Close to a 6.1 4-motion

[Coelshie]

Hello all. Quite new to the forum and we are quite close to buying our first California... a 4-motion 204PS LHD (we live in Germany).

So far the forum has been super helpful in answering our initial questions (swivel chair, how to manage 2 dogs) and this weekend we hired a 150PS version to test out what we had read. It had the non-swivel height adjust seat, and Discover screen along with some options (nothing too fancy).

As someone who has driven Ford transits for a while, and love those, I was amazed at how well the California drives in comparison. Drove well and everything had a touch of quality too it (or so it seemed). Transits are great but thought the California was even better. A real plus. Thought the 150PS engine was good but as we want to tow, I think we are also making the right choice in going with bigger engine.

For the non-swivel, I could live with it but it also confirmed that if you swivel the Drivers chair (on the left for me) it does make it feel more open. So that is on the wish list now.

We have seen 2 vans:

Van1 - It is a re-import - Portuguese spec but imported to Germany brand new - 50km on the clock in Iridium Grey and lots good options like Discover Pro, DAT etc. It does have a non-swivel chair though. Registered and at the dealer since June 2023. It comes with 2 year warranty.

Van2 - it is a German order - 30km on the clock in Pure Grey with again lots of good options - however smaller Discover screen and both chairs swivel. It was registered in Dec 2022 and believe it has been there the time. Apparently a rental. It comes with 5 year warranty - 2 std here in Germany and has 3 years extended.

I can go through the options for both but the main difference I see is colour, chair config and screen. Both are same price.

I love Van #2 and my favourite based on colour and swivel chair but concerned that it has been at the dealer so long - it does have the extended warranty so that helps. Is this a worry?

I am aware of the bellow issue and now looking at other potential issues.

Any help would be appreciated - especially as you know the vans better than I do.

Cheers,

Stu

 

[Corradobrit]

Have purchased a Pure Grey Coast Edition with the 204PS engine and 4Mo AWD system I may be biased, but I would go with van 2. The Edition pack doesn't really offer much on the Ocean over the base model, but it was a 3k Euro option at the time. And has the exclusive flat grey paint.
2 swivel chairs are a must have unless you go the aftermarket route and install a TÜV approved plate. The 3 additional years warranty is a huge bonus. Surprisingly how hard (and expensive) it is to arrange in Germany.
You don't say but I assume van 2 is a FWD Cali. Wheel spin might make the drive a little less pleasant.
With only 30km on the clock that is basically delivery mileage. Mine had 26km. It was probably never rented.
Does van 1 have German plates? Is there a reason why the dealer mentioned it was a Portuguese reimport?
Good luck with the decision.

 

[dspuk]

Van 2. All day every day.

 

[Corradobrit]

OK, I just saw the title and both are $Mo. Van 2, no question.

 

[Coelshie]

Have purchased a Pure Grey Coast Edition with the 204PS engine and 4Mo AWD system I may be biased, but I would go with van 2. The Edition pack doesn't really offer much on the Ocean over the base model, but it was a 3k Euro option at the time. And has the exclusive flat grey paint.
2 swivel chairs are a must have unless you go the aftermarket route and install a TÜV approved plate. The 3 additional years warranty is a huge bonus. Surprisingly how hard (and expensive) it is to arrange in Germany.
You don't say but I assume van 2 is a FWD Cali. Wheel spin might make the drive a little less pleasant.
With only 30km on the clock that is basically delivery mileage. Mine had 26km. It was probably never rented.
Does van 1 have German plates? Is there a reason why the dealer mentioned it was a Portuguese reimport?
Good luck with the decision.

Thanks @Corradobrit. Yeah Van2 is AWD and looks lovely in the Pure Grey with black rims. Also thought the extended warranty a big plus, surprise it is difficult. It is an Autohaus that specialises in VE and Audis. Its in Munich and we are in Cologne so a bit of a drive to get but not many with that spec i vsn find.

It has two swivels but as others have stated i have options to change if needed.

As you said while both have been in the garage they have delivery miles only. Was judt worried why it was there so long. Might need to keep an eye on leisure battery (from what i have read)

Both not registered but Van1 has Portuguese papers that we would have to change over. Van2 is ready to go. Not sure why he mentioned it tbh.

 

[Coelshie]

Van 2. All day every day.

Thanks

 

[Corradobrit]

Thanks @Corradobrit. Yeah Van2 is AWD and looks lovely in the Pure Grey with black rims. Also thought the extended warranty a big plus, surprise it is difficult. It is an Autohaus that specialises in VE and Audis. Its in Munich and we are in Cologne so a bit of a drive to get but not many with that spec i vsn find.

It has two swivels but as others have stated i have options to change if needed.

As you said while both have been in the garage they have delivery miles only. Was judt worried why it was there so long. Might need to keep an eye on leisure battery (from what i have read)

Both not registered but Van1 has Portuguese papers that we would have to change over. Van2 is ready to go. Not sure why he mentioned it tbh.

I can tell you are leaning towards van 2. In case you want to pursue van 1 it is imperative you check the CoC and that it can be registered in Germany. The Belgian one I bought is compliant. Unsure about a Portuguese spec Cali. You might want to contact the main Portuguese importer to confirm.

 

[aeicalifornia]

Hello all. Quite new to the forum and we are quite close to buying our first California... a 4-motion 204PS LHD (we live in Germany).

So far the forum has been super helpful in answering our initial questions (swivel chair, how to manage 2 dogs) and this weekend we hired a 150PS version to test out what we had read. It had the non-swivel height adjust seat, and Discover screen along with some options (nothing too fancy).

As someone who has driven Ford transits for a while, and love those, I was amazed at how well the California drives in comparison. Drove well and everything had a touch of quality too it (or so it seemed). Transits are great but thought the California was even better. A real plus. Thought the 150PS engine was good but as we want to tow, I think we are also making the right choice in going with bigger engine.

For the non-swivel, I could live with it but it also confirmed that if you swivel the Drivers chair (on the left for me) it does make it feel more open. So that is on the wish list now.

We have seen 2 vans:

Van1 - It is a re-import - Portuguese spec but imported to Germany brand new - 50km on the clock in Iridium Grey and lots good options like Discover Pro, DAT etc. It does have a non-swivel chair though. Registered and at the dealer since June 2023. It comes with 2 year warranty.

Van2 - it is a German order - 30km on the clock in Pure Grey with again lots of good options - however smaller Discover screen and both chairs swivel. It was registered in Dec 2022 and believe it has been there the time. Apparently a rental. It comes with 5 year warranty - 2 std here in Germany and has 3 years extended.

I can go through the options for both but the main difference I see is colour, chair config and screen. Both are same price.

I love Van #2 and my favourite based on colour and swivel chair but concerned that it has been at the dealer so long - it does have the extended warranty so that helps. Is this a worry?

I am aware of the bellow issue and now looking at other potential issues.

Any help would be appreciated - especially as you know the vans better than I do.

Cheers,

Stu

pure grey is a fantastic colour, if the van 2 got the edition packet the red and black accents makes it even more fabulous.
also biased like corradobrit, as I own a beach camper edition in flat grey with red bellows, which I really love it.
the swivels are a must indeed, and the discover screen is big enough and got the advantage having physical push buttons for on/off and volume, making easier to adjust without checking the screen while driving.
van 2 all the way, not to mention the warranty...

 

[M88GAV]

Van 2 sounds like a winner to me!

 

[Corradobrit]

pure grey is a fantastic colour, if the van 2 got the edition packet the red and black accents makes it even more fabulous.
also biased like corradobrit, as I own a beach camper edition in flat grey with red bellows, which I really love it.
the swivels are a must indeed, and the discover screen is big enough and got the advantage having physical push buttons for on/off and volume, making easier to adjust without checking the screen while driving.
van 2 all the way, not to mention the warranty...

Pure Grey was exclusive to the Edition Pack.

 

[aeicalifornia]

Pure Grey was exclusive to the Edition Pack.

I was not aware, good to know, when I did my configuration I was so keen to have both that flat grey and the edition pack such that I didn't even notice the colour was exclusive to the pack

 

[Corradobrit]

I was not aware, good to know, when I did my configuration I was so keen to have both that flat grey and the edition pack such that I didn't even notice the colour was exclusive to the pack

Yes it's a standard Transporter colour but only available for the Cali when part of the Edition Pack. Similarly Ascot Grey or 2 tone was not an option with the Edition model.

 

[Coelshie]

I can tell you are leaning towards van 2. In case you want to pursue van 1 it is imperative you check the CoC and that it can be registered in Germany. The Belgian one I bought is compliant. Unsure about a Portuguese spec Cali. You might want to contact the main Portuguese importer to confirm.

Good point and yeah i think it can as there is a charge to change the paperwork over to Germany (which we want). However, we are pursuing Van2 and now trying to work out logistics of seeing it down in Munich as well as other questions i have.

 

[Coelshie]

pure grey is a fantastic colour, if the van 2 got the edition packet the red and black accents makes it even more fabulous.
also biased like corradobrit, as I own a beach camper edition in flat grey with red bellows, which I really love it.
the swivels are a must indeed, and the discover screen is big enough and got the advantage having physical push buttons for on/off and volume, making easier to adjust without checking the screen while driving.
van 2 all the way, not to mention the warranty...

Cheers Helps with the decision.

Both are editions so have that the red and black but as you said, the pure grey i think i prefer and also with some of the options (swivel chairs, warranty) it is preferred. It also has a red pop-up (albeit a probably leaking one ).

The screen on our rental was Discover and thought the same, it was big enough. The 10inch i did like but not at the expense of the other options.

 

[Corradobrit]

Good point and yeah i think it can as there is a charge to change the paperwork over to Germany (which we want). However, we are pursuing Van2 and now trying to work out logistics of seeing it down in Munich as well as other questions i have.

See if you can put a returnable deposit on the Cali in case someone tries to buy before you get a chance to view.

 

[Coelshie]

See if you can put a returnable deposit on the Cali in case someone tries to buy before you get a chance to view.

Thanks and will ask now - I have a mate with a list of questions and camera seeing it tomorrow as he is 20mins away - question now is whether we decide to get on the mate and his answers, or need to see / drive it (then a deposit is a good idea)

 

[aeicalifornia]

Cheers Helps with the decision.

Both are editions so have that the red and black but as you said, the pure grey i think i prefer and also with some of the options (swivel chairs, warranty) it is preferred. It also has a red pop-up (albeit a probably leaking one ).

The screen on our rental was Discover and thought the same, it was big enough. The 10inch i did like but not at the expense of the other options.

just in case you need more evidence that it is gorgeous, check these:

 

[aeicalifornia]

It also has a red pop-up (albeit a probably leaking one ).

simple way to check the bellow, if red interior, as in my previous picture, NOT leaking.
the van 2 being registered Dec. 2022 you've got a better chance (compared to van1) to be a non leaking, as mine was registered Nov. 2022 and manufactured Aug. 2022.
just ask your mate in München to check the interior colour of bellow.
cheers and good luck, keep us posted!
(@Corradobrit and me will initiate a pure grey/red bellow faction of this club ))
aei

 

[aeicalifornia]

Yes it's a standard Transporter colour but only available for the Cali when part of the Edition Pack. Similarly Ascot Grey or 2 tone was not an option with the Edition model.

2 tone I know, but are you certainly sure AG not an option?
sometimes I wonder why I did not consider AG (as I really like the shade), could only have been because not available with edition pack?

 

[Corradobrit]

2 tone I know, but are you certainly sure AG not an option?
sometimes I wonder why I did not consider AG (as I really like the shade), could only have been because not available with edition pack?

I just checked an email convo I had with my dealer in Jan '21. AG was definitely not an option with the Edition Pack. At that time I wanted to switch to AG.

 

[Coelshie]

simple way to check the bellow, if red interior, as in my previous picture, NOT leaking.
the van 2 being registered Dec. 2022 you've got a better chance (compared to van1) to be a non leaking, as mine was registered Nov. 2022 and manufactured Aug. 2022.
just ask your mate in München to check the interior colour of bellow.
cheers and good luck, keep us posted!
(@Corradobrit and me will initiate a pure grey/red bellow faction of this club ))
aei

Lovely pictures @aeicalifornia - That does confirm it Yeah we both do love the red roof with grey. Dont want to get ahead of myself here before signing the contract (hopefully join that fraction).

In terms of the interior colour, what am i looking for?

 

[Coelshie]

Ah @aeicalifornia just read your message properly (too early) - if red interior, i should be good. OK will get him to check. Fingers crossed!

 

[Corradobrit]

Ah @aeicalifornia just read your message properly (too early) - if red interior, i should be good. OK will get him to check. Fingers crossed!

You probably have the leaky one. It will be double skinned, red on the outside and light grey on the inside. My Coast was registered Jan '23 with mid Nov '22 build date. The new bellows were introduced 3rd week of Sept. But sounds like the VW have finally got their act together and are rolling out functional bellows so don't let that put you off van 2.

 

[Coelshie]

Thanks @Corradobrit - Registration says Dec 2022 so might be lucky and my mate will check but wont put me off, especially with the warranty. Will just wait and see and then test it and if it leaks put a claim in.

Also, think we will get a pop cover from Rainbow Screens especially for spring and maybe then also for heavy rain etc so presuming that will help.

 

[Coelshie]

Just to give an update. Signed contract on Van#2 the Pure Grey, and will pick it up in 2 weeks from Münich. Exciting!

Friend was there last night confirming a few things (they did miss to check inside of pop top - doesnt matter) so decided to go for it.

Now need to start sourcing gas bottles, and other bits and bobs we need for our trip back to UK over Xmas in it Oh and searching more threads on here and where to put 2 labradors

Thanks for all the help, made the decision alot clearer and helped.