Propsective new T7 owner saying hello!

[Tengocity]

Hello all, have just registered so saying hello! My wife and I are close to ordering a new California, and searching for some answers led me here, so thought I may as well register. Having considered new v used, and T6 v T7, Cali v conversion, and even Marco Polo v VW! Test driven a T7 Ocean PHEV a few weeks back, and we are leaning towards a new T7 Ocean Petrol at the moment, and just looking to explore the final decision on spec and deals.
It's as much to be a weekend lifestyle vehicle, and long distance roadtrip vehicle, with two decent sized dogs, rather than just a campervan for holidays, so the T7 with two sliding doors, and the individual removable seats, and all the modern in-car tech, is really appealling.
I shall no start reading through the T7 forum and seeing what answeres there are already to some questions I have.

 

[Sad]

 

[Dodge1311]

Hello all, have just registered so saying hello! My wife and I are close to ordering a new California, and searching for some answers led me here, so thought I may as well register. Having considered new v used, and T6 v T7, Cali v conversion, and even Marco Polo v VW! Test driven a T7 Ocean PHEV a few weeks back, and we are leaning towards a new T7 Ocean Petrol at the moment, and just looking to explore the final decision on spec and deals.
It's as much to be a weekend lifestyle vehicle, and long distance roadtrip vehicle, with two decent sized dogs, rather than just a campervan for holidays, so the T7 with two sliding doors, and the individual removable seats, and all the modern in-car tech, is really appealling.
I shall no start reading through the T7 forum and seeing what answeres there are already to some questions I have.

Hi and welcome, i have a petrol T7 Ocean and a large Viszla I have now covered over 6000miles. Previously had a 6.1 Ocean for 48,000 miles. Any questions happy to help.

 

[Paul Norris]

Hi I have a diesel t7 ocean happy to help

 

[sticky1]

I bought a stocked petrol Ocean, so tried to find the best spec available in the UK, if I had any patience I would have waited and added the advanced parking package.
I don’t have full electric doors and wouldn’t miss them after I met someone with that option and they were frustrated with how slow they are when it’s raining.
I’d recommend mudflaps, 4 key option (make sure you get the parking heater remote key) and make sure you order the towbar as it’s your only option for a rear bike rack.
I have the Art Velour seat option (which seems to have disappeared from the configurator) but seem pretty good.
After market I added a Spacemate rear drawer and Solar Camper Solutions solar panels, Duvalay Freshtec mattress topper, ceramic paint protection and have been really pleased with the additions.
I needed to add a tracker for the insurance, I opted for the Scorpion S5 without the immobiliser as I wasn’t sure how that would cope with a van being locked from the inside and in camper mode.
I previously had a T6 California and I am enjoying the T7, I cannot comment on trying to camp with two big dogs - but I’m sure others on here can.

 

[omaralrawi]

This is very useful, thank you. Can I ask:
What’s the benefit of having 4 keys?
Do you have advice on the PHEV version?

 

[Tengocity]

I bought a stocked petrol Ocean, so tried to find the best spec available in the UK, if I had any patience I would have waited and added the advanced parking package.
I don’t have full electric doors and wouldn’t miss them after I met someone with that option and they were frustrated with how slow they are when it’s raining.
I’d recommend mudflaps, 4 key option (make sure you get the parking heater remote key) and make sure you order the towbar as it’s your only option for a rear bike rack.
I have the Art Velour seat option (which seems to have disappeared from the configurator) but seem pretty good.
After market I added a Spacemate rear drawer and Solar Camper Solutions solar panels, Duvalay Freshtec mattress topper, ceramic paint protection and have been really pleased with the additions.
I needed to add a tracker for the insurance, I opted for the Scorpion S5 without the immobiliser as I wasn’t sure how that would cope with a van being locked from the inside and in camper mode.
I previously had a T6 California and I am enjoying the T7, I cannot comment on trying to camp with two big dogs - but I’m sure others on here can.

Thank you, this is really helpful. Can you tell me more about the Art Velour option? I don't see it on the configurator, but it's on the Drive the Deal spec page. I am inclined to go for it! Our current spec is indeed manual doors (easier to manage the dogs rather than waiting or a door to open or close), the trailer assist plus (towbar plus the advanced parking together), smaller wheels with all season tyres, adaptice chassis control, mudflaps, 4 folding remotes, graphite grey cupboards. I have a Scorpion tracker on another car, so will likely stick with them if we need to get one. Haven't even vaguely thought about aftermarket stuff yet!

 

[Tengocity]

Hi and welcome, i have a petrol T7 Ocean and a large Viszla I have now covered over 6000miles. Previously had a 6.1 Ocean for 48,000 miles. Any questions happy to help.

How are you transporting your Viszla? Using a crate (and if so, which one?), or just tethered with a harness in the back? For day and weekend use around Scotland I think a harness a tether would work fine, but we would like to do some Euro roadtrips, in which case I think we would need a crate option.

 

[Sad]

This is very useful, thank you. Can I ask:
What’s the benefit of having 4 keys?
Do you have advice on the PHEV version?

4 keys is a personal preference. I, personally, don't see the point, but there are people that do.
FYI - It appears that there are curently some issues with battery management on some PHEV vehicles - https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/battery-management-issues-vw-new-california-t7.57626/

 

[Dodge1311]

How are you transporting your Viszla? Using a crate (and if so, which one?), or just tethered with a harness in the back? For day and weekend use around Scotland I think a harness a tether would work fine, but we would like to do some Euro roadtrips, in which case I think we would need a crate option.

We have art velours and would always pick that option so much more easy to clean than all the VW fabric options they have had over the years. We didn’t have them on the 6.1 and then spent almost as much on seat covers. We were using a solognac crate it was perfect but the T7 shelf is about 2inches too narrow so it went off for some fabrication alterations and while it was away he started using the back seats with a harness and seat belt leash. He loves it so much being able to look out the window that is now where he stays. we have put the Kong single seat covers on as they are very quick and easy to take on and off.

How are you transporting your Viszla? Using a crate (and if so, which one?), or just tethered with a harness in the back? For day and weekend use around Scotland I think a harness a tether would work fine, but we would like to do some Euro roadtrips, in which case I think we would need a crate

How are you transporting your Viszla? Using a crate (and if so, which one?), or just tethered with a harness in the back? For day and weekend use around Scotland I think a harness a tether would work fine, but we would like to do some Euro roadtrips, in which case I think we would need a crate option.

We have art velours and would always pick that option so much more easy to clean than all the VW fabric options they have had over the years. We didn’t have them on the 6.1 and then spent almost as much on seat covers. We were using a solognac crate it was perfect but the T7 shelf is about 2inches too narrow so it went off for some fabrication alterations and while it was away he started using the back seats with a harness and seat belt leash. He loves it so much being able to look out the window that is now where he stays. we have put the Kong single seat covers on as they are very quick and easy to take on and off.

 

[sticky1]

4 keys is a personal preference. I, personally, don't see the point, but there are people that do.
FYI - It appears that there are curently some issues with battery management on some PHEV vehicles - https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/battery-management-issues-vw-new-california-t7.57626/

My keys came with the remote for the parking heater and some people are reporting that their van doesn’t.
It seems if you order the four key option you get the auxiliary heater remote.