VW Grand California 680

[JamesEngland]

I am on the brink of ordering a new one. Should I? Does anyone have experience of this model (good or bad). Thanks

 

[CazPaul]

I am on the brink of ordering a new one. Should I? Does anyone have experience of this model (good or bad). Thanks

Have you asked about winterisation, some saying the vw California no insulation in at all.

They do look a quality conversion, have you found out the payload?

 

[Bobby-gg]

I can't comment upon the Grand california, but friends just rented a T6.1 based california coast last weekend for a festival, and whilst we think it was the base model, it was very well thought out and put together, far better than many converters attempts, but you would expect that from a factory conversion

 

[Oldrat]

I looked at them, and whilst I found it very stylish. Nowt wrong with them, the layout didn’t suit my need..

So I built my own version based on a new Superhigh LWB…much more living space and flexibility.

I present my Grand Crafter..

 

[Longjohn]

We have just put our 680 at VW van centre Birmingham for them to sell for us, we loved the idea of it and the size but prefer a coach built with a garage, most people who have them love them, Ours was a 4motion and a vey high spec with diesel heating, solar etc and nearly every extra available from VW plus a £10k suspension lift kit, under protection side bars and bigger wheels quite a beast.
We had a custom mattress made and left the bed made up all the time. Spend time in one make sure there’s enough space and it all works for you, my wife would have kept it but for me not having a garage for the motorbike was the deal breaker.

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[rod_vw]

You will find a few GC owners on the VW T6 Forum and the VW California Forum

 

[Plumb]

I looked at them, and whilst I found it very stylish. Nowt wrong with them, the layout didn’t suit my need..

So I built my own version based on a new Superhigh LWB…much more living space and flexibility.

I present my Grand Crafter..



View attachment 659955View attachment 659956View attachment 659957View attachment 659958

Yes it must a huge living space ! To require a motorcycle to get around

 

[Oldrat]

Yes it must a huge living space ! To require a motorcycle to get around

Or a huge king size..

 

[Oldrat]

We have just put our 680 at VW van centre Birmingham for them to sell for us, we loved the idea of it and the size but prefer a coach built with a garage, most people who have them love them, Ours was a 4motion and a vey high spec with diesel heating, solar etc and nearly every extra available from VW plus a £10k suspension lift kit, under protection side bars and bigger wheels quite a beast.
We had a custom mattress made and left the bed made up all the time. Spend time in one make sure there’s enough space and it all works for you, my wife would have kept it but for me not having a garage for the motorbike was the deal breaker.View attachment 659970

Lovely thing that. I couldn’t see it on their web site… too soon?

 

[Plumb]

Or a huge king size..

View attachment 659996

Joking aside it looks a lovely conversion

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[Carolyn and Kev]

I looked at them, and whilst I found it very stylish. Nowt wrong with them, the layout didn’t suit my need..

So I built my own version based on a new Superhigh LWB…much more living space and flexibility.

I present my Grand Crafter..



View attachment 659955View attachment 659956View attachment 659957View attachment 659958

Brilliant job!

 

[dash300]

If it suits why not. But for me, expensive, narrow and only 2 berth. So discounted.

 

[colinduncan]

I am on the brink of ordering a new one. Should I? Does anyone have experience of this model (good or bad). Thanks

Hi
I have had my 600 for 6 months and it works perfectly for me.As everyone says it all depends on your needs.
I started off with a Cathargo A class yauchting-top spec and a big vehicle- 8 meters.
I then tried a top of the range California T6 which was the complete opposite and I found too much faffing about to do absolutely anything (Some people like this).
Personally I don’t like Fiat Ducatto and a great proportion of motor homes are built on these .
I then got the 600 VW GC and it works perfectly for me. It doesn’t have the A class finishings of the Cathargo, but I have learnt (rather expensively)that practicality is far more important if you like to keep on the move and be able to go and park almost anywhere.I chose the 600 over the 680 for this reason as 6m is much easier to find a parking space than 680 and I didn’t think the extra 800mm in the 680 had any significant benefit.
Also the VW 600 is a superb drive (I also have a Range Rover and a Porsche so know the good from the bad).
In summary if you want to find a practical van that drives well,parks anywhere and has everything you need then this is a good choice. If you want luxury (but not necessarily practicality) then an A class is a better choice.
Don’t know if this helps at all, but good luck anyway

 

[jongood]

fo

I am on the brink of ordering a new one. Should I? Does anyone have experience of this model (good or bad). Thanks

for the same money you can buy a proper motorhome with insulation and usable facilities, Vw you're paying for the brand not for expertise.

 

[Longjohn]

Lovely thing that. I couldn’t see it on their web site… too soon?

Yes we dropped it in on Saturday so I would image it will be on early this week.

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[Oldrat]

fo

for the same money you can buy a proper motorhome with insulation and usable facilities, Vw you're paying for the brand not for expertise.

The narrowness was the main attraction for me.

I’m surrounded by 6’6” width restrictions.

I’d have a bit of a problem going anywhere.

 

[Justus3]

Oldrat Top class conversion practical and clean lines design elements I aim for.
Really love the back door wall art. Who did you get to do that ?

 

[Jezter]

I looked at them, and whilst I found it very stylish. Nowt wrong with them, the layout didn’t suit my need..

So I built my own version based on a new Superhigh LWB…much more living space and flexibility.

I present my Grand Crafter..



View attachment 659955View attachment 659956View attachment 659957View attachment 659958

Holy Crap!

More on the bike, please!

 

[Jezter]

Holy Crap!

More on the bike, please!

Or if it's in another thread, I'd be interested.

 

[Oldrat]

Oldrat Top class conversion practical and clean lines design elements I aim for.
Really love the back door wall art. Who did you get to do that ?

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[Oldrat]

Or if it's in another thread, I'd be interested.

 

[jongood]

The narrowness was the main attraction for me.

I’m surrounded by 6’6” width restrictions.

I’d have a bit of a problem going anywhere.

plenty of Pvcs around that are better value than the VW. there's quite a good video on you tube

 

[Longjohn]

Thats not a very fair review he was sore at the time look at his latest reviews.

 

[jongood]

Thats not a very fair review he was sore at the time look at his latest reviews.

doesn't change issues like the bed design or VW dealers being unable to fix it.

 

[Longjohn]

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[Longjohn]

Its all part of the experience, most brands have problems.

 

[Jezter]

Thanks for that.

Also found a thread on Ducati forum in which you go into a bit more depth (I just googled Guzzi Zagato, thinking "That can't be a manufacturer bike?!").

A really beautiful bike, and I think the tech you've used and how you've used it is fantastic.

 

[Jezter]

Thanks for that.

Also found a thread on Ducati forum in which you go into a bit more depth (I just googled Guzzi Zagato, thinking "That can't be a manufacturer bike?!").

A really beautiful bike, and I think the tech you've used and how you've used it is fantastic.

p.s. Apologies for thread derail.

 

[Neckender]

I just love my VW T6.1.

John.

 

[JamesEngland]

Thanks to all for taking time to reply and advise. New Grand California 680 now ordered.
CazPaul; you gave me a fright about insulation, hadn't given it a thought. I have checked VW literature; floor, roof and walls are all insulated.
Old Rat; nice conversion, well done.
Colinduncan; perhaps you would like Knaus coach built, 7 m on VW Crafter chassis (badged MAN), a compact luxury van which is nice to drive.
Jongood, thanks for sending review video.