Optional equipment essentials in an Ocean

[oilman4345]

In a second hand late model VW Cali Ocean, what are opinions on essential options to look for if /when we get round to purchasing after initial rental

 

[Mehdime]

The Ocean already comes loaded with options so I’m not sure there’s any option that would be essential. But there might be some that would be essential for some depending on how you want to use the van:

• Towbar: if you want to use a tow-bar mounted bike rack, you’ll want this factory-fitted as it’s pricey to get it fitted afterwards.
• Comfort mattress: without this, you’ll sleep straight on the seats downstairs. Some people don’t like it however and use a third party mattress instead.
• Shower connection at the back. Brilliant for after the beach - or for having a shower outdoor in the wilderness. I hear it’s handy for those with dogs too. One of my essential options. But some never use it.
• 2nd small drawer under the rear bench. As standard you only get a single large drawer under the read bench and a void next to it designed to allow you to transport long objects like skis. But if you don’t need that, a 2nd drawer fitted in that void is a lot handier. That option also bizarrely gives you a storage net for the bed upstairs. That’s really handy too to store glasses, phones, bottle of water when sleeping upstairs.
• Tyre pressure monitoring system. As standard you only get an alarm to tell you that your tyre pressure is too low. With that option, you can see the actual tyre pressure in bar or PSI in each of the 4 tyres. I find this super handy to avoid having to get to a garage just to check the pressure. Not exactly essential.
• “ArtVelour” seats. As standard you get cloth fabric on the seats, which stains very easily. The ArtVelour finish is a fake leather that you can wipe clean in a second no matter what food or drink gets spilled onto it.

 

[Pegsinho]

When we were looking, I don't think we saw any without the comfort mattress or the shower attachment so I guess most people spec with these because they don't add much cost - I think the shower attachment also changes the colour of the interior units?

In ours, we had most options ticked but so far my thoughts are:

Tow bar - essential for me because I didn't want to carry the bikes around on the tailgate. I bought the Atera Genio Pro bike rack and it is excellent!
Wood effect floor - also essential because the standard dimpled plastic floor looked like a nightmare to keep clean, especially as we have a dog.
Shower connection - used a few times, it's handy but not very powerful so limited use beyond removing sand and making the dog slightly less disgusting.
Art velour seats - they are much nicer than the standard but we have had ours covered up since day one, mainly due to dog (there's a theme developing here)
Comfort mattress - not tried sleeping without it, but nor would I want to. I'm sure there are better ones available but as mentioned I doubt you'll find a van without this specced. Dog seems to like it!
Sports styling pack - looks amazing with a lighter coloured van in my opinion. We have had many, many positive comments on the Ascot Grey, black styling combo.
Discover media pro - can't really say as I've not used the regular, but it is nice to have a decent sized screen in the middle, I expect the regular system would be more than sufficient.
80 litre tank - very nice range and only had to fill up a couple of times so far.
Power sliding door - I wouldn't spec this if I was starting again. I'm very paranoid about it stopping working, and the cost involved in fixing (obviously covered by warranty for now). My main beef with it is that you have to close it to get the door stowed table out! Also it really doesn't like opening if you are parked on a bit of a slope as I discovered this weekend (very jerky).
Safe box - probably wouldn't spec again, never used it.
204bhp engine - Can't complain so far, 4motion would have been nice but very few about and quite a high cost. It can be a bit spinny when pulling away particularly when fully laden and rear heavy, but cruising around is effortless (there's whole threads on the pros and cons of each engine though).
4 Keys - Not had cause to use two of them yet but I've seen threads about turning one into a 'surf' key, which I may well do at some point.
TPMS - not had cause to use yet, probably a nice to have more than an essential as long as you check pressures regularly. I'm used to not having it on my other car.

Things we didn't spec were:

Extra seat - No need for us and I expect it would get annoying very quickly (just look at the amount that come up for sale). I think if I needed three in the back I'd have a Beach.
Extra drawer - I find the long storage space very useful for an extra camping chair for our son. I expect I could find many uses for an extra drawer though so not a game changer.
Various driving aids - It has all the ACC, blind spot assist etc as standard and I don't feel like I need any of the other stuff. Again if they'd been specced I'm sure I would have used them but I certainly don't miss them.

As said above the Ocean is very well specced as standard so you can't really go wrong, just make sure you know what the absolute essentials are for you and start there. Hopefully the hired one will tell you everything you need to know!

 

[66tim99]

After nearly 3 years with a 6.1 Ocean, I honestly don't think any of the options are 'essential' as Ocean's are so well spec'd as standard.
The only upgrade I now see as 'essential' is the tow bar. It transforms our trips, being able to take the bicycles with us, and have access to the tailgate. But you can have one fitted after-market if the Cali you find doesn't have one, but ticks your other boxes.
The options I really like (but don't NEED) are:
- the storage pack for the extra drawer under the seat, but also the net in the roof for all your water bottles, headphones, books and chargers etc when sleeping up top, and preventing your pillows falling.
- the wood effect floor, for ease of cleaning and the looks. If you plan to cover it with carpets (there's no need) then you could say its pointless.
- 80 litre tank has been useful a handful of times.
- shower for rinsing off the dog and bikes
- sports pack for the looks
- Ascot Grey to save £800 to pay for the tow bar. Looks great too.

I'd recommend focussing on the condition of the van, and the colour if that matters to you. Any options can be seen as non-essential bonuses.

 

[oilman4345]

Thanks for the very useful responses. Much appreciated.

 

[willwander]

My only essential would be that it didn’t have a power sliding door

 

[BeeBee]

We bought our van Ocean 2019 150 DSG new, but ‘off the forecourt’ already specd by someone who rejected it as not the window tint they’d specd.
Lots of views on what to like or not but I’ld say
Reversing camera
Comfort mattress
LED lights

The rest is up to you, happy hunting

 

[Blink982]

When I looked at the Ocean, the only things I considered were the towbar and comfort mattress. The range of the Calli is more than enough that the 89litre tank isn’t needed. If for example you were doing the NC500, you certainly wouldn’t need the extra capacity as there are more than enough fuel stops. The art velour seats are probably nice but a set of covers or a full retrim would offer better value. I do wish I’d gone for the extra drawer in my Beach though and might retrofit it. The plastic trim cover at the side of the drawer isn’t exactly easy to fit each time and the space is effectively wasted even if I use it for fly fishing rods. Its a poor design all round and the second drawer should be standard imho.

Just my 2p worth.

 

[LobsterVan]

I bought my 2022 Ocean in Feb, only had 2 'extras' I think; the 80ltr tank (which I do like having - although wonder if a full 80 litres has some sort of impact weight-wise on MPG), and the 4 keys which I don't really need.
On that though, it got me wondering about making one a surf key, in case of being locked out on campsites - however, most of these seemed to be people accidentally locking the sliding door on exiting - is this now not an issue with the 6.1?
If rear view camera is an extra, I do like that - I thought it was standard for the Ocean though.
Extras which I now want, so will probably look at something 3rd party, are the storage netting (if that stops pillows falling through), and the extra drawer or something similar next to the bench seat.

 

[Pegsinho]

Rear camera and led lights are standard I believe.

 

[66tim99]

most of these seemed to be people accidentally locking the sliding door on exiting - is this now not an issue with the 6.1?

Given you can unlock a 6.1 using the Volkswagen app, being locked out is less of an issue. Starting it would remain one though, if you’ve lost your only key.
I ordered 4 keys and keep one secreted within the van, just in case. No need for that to be a ‘surf key’ of course.

 

[Simbo]

I don't have the extra drawer under the rear seat and I'm pleased that I don't. Why? The void is the perfect size for a set of Thule leveling ramps, so, when we arrive on site we can whip the ramps out from under the seat without rummaging about in the boot, level up the van, then get on with setting up camp.

 

[Norfolk Jim]

The Ocean already comes loaded with options so I’m not sure there’s any option that would be essential. But there might be some that would be essential for some depending on how you want to use the van:

• Towbar: if you want to use a tow-bar mounted bike rack, you’ll want this factory-fitted as it’s pricey to get it fitted afterwards.
• Comfort mattress: without this, you’ll sleep straight on the seats downstairs. Some people don’t like it however and use a third party mattress instead.
• Shower connection at the back. Brilliant for after the beach - or for having a shower outdoor in the wilderness. I hear it’s handy for those with dogs too. One of my essential options. But some never use it.
• 2nd small drawer under the rear bench. As standard you only get a single large drawer under the read bench and a void next to it designed to allow you to transport long objects like skis. But if you don’t need that, a 2nd drawer fitted in that void is a lot handier. That option also bizarrely gives you a storage net for the bed upstairs. That’s really handy too to store glasses, phones, bottle of water when sleeping upstairs.
• Tyre pressure monitoring system. As standard you only get an alarm to tell you that your tyre pressure is too low. With that option, you can see the actual tyre pressure in bar or PSI in each of the 4 tyres. I find this super handy to avoid having to get to a garage just to check the pressure. Not exactly essential.
• “ArtVelour” seats. As standard you get cloth fabric on the seats, which stains very easily. The ArtVelour finish is a fake leather that you can wipe clean in a second no matter what food or drink gets spilled onto it.

Wow - I've got all those except the ArtVelour seats. Trailer assist is massive plus with Tow Bar. I've found the side assist excellent on busy motorways when you're constantly swapping lanes. I think the only thin I don't have is heated windscreen and adaptive chassis. Mine is 23 months old

 

[Norfolk Jim]

Wow - I've got all those except the ArtVelour seats. Trailer assist is massive plus with Tow Bar. I've found the side assist excellent on busy motorways when you're constantly swapping lanes. I think the only thin I don't have is heated windscreen and adaptive chassis. Mine is 23 months old

Just realised I also have the safe, Discover Pro media, VW App connect, 80 litre tank, 204 engine, extra 5th seat (trying to sell), extra drawer beside bench, darker privacy glass for rear, apparently extra sound proofing to cab area and I've still got both plastic cups for dash and waste bin in door + mudflaps front and back................

 

[mikej100]

I don't have the extra drawer under the rear seat and I'm pleased that I don't. Why? The void is the perfect size for a set of Thule leveling ramps, so, when we arrive on site we can whip the ramps out from under the seat without rummaging about in the boot, level up the van, then get on with setting up camp.

I agree with Simbo on this. I have Milenco Triple 3s which are quite bulky, but anything less than 120mm is not really giving much levelling. I'm generally a minimalist but use them more than I expected from reading the threads here. I would sacrifice a lot of boot space if they weren't in this handy spot. They do protrude through into boot, and in my case I made a custom storage box to optimise the boot arrangement.

 

[Dill Tart]

I don't have the extra drawer under the rear seat and I'm pleased that I don't. Why? The void is the perfect size for a set of Thule leveling ramps, so, when we arrive on site we can whip the ramps out from under the seat without rummaging about in the boot, level up the van, then get on with setting up camp.

Exactly what we use the space for too!

 

[Cali Phillip]

We bought our van Ocean 2019 150 DSG new, but ‘off the forecourt’ already specd by someone who rejected it as not the window tint they’d specd.
Lots of views on what to like or not but I’ld say
Reversing camera
Comfort mattress
LED lights

The rest is up to you, happy hunting

Reversing camera and LED lights for sure and ACC

 

[Gecko_Bioyag77]

We got many of the extras outlined above for our Ocean yet managed to overlook the blind spot monitoring which I do regret, this and cruise control should be considered essential. After that it depends on your needs. We got the factory fitted tow bar which is excellent for carry bikes and pulling the trailer, we also included the Trailer manoeuvring system 'Trailer Assist', which to be honest I have not used too much but it is very nice to have. but I would imagine is rare in the second hand market as it is quite expensive. Apart from that I choose to spec our van with 17inch wheels 235/55 with all season tyres so that I could carry a spare alloy wheel/tyre, this has proven to be very practical after getting punctures in remote areas. The 80l fuel tank is a no brainer, as is the acoustic laminated glass in the cabin area which makes for a very quiet driving experience, I would consider both essiental. After that the move powerful alternator and the digital cockpit on our 204hp model is really a nice to have. We did get a safe from factory and I think that it is a nice to have for peace of mind to have a place to put the passports etc but its a bit of a faff to get at when the wardrobe is in use. The shower has been very useful for the dogs have a muddy walk or a trip to the beach and really helped keep them cool this summer, I would look look to have this on your essential list, imho.

 

[turnitdown]

We got many of the extras outlined above for our Ocean yet managed to overlook the blind spot monitoring which I do regret,

This is easy to overlook because, as a safety feature, it comes standard on so many cars that are 1/3 the price of an Ocean, and has for years.

I wonder how VW justify to themselves not fitting this as standard, given it's safety equipment. If the law allowed them to sell Oceans without seat belts, would they offer no belts as standard and belts for an additional £799? It makes you wonder.

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

The California is not a car, it is a commercial vehicle, commercial vehicles nearly always have less safety features than cars

 

[Gecko_Bioyag77]

This is easy to overlook because, as a safety feature, it comes standard on so many cars that are 1/3 the price of an Ocean, and has for years.

I wonder how VW justify to themselves not fitting this as standard, given it's safety equipment. If the law allowed them to sell Oceans without seat belts, would they offer no belts as standard and belts for an additional £799? It makes you wonder.

I think it was confusing when selecting from the options list and it took so long for the option to upload I overlooked it, the only option I wanted to avoid was lane assist and I think it was probably bundled with that. My priority was to include cruise control and at least that was not overlooked. However Im very happy with the Cali so far and have had no bellows issue, the only quirk is the fridge turns off unexpectedly when running on leisure battery. I checked and it's always above 12.1V but still randomly turns off. I suspect that its thermal heat build up due to direct sun hitting the LHS of the van causing the temp sensor to overwork and then turn off to avoid potential in running down the battery. I just need to check the LED constantly to avoid a smelly fridge.

 

[66tim99]

I checked and it's always above 12.1V but still randomly turns off.

Hmmmm - this needs checking out.
I've often parked with my van's fridge facing the hot sun, and the fridge has just worked harder to stay to temperature, even unplugged from EHU. Its never 'randomly turned off'.

 

[johns6809]

We got many of the extras outlined above for our Ocean yet managed to overlook the blind spot monitoring which I do regret

The Ocean comes with blind spot monitoring as standard Surely?
Mine has it and i thought they all had it.

 

[Gecko_Bioyag77]

Hmmmm - this needs checking out.
I've often parked with my van's fridge facing the hot sun, and the fridge has just worked harder to stay to temperature, even unplugged from EHU. Its never 'randomly turned off'.

Yes, I have it on EHU at the moment to see if there's any change (there should not be but just want to rule this scenario out) and then I will remove and monitor any fall in battery voltage and note when/if it stops working and then I will pass the data to VW for their review. Its a bother to have to bring it out to the dealer and then getting an appointment for the check up which will probably take a full day. I would prefer if I discover a quick fix to be honest. I agree that the fridge does work harder on hot days I think the random shut off could be fault in the fridge rather the vehicle electrics, I just need the data now to narrow it down. Thanks.

 

[Gecko_Bioyag77]

The Ocean comes with blind spot monitoring as standard Surely?
Mine has it and i thought they all had it.

No unfortunately it's an option. I think it may have been packaged with the camera for road sign recognition or the lane assist which I unticked. To be honest I picked nearly every other option, and spent ages trying to decide and in the end missed it. However its a minor issue as I just have to practice more caution which changing lanes or moving off which is no bad thing ;-)