kontiki

Coolasluck

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hello guys we are looking at getting our first camper at the moment,can anyone tell me what to look out for in a 1990 kontiki swift,what problems do these come up with and what are they like with regards to being winterised or are they crap at keeping the cold out?
 
coolasluck said:
hello guys we are looking at getting our first camper at the moment,can anyone tell me what to look out for in a 1990 kontiki swift,what problems do these come up with and what are they like with regards to being winterised or are they crap at keeping the cold out?
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Hi
I have a 1995 Kontiki. We specifically wanted the Kontiki as it gave us the layout for a family with a rear lounge we can use when the kids are asleep. Initially I was looking at older and therfore cheeper Kontikis but I was warned that older models than 1992 were known as Leaky Kontiki's as water ingress is the major problem. Look for and sniff for damp and 'extra' sealant added to joins as this will be an indication that someone is trying to reseal the unit. Check the storage compartments are dry and smell sweet not musty. Make the floor not rotten, check this from the inside in corners under seats and from the outside where water hits its from the road. Replacing the floor is a major job.

After about 1992 they started using Peugeot Boxers as the base model with these look out for rust and rot in the front drivers side wing and the Xmember as a design fault meant that water from the front window would flood the battery and pour acid all over the place. This should have been professionally fixed and measures put in place to stop it happening again. if the cab etc is rotten as campers are worth more money it can be worth repairing but don't pay over the odds and a frame / body rebuild can cost you a lot of money.

Check all the 'things work' that are fitted, pretty much all can be fixed but can cost alot if they require expert help.
Fridge should work on 12v, 240v and Gas
Hot water heater should work on 240v and gas
Room Heater if fitted should work, These are no longer made they can be fixed but again getting them fixed can cost.

Don't be put off if you can get a Kontiki and its in good nick then you will have one of the best all round campers on the market.

They are expensive so I would advise if you are not sure then get it well checked over before handing over cash.
 
Thanks biggirafe,i have seen a really pretty one on flea-bay.I will dig out the number.
I will most probably go for a B544 Hymer though,i was just really taken with this one i had seen.Thanks for taking the time to reply,i think i will post after b544 hymers now too.!
 
It looks the Bees Knees but so does the price, I am sure you will find one
with a more reasonable price tag.

Best of luck.
 
coolasluck said:
biggirafe,this was the Kontiki i was telling you about,here is the item number 120486284425 or talbot express motorhome kontiki 6 berth on eBay (end time 07-Nov-09 20:01:43 GMT)

What do you think?
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Wow, if the work he has done is as good as it looks then I would say this is a very good buy, I paid £17000 for my 95 Kontiki and another 2k afterwards to bring it back to 'good' condition.

The price is hi for the year, but not extortionate and you could easily spend the difference doing up the upholstery, fire, fridge etc. There is another thread open at the moment where people were discussing £1500 + to reupholster the cusions and seats.

The main thing is to ignore the 'Flash' and ensure the base vehicle is sound, same as any car if its rusty underneath you are going to have trouble, if water is getting in you are going to have to get it fixed.

On the surface this looks to me to be a good buy. I don't know about any other makes, others will be able to help you there, but the same rules apply.

Good luck let us know what and when :)
 
When i got to the point of your ebay no. - I guesed about the one on ebay in red (resprayed) and dont it look good! - I know its steep in price but - it doeslook smart and should always sell easily.

When we were aftera kontiki - I tried to get the newer shaped one, which I did an N reg. I never thought I could afford one - but I won one on ebay for 14k - so I done well because they sell for more than that.

Most important things were power steering and turbo diesel - got to have them I would have thought.

Conditon justs needs to be good for its age afterall there not new and will have some wear/slight scars!

Good luck

Craig
 
I don't like Kon leekis neither does my mate who works at Martins in Exeter,,,,,
the cab roof joint needs to be elastic cos they twist and crack if sealant goes hard :rolleyes:
The older Express type cabs leak for a pastime round windscreens, you must always carry a silicone gun with you :(
all the above is mine and my Mates Own personal opinions....
 
ajs said:
yer wana borrow my bus pass :confused::confused:

regards:D
aj
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I would make the most of yer bus pass AJ as when the Tories get back into power,word has it,that the free rides on busses are going to be scraped.
You have to pay back the money we gave to the bankers somehow!!
So you will have to bloody walk now lol..anyhow the exercise will do you good or so thay say!!:D


Incidently i love yer smilies
 
Hi,
Had a 91 Kontiki 640 /6 Talbot 2.5 Turbo Diesel for Three years as our first motorhome with 70K miles on the clock. This was the Rear lounge model which seemed to be the preferred layout.
I found it Ok to drive, however my other half would not drive it as she found it too heavy without the power steering. (would recommend this)
The only work needing done to the van during that time, other than routine Maint. & a couple of new tyres was a clutch change.
When fully laden for a 2 x week tour with the family It did struggle a bit on the hills, however it was just a case of getting used to working the gears.

Overall I found that for its age, the Kontiki had all the gear / specification you need for family touring, in all seasons, coupled with plenty of lounging space, and returned around 25mpg.
A good condition Kontiki will also hold its value well against other vans of a similar age.

Best of luck with your search,

Cheers,
 
The main things to look for on the older Kontikis is RUST and damp.

If its been resprayed, stear well clear as you dont know what is underneath the new paint, always a reason for a respray!

Peter
 
Swift Kontiki.

Hi there cool, We have a 1992 Swift Kontiki on a Talbot Express Alko chassis.
We have had it two years and they are as warm as toast in winter with the heater on and make sure you leave a vent open on the windows or you get a lot of condensation on the windows inside, Now for the Leaks, There is a side skirt all the way way round, The sealant went on ours just under the kitchen window nearside, the water was running behind the skirt and seeping into the floor area behind the passenger seat area,I sealed it all up and now its ok, Check around underneath for any other signs of water damage, you will notice it underneath, It will be a lot darker and possibly wet,The engine is fine depending on how its been looked after of course,The floor delaminated near the kitchen area but this is easy to sort, We love her to bits and she is a labour of love. Cant fault her really as she is old and just needs TLC. Hope you have fun in her?him and when you get one let us know his/her name, Ps check around the skylights also as i have heard these can leak.
hope I have not scared you off too much. Happy wilding.:):)
 
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