What to Buy?

Pinchcliff

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Hi everyone, I would imagine my question has been asked several times but here we go. I'm retiring next August and plan to buy a motorhome, budget around £35K, most of the time it'll just be me and SWMBO. We plan longer trips up to 3 months or so. Obviously a lot of this is dependant on the situation improving regarding the current pandemic.
Been looking at a couple of Hymer 680 Starline, they seem to have good write ups, however the missus has been looking at Burstner, they seem to offer a bit more for your money. They sit on a Fiat platform, from my younger days Fiat's didn't enjoy the best of reputations although virtually everything sits on this platform. Is the extra cost of the Hymer Starline worth it? Also any general thoughts would be welcome, such as dealer or private.
Thanks,
Jeff.
 
Re dealers, what part of the Country are you in? I would try to buy as local as possible and members who live in your area could possibly tell you of the dealers they have dealt with.
 
Spending a good chunk..I suggest a dealer is best.
We spend all summer (5 months) in our vehicle and avoid campsites as much as possible
So we consider the floowing important
Fixed bed (If away a long time I sggest making up the bed daily would be a real chore)
Good shower
Light and airy kitchen/diner/lounge
Decent space for when the weather is bad
Not suggesting you get a lunar but this link shows our layout
during the day we put ba cloth on the bed and it is useful for temporary items

Motorhome | Lunar Premier H622 - Moran Motorhomes of Ludlow

Moran Motorhomes specialise in high quality motorhomes, both new and used.
www.moranmotorhomes.com www.moranmotorhomes.com
As you see it has a renault engine and good sized wheels/tyres
It is a 4 berth as the table drops down to make a 2nd double bed.
Loads of good indoor locker space !
Garage under the bed accessible by lifting the bed or from the outside
Shower has a door to prevent splashing the whole bathroom !
Refillable gas and solar for the summer 1 battery is enough but easy enough to use 2 or 1 newer lithium
 
I would start by physically looking at a few different models and layouts before you make a choice. Have a good idea about the sort of layout you want then look at loads of them till one fits your needs. Hymer are very well built and towards the top of the quality range so there will be plenty of cheaper vehicles out there but ultimately, may not be the best for what you want.
Burstner, and many other makes are owned by the Edwin Hymer group so quality throughout their range should be pretty good.
There’s nothing wrong with the Fiat platform, they are really no different to any other van in terms of reliability.
We looked at Hymers before we bought our Burstner but Hymer didn’t seem to have the space and layout that we wanted.
We are very pleased with our Burstner. It has performed faultlessly over the two years and 19000 miles we have had it. Our first trip in it started 18 hours after we got it home and consisted of a 2000 mile round trip. Everything worked perfectly.
I can certainly recommend them, though at your budget, you will be looking at at least a 5 to 7 year old vehicle
My advice would be to buy from a local dealer with a good reputation if possible.
 
We bought our hymer from OAKTREE in Nottingham
travelled from West Lothian to view no pressure sales patter
have recommended a few members to try them also good reviews from them
unfortunately just now motorhomes are up in price due to being a popular trend
hope you get on ok
fixed bed or two singles that join up for double
garage we feel is a must
 
For Hymers their past model range brochures can be downloaded which show all model layouts and dimensions. Maybe available for other makes also?
 
One key consideration is where will you park it at home? i.e. Do you have an absolute size limit you cannot go beyond? or will you be using a storage facility?
Another is weight. over 3.5t and you need a C1 on your license. On the assumption (rightly or wrongly) you will be 66 in August, you probably have C1 (passed test before 1997) but will need to take medical when you hit 70 to keep it. Extra hassles, but extra payload might be very handy, especially if doing extended touring.

If it is running (who knows!), the NEC Motorhome show in February would be a good place to see all the various layouts and options companies have come up with
 
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Phantom said:
For Hymers their past model range brochures can be downloaded which show all model layouts and dimensions. Maybe available for other makes also?
Click to expand...
You can also download all the Autotrail Brochures for each year going back at least 15 years
 
snapster said:
I would start by physically looking at a few different models and layouts before you make a choice. Have a good idea about the sort of layout you want then look at loads of them till one fits your needs. Hymer are very well built and towards the top of the quality range so there will be plenty of cheaper vehicles out there but ultimately, may not be the best for what you want.
Burstner, and many other makes are owned by the Edwin Hymer group so quality throughout their range should be pretty good.
There’s nothing wrong with the Fiat platform, they are really no different to any other van in terms of reliability.
We looked at Hymers before we bought our Burstner but Hymer didn’t seem to have the space and layout that we wanted.
We are very pleased with our Burstner. It has performed faultlessly over the two years and 19000 miles we have had it. Our first trip in it started 18 hours after we got it home and consisted of a 2000 mile round trip. Everything worked perfectly.
I can certainly recommend them, though at your budget, you will be looking at at least a 5 to 7 year old vehicle
My advice would be to buy from a local dealer with a good reputation if possible.
Click to expand...
Yes we drove a few hundred km looking at different layouts at different dealers. I politely suggest getting a layout that suits you is th major consideration..if it costs a bit more so be it !
 
When we went full time last year I wrote a list of the things I thought were important in order of importance and Diane did the same then we compared lists, almost the same but not quite :) In the end there will probably have to be compromises but if you're lucky you'll get everything you want in one van :unsure: Happy hunting (y)

Regards,
Del
 
If you have no experience motorhoming, remember that what you think is important may not be in practice. Talk to as many people with motorhomes ( like here) and find out their reasons for wanting/ not wanting things.
For instance, we decided a shower was essential but we were never able to use it on our new motorhome ( long story!) And decided that actually, it was not something we were worried about, we use campsites for a shower and launderette every few days when on a long trip and strip wash inbetween. The water usage was an issue with us, as when abroad and wilding, we didn't always want to be thinking about water.
Fixed bed or a VERY simple system to put the bed up and lots of storage space was one of our must haves ( we ended up with fixed bed with garage under)
We wanted 2 extra seat belts, but had to sacrifice a big lounge for that. We have the fixed bed set up so we can sit comfortably on it to watch films etc.
Length and height was important: fitting on drive, easy parking and access to narrow roads.
Hob but no oven: we use a double skillet which works very well so don't need an oven.
Solar and spare battery as EHU ties you to campsites, expensive in summer when there is sunshine, especially abroad.
Gas bottle size...refillable/ underslung tanks? We have only the hob as eberspacher heater ( diesel) so need 3.9kg every few months. But with gas heating/ oven this can make a huge cost saving.

There is nearly always something which can be improved whatever you buy but we expected that. Have a look at the " best modification post" for loads of ideas.

Good luck with your search
 
harry nilsons song the point had the line of “a point in every direction is the same as no point at all “ the same is true of motorhomes one mans necessity is another’s “not at any price” eg my first van was the best i could get within my budget an overcab 6mt van after a few years i took part retirement and upgraded to a 7.5 mtr fixed bed for me a bad choice the actual living space reduced for the sake of towing a bed around with you , i have now gone back to a similar layout to our first van with a dropdown instead of overcab one common statement is that all your first van tells you is what you want in the next that is why every manufacturer makes a such a wide range , i very rarely use sites about 3 days per annum so for me a good bathroom + solar & refillable gas are essential i spend approx 7 months of the year away in mine so prioritised lounge space , also how do you intend to use your van that will dictate a lot of your choices we’d all love to drive a 4mt panel van & park up in a 44ft RV so compromises have to be made
 
From experience, I'd go and look at as many models of motorhome as I could see between now and parting with the cash. Look specifically at layout and have a think about how you are going to use it. Whether you are going to be mainly staying on sites, or perhaps mainly on aires and stopovers. E.g. our first van was a U shaped lounge that needed the bed making up each night. Perfectly fine for using on sites etc for up to maybe a month away. But we soon realised on our first 3 month tour away this was a faff and we needed a fixed bed. Note, NEEDED not WANTED! Then water supply. You need a larger capacity tank if you are away from a supply, e.g. on a site. If you intend touring abroad, again from our experience, a re-fillable underslung tank, or re-fillable cylinder, gas system is something we wouldn't be without. It's much cheaper, and abroad more convenient than a exchangeable Calor system. Solar panels are also high on the "must have" list if wild camping/aires will be your thing. But not if you are on sites with EHU. You will need to leave a few grand to add these, if they aren't on the van you buy.

So. You've found your ideal layout and bought it! Then, without spending a penny on everything I've mentioned above! Use the van for up to 12 months. That way you'll know what you actually need. You will get recommendations on makes, models, sizes, engines, gearboxes layouts, extras and what YOU must have, because we ALL have the ideal van for us, and we think that will suit everyone! But really only you two will know that. You may, and it's what happened to us, realise you've bought totally the wrong van and need to change it 12 months down the line. I would also suggest using a reliable dealer, but only because we've never bought private. Also keep in mind, you might not actually enjoy being in the van. Some people go mad and spend tens of thousands, only to find it's not for them, and they'd much rather go on cruises. Some friends of ours did just that! Whatever you choose, good luck and bon route!
 
What you buy can be the difference between just managing and managing very comfortably, so best not a rushed choice as there are so many different aspects to consider.
 
Before I built my own van I looked at lots at the caravan and camping shows in kings hall Belfast, truth is I only seen a few that ticked my boxes, I wanted a full bed and not chairs/sofa made into a bed, I also wanted a clear run down the middle of the van without having to limbo dance round tables etc.
I did not want a shower, my choice but a good 12v wash station and a full size loo, then gas for cooking and a compressor fridge.
Then water tanks bigger than bought vans, next was solar charging and at least 2 big batteries plus easy to get at spare wheel, all this at a good price, na gave up and went home build, but they are out there if you keep looking and take you time, good luck.

wash room.jpgvan to back.jpgtable toilet door.jpgforward from beds.jpgfridge a.jpgview point b.jpgsw 3.jpg
 
The laird said:
Remember theres company's who hire out vans if you want to try before you buy
Click to expand...

This is very, very good advice.

Look at motorhomes and write down the layout you think you like/want. Then see if you can rent one with this layout. Then use it for a week and see how you go.

A wiser person that I said that the best motorhome you will own is your second one!

Then for the amount you are spending, buy from a dealer. You will get a warranty with it, hopefully a comprehensive one that lasts a year.

Check for damp. Don't assume that 35k will get you a damp free MH. Check its history. Check to see if it has had Habitation Checks every year and see if the manufacturers bodywork warranty is still in place. If it hasn't had Hab Checks then there's a real chance that the manufacturer will not honour any damp issues if they suddenly appear.

Try to buy as local to you as you can because if you do have to take it back for any issues then its much easier at 50 miles than 150.

If you know someone who is a MH'er whom you trust, see if they will go with you when you do a viewing. Extra eyes/ears from someone with experience are useful. (Some folks enlist the services of specialist companies who will provide a report on any MH for you. I haven't used any myself so can't comment on them.)

It's exciting and fun when you are in the market but please use the head as well as the heart :)
 
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