Options from new

[Tourershine]

I wonder if it's worth having a thread of the options we tick when buying new, that we now wish we'd of ticked others. This would of helped me when I was buying mine.

When I purchased MY2018 T6, I ticked as many boxes as I thought were reasonable, but there are other options I wish i'd of ticked instead.
For instance: ACC. This is a great feature on paper, but in my opinion, unless you drive like Miss Daisy, this can be quite a nuisance on motorways and duel carriageways. There is far too much traffic on the roads, and not many people use the lanes correctly, so I end up constantly overriding ACC, or swapping lanes because of people chopping and changing lanes. I actually wish I hadn't bothered, and opted for power doors instead. (ok not a comparison price wise, but it's an option I wish i'd of had) Mainly because no one seems to be able to shut the sliding doors without either trying to ram them off the rails, or even worse, they get grubby hand prints all over my paintwork....

On the other hand, LED headlights are blooming amazing and if there's only 1 box to tick, then this should be the box.

 

[BiTurbo]

You can retro fit power latching irc, definitely worth having if not both the slider is a must.

 

[Tourershine]

You can retro fit power latching irc, definitely worth having if not both the slider is a must.

Hmmmm. Just when I thought the money box was well and truly emptied.

 

[BiTurbo]

My Van spec options

Blackberry metallic paint
Moon rock grey and titanium black trim
Power latching tailgate
Power latching side door
Seat trim in robust marathon grey
LED headlamps with LED daytime lights and vision pack
USB interface
Folding power adjust mirrors
Driver alert with multifunction display
Tailgate with window
Discover Media navigation system
Rubber matting in rear
Guide and inform pack
Towbar, removable / lockable
First aid kit and warning triangle
Without bulkhead
Swivel seat driver
Swivel seat passenger
Tailgate with electronic lock
Rear heated rear screen
Arm rests for driver and single passenger
Side curtain air bags
Carpet flooring in cab
Mudflaps front and rear
Lumbar support for driver and passenger
Rear packing sensors with rear camera
SD card (Europe)
Headlamp wash wipe and level indicator.
Bluetooth hands free
Smokers package
APP connect
Rear wash wipe

 

[Tourershine]

Folding mirrors a definite. Whats the 'Smokers Package'? I don't smoke and assume it's 12v sockets, but just wondered what that offers extra over a standard factory fit.
You had to have copied and pasted that list from somewhere else, or you type rather fast with a good memory!

 

[Fish]

Pervious thread.

 

[BiTurbo]

Smokers package is bins / ashtrays in the top of dash and extra 12v socket, which most vans seem to have as standard now.

 

[Ro63rt]

My Van spec options

Blackberry metallic paint
Moon rock grey and titanium black trim
Power latching tailgate
Power latching side door
Seat trim in robust marathon grey
LED headlamps with LED daytime lights and vision pack
USB interface
Folding power adjust mirrors
Driver alert with multifunction display
Tailgate with window
Discover Media navigation system
Rubber matting in rear
Guide and inform pack
Towbar, removable / lockable
First aid kit and warning triangle
Without bulkhead
Swivel seat driver
Swivel seat passenger
Tailgate with electronic lock
Rear heated rear screen
Arm rests for driver and single passenger
Side curtain air bags
Carpet flooring in cab
Mudflaps front and rear
Lumbar support for driver and passenger
Rear packing sensors with rear camera
SD card (Europe)
Headlamp wash wipe and level indicator.
Bluetooth hands free
Smokers package
APP connect
Rear wash wipe

That’s some spec there pal, did you not bother with the Comfort Dash as soon as you went Cab Carpet?

 

[Tourershine]

Smokers package is bins / ashtrays in the top of dash and extra 12v socket, which most vans seem to have as standard now.

My Highline came with a handy bin in the door pocket. I use it for Nespresso pods now.

 

[Jeff Goodall]

Wish there was b14 suspension option from new lol . Picking up from new on standard springs

 

[BiTurbo]

That’s some spec there pal, did you not bother with the Comfort Dash as soon as you went Cab Carpet?

No comfort dash not an option on a panel van, if I could of I would. So had to get my tools out and retro fit the comfort dash

 

[BiTurbo]

Folding mirrors a definite. Whats the 'Smokers Package'? I don't smoke and assume it's 12v sockets, but just wondered what that offers extra over a standard factory fit.
You had to have copied and pasted that list from somewhere else, or you type rather fast with a good memory!

Ohh yer and there is another list.... of what I’ve had done since it left the dealers.

 

[PukkaT6]

Led headlights is the one thing and potentially gone for a T28 or T30. When keeping withon budget the one thing I did have to compromise on was the engine however the 150 turned out to be perfectly adequate.

 

[Ro63rt]

No comfort dash not an option on a panel van, if I could of I would. So had to get my tools out and retro fit the comfort dash

View attachment 15535

So pleased I choose the Comfort Dash on my Kombi, finishes it off nicely. Strange one that, that you can select for Cab Carpet but no Comfort Dash. On the Kombi your forced to have Carpet if your selecting the Comfort Dash. Whereas I would have probably stuck with the rubber flooring.

 

[Tourershine]

I've always had carpets in my vans, and yes we do get them dirty at times with work, or mountain biking, but as soon as the mud drys, I just blast my airline across them and they look like new again. I'd always opt for the premium ones from Volkswagen VW T6 Van Accessories Interior Styling, VW T6 Van Accessories 15 - Van Styling Accessories
A set of the same ones lasted 100K in the previous van, and still looked like new when we sold it.

 

[Johnfitz14]

No comfort dash not an option on a panel van, if I could of I would. So had to get my tools out and retro fit the comfort dash

View attachment 15535

I will defo be wanting to do this wen i find the right panel van . Looks awesome .

 

[former member]

Don’t forget, options depreciate far harder than the van itself. GFVs on some options are zero.

Having had a very optioned up T5.1 Cali, we knew what we actually needed this time; mud flaps were rubbish, inbuilt nav is hateful, side bars just scratched and got mucky, we never used diff lock, rain deflectors just scratched and got in the way, etc but 3 zone climate is now standard (it was £2500 on the last one) as is a decent BT phone connection for Phone and music and you no longer need a roof cover unless it’s really cold as the T6 roof is actually waterproof!

My only thing I’d option if I ordered again is auto wipers; and I think an MFSW should be standard.

 

[Tourershine]

You know, that word 'Depreciate' annoys me. It's just a word the main dealers invented to rob us of our hard earned money in the beginning when ticking the spec list, then rob us even harder at the end when selling or Px it back. (that's just basic business economics)
I don't know about you, but i'm at an age now where I know if I purchase something that's high end, it's not going to hold it's value anyway (Except my watch collection thankfully) So with that in mind, as if i'm going to compromise on the luxuries in my vehicles.
I'm well aware that spending thousands on extra's like LED's, Sportline kit, ACC, Auto doors, and every other detail that should really be just standard on the top of the range Highline, but isn't, will not make my T6 any more valuable than the same Highline without these extras. Nor will keeping it polished and perfect! The only factor the dealers are interested in are age and mileage, both of which I will run up to a maximum that a dealer won't put on their forecourt anyway.
So I think to myself sod it. I want those extras for my benefit, and i'm having them and using all of them whist its MY T6. If I end up loosing more money in the end like I have in the past, I just put that down to the cost of my 'Grin-Factor' and except it.

That's just my opinion.

 

[Minty]

Well said, couldn't agree more.

 

[chriscroft]

You know, that word 'Depreciate' annoys me. It's just a word the main dealers invented to rob us of our hard earned money in the beginning when ticking the spec list, then rob us even harder at the end when selling or Px it back. (that's just basic business economics)
I don't know about you, but i'm at an age now where I know if I purchase something that's high end, it's not going to hold it's value anyway (Except my watch collection thankfully) So with that in mind, as if i'm going to compromise on the luxuries in my vehicles.
I'm well aware that spending thousands on extra's like LED's, Sportline kit, ACC, Auto doors, and every other detail that should really be just standard on the top of the range Highline, but isn't, will not make my T6 any more valuable than the same Highline without these extras. Nor will keeping it polished and perfect! The only factor the dealers are interested in are age and mileage, both of which I will run up to a maximum that a dealer won't put on their forecourt anyway.
So I think to myself sod it. I want those extras for my benefit, and i'm having them and using all of them whist its MY T6. If I end up loosing more money in the end like I have in the past, I just put that down to the cost of my 'Grin-Factor' and except it.

That's just my opinion.

I'm with you, I have lots of extras, but amortise them by keeping the vehicle longer. I kept my last T5 for 12 years did 180,000 miles and it still has lots of life left in it. To say the extras/mods owed me absolutly nothing is a huge understatement.
These vans are perfect imo for adding factory extras, and then tweaks for the live time of the vehicle. I get far more satisfaction from messing about with my T6 than any brand new car brings me. I want my T6 personalised and unique(ish) to me; and I'm more than happy to pay for it.
The reason why forums such as these remain so popular (imo) is because we don't all have the same "Vanilla" vans; and we can keep on reinventing; reenergising; revitalising out little beauties.