6.1 Beach Advice

[Borris]

I doubt if you will get many Beach owners admitting they wish it had been an option which they would have chosen.

In comparison, I wonder just how many SE/Ocean owners wished the manual roof had been an option.

 

[andyinluton]

I agree. If the manual roof on a Beach or a Coast is that stiff that it cannot be opened and closed with relative ease, then get your dealer to adjust the catches.

But I thought the manual roofs were supposed to be perfect & no-one ever had to go back to a dealer with them.
No better then to having to go back to a dealer with an electric roof thats sagging.

 

[Winston Rumfoord]

Small point to add - I think ACC is standard now? It came on my t6.1 camper and I didn’t add it as an option.

 

[jMacdent]

Small point to add - I think ACC is standard now? It came on my t6.1 camper and I didn’t add it as an option.

Yes, Adaptive Cruise Control standard on the Beach. App-Connect also standard and Woodstock wheels a no cost option.... but £1176 extra on a Coast!?!?! What's that about? Well, it's obviously something to do with the fact the Coast comes with 16 inch Claytons as standard but it doesn't seem fair?!

 

[Borris]

I actually ordered an Ocean 4 Motion last September but it was written off at the dealership last month. The irony is that during the 9 month wait for the vehicle, it slowly dawned on me that the van that would really best suit our style of camping/day trips (family of 4 with a dog)...was actually the Beach Camper. The Beach had been discontinued when I ordered the Ocean, so it wasn't a consideration. Having rejected the Ocean, I placed a new order (at a different dealership of course) at the beginning of July for a Beach Camper. You will always get the Ocean/Coast lovers versus the Beach lovers but neither is better, it's just what suits your 'style'. I read this next piece (quite a few years old) on a different forum at the beginning of the year, which really struck me. It was about the same discussion. Deep down, my real issue was that I really wanted a full size bed downstairs!!!!


p.s don't know if you've already seen this but interesting about the 2 seater versus 3 seater argument

View attachment 82020

"written off at the dealership"! What written off, as in totalled? How on earth did they manage that?

You've raised an interesting point. I think the problem some people have but don't initially recognise, is highlighted in the clip youv'e attached. They find themselves in the fortunate position of being able to buy their life long dream, a new campervan and decide that only a "proper California" will fit the bill. Indeed the showroom allure of the Ocean or Coast can be difficult to resist, so difficult, that it's all too easy to ignore other possibilities. It therefore stands to reason that only later do some of these buyers discover that there's a more practical solution to meet their personal circumstances, possibly in the form of the Beach. The Ocean and Coast are proper campervans but having all the kit including a kitchen sink also means they are compromised.

I speak from a position of experience. Having previously owned a 180dsg T5 SE 4Motion I have since gone on to own two Beaches.

The two main California variants are different vehicles which suit different personal circumstances. The trouble is there's often a mismatch between owners needs and the model they've chosen. See the "Calis for sale section". Neither version is better just suited to different personal needs.

Having said that, I much prefer my improper Beach for it's versatility and adaptability.

 

[clarinetbcn]

I'm 43, and after many years of martial arts and gym going, I'd say I'm above average level of fitness. But still I don't understand this and really curious if it was an anomoly (e.g. because the roof is left open all the time at the dealership).

Sounds like the dealer had you try to close the roof with the upstairs bed still raised up against it. It's easy to close.

 

[clarinetbcn]

I doubt if you will get many Beach owners admitting they wish it had been an option which they would have chosen.

Probably because there aren't many, while Ocean owners converting their troublesome electric roofs to manual are more common.

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/search/245806/?q=convert+electric+roof+to+manual&o=relevance

 

[WelshGas]

Small point to add - I think ACC is standard now? It came on my t6.1 camper and I didn’t add it as an option.

Yes, Adaptive Cruise Control standard on the Beach. App-Connect also standard and Woodstock wheels a no cost option.... but £1176 extra on a Coast!?!?! What's that about? Well, it's obviously something to do with the fact the Coast comes with 16 inch Claytons as standard but it doesn't seem fair?!

Don't confuse what is standard on UK spec vehicles with what is an Option in various European markets.

 

[Tarquers]

Opening was easy, closing was a two-man job (one hanging off the pull-down handle using body weight, and one clipping in the side clips, needing both hands)

Aha I think I know your issue. The roof has three positions, closed, released and open I think describe them. When getting the roof down, I have found it best to get it all the way to closed rather than “released” before putting the roof canvas away, otherwise it’s possible to bunch up the canvas and prevent/inhibit the roof from closing. If you keep the canvas clear then ”roll it away” before latching, it is much easier, but still a faff compared to electric. California Chris has a video showing manual roof on his coast review, quick YouTube search will find it and makes sense of my descriptions.

Every trip I curse the manual roof, but equally seeing how the 6.1 cost savings have affected reliability, I do still think I have the right option with manual roof, but do miss the ease of the electric roof. Once the roof has gone up and down a couple of times I am happy with the manual one. I am yet to test a roof box and suspect I may miss the electric roof in that scenario as reports on roof box success are varied at best.

Unfortunately like all manufacturers on model refresh, it’s about sourcing cheaper components rather than improvements, so increased reports of roof problems, control panel software, sticking door latches in winter etc are all symptomatic Of a mid life refresh.

 

[WelshGas]

Probably because there aren't any, while Ocean owners converting their troublesome electric roofs to manual are more common.

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/search/245806/?q=convert+electric+roof+to+manual&o=relevance

And the 1st post was enquiring about converting a Manual roof to Electric.

Not a cheap option whichever way you go.

 

[two-saabs]

Probably because there aren't any, while Ocean owners converting their troublesome electric roofs to manual are more common.

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/search/245806/?q=convert+electric+roof+to+manual&o=relevance

But that is the problem of statistics and is what really would be interesting to quantify in an objective way. A few people having issues is still a tiny fraction compared to the 10's of thousands where no-one had an issue (but could also be "has an issue but doesn't report it on forums").

Good news doesn't sell papers (same applies to the 1 star or 5 star reviews on Amazon, AirBnb etc) if you have a problem you're likely to shout about it, but if everything is fine then there is no reason to post

 

[WelshGas]

In comparison, I wonder just how many SE/Ocean owners wished the manual roof had been an option.

There is the Coast now, but I think Oceans still outweigh the numbers of Coasts.

 

[two-saabs]

Aha I think I know your issue. The roof has three positions, closed, released and open I think describe them. When getting the roof down, I have found it best to get it all the way to closed rather than “released” before putting the roof canvas away, otherwise it’s possible to bunch up the canvas and prevent/inhibit the roof from closing. If you keep the canvas clear then ”roll it away” before latching, it is much easier, but still a faff compared to electric. California Chris has a video showing manual roof on his coast review, quick YouTube search will find it and makes sense of my descriptions.

Every trip I curse the manual roof, but equally seeing how the 6.1 cost savings have affected reliability, I do still think I have the right option with manual roof, but do miss the ease of the electric roof. Once the roof has gone up and down a couple of times I am happy with the manual one. I am yet to test a roof box and suspect I may miss the electric roof in that scenario as reports on roof box success are varied at best.

Unfortunately like all manufacturers on model refresh, it’s about sourcing cheaper components rather than improvements, so increased reports of roof problems, control panel software, sticking door latches in winter etc are all symptomatic Of a mid life refresh.

Uh hu, now we're getting somewhere!

Funnily enough, sat at the dealers, I mentioned California Chris, and as we're in Switzerland it wasn't known. We watched the videos together (guess it was a quiet afternoon for them)

 

[WelshGas]

But that is the problem of statistics and is what really would be interesting to quantify in an objective way. A few people having issues is still a tiny fraction compared to the 10's of thousands where no-one had an issue (but could also be "has an issue but doesn't report it on forums").

Good news doesn't sell papers (same applies to the 1 star or 5 star reviews on Amazon, AirBnb etc) if you have a problem you're likely to shout about it, but if everything is fine then there is no reason to post

Totally agree.
I’ll whisper this “ I think there is an element of envy “.

 

[andyinluton]

This isn't going to end well....

 

[clarinetbcn]

Good news doesn't sell papers (same applies to the 1 star or 5 star reviews on Amazon, AirBnb etc) if you have a problem you're likely to shout about it, but if everything is fine then there is no reason to post

I think we should all stop for a brief chuckle and remember that this forum is famous for people shouting about how in love they are with their perfectly specced and faultlessly functioning Californias! Some less socially adept owners sometimes cross over into the unfortunate territory of lecturing that their spec is better than yours, but that usually gets the same slightly pitying and embarrassed reception given those who boast that they (think they) are better endowed.

Sometimes they even insist in showing it to you, convinced you'll agree.

 

[clarinetbcn]

Totally agree.
I’ll whisper this “ I think there is an element of envy “.

See post #41.

 

[clarinetbcn]

This isn't going to end well....

You're impressive at predictions, do you have any good stock market tips?

 

[Borris]

But I thought the manual roofs were supposed to be perfect & no-one ever had to go back to a dealer with them.
No better then to having to go back to a dealer with an electric roof thats sagging.

Very few things in life are perfect. However comparing the complexity of the E/H roof and it's various ongoing associated problems to that of a rare minor one time only adjustment to a pair of mechanical roof security over lock catches is in no way comparable. I suspect that this adjustment, could quite easily be done by any competent owner at home should he or she wish to do so.

If the owner does decide to let to the dealer do it, then unlike those with E/H issues, it's likely to be ready for collection within a hour a most. Further more the adjustment shouldn't leave the service staff scratching their heads for days on end.

 

[andyinluton]

You're impressive at predictions, do you have any good stock market tips?

Yes, don't invest in the same stuff as me.
If I hadn't been so bad at choosing stocks I would be on the Ferrari California forum not a VW one.

 

[two-saabs]

I think we should all stop for a brief chuckle and remember that this forum is famous for people shouting about how in love the are with their perfectly specced and faultlessly functioning Californias! Some less socially adept owners sometimes cross over into the unfortunate territory of lecturing that their spec is better than yours, but that usually gets the same slightly pitying and embarrassed reception given those who boast that they are better endowed.

Indeed, I laugh at myself sometimes when I'm doing hours and hours of research for something-or-other, then remember my best road trips were, in order:

1st) 30 year old 1985 Saab 900 Turbo, driven from the arctic circle to southern Germany, 3000km in 2 days, drove like a dream (love Saabs, hence the username)
2nd) UK to Spain in a 20 year old 1987 Ford Escort, 1 owner from new, no sat nav, no stereo, no nothing! Drove like a dream
3rd) 1995 Mercedes Sprinter van with home-made bed in the back, driven with friends from Germany to Sweden, a loud old rusty beast but good music and conversation made the journey fly back - 15 hours straight

 

[clarinetbcn]

Very few things in life are perfect. However comparing the complexity of the E/H roof and it's various ongoing associated problems to that of a rare minor one time only adjustment to a pair of mechanical roof security over lock catches is in no way comparable. I suspect that this adjustment, could quite easily be done by any competent owner at home should he or she wish to do so.

If the owner does decide to let to the dealer do it, then unlike those with E/H issues, it's likely to be ready for collection within a hour a most. Further more the adjustment shouldn't leave the service staff scratching their heads for days on end.

Don't bother Borris, it's the old straw man tactic, answering something that was not stated but is indeed false.

 

[clarinetbcn]

Yes, don't invest in the same stuff as me.
If I hadn't been so bad at choosing stocks I would be on the Ferrari California forum not a VW one.

I did choose the right stocks, and I still chose a California! Put another way, you could say that my endowment is exceptionally large.

 

[clarinetbcn]

Indeed, I laugh at myself sometimes when I'm doing hours and hours of research for something-or-other, then remember my best road trips were, in order:

1st) 30 year old 1985 Saab 900 Turbo, driven from the arctic circle to southern Germany, 3000km in 2 days, drove like a dream (love Saabs, hence the username)
2nd) UK to Spain in a 20 year old 1987 Ford Escort, 1 owner from new, no sat nav, no stereo, no nothing! Drove like a dream
3rd) 1995 Mercedes Sprinter van with home-made bed in the back, driven with friends from Germany to Sweden, a loud old rusty beast but good music and conversation made the journey fly back - 15 hours straight

I love that my Beach is such an efficient appliance that it lets me make the most amazing trips, but I don't mind admitting that I will never have the emotional attachment to it that I had with the T2 that I used to criss-cross North America when I was 16.

 

[andyinluton]

That was a rather poor example - there are over 20 Ferrari Californias for sale for less than the price of a 4motion.