Wanted VW Grand California 600

[BillN]

4 berth - i.e. with the kids bed over the driver
then - ideally
Reversing Camera
Tow Bar
Good diesel Heating
Bike rack
under 12,000 miles
Not White - prefer Grey or Silver but two tone is OK
well looked after - FSH
within a reasonable distance of Winchester, Hampshire as my son and daughter will need to look at it, as like most with small kids they don't have a lot of free time

Budget £50k .....£55k to £65k .........which seems to be the price area for good ones

 

[BillN]

now sorted - I hope - from VW dealer - subject to inspection, (seen the images and the spec sheet), - had to spend a bit more than I hoped but they seem to go as soon as they are advertised - an ex VW HO van

 

[Oldrat]

now sorted - I hope - from VW dealer - subject to inspection, (seen the images and the spec sheet), - had to spend a bit more than I hoped but they seem to go as soon as they are advertised - an ex VW HO van

Hope it works out Bill

Best of luck fella

 

[BillN]

Hope it works out Bill

Best of luck fella

Thanks,

It's really for the "kids" - well no longer kids, but son and daughter's families, so grand kids - maybe we will get to use it just a few times per year ........

trying to rush it through as my daughter wants to go to France first week in July in it but technically she should take the new V5C and get a Crit d'air

now we have a long list of bits and pieces needed to make a van trip work better, although they have quite a lot of camping gear

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Thanks,

It's really for the "kids" - well no longer kids, but son and daughter's families, so grand kids - maybe we will get to use it just a few times per year ........

trying to rush it through as my daughter wants to go to France first week in July in it but technically she should take the new V5C and get a Crit d'air

now we have a long list of bits and pieces needed to make a van trip work better, although they have quite a lot of camping gear

Have you got any space for a borrow in September ?

UKGSer mates rates natch

 

[BillN]

Have you got any space for a borrow in September ?

UKGSer mates rates natch

Not mine - we've bought it for the "kids" and I expect it will get used most of the time - 3+ weeks in France already booked and most weekends, (for sailing), until it gets cold and then "stored" away for the Winter.

 

[Oldrat]

Got any pics Bill?

 

[BillN]

Got any pics Bill?

Pick


Pick in up in a few days

 

[Oldrat]

Great and in the best colour too.

Health to enjoy Bill,

 

[The smudger]

Looks good Bill, you got this for your kids? Do you fancy adopting me??

 

[BillN]

Looks good Bill, you got this for your kids? Do you fancy adopting me??

we are getting on a bit, 80 this year and I do not think the toilet facilities would suit for more than a day or two - it's something that they have always wanted and you carn't put a price on the magical enjoyment the grand kids have when they are camping ......... so we decided that it's no good saving our money better to put it to good use.

I fancy doing a NC500 trip in September, I enjoy photography and it looks like the sights are wonderful.

 

[Udders]

Nice looking van.

 

[BillN]

"kids" - well 40 year olds and their kids love it - daughter spent a week or so in St Ives and son has booked it for a few weeks to go to France

We, well I, (still to convince my wife), plan a week touring west Wales in September once the kids go back to school.......... I think the NC 500 is a bit too much!

It is really well built and not bad to drive and all seem to "love" the van

Just thinking about fitting an underslung spare wheel, "Crafter style" - kit seems to be over £300 plus the cost of the wheel and tyre

Has anyone fitted an underslung kit to a Crafter?

 

[Burridge01]

Not mine - we've bought it for the "kids" and I expect it will get used most of the time - 3+ weeks in France already booked and most weekends, (for sailing), until it gets cold and then "stored" away for the Winter.

You are getting it wrong,in the winter months it's your playtime.Join the other Snowbirds who disappear down to southern Spain and Portugal. You certainly won't struggle to meet older British campers doing exactly the same thing.Not me mind,I stay away from the blue rinse massive

 

[redhand]

That's so right. For the last ten years we have spent our winters jan to April in the algarve and andalusia. Best thing we ever did.

 

[DS]

You are getting it wrong,in the winter months it's your playtime.Join the other Snowbirds who disappear down to southern Spain and Portugal. You certainly won't struggle to meet older British campers doing exactly the same thing.Not me mind,I stay away from the blue rinse massive

Yup, literally 2 minutes from the coast here in Chilches, Malaga and there are never fewer than 5/6 vans parked up over the winter months. French, British and Germans. They’re never bothered because they’re sensible and don’t take the piss.

 

[Gee-]

Taken from this webpage: https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/rear-mounted-spare-wheel-carrier.52156/

Much easier getting off your vehicle than struggling from underneath it. A lighter space saver wheel might be the way to go, locking nut and a wheel cover for it.

 

[BillN]

Taken from this webpage: https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/rear-mounted-spare-wheel-carrier.52156/

Much easier getting off your vehicle than struggling from underneath it.

View attachment 523053

Thanks, but we have a Bike rack fitted which they need and use so a spare wheel on the other door is not possible, (I believe)

 

[Gee-]

I wasn't sure regarding bike rack, I see that being a problem also now, there might be a way for the bikes to fit further out from the van door missing the spare wheel on other door if you was to fit. Just an option for you to consider.
My neighbours van has the spare wheel underneath, in its cradle, not great getting at it on a pouring wet rainy day. As long as you keep the lowering screw freshly oiled and the locking nut oiled, it should work fine.

Alternative, keep a space saver inside the van, if space allows, secure to the inside, off the rear door. Not forgetting you will also need a strong jack, plus hub nut wrench, in safe keeping.

 

[BillN]

Just a bit more info - in March 2025 VW introduced the 5+ promise for the Grand California, which consisted of the following, 5 years AA, home and abroad, 5 year Warranty, Free MOT's in the 5 year period and also 5 free services.
Now VW recommend 2 years or 30,000 miles, (which in my opinion is far too high) between services) - but this literally means 5 free services which can be taken at the times you chose within the 2 year period, so this could be 5 free services over a 10 year period, (I have checked this and it has been confirmed by the VW Van dealer).