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Should you LOWER your VW California? | Bilstein Coilover Review; 1 Year On!
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- čas přidán 18. 08. 2024
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VW Camper vans always look so cool lowered. But is it the right thing to do? In this video we discuss the pros and cons of lowering a VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA Beach T6.1
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I started off lowering my T6 on Bilsteins and then after 2 years decided to go the other way and raise it on Koni coilovers. What a difference, I was astounded how much better it felt and would never go back to lowered again. Practicality, road noise, handling and looks (subjective I know) are so much better.
Which koni coilovers did you get that allow standard or raised height? I can't find any that don't lower it.
Great vid. I've had two different coilovers on our T6 currently on H&R's and have had 20 and 18 inch rims. I would say that the ride on 20's is far harsher and fuel economy I found is better on 18's. These vans aren't designed to have 20's but would have to agree that aesthetically they look better. Road noise will obviously increase as the bigger the contact point the more sound it will generate. Thanks for your honest opinion and as you said ride comfort is subjective.
Hi we have air suspension and when we were in a demo vehicle the ride was great on 20” wheels. On our standard 17” wheels the ride is much better than cars we have owned. The standard and especially lowered settings give better handling than standard springs. Self levelling at campsites an off-road mode and a lower setting for car park barriers extend the utility further. It is also great for elderly relatives getting in and out with a lower step. It is a lot more expensive than the Bilstein and wheels set up just for the suspension. However it gives far more utility a great investment. Ours is VB suspension which is approved by VW, we had it fitted at Exploria at Brighouse who were fantastic.
One final benefit if you need you can have the GVW and therefore payload increased which is a great help especially on 4WD California and T6.1 conversions.
Which koni coilovers did you get that allow standard or raised height?
@@John1986ATR we had VB air suspension not coilovers.
Lower it, T5’s and T6’s look awesome lowered. You only need to lower it a bit, put 16’s on and decent profile tyres to give you a better ride over pot holes etc
If money was no object then air suspension would be my choice, I also like how it ‘self levels’ the van when parked up.
I've had massive wheels and coilover suspension with solid mounts ,both on my track cars also on my classic ford sierra cosworth and my bmw m3. But when it came to building my dream van it had to be a swomper. I have a t6.1 204 dsg highline lwb kombi camper from van haven. I have the Bilsten b6 comfort suspension with eibach 60mm lift kit springs and it's fantastic. I have 17 in fuel colverts and BF GOODRIDGE K02 TYRES. and the ride is just brilliant
Love the look of a Swamper!
I have a similar set up on my T6 4Motion Cali but 18” wheels (45mm lift). It’s a bit crashy at times, was thinking of saving up for VB air but I read that can be quite harsh too. What lift do you have on yours if you don’t mind me asking?
Spot on, really informative video about lowering on coilovers 👍🏻😊
Our T6.1 campervan is lowered on Projekt sensitive comfort coilovers. We think it gives a great aesthetic to the van whilst minimising body roll. We went with 18 inch wheels and we find it’s also a comfortable ride. 👍🏻
Thank you very much for watching. You’ve probably got the sweet spot there on 18s. Nice work 👍
Hi, I'm thinking of these projekt sensitive comfort coilovers, can you give a comparison with standard please?
@@John1986ATR I would say the ride is very comfortable. Not too harsh even though our van has been lowered a fair bit. The suspension gives a much better feel to the body roll compared to standard. Based on our experience we would definitely recommend them, especially twinned with 18 inch alloys.
Hi guys, thanks for talking me though this. I was surprised you didn’t mention the factory option of Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC). I have this on my Ocean and recommend it. Not only does it (via a button on the dash) soften the suspension for wafting along motorways, and stiffen it for the hairpins, it also weights up the steering. I think it’s about £1800…so a reasonably well-priced option and of course VW warrantied
Yeah DCC sounds like a nice option. I haven’t tried a van with it. Would be interesting to try a DCC van with lowering springs to see how it compares to a fixed coilover setup
What about making this suspension having an extra, not standard, option to lower the car I guess this is not possible although this would be the ultimate ride.
I had Dynamic Classic Control on a T6 California.
Absolutely useless, did absolutely nothing.
If you blindfolded the passenger and changed modes absolutely no way they would notice.
@@richg916it’s good in a T6.1, but it is a more electronic vehicle so perhaps they sorted it
I was going to order DCC but was told that then means you cannot use lowering springs
My california coast is on 18" Toluca wheels with SoLow coilovers. I have to say they look very low but don't have any issues with ground clearance or rubbing (that includes several trips through Europe and on/off ferries).
Nice setup 👍
Nice to have adjustable damping..
Is the main issue with the ride quality the tyres / wheels rather than the suspension - there's very little give / room for bump in a 35 tyre. Might be a better option with 17s and 65 section tyres
40 Section tyres also add a bit more comfort on 20” wheels.
Yes
I do not like lowered cars… but that is what i think. 🙂🙂🙂 regards from Calliowner-19 from Sweden.
I’d be interested how the firmness of the B16s compare to the more readily available B14s and B14 Komforts.
I haven’t tried the others I’m afraid so I can’t comment. I imagine you’d have to drive them all back to back to notice a difference
Maybe one the guys at transporter hq could answer if they see this 😊
An update from me. I have just lowered my Cali T6.1 on 20” BBS alloys and Bilstein Coilovers and the transformation to the ride and handling is amazing. It feels like you’re driving a well planted, compliant car and not a high riding van. The work was done at Bognor Motors and the Bilsteins are their own (BMVS) versions for a transporter and designed for comfort. Totally transforms the van with less pitch, less roll and better bump adsorption. Can you tell I am happy with it?
Great vid, nice rolling shots 👌 try driving a lowered t4 like mine....that's discomfort 😆
Haha thanks so much for watching!
I had a lowered 09 Toyota hiace similar suspension layout to the t4, it looked soo good on 17” steels but my god the ride was soooooooo bad!
Did you have to make changes to the ECU to compensate for the change in circumference so the speedo is accurate? If not, what is the error from stock?
I went to my local dealer for new wheels and he was already reluctant for fitting 19 inch. So I was wondering what is the maximum size in 19 inch for Tires that would fit without having any troubles or having to change anything on the car?
Hellooo….. do you regret lower g it ? How’s it cope with access to camp sites ?
Hi Lizzy, my wife loves your pink jumper, where did you get it from?
I think it was from Zara. Thank you very much 😊
Great video, but have a question about the wheel set up pls. I’m told you can’t have a staggered setup due to the thickness of the sliding door? Can I ask what width of wheels you went with?
I think they were 275 wide if I remember correctly.
According to the Transporter HQ website they're a 9J ET45 wheel. THQ's own brand Navis wheels are a 9J also with a gnats less offset at ET42. I run a 9J ET35 rim on my works van and THQ were unsure as to whether they would rub on the door card if I put them on my Cali. I have heard of 10.5J Rotiforms on the back of a Cali but don't know what the ET was and yes they did rub. Personally think a 9J E42/45 is the sweet spot for looks and clearance. I would run 18" rims with a 235/55 tyre though rather than 20's. 235/55s have enough sidewall to still give some comfort and also make potholes less of a concern 👍
I have 275/40s on my 6.1. What sort of mileage have you got from those Michelin fronts? I reckon mine (a cheaper tyre) are going to do about 7,500…. Looking to change the fronts this month, so any advice welcome! Great video, thanks.
They’ve only been on for about 1000 miles I think. Certainly not been on long so not exactly sure how much we will get out of them. I suspect it won’t be great though as they’re quite a soft compound.
No unless you like a ruff ride.
Why would anybody lower such a versatile vehicule is beyond me, i camp anywhere, any time of the year, having a lowered van would limit my travels. You want a good handling van? easy, just opt for the heavy duty sway bars, 235 tyres and koni active shocks
Hi there I noted that on your radio the station logos are not showing… ours is the same on our t6.1 Cali coast? Any idea how to get the station logos working? I think it’s a software thing. In that you have ti take it in to the dealership or garage to get the station logos..l seems a bit of a faff. Love those wheels btw… have wheel envy 😊
Unless you have the upgraded discovery infotainment package, the logos cannot be added.
If they were meant to be lowered surely they would be built that way.
Its jyst another way to milk you of your money 😊
Lower it, T5’s and T6’s look awesome lowered. You only need to lower it a bit, put 16’s on and decent profile tyres to give you a better ride over pot holes etc