Volkswagen California Ocean (ENG) - Test Drive and Review, Walkaround
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ก.ย. 2017
- Volkswagen California is my second compact camper van. While testing Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo, I called Volkswagen to ask them about something regarding their camper offer, and the PR manager asked, why don't I just take the California for a test drive. It would have been rude of me to refuse, so I spent a long weekend driving around and sleeping with my better half in THE camper van. How does Volkswagen California Ocean stack up again Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo?
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Starting price: 42 000 euro
As tested: ~85 000 euro
I am wearing:
Ray-Ban Justin sunglasses: goo.gl/rfPSJi
Polo Ralph Lauren hoodie: goo.gl/ov8rXD
Giordano t-shirt, similar: goo.gl/8uAvMy
Tommy Hilfiger jeans: goo.gl/t2ZEV5
New Balance sneakers, similar: goo.gl/V8uP5g
Casio G-Shock watch, similar: goo.gl/rW3hAc
My gear:
Camera: amzn.to/2anPsaz
Lens1 amzn.to/2adPOO0
Lens2 amzn.to/2adPSNN
Mic1 amzn.to/2amPI6c
Mic2 amzn.to/2aATyM1
Windscreen amzn.to/2aESbNt
GoPro1 amzn.to/2arzGsL
GoPro2 amzn.to/2adQ9Qz
Gimbal amzn.to/2aCVwZX
GoPro suction cup amzn.to/2anS0oQ
Drone amzn.to/2anS8VB
Tripod1 amzn.to/2anRY08
Tripod2 amzn.to/2a9E1V9
Travel Tripod amzn.to/2adQcw1
Slider amzn.to/2adQS4f
Suction mount1 amzn.to/2anRJT1 + amzn.to/2adQSkZ
Suction mount2 amzn.to/2a9E9UZ
Camera bag amzn.to/2boAxNo
Camera case amzn.to/2bpvIS0
Laptop amzn.to/2amBuIP
Also watch:
Mercedes-Benz V-Class Marco Polo • Mercedes-Benz V Class ...
Mercedes-Benz Vito • Mercedes-Benz Vito Tou...
Mercedes-Benz V Class • (ENG) Mercedes-Benz V-...
Volkswagen Transporter • Volkswagen Transporter...
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#MarekDrives #Volkswagen #VWCalifornia - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
It really takes, using it to actually camp, to get all the quirks. Thanks you for your reviews.
This was a really great camping van review, really liked both VW California Ocean and Mercedes Benz Marco Polo reviews ... Could you possibly make a variety of trailer or camper reviews as well? Woul'd be really useful and exciting to see different options available!
Keep up the good work! ;)
Several comments about the price of this camper, it is expensive but the depreciation rate is so low that the cost of ownership is much less than say for the quoted BMW 5 series saloon..
The drivers seat is easily turned, just a matter of practice and/or when all fails read the manual.
We have just done a three week tour through France down to Med coast in our Ocean. Drive a couple of hours visit an attractive town in the morning and drop into a campsite in the afternoon, explore the locality and then move off the next morning. We stayed at some places for three nights, others just one. A September that will live long in our memory.
Very good review, interesting details shown! Thanxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Very good review.
Hi Marek, great review again, especially when I am keen on campervans. Would you make a review of a campervan based on Ducato or similar and compare it to California & comp. (both living and driving)? I am looking forward to a next review.
I'll see what I can do. Probably not this season though.
This blokes just moans about everything. Californias are quality. It's a mini campervan guess what it's going to be tight
Oh man , my dear Marek ... I love your reviews , I like your casual mode of talking and funny remarks , nothing fancy or high-tech level of conversations . I like also you don't afraid to criticize things you dislike , I much appreciate all therefore I follow you every friday . But now you blow me up ! It was the most craisy thing I saw... Your pants between legs . It will be much fun to see your further video clips with other ripped pants . This was a calculated and intended part of the video or it was just a simple error released on web . Haven't you see it when you had edited this clip ? Anyway the fact is you added a touch of reality to presentation . I really much appreciate and thumb up my dear ! Keep it on always .
Yes, this was the last appearance in these jeans. Sometimes you don't know, until you see it on camera. I'm surprised one or two takes cause so much commotion.
"I'm surprised one or two takes cause so much commotion." - Really ??? That happened and that's it ! You screwed it ! But you must assume it and move on . I really much enjoy it and in my opinion if that couldn't exist this must be an unusually funny error in every video you make . I mean it , I'm very serious , that didn't bother me so much . Those plenty forms of your balls popped-up of your pants were amazing . I've had enough of those stiff , sad and grave reviews of most of so called auto specialits . I need for a little bit funny parts of movie scenario as you are used to be .
Great review - the 2018 model year California now has a split worktop over the hob/sink (copying MP?!) and the table also clips in so it doesn't rattle or bang about. There is also new LED lighting on the 2018 model, with in cupboard lighting and also a long LED strip under the front of the kitchen unit. How did this drive vs the MP?
They are both pretty much the same to drive. California is slightly easier to park because of size (duh!), but Marco Polo has 360 degree camera, so that helps. I think California was somewhat quieter inside, but maybe because it is smaller, so it's easier to talk to rear passengers, and there is less resonance.
tell me something about the creaking plastic, table and chairs and the curtain in the cabin in the marco polo...
I Love your English !!!
I like it too very much, somehow (? don't know why)
Very useful review. Did you have the pop top up in the wind and rain? If so how did it perform? Thanks
We never slept "downstairs". We used the cabin for kitchen/living room, and slept only "upstairs". 1. because I always wanted to sleep on the roof as a kid, 2. it's less hassle not having to rearrange the seats, luggage, etc.
We drove the California in late summer/early autumn in the mountains. We did encounter some rain, and temperature at night was probably down to around 5 degrees Celsius. There were a couple of rainy nights/days as well. With the heater on you'll be fine most of the time. My only problem was cold feet (literally, not figuratively :) ). I wish there was some air circulation between cabin and roof bed around the foot area. Theoretically one could sleep with one's head in the foot area, but then one could hit one's head, when getting up.
There were no leaks, the canvas did not get moist from the inside. I heard that on very windy nights the canvas starts flapping around, and it becomes loud, but in moderate wind its fine. I slept like a baby.
Press the table in more and don’t diss it just because you can’t use the table,it has a holding latch to stop it from rattling
How many batteries are there in total? Do they all load up when driving? How long does it take them to load when driving? How long could I work on my macbook pro? Thanks. Love your reviews!
In simple terms there are two: one for the car, one to keep the living area running. Both recharge during driving or even when the car is idling. Alternator on this car is more powerful. The rest depends on the options. You can order a socket to plug the car into the power mains, while on a camping. This will give you 230V all the way. You can also order a power inverter, which will convert 12V into 230V, so you can charge your laptop on the go.
How long can you stay off the grid? Depends on the weather, but generally you can probably have enough power for 3-4 days of using the fridge, lights at night, charging a laptop once in a while. Then you can always turn on the car or drive it. Heating runs on diesel, so you don't have to worry about that. It uses tiny amounts of fuel throughout the night.
I was surprised you didn’t mention the under seat storage in the rear. In the Marco Polo isn’t the outdoor table under there? regardless of the plastic sheathing I would bet that sand, lint and dirt would work it’s way into the seat rails. Regular vacuuming must be necessary
Compared to Marco Polo seat rails are much better protected in the California. Marco Polo table and chairs take up space in the boot under the rear part of the bed.
Awesome voice
**TV/laptop mount!!!** hello one needs to use such things while having the seats folded in order to chill!!! also capability to add solar panels and a batter + space for a small portable toilet! (space that has ventilation for the smells!! ) + Antennas for better wifi...
I mean thats like 101 to live outside without the need to visit a home...
Hi Marek, which would you buy the Marco Polo or the California?
And I wonder about luggage space. The better table/chair solution in the VW might result in more luggage space despite the smaller size
+morganwright123 Neither. If I wanted a compact camper van I'd probably have one custom fitted. Preferably on a LWB T6, because of better cockpit layout.
Great review, especially if English is not your mother tongue. Just one point so you can improve even more; at 9:05 it is telescopic arms, a telescope is what you look at the stars with!
Did you prefer the California or Marco Polo overall?
Thanks, I know. Sometimes I'm missing a word in the middle of a sentence.
Anyway, there's no clear winner, because price-wise they are closely matched. California is thought out better (the way everything folds, stows, etc.), but it is shorter, and you can feel it in the back. California also has a better cockpit. Better storage, etc. Marco Polo has better lighting on the roof bed, and the sunroof is great on a hot night. Overall I'd probably like to build a customer camper on a LWB Transporter. Looking forward to California XXL, though I fear it may be too big for some towns.
I'm landscape photographer and this car is a dream, just for what I need
@21:41 is that a jaguar?
Front seats rotate?
Yes, though rotating driver's seat is quite difficult, as handbrake gets in the way.
I really like how he speaks English
He sounded a lot like a polish slingblade.
Marek, great review! And now the key question: MB Marco Polo or VW California ocean?
Preferably custom built van based on LWD T6.
MB is bigger, has better kitchen, better lighting. VW has better cockpit, better rear bench rails, better furniture storage.
How much €€€ Mercedes pay you to do this video...
Prices nowadays are so insane! And even many thinks are not well thought out concerning practicality and quality. Who buys this? ("Best" thing was: you can't use the parking brake when you want to turn the drivers seat. Imagine a short stop on a trip (wanna have some coffee with your friends in your car) in heavy rain, where you don't wanna go out to put anything under the wheels not to roll away... And other stupid solutions...
Sonnenschein Sommer. Leaving vehicles in gear whilst they're parked is a good practice for many vehicles as that gives extra safety and back-up for any brake failures. Also, for the California, by having it in gear then allows you to drop the hand brake for the few seconds it takes to swivel the chair around. On the drivers seat you also need to tilt the backrest forward a little so as not to brush against the steering wheel... It's a little more work, but no big deal once you get used to it.
Now only if I can buy this in the US......
You have bigger and cheaper RVs, but I see how this would make a great road trip home on wheels in the US.
It has California in its name so why not sell it in the US?
il volante si regola lol!
How does VW manage to sell a camper van that is both smaller and more expensive than a Mercedes camper van?
That's a good question, to which I have no good answer.
mercedes is may to big for daily use...
Fashion.
Here is the answer: if there are e.g. 400 Million people (like roughly adults in Europe) and from them 0,001% wanna buy a camper van. And from the camper van buyer 50% are not so intelligent and from them 50% are really stupid and buy this van, VW still sells 1000 of this vans!
Because it just is the real deal.A California is a Volkswagen camper van.The original. A Mercedes is just "like" a VW. Only taken because it is cheaper.If the VWs would not be so freaking expensive nobody would buy anything else.
lol the rip on the crotch
pretty good review that covers a lot of the features - but oh dear- to be balanced and more fair in reviewing features in a vehicle you should't misuse the feature and then have complaints about the side effects you cause yourself -fro example - you left PJs blocking the roof closing properly , drove 300km and then complain that there was wind noise ? Thats not really a fair review of the vehicle ? If people do not use the features of a vehicle correctly they cannot really complain about the feature , use the equipment properly and it works properly !!
Call it a complain, call it an observation. As far as I'm concerned, I'm going to keep my pillow, PJs, etc. up on the bed, and I expect some clearance for it all to fit. Apparently the clearance is much smaller, than I imagined. Something others may want to consider, when buying or even renting a vehicle like this. Once you buy, you'll learn, but if you're just renting, you may not be aware of certain features, options, and shortcomings.
needs more power.
Ok, so, lighting not sufficient? Wow. I do not agree. The wider kitchen light is very bright and perfect for kitchen work and lighting the van in general.
You talk about a ‘shade’ which is an awning and about ‘telescopes’ which are struts.
Not sure how anyone can take this review serious.
Mate you need to buy some new pants, there are some unfortunate holes in this one :D
Yes, I know. I canned them today. Beyond repair. Shame, because I love old jeans.
Marek Drives nothing more comfortable than an old pair of jeans. Well, except for the seats in this car perhaps, from what I've heard...
Sorry! How much?
A lot!
At this price, no I don't see a case. I will take a VW Passat Wagon and spend the savings on a hotel room or even flights and a hotel room. This is the biggest problem with these things, you have to drive them where you want to go, which immediately limits where you can go. Are you going to drive this Crete, Sardinia or Majorca etc? No! This is very expensive for having the convenience of going from one location to the next, especially in Europe where you are never far from a vacation rental. My parents used to have an RV, they only used it a handful of times and realized that it not only cost them a lot to buy, but the cost to maintain and drive (renting somewhere to park and the extra cost of the poor fuel economy) made it more expensive than flying, renting a car and staying at a hotel. Okay, maybe someone out there will enjoy this, but how often? Why not just rent one of these on occasion?
I totally agree with your point, which is why I said this is for people, who have some active outdoor hobby. A guy camping next door was a canoe fan. He goes from one place to another with his inflatable canoe. This was his vacation, so he drove all the way from the Netherlands, but he said he uses the car on the weekends as well to go somewhere to canoe, and sleep over before returning home on Sunday evening.
Weak video, Mercedes lover? Then it is oK! Bought from Mercedes? Then it is only very sad! Armchair and table perfectly accommodated and thus remains trunk! At VW! At Mercedes? No trunk anymore! Sink? Mercedes small, VW ok! Table in the interior? VW stable, Mercedes wobbly! Make bed and sleep on it? Uneven, and electrically it takes forever, the headrests stow is shit. The upper bed is easy to fix with gas dampers at VW! If you want to close the roof, it may not work. OK! At Mercedes, you can not close the roof in any case if you do not unlock the lock manually!
The driving experience? Mercedes already better. But I have the E-Class for that. I do not sleep in this one.
Not a great review to be honest. Lots of inaccuracies and incorrect statements. You have not clipped in the table correctly for example, there is a pin that locates down between the bench seat and a pin in the table bracket. That stops the rattle you demonstrated. And I don't think the PR guys are going to be happy with you - you've bent the roof!! you can see in one of the external video shot's you've taken. Oh dear.
You can see roof warp in the video at 19:23. While driving over the bridge. The passenger side corner is flush, while the driver side corner is up by about 1-3 inches as far as I can see.
Looking back further it could have been due to the roof closure procedure - which is open both windows, or side load door, I think it reminds you on the control panel. You only opened the drivers window possibly creating an imbalance in air pressure.... could be anyone's guess.
so you have to take a shit outside ?
Yes. Unless you buy one of those portable toilets, and store it inside. I've seen photos of it fitting under the sink with middle shelf removed. I'm just not sure I'd like to sleep in the same room with my #2 floating in a box.
yeah i feel you
Woods are good enough for bears apparently. My wife, who is not a bear, objects.
Very, very picky and negative review. I gave up watching. How about a balanced review perhaps with some positives!
Marco Polo Marco Polo is that all he says yawn...
🙄 you obviously dislike this camper may I suggest actually using them then you might not waste real peoples time. 👎🏻
It has its advantages and disadvantages. I know the California is the go to camper van, but having driven the Marco Polo a few months earlier I did notice some room for improvement in the VW.
This review is too long, too boring, and you complain too much, it's not a mansion, it's a van.
It's an 85k euro van. I think it deserves a bit more detailed review, than a Toyota Yaris.
85k??? Then all interior faults you mentioned are on point, sorry. But I still think that this video is too long.
I think it was a good review and this is always a thing of personal preference. If you are not really interested in the car the review might be too long and boring. People who think about buying something like this might want to see even more details.
Also great for my hobby of photography - wake up where the sun is going to rise, perfect.
ILIJA1993 I couldn't disagree more. TH-cam is full of 2-3 min reviews, that basically state what you can see on adverts, but this is exactly what I was looking for.
Good stuff! And thanks for the comparisons to the MB camper. Not going into trump card, specs comparisons, camper reputation, etc., but I never thought I'd see the day when the "people's wagon" outprices the corresponding Mercedes' version :D