Motorhome info

[jeanette]

Just asking again about a Motorhome this time it’s an Elddis Autoquest 2004 any info is greatly appreciated and sorry to be a nuisance again!

 

[yorkslass]

Can't help you myself, Jeanette, but I know Minisorella has one, and she loves hers. I think I would still keep trying for an Autosleeper though, so you don't have to worry about leaky roof seals.

 

[maingate]

I had a 56 reg Autoquest 120 at one time. I did not have any trouble with it for the 3 years I had it (although it was only 3 months old when I bought it). Mine was just under 6 metres long which made it easier to park.

There were 2 downsides to it. These Elddis vans usually only have a 45 litre fresh water tank and there was very little storage space (as in external Lockers). The overcab area was used for storage instead.

I would go for the 2.2 Peugeot Boxer engine as it has enough power for the van, the 1.9 engine could be a bit underpowered but I could be wrong.

 

[saxonrosie]

What happened to the Autocruise you were looking at? I would think an older Autocruise would be far better built than the Eldis but then maybe I’m baised, my son had a new auto quest for a while says it was the worst van ever, no outside storage and was always back at the dealer for one thing or an other, maybe the older vans are better built it is usually the case, but same with any make you buy some people love them others not, at the end of the day it’s what you are happy with. One thing for sure you need to find one the weather is picking up nicely.

 

[izwozral]

Just asking again about a Motorhome this time it’s an Elddis Autoquest 2004 any info is greatly appreciated and sorry to be a nuisance again!

You ain't being a nuisance hun, can't offer any advice on the Autoquest but you see plenty of them around so they must be doing something right. Good luck.

 

[yorkslass]

Good point about outside storage. We have a swift, and everything has to go in via the door. It's a proper pain sometimes.

 

[Minisorella]

Jeanette, mine's not the same... it's a Compass Avantgarde, which is still made by Elddis and probably the same structure but I think Compass is the more basic of the two ranges for fittings, etc.

I love my Birdie to bits and have absolutely no complaints but I don't kid myself that it's a great build or anything. I had a little leak about 18 months ago that was quickly and easily fixed... a re-seal up on the roof. I find it very cosy; reliable; drives like a dream (Peugeot Boxer 2.2hdi); because it's not such a heavy build I have a massive payload; I love the rear lounge and picture windows; the sofas/single beds are incredibly comfy because they're sprung, not foam right through and the whole lounge can make up into a massive superking bed too. My fire is just gas (not blown air) so Birdie's very light on battery usage, even in the winter. I know the Explorer Group (Elddis, Compass, etc) are not renowned for top quality builds but whether that's OK depends what you want from a van. If I were full-timing or spent a huge amount of time camping in seriously low temperatures, then I'd maybe think again but I haven't found a van yet that I'd swap it for. Because of its age (mine's a January 2006) it doesn't feel cheap and plastic like a lot of new vans... I've been in some that are flimsier than mine, built to look fab but no substance. I could do with a stronger water pump to give me a better shower but if I were that worried, I'd have changed it after nearly 7 years!

None of the above might apply to the one you have in mind but I just wanted to point out that, whilst I'm sure we'd all love to own the best quality MH in the world that would doubtless survive a nuclear winter... well, needs must and all that. Good luck with your search... your van is out there somewhere

 

[Deleted member 58274]

Autoquest

Hi, Jeanette, Jenny....well, read Jenny's post with interest...she knows we have an actual Autoquest like you may be considering. So much of what Jenny says matches how we view our van...rear lounge...great engine (if it has the 2.2 HDI) .... However, these vans are basic...it's a case of you get what you pay for...and that's the issue !! Ours was very cheap...dealers will still want more for that 2004 than we paid for our 2007 !! We prioritized the mileage (very low), length (5.8m) , engine, layout (rear u-shaped lounge like Jenny enjoys) ..but...... It depends on what you want. The downside....the interior finish on ours is quite poor...the formica is peeling here and there...had to replace cupboard hinges....there are many vans of similar age and older that have a much better "deluxe...feel-good factor" to their interior !! A member commented that the water tank is only 45L but we get 3 days shower no problems. It's all "horses" .... like Jenny we love ours too....it's a "means to an end" .... goes to all the same places LOL As said earlier...take your time and buy the right one for you........Maja

 

[jeanette]

saxonrosie the first Autoquest at Morecambe the seats weren’t long enough and then the one at Preston was soaking wet we’ve never known a van to be so wet! The next one that was at Lytham st Anne’s was hacked to bits! We would like a one with theU shaped lounge when we weren’t looking for a one we saw loads advertised that’s typical! This Autoquest is a Peugeot Boxer 2litre diesel it’s got 26,700 miles on the clock and it’s had 8 previous owners,the Le is 17’8”

 

[jeanette]

 

[Minisorella]

Interesting to hear about some differences Maja... ours seem fairly identical at first glance. Mine's a tad longer at 6.25m (I've never measured it mind!) and my fresh water tank is 80 litres... although I think the waste is only 40lt. You're right about the cupboard hinges though... my wardrobe and bathroom door hinges are a bit rubbish. I haven't had to replace them yet but they've needed little adjustments and regular tightening. The overhead cupboards are all good and strong though. I'd assumed that the wardrobe and cupboard 'walls' would be pretty flimsy but when we drilled through to put a new 12v charging socket on, it was surprisingly substantial. I was also surprised at the thickness of the insulation... we had a souvenir 'bore hole' once, from the refillable gas fitment

As you say, we all go to the same places and sit in the same fields or pub car parks, no matter what we drive. I'm off to sit in a soggy field in Norfolk tomorrow... can't wait! :lol-053:
:drive:

 

[Minisorella]

saxonrosie the first Autoquest at Morecambe the seats weren’t long enough and then the one at Preston was soaking wet we’ve never known a van to be so wet! The next one that was at Lytham st Anne’s was hacked to bits! We would like a one with theU shaped lounge when we weren’t looking for a one we saw loads advertised that’s typical! This Autoquest is a Peugeot Boxer 2litre diesel it’s got 26,700 miles on the clock and it’s had 8 previous owners,the Le is 17’8”

Jeanette, are you sure about the length of the van? At 17ft 8" I'm guessing that the rear sofas might not be long enough to use as 2 singles. I know there's a shorter version of mine (or similar) where the bed has to be made up transverse to be long enough. Lee and Linda used to have one. My van is 3ft longer than the one you're talking about, so I'd double check the measurements of the sofas if you can.... or the van itself. Looking at the overhead cupboards in that photo, it seems to match mine unit for unit, so the difference in the length of the van is puzzling. The rest sounds and looks good.

 

[jeanette]

Jeanette, are you sure about the length of the van? At 17ft 8" I'm guessing that the rear sofas might not be long enough to use as 2 singles. I know there's a shorter version of mine (or similar) where the bed has to be made up transverse to be long enough. Lee and Linda used to have one. My van is 3ft longer than the one you're talking about, so I'd double check the measurements of the sofas if you can.... or the van itself. Looking at the overhead cupboards in that photo, it seems to match mine unit for unit, so the difference in the length of the van is puzzling. The rest sounds and looks good.

We will check Jennie if they have the measurements right if that’s the case,but we did fancy an autosleeper with a U shaped lounge but as you say ours is out there somewhere! Well at least we’re having the odd night here and there!!! And we’ve still got the “van” we have seen a few Compass Avantgarde vans but mainly down the country(again)!!

 

[jeanette]

Jeanette, are you sure about the length of the van? At 17ft 8" I'm guessing that the rear sofas might not be long enough to use as 2 singles. I know there's a shorter version of mine (or similar) where the bed has to be made up transverse to be long enough. Lee and Linda used to have one. My van is 3ft longer than the one you're talking about, so I'd double check the measurements of the sofas if you can.... or the van itself. Looking at the overhead cupboards in that photo, it seems to match mine unit for unit, so the difference in the length of the van is puzzling. The rest sounds and looks good.

This what she has put in her ad!

 

[Deleted member 58274]

Swb

Hi, following on from Jenny's comments about the sofas being long enough for two singles...SWB in the description stands for "short wheelbase" ....not long enough. Ours is a medium wheelbase MWB and accommodates us sleeping as two singles.....Maja

 

[jeanette]

Hi, following on from Jenny's comments about the sofas being long enough for two singles...SWB in the description stands for "short wheelbase" ....not long enough. Ours is a medium wheelbase MWB and accommodates us sleeping as two singles.....Maja

Yes just seen that in a different post so definitely no good for us! How long are the sofas in the MWB?

 

[maingate]

Yes just seen that in a different post so definitely no good for us! How long are the sofas in the MWB?

I can confirm that the two sofas are too short for sleeping in the 120 version. I used mine a lot solo when working around the country. I rigged up a single bed across the back of the van which saved moving all the cushions to make up the large bed.

Also be aware that it is classed as a 4 berth with 4 seatbelts. However, the rear 2 seatbelts are only Lap belts (not proper 3 point ones like in the front) and the passengers are sitting sideways on the sofas. If you take Grandkids with you, they are definitely not safe.

 

[Deleted member 58274]

Sofas

Hi Jeanette, one sofa is 70 inches, the other 74....fine for us but probably a squeeze if you're a six footer !!
Maja