Am I being silly?

[alwaysared]

Those of you that know me will know that I've been looking for a newer van to replace my 1996 Dethleffs Globetrotter, I've had my heart set on another Dethleffs but so far I've been unable to find one in my price range but I've seen a few other makes that would probably meet with our requirements and tomorrow I'm going to see a Rapido which on paper seems perfect and has 4 out 5 things on our list, the missing one being a Mercedes/Fiat 2.8JTD engine. It has the smaller 2.3JTD engine. I'm not sure that I'll want it even if it's perfect, why? Because it's not a Dethleffs. So am I being silly?

Regards,
Del

 

[Minisorella]

Not tooooo silly Del ... it's just that you're happy and comfortable with something familiar that's served you well and I know I'd be exactly the same. The thing is, another Dethleffs could just as easily turn out to be a disappointment or, at the very least, could feel/handle nothing like the old one. When I was forced to wave farewell to a beloved old Audi car that I'd had for 13 years, I was adamant I wanted a newer one the same. Turned out I could only have afforded a basic, bog standard model a few years old, with none of the style or accessories my old faithful had. It felt alien. So I reluctantly got something else and it was the best decision... comfortable, fun to drive, corners like a dream, much better mileage, lots of bells and whistles - I learned to love it. Still miss the real suede seats in the old car though! As for the engine side of things... I know nothing! You'll know when you've found the right van for you but nothing's going to feel like your old faithful.

 

[daygoboy]

You might be silly to buy that particular van who knows,
I'd be wary of sufficient payload on any Rapido for a start!

But you're not silly to consider other makes and models,
could be something much better out there.
But you've got to try before you buy.

 

[Haaamster]

If your current van is OK for now I'd wait, people are always changing vans so there is no need to rush. Having said that I think Jennie has the 2.3jtd engine and it's a cracker, plenty of power, good starter, excellent on hills, reasonable fuel consumption, I wouldn't turn my nose up at it.

 

[argoose]

And the 2.3JTD can be remapped for low end torque/economy. 110bhp to 124bhp a lot more fifth gear friendly.

 

[witzend]

The 2.3 will be an improvement on the 2.8. Years ago i had a 2.8 works van they replaced it with a 1.6 which was a improvement

 

[caledonia]

I’m not a fan of these small efficient engines. Ain’t no replacement for displacement!

 

[MarkJ]

IMHO most modern engines and vehicles feel different to older ones. They are tuned for economy and low emissions and I think this has a bigger effect than anything else.

For example, my 2016 Fiat 2.3 150 feels sluggish most of the time, but if you press on hard it all comes alive and you feel the power. It’s set up so that most of the time it’s economical and not puffing too much noxious stuff out.

I’ve recently exchanged two cars and noticed the same thing.

So, as an earlier post says - no substitute for old fashioned muscle, but that’s the way it is now.

 

[ricc]

with virtually any vehicle theres a policy of continual "improvement", if you go 5 years newer on what on paper is the same vehicle there will be updates and facelifts all of which somebody thought were a good idea, but in reallity are just there to give the salesman something to talk about. youve just got to look at whats for sale when you want to buy and pick one, only certainty is it will be different from the one youre giving up.

 

[Snapster]

I’m not a fan of these small efficient engines. Ain’t no replacement for displacement!

I used to think that. I had a 5.3 litre V12 E-type. I’ve just bought a 2.0 litre 250ps Jaguar XF.
Heavier car, faster and about 5x more economical.

 

[Nabsim]

I used to think that. I had a 5.3 litre V12 E-type. I’ve just bought a 2.0 litre 250ps Jaguar XF.
Heavier car, faster and about 5x more economical.

I had 2.0 GTC that went and handled like a track car, when it came time to change I went for a new 1.4 turbo petrol with only 140bh and couldn’t believe how well it went. Was only if you floored it above 80mph that you really noticed it didn’t have the same power.

Now gone to another, same engine but down 10bh and can’t tell the difference at all. I did used to love my modified V6’s though but these new ones would just blow them away.

With the van have a look and see what you think, if it doesn’t feel right don’t do it, if it does then go for it. More and more I am seeing about new and often expensive vans with loads of faults in different makes so I wouldn’t use a make as a deal breaker, much better to judge each on its own merits.

 

[Channa]

Having sold countless cars and vans over 20 years brand loyalty was always an interesting objection and proves there is brand loyalty

If we look at it logically, is it fair to suggest that when you bought your Dethleffs you looked around the market, gave consideration and in the end decided the Dethleffs satisfied your needs best at that time ? financially perhaps too ?

Then why deny yourself the same opportunity today ?

Hopefully a logical statement, over time manufacturers in my opinion are like horses in a very close run race ,,,from time to time one edges the other but rarely is the lead consistent

good luck in your search and pondering my remarks helps

Channa

 

[alwaysared]

Well we've been to see the van and it was very nice, seemed well made and my Amazon damp meter found on signs of any issues. Like I mentioned it has everything on our list apart from the engine but after taking it for a test drive I wouldn't now be put off with the smaller Fiat engine, even though the Mercedes 2.2 I drove before was still the quietest and smoothest of all the engines I've tried but I have all but given up on finding a Merc in my price range. The real surprise was the lounge area, I felt that it wouldn't be comfortable enough to relax in and the table was a split affair that needed to be folded to get into the habitation area, it also needed to be folded and turned to sit down to use it for dining. The front seats did revolve but not fully so even though we're tempted to buy it I'm not convinced that we could live with that table and lounge layout Diane is willing to try it but I'm not sure that I am as willing. So a little more thinking about it is required.

Regards,
Del

 

[martinmartin]

Brand loyalty is fair enough but a fiat engine is not dethleff, l would stick with the engine and year of motor home you already have and just find one less used.

 

[Nabsim]

If it doesn’t feel right then leave it alone, if you start off with any misgivings the smallest problems will seem much worse and you will start regretting it. If you think it’s okay then do it, our second choice was a Rapido A class if we hadn’t liked the one we bought when we actually viewed it. I like what I have seen of them but it has to fit your needs

 

[caledonia]

I used to think that. I had a 5.3 litre V12 E-type. I’ve just bought a 2.0 litre 250ps Jaguar XF.
Heavier car, faster and about 5x more economical.

Doesn’t have the grunt the noise or the feeling in the seat of your pants though!

 

[daygoboy]

And the 2.3JTD can be remapped for low end torque/economy. 110bhp to 124bhp a lot more fifth gear friendly.

You quote BHP not Torque, how do the figures compare for the same engine revs.

 

[rugbyken]

the only fault i found with our van in the first three months away was the table although it revolved slid both ways etc it was still in the way most of the time so i removed it and 38kg of payload now carry a collapsible table in the wardrobe and have a huge lounging area

 

[alwaysared]

the only fault i found with our van in the first three months away was the table although it revolved slid both ways etc it was still in the way most of the time so i removed it and 38kg of payload now carry a collapsible table in the wardrobe and have a huge lounging area

Was your's the same table as the one in the picture?

Regards,
Del

 

[Borders2]

Table et all

yes you are being silly. All the theory goes out the window when you start trying out vans. We looked at well over 600 before making our choice.

We had a leaning towards Pilotte but that went out the window when the Perth dealer refused to let us look at the stock by ourselves. We moved briskly on and between Errol, Newcastle and Perth as said we looked at hundreds. Our final choice had a massive table so we took it out and are having a bespoke one made by our local joiner (who also made all the pine doors for the house) so we trust him. The van is pretty near perfect for us and the hounds, yes there is a comprimise her and there but hey ain't there ever.

So the bottom line is put the magazines away and get in the car and go see as many as you can. Take notes get to know the feel and what is what will very rapidly become apparent.

B2