For your situation, I would suggest looking into some budget-friendly ways to handle the privacy and comfort without breaking the bank on those high-end modular kits. For the windows, I actually skipped the pricey custom shades and went with WeatherTech SunShade Full Vehicle Kit for Volkswagen ID. Buzz instead. They fit literally perfectly and are way cheaper than the boutique camping brands... honestly, the insulation they provide is a lifesaver for keeping the cabin temp stable.

Regarding the kitchen, don't feel like you gotta buy a full slide-out unit right away. I've been using a Coleman Cascade 3-in-1 Camp Stove on a simple folding table from IKEA, and it saves sooo much space inside. Also, for the mattress, if memory foam is too hot for you, maybe look at a Exped MegaMat Auto 10 Insulated Self-Expanding Sleeping Pad? It's a bit more of an investment than a topper but it actually fits the ID. Buzz contours really well and is way more supportive imo. Just make sure to measure the wheel arch clearance first!! peace

sooo I totally feel u on those pricey modular units, they're insane lol. honestly, I'm super happy with my budget setup! basically I just use a Zinus 4 Inch Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress Topper, Twin XL which fits the folded seats well enough for way less than the custom ones. For privacy, I skipped the expensive brands and got the Dometic ID. Buzz Window Blinds—definitely worth the money imo. keeps it dark and private. gl! 👍

Facts.

Re: "TL;DR: Check out the VW ID. Buzz forum..." - honestly those groups are just full of people as frustrated as me. over the years ive tried many setups in everything from westfalias to modern t6.1s but the id buzz is a whole different beast. basically every brand out there right now is trying to capitalize on the buzz hype with overpriced boxes that just dont cut it for real use.

• brand like Ququq BusBox-4 cost way too much for what is essentially a heavy plywood box that eats up your entire boot space.
• then you look at Egoe Nestbox Supertramp and while it looks cool, the weight distribution is a nightmare for the buzz floor rails.
• even the official Volkswagen BusBox feels like an afterthought compared to the old california interiors. its honestly exhausting trying to find something that doesnt feel like a compromise. i spent hours measuring the clearance and the height of the folded seats just to realize that most generic universal units are either 2 inches too tall or leave a weird gap. super annoying when youre just trying to enjoy the ev life... makes it hard to recommend anything tbh

TL;DR: Check out the VW ID. Buzz forum and the 'BuzzCamp' Facebook group for custom technical DIY specs.

I totally agree with the first reply about that topper, but honestly, I've had some issues with basic memory foam getting way too hot in the Buzz cabin cuz the ventilation is kinda weird when you're parked. Had a moment to think about this more and honestly, you might find it useful to check out the dedicated ID. Buzz forums or the German 'Caliboard' site. They have insane technical breakdowns of the interior dimensions that helped me realize most standard gear is just a bit too wide.

I was actually pretty disappointed with some of the 'custom' shades I bought off Etsy—they literally kept falling off the rear windows. Ngl, you're better off looking at the specialized VanLife hobbyist blogs for magnetic templates. Definitely check those out before dropping big money on modular units that might not even clear the tailgate! Cheers

Same boat, watching this