B
Brodger3
Lifetime VIP Member
T5 Caravelle to T6.1 Beach Tour
With the order book for T6.1 vans closed and the prospect of the California book closing soon I have decided it is time for a change. Goodbye T5 Caravelle; hello T6.1 California Beach Tour.
Back in 2015 when my first child came along I looked at buying a California Beach. I did not need or want the hob or tiny sink. I thought the Beach was a terrible option and ended up with a Caravelle. The rear bench bed plus brandup blinds gave me all that I really needed at that time. Two more kids and the seating is perfect, but sleeping is no longer practical. Get a popup roof for the Caravelle? Well 9 years old 60k on the clock it is a little tired. Plus I have the big six-o birthday coming up so I have gone for a 2023 California Beach Tour as a birthday present to myself.
I may regret it as I love the Caravelle. The family love it too. I have therefore tried to spec the Tour as close as I can get to my Caravelle, within my budget.
Leather Seats × not an option on Tour but I have gone for the art velours micro fleece with leather look.
Dark interior × this was not an option in 2015 and it was the light grey internal colour scheme that put me off. New Tour inside is more to my liking. Titanium black/Palladium.
DSG = ✓ this is what keeps me buying VWs.
Satnav = ✓ not an essential but it does stop the rows and stress in finding the end location.
Xenon Headlights × I have gone with standard halogen lights on the Beach as I avoid night-time driving with the kids.
Three zone climate control = ✓ I have gone for this because of the kids in the back and the extra condenser and capacity that comes with it. Setting the temperature and letting it keep it there is worth it.
Electric sliding doors = ✓ two doors and electric were not a Beach option in 2015. This was a must for me and the kids.
3 seat bench / bed = ✓ a like-for-like option. I will keep my mattress topper and reuse the brandrup thermal window covers.
Multi-flex board = ✓ standard on Beach. I had one made for the Caravelle and may use it instead.
Child booster chairs × not an option on Beach but I will transfer two over from the Caravelle to give the 7 seat setup.
Rear camera and parking sensors = ✓ the camera is essential for getting the van into my garage.
Heated seats = ✓ I have gone for this option as I use it quite frequently on the Caravelle.
Picnic table = ✓ it is different. The Caravelle has the extra rail for the round pop-up table which is excellent and I will miss this. The kids will be sad to see that go as van picnics is a favourite.
Removable tow bar = ✓ I have used this often with a bike rack. I also might use it for luggage too in the future.
Folding mirrors = ✓ very useful feature around for in-town parking.
Mud flaps = ✓ essential for Scottish rural roads.
Front fog lights × don't think I'll miss this.
Rear spoiler × the Caravelle looks great in the sports pack with bumpers and spoiler plus the chrome side rails and other 'exec' features - the Tour will look rather plain in comparison.
Rear carpets × the Tour has rubber floor in the back. I think this will be an improvement with the kids making a mess.
18" wheels × I have gone for standard with the Tour 17" Devonport, but included an alloy spare just in case a wheel gets bashed and a replacement is ceased to be available.
Leather multifunction steering wheel (a £285 option on Caravelle) = ✓ standard on Beach.
Convenience lighting = ✓ standard on the Caravelle and a nice to have when getting kids in and out when I do venture out in the dark.
Tire pressure monitoring = ✓ yes I have taken this option I am lazy and this is a safety feature.
Swivel seats (£270 option on Caravelle) = ✓ standard on Beach.
Privacy glass = ✓ i have matched this option.
Chrome package × this looks nice on Caravelle but not essential and not available on Beach.
Roof prep × the Caravelle has this option with black rails either side to take roof bars.
What do I get that the Caravelle does not have?
✓ A pop-up loft bed. I have added the panorama window. Also went for camper comfort lights for the kids.
✓ Auxiliary heater.
✓ Two folding chairs.
✓ Converter socket.
✓ Adaptive cruise control and front collision detection.
✓ the camping control panel, with the leveling function, lighting control and heating.
✓ metallic grey paint.
✓ manual sliding window in rear.
✓ Car play and we connect.
✓ Euro 6 engine.
✓ the improved dash design and materials from T5 to T6.1
✓ Warranty, 3 years servicing and first MOT. A years 'free' insurance and breakdown cover.
✓ delivery miles as opposed to 60k and major service due and possible other repairs and replacement of worn parts.
What will I miss? What might I regret?
1.Will the Caravelle be more 'refined' than the Beach? The full Nappa leather seats which are excellent and just broken in. I am concerned that the Beach might have more cabin noise and squeeks from the roof. The Caravelle roof in the back, with the controls and vents, is quite special.
2.The Caravelle is tried and tested, it is robust and everything works. I am relaxed about the kids bashing it around. Will I be more precious with a new van? Will they break stuff straight away?
3.The power. 180ps down to 150ps.
4.The Caravelle has sun blinds that we use a lot. The Beach has blackout blinds which will not be practical during the day. The kids will want to look outside but be shaded.
5.Not going for the LED headlights for £1458 or front fog lights £456.
6.Not going for an awning as I can not imagine bothering to use it. £516.
7.Not choosing Dynamic Chassis Control at £1542. It's a van after all not a sports car.
8.Not choosing heated front windscreen £528.
9.Adding 1% to the cost by taking out gap insurance.
10.Even though I can not imagine cooking in the van or washing up in the tiny si
nk - or the kids fiddling with that stuff - will I rue not going camper?
With the order book for T6.1 vans closed and the prospect of the California book closing soon I have decided it is time for a change. Goodbye T5 Caravelle; hello T6.1 California Beach Tour.
Back in 2015 when my first child came along I looked at buying a California Beach. I did not need or want the hob or tiny sink. I thought the Beach was a terrible option and ended up with a Caravelle. The rear bench bed plus brandup blinds gave me all that I really needed at that time. Two more kids and the seating is perfect, but sleeping is no longer practical. Get a popup roof for the Caravelle? Well 9 years old 60k on the clock it is a little tired. Plus I have the big six-o birthday coming up so I have gone for a 2023 California Beach Tour as a birthday present to myself.
I may regret it as I love the Caravelle. The family love it too. I have therefore tried to spec the Tour as close as I can get to my Caravelle, within my budget.
Leather Seats × not an option on Tour but I have gone for the art velours micro fleece with leather look.
Dark interior × this was not an option in 2015 and it was the light grey internal colour scheme that put me off. New Tour inside is more to my liking. Titanium black/Palladium.
DSG = ✓ this is what keeps me buying VWs.
Satnav = ✓ not an essential but it does stop the rows and stress in finding the end location.
Xenon Headlights × I have gone with standard halogen lights on the Beach as I avoid night-time driving with the kids.
Three zone climate control = ✓ I have gone for this because of the kids in the back and the extra condenser and capacity that comes with it. Setting the temperature and letting it keep it there is worth it.
Electric sliding doors = ✓ two doors and electric were not a Beach option in 2015. This was a must for me and the kids.
3 seat bench / bed = ✓ a like-for-like option. I will keep my mattress topper and reuse the brandrup thermal window covers.
Multi-flex board = ✓ standard on Beach. I had one made for the Caravelle and may use it instead.
Child booster chairs × not an option on Beach but I will transfer two over from the Caravelle to give the 7 seat setup.
Rear camera and parking sensors = ✓ the camera is essential for getting the van into my garage.
Heated seats = ✓ I have gone for this option as I use it quite frequently on the Caravelle.
Picnic table = ✓ it is different. The Caravelle has the extra rail for the round pop-up table which is excellent and I will miss this. The kids will be sad to see that go as van picnics is a favourite.
Removable tow bar = ✓ I have used this often with a bike rack. I also might use it for luggage too in the future.
Folding mirrors = ✓ very useful feature around for in-town parking.
Mud flaps = ✓ essential for Scottish rural roads.
Front fog lights × don't think I'll miss this.
Rear spoiler × the Caravelle looks great in the sports pack with bumpers and spoiler plus the chrome side rails and other 'exec' features - the Tour will look rather plain in comparison.
Rear carpets × the Tour has rubber floor in the back. I think this will be an improvement with the kids making a mess.
18" wheels × I have gone for standard with the Tour 17" Devonport, but included an alloy spare just in case a wheel gets bashed and a replacement is ceased to be available.
Leather multifunction steering wheel (a £285 option on Caravelle) = ✓ standard on Beach.
Convenience lighting = ✓ standard on the Caravelle and a nice to have when getting kids in and out when I do venture out in the dark.
Tire pressure monitoring = ✓ yes I have taken this option I am lazy and this is a safety feature.
Swivel seats (£270 option on Caravelle) = ✓ standard on Beach.
Privacy glass = ✓ i have matched this option.
Chrome package × this looks nice on Caravelle but not essential and not available on Beach.
Roof prep × the Caravelle has this option with black rails either side to take roof bars.
What do I get that the Caravelle does not have?
✓ A pop-up loft bed. I have added the panorama window. Also went for camper comfort lights for the kids.
✓ Auxiliary heater.
✓ Two folding chairs.
✓ Converter socket.
✓ Adaptive cruise control and front collision detection.
✓ the camping control panel, with the leveling function, lighting control and heating.
✓ metallic grey paint.
✓ manual sliding window in rear.
✓ Car play and we connect.
✓ Euro 6 engine.
✓ the improved dash design and materials from T5 to T6.1
✓ Warranty, 3 years servicing and first MOT. A years 'free' insurance and breakdown cover.
✓ delivery miles as opposed to 60k and major service due and possible other repairs and replacement of worn parts.
What will I miss? What might I regret?
1.Will the Caravelle be more 'refined' than the Beach? The full Nappa leather seats which are excellent and just broken in. I am concerned that the Beach might have more cabin noise and squeeks from the roof. The Caravelle roof in the back, with the controls and vents, is quite special.
2.The Caravelle is tried and tested, it is robust and everything works. I am relaxed about the kids bashing it around. Will I be more precious with a new van? Will they break stuff straight away?
3.The power. 180ps down to 150ps.
4.The Caravelle has sun blinds that we use a lot. The Beach has blackout blinds which will not be practical during the day. The kids will want to look outside but be shaded.
5.Not going for the LED headlights for £1458 or front fog lights £456.
6.Not going for an awning as I can not imagine bothering to use it. £516.
7.Not choosing Dynamic Chassis Control at £1542. It's a van after all not a sports car.
8.Not choosing heated front windscreen £528.
9.Adding 1% to the cost by taking out gap insurance.
10.Even though I can not imagine cooking in the van or washing up in the tiny si
nk - or the kids fiddling with that stuff - will I rue not going camper?