I'm tentively looking around for possibilities for our next van.

Pudsey Bear said:
I drove sprinters more than any other van working, but I only had one Moho Sprinter, and it gave us loads of trouble, got it off Motorhome Depot and why I'll never use them again.

That looks a nice van though, no idea of the value, only drawback is they are a much narrower than Fiat etc illustrated by the narrow gap between the sofas.
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Our last motorhome was a sprinter automatic and never gave a moment’s problem,
Our current one is now 10 years old , and again has never given any problems the auto box is as smooth as silk,
The reason i have gone for the sprinter is i used to do European courier work using sprinter vans, and each one i put over 500,000 miles on every one of them all trouble free,
My last one did 922,000 miles and the only problem I had was turbo at just over 600,000 miles.
Most of our cars have also been Mercedes and again never had any problems with any of them.
So I am surprised to hear that your Merc motorhome gave you problems
 
I think someone had been messing with it badly, it just wouldn't run properly, so I got rid of it.

I have bought Sprinters with 500k on them and had no issues, just that on Moho.
 
Our last work van was a Sprinter and went on to 325,000 miles before I sold it to a mate who still has it. The only thing I didn't really like was the Dual Mass Flywheel which had to be replaced twice in my ownership.

My Daughter's Merc car though has been a moneypit and fraught with problems costing thousands, the latest one being the rear Diff which is going to cost around £5k to replace.
 
Of course, the Sprinter's biggest issue is that once it starts, you're chasing rust. I'm not sure if they have started dipping them yet though.
 
Pudsey Bear said:
Of course, the Sprinter's biggest issue is that once it starts, you're chasing rust. I'm not sure if they have started dipping them yet though.
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A lot of it is down to how they are looked after, as a lot of it is caused by them getting scraped and then just left to the elements, none of mine suffered from rust,
Our motorhome is now 10 years old and the metal work is as rust free as it was when it left the factory.
The main things to check on the sprinter panel van is there are drain holes on the bottom seam of the sills that block up with road grime, that need cleaning out once in a while, although it shouldn’t be too much of a problem on a campervan as it won’t be spending as much time on the roads as a working van
 
When choosing a MH, do people generally choose conversion/layout first, then go with whatever base vehicle that comes with, or do you choose base first, then see whatever layouts are available?
Or go DIY.
 
mark61 said:
When choosing a MH, do people generally choose conversion/layout first, then go with whatever base vehicle that comes with, or do you choose base first, then see whatever layouts are available?
Or go DIY.
Click to expand...

Layout, payload and Alko chassis for me. Never give the base vehicle a second thought. I've only had two vans though. One for 16 years and Ill probably keep this one as long (hopefully)
 
Coachbuilts, it's the layout first, Sevel/Ford/Merc/Renault in that order.

PVC only Sevel for me then layout.
 
mark61 said:
When choosing a MH, do people generally choose conversion/layout first, then go with whatever base vehicle that comes with, or do you choose base first, then see whatever layouts are available?
Or go DIY.
Click to expand...
Good question because, unless DIY, as SEVEL have about 70% of the market you're severely limiting your choice by not considering them. So I think layout would be my priority, I definitely spend more time living in it than driving it, but the Ford wet belt issues do make me move away from them, unless the layout was perfect🤔😀
 
mark61 said:
When choosing a MH, do people generally choose conversion/layout first, then go with whatever base vehicle that comes with, or do you choose base first, then see whatever layouts are available?
Or go DIY.
Click to expand...
For me it is the base vehicle, especially as most of our trips are across the water, so some days we drive long distances, so want something that is not only reliable but is comfortable and quiet to drive
 
I love the Fiats, but that chuphing handbrake gets me every time I get out of the van, I realise why it's there, and it's a good idea, just sticks out too far and it's too far forward, otherwise apart from the crappy paint, a cracking van to drive.

How did they get away for so many years with paint flaking off.
 
mark61 said:
When choosing a MH, do people generally choose conversion/layout first, then go with whatever base vehicle that comes with, or do you choose base first, then see whatever layouts are available?
Or go DIY.
Click to expand...
For me, I wanted a Sprinter as first choice simply because the amount that over the years flew by me on the motorway. Also my only knowledge of FIATs was cars back in the 80s where gearboxes were chocolate and bodywork rusted away in a shower.
 
Kev, if it's a matter of waiting for your numbers to come up take a look at the new Consort Reefs. I quite like those if I ever wanted to hang to a built PVC. Of course when numbers came up you could also get Consort to change the bits you don't like/want adding.
 
Just had a quick look, need to go further, too much wall carpet for my liking, but need go further into it
 
Pudsey Bear said:
I love the Fiats,///

How did they get away for so many years with paint flaking off.
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Exactly, what I wondered was how they paint the Fiat (Ram pro master) in America. They have a lot stricter consumer laws and comeback on faulty products there. They're manufactured in Mexico so maybe stickier 🎨😀.
Both of mine I've had have had the bonnet resprayed and bits touched up.
And have they fixed it now?
 
I had my bonnet sprayed two years ago, £250, it had the tiniest dent in the ridge at the front, and he wanted £40 to do that bit, no way, leave it.
 
I bought my current Fiat 2011 MY in 2016 with 25K miles on the clock, now on 68K
And while Swift (630G) MH's get a bashing the only Habitation issues I've had are new Thetford Fridge Control PCB, refit and seal one skylight.

Fiat problems though:

Diesel fuel filter housing cracked leaking

Rear shocks leaking

Throttle body failed/replaced, water drips in front screen scuttle.

Coolant expansion bottle holder tray metal rusted through

Respray Bonnet , Fiat paint peel issue

Various touch up of flaking paint

Bottom Engine mount

Alternator failed, new 160A fitted

Cab heater fan resistor pack.
 
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