle carrie on there and which works better when your away camping, ease of use, safety etc. Not sure if anyone has tried both options?
- I also wondered if there was much value in the stronger AGM battery and increased alternator capacity?

Thanks in advance all!

Corradobrit · Jul 14, 2023

If you can wait 4-6 weeks we should have a good idea what is coming in later 2024 to replace the T6.1. It will most likely be based on the LWB T7 Multivan or an outside possibility is the Ford based collab. Either way go see the multilane and Ford Custom, drive them and see if you are interested. If not I would be getting my order in for a T6.1 while you still can. The order books could close anytime.

Jimmylondon07 · Jul 14, 2023

I had the same dilemma but decided to go for it and jump in with a T6.1. Few reasons really, firstly it’s a mature design so there shouldn’t be teething problems to deal with as there will most likely be with a brand new model. They are seriously complex vehicles with a lot of things that could go wrong.

Second was the availability of accessories, everything I need is already available to buy, either new or second hand. I don’t need to wait a few months for the accessory manufacturers to catch up with my van once I’ve got it.

Thirdly is knowledge, there isn’t a question about a T6.1 Cali that I can’t find the answer to on this forum…for example I have a spare bedroom full of kit before my van’s even arrived and I know exactly what fits where without measuring a thing. Everyone else has already played guinea pig for me.

Finally price, you can get £10k off a new T6.1 Cali right now plus 3 services thrown in, I find it hard to believe such offers will be available on the new platform.

I also shared the concerns re potential changes to ULEZ and diesels generally and unfortunately there is no crystal ball for that. Nevertheless, even if the new one was all-electric with a cracking range I’d still have concerns over the residuals a few years in to ownership, looking at the ID Buzz thread on here it seems people are struggling to move them on at a good price. What I do know with some certainty in the meantime is that if I break down somewhere in the world, someone local’s likely going to be able to get me going again. A diesel pump won’t be too far away either.

I also think the Multivan is fugly and much prefer the design of the T6.1 but that’s a personal thing

OooOooTheMonkey · Jul 14, 2023

Jimmylondon07 said:
I had the same dilemma but decided to go for it and jump in with a T6.1. Few reasons really, firstly it’s a mature design so there shouldn’t be teething problems to deal with as there will most likely be with a brand new model. They are seriously complex vehicles with a lot of things that could go wrong.

Second was the availability of accessories, everything I need is already available to buy, either new or second hand. I don’t need to wait a few months for the accessory manufacturers to catch up with my van once I’ve got it.

Thirdly is knowledge, there isn’t a question about a T6.1 Cali that I can’t find the answer to on this forum…for example I have a spare bedroom full of kit before my van’s even arrived and I know exactly what fits where without measuring a thing. Everyone else has already played guinea pig for me.

Finally price, you can get £10k off a new T6.1 Cali right now plus 3 services thrown in, I find it hard to believe such offers will be available on the new platform.

I also shared the concerns re potential changes to ULEZ and diesels generally and unfortunately there is no crystal ball for that. Nevertheless, even if the new one was all-electric with a cracking range I’d still have concerns over the residuals a few years in to ownership, looking at the ID Buzz thread on here it seems people are struggling to move them on at a good price. What I do know with some certainty in the meantime is that if I break down somewhere in the world, someone local’s likely going to be able to get me going again. A diesel pump won’t be too far away either.

I also think the Multivan is fugly and much prefer the design of the T6.1 but that’s a personal thing

This is word for word the same as us. T6.1 was a no brainer in the end. Given the amount of noise being made with ULEZ currently I can't see Euro 6 diesels being excluded from ULEZ for a long time yet.

WelshGas · Jul 15, 2023

Iain Funnell 71 said:
Hi All,

We've just joined the site and are looking to buy a new Cali in the next 9 months. I've read a bunch of threads but would love some advice on the below if anyone has insight:

- I'm in two minds on whether to wait for the T7 or go with the T6.1. Obviously no one really know when the T7 is coming although I read on here that there may be some news at one of the forthcoming trade shows. I've previously had a T4 which was great but we got stung by the ULEZ, spent £3.5k fitting an exhaust to make us complain and then that was out of date when they amended the rules/extended the zone a few years later. I really don't want to spend a large sum and then find the goals post moving in two years time, but I also don't want to wait forever for a T7 to get announced. No easy answer as motoring is at a crossroads and camper vans are at the back of the queue. Would love to be as future proof as possible but prefer the idea of being full designed by VW Vs Ford.
- If it was the T6.1, from the threads I've read it sounds like the 150 engine is powerful enough for a fully loaded Ocean?
- I wondered what people through of the bike rack (4 Bikes) on the boot or having a toe bar with a cycle carrie on there and which works better when your away camping, ease of use, safety etc. Not sure if anyone has tried both options?
- I also wondered if there was much value in the stronger AGM battery and increased alternator capacity?

Thanks in advance all!

Be aware that the T6.1 commercial production is, I believe, closed for new orders. Hence the T6.1 California will be closing, when? Only VW know.
In relation to the bike rack, with 4 bikes on you will not be able to open the tailgate easily without using some sort of prop and depending on the type of bicycles and orientation of the handlebars avoid possible damage to the pop top if opened.
With a towbar, factory fitted is the cheapest option rather than aftermarket, you can tilt a loaded bike rack and open tailgate.

SamSara · Jul 15, 2023

I can answer the bike rack questions as a 5’4” tall female. The rack is great for drying clothes and good for bikes if you are not putting them on/off alone. Opening the door is not easy and quite scary if you like your paintwork or your bikes. I have a tow bar and an Altera rack I keep in the shed. It swings back to allow easy opening of the rear door and also carries heavy electric bikes.

The Blue Merle · Jul 15, 2023

Iain Funnell 71 said:
Hi All,

We've just joined the site and are looking to buy a new Cali in the next 9 months. I've read a bunch of threads but would love some advice on the below if anyone has insight:

- I'm in two minds on whether to wait for the T7 or go with the T6.1. Obviously no one really know when the T7 is coming although I read on here that there may be some news at one of the forthcoming trade shows. I've previously had a T4 which was great but we got stung by the ULEZ, spent £3.5k fitting an exhaust to make us complain and then that was out of date when they amended the rules/extended the zone a few years later. I really don't want to spend a large sum and then find the goals post moving in two years time, but I also don't want to wait forever for a T7 to get announced. No easy answer as motoring is at a crossroads and camper vans are at the back of the queue. Would love to be as future proof as possible but prefer the idea of being full designed by VW Vs Ford.
- If it was the T6.1, from the threads I've read it sounds like the 150 engine is powerful enough for a fully loaded Ocean?
- I wondered what people through of the bike rack (4 Bikes) on the boot or having a toe bar with a cycle carrie on there and which works better when your away camping, ease of use, safety etc. Not sure if anyone has tried both options?
- I also wondered if there was much value in the stronger AGM battery and increased alternator capacity?

Thanks in advance all!

Very hard to know what will/is future proof with all the uncertainty surrounding diesel vehicles deadline 2030. (Will that date move,watered down not to include vans???)
I would go for it now if you want a cali and get on and enjoy adventures.
No one knows what price a secondhand vehicle will be worth in the future if you’re worried about losing money stick with saving account.

Corradobrit · Jul 15, 2023

The Blue Merle said:
Very hard to know what will/is future proof with all the uncertainty surrounding diesel vehicles deadline 2030. (Will that date move,watered down not to include vans???)
I would go for it now if you want a cali and get on and enjoy adventures.
No one knows what price a secondhand vehicle will be worth in the future if you’re worried about losing money stick with saving account.

I could possibly see the sale of diesels and petrol ICE's stopping by 2030, but honestly, at the rate EV technology is developing and the lag in alternative green modes of transport eg H2, I think even this will be pushed out towards 2035. I don't think a commercial diesel purchased today will have much to worry about for the anticipated life of that vehicle. Here in Germany the conversion rate is even more pathetic. ICE's will be slowly phased out and I will switch when hydrogen becomes a reality.

Jimmylondon07 · Jul 15, 2023

Yeah the ban is only on new vehicle sales. Expect diesels to still be on the road for a long time yet.

Iain Funnell 71 · Jul 19, 2023

Thanks for all the reply’s, very helpful. It is a bit of a leap of faith as no one can control the T7 release date and spec or what legislation comes in around diesels but the T6.1 does deliver in lots of ways, although having an old school hand break feels like a throwback! Will explore what deals are to be had out there!