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
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