New Motorhome

[Toffeecat]

As im selling my current motorhome I decided to have a look to some dealers. Just thought id post as an example of the quality and service I found. Dealer one wasn't to bad except I couldn't get into the new motorhome. When I asked why it was because the lock on the door was broken. Had to get in through the drivers door to open from the inside. This was a £45,ooo motorhome with no miles and the door was broken. As the dealer tried to sell me another brand, a very well known British brand, I informed him id walked around their "top quality?" motorhome and found loads of faults. He denied such quality issues so I said turn around and look at the rubber gasket right behind you on that "quality" motorhome that attached the plastic lower cowling which was fitted by a blind monkey. It was broken. This was a well over £50,000 motorhome. The sealer was fitted by blind monkeys dog who had a sight impediment. I then went to another dealer and had a look inside another British brand motorhome. Id had a look a few weeks ago and a large strip of plastic used to seal the roof interior had fallen off , the table had fell off leaving empty screw holes on the wall and torn wallpaper, none of which had been repaired over the last few weeks. The outside has a black streak from rain running down the motorhome unrepaired and the staff stood around in a circle having a few tabs and no one had bothered to repair them. To be honest, im well pi&&ed off at the quality of what I seen from British motorhomes, the lack of care, the I dont give a £$%^ attitude to the state of new motorhomes. For gods sake they are the price of a high end car which would never ever have left the factory in such terrible condition. Wheres the quality checking? That said, the German motorhomes I looked at were fine.

 

[izwozral]

A sad indictment of Britain today. Apathy rules.

 

[Toffeecat]

If anyone does know a decent dealer oop north let me know. Anywhere I can get to to fix stuff as if its new its bound to have problems. The sad thing is my current ones fine (missus wants a new one). I just wonder why the quality of something the price of a high end car is so poor and why the german ones appeared so much better. The fella a couple of doors along has a very old Burstner, 30 years old I think 180,000 miles and its running as strong as ever. My 2007 little elddis is fine. Maybe its just the newer ones?

 

[spigot]

Anyone who wants a new van when their present one is running fine has got to be out of their bonce!

Why spend a lot of dosh on the possibility of a load of grief?

 

[Toffeecat]

The reason im changing is because the missus wants a new one, some thing bigger (oo er mssus) so when we retire we can live for long periods in the motorhome and abroad. Mines fine for me going of alone or for the two of us for a few weeks but a bit small for long periods. Im talking months at a time.

 

[Moped]

On the “something bigger for months at a time “ trade up bear in mind that a no deal ****** could limit overseas travel in Europe to 90 days every 180. We are holding off on any future lifestyle expenditure planning (bigger MH, scooter maybe) until ****** is sorted one way or the other, making do with what we have for the time being. Unless of course you are happy whatever to go down the visa route to extend travel beyond 90 days.

We enjoy motorhoming for months at a time around continental Europe but less so in the overcrowded restrictive UK so the thought of spending more time in the UK in future with a capital asset is, for us, slightly depressing, but hey ho...

And a bigger asset is of course even more problematic in the overcrowded mid to high season UK unless you become mainly a campsite based tourer which we choose to be only when needs must.

 

[Pauljenny]

We had 3 motorhomes.
A 3 year old Autosleeper Amethyst with 3000 miles.. Quality van. Full timed in it for 5 years, putting 50k miles on
We looked at trading it in for a new model, but on asking around and visiting dealers, we were appalled at the poor quality and sloppy salesmanship.
We soldiered on for 2 more years, until we had no choice but to replace it.
The only new automatics available were Lunar Homecars, at Campbell's Preston. What a terrible experience
The build quality was a disgrace, customer service was even worse. Finally, we ended dealing with a customer Service manager at Lunar. After a year, she handed in her notice, just after booking us in at a specialist repairer, at Clitheroe.. For a couple of days', we had the unbroken attention of a grown up craftsman, they looked after us overnight, too.
Then the engine electrical system broke down. Back to Campbells for a warranty claim.. We'd paid for reairs at a main dealer in Portugal, at their request. After two years of lies and ignoring us, they finally paid our full claim, plus expenses and interest at 8%.. On the steps of The Small Claims Court... Roughly double what we'd have settled for, in the first place
On it's 5th birthday, we happily traded it in for the Bentley, direct from the maker, dealing with Gordon and Richard Bentley... Wonderful van, great back up service .
After 5 years of 50% full-time, we again looked to change.
Appalled again, we decided to hang on.
Year 7 was when the various none Bentley parts started to fail.. Heki roof light, window blinds, Hartal door, electric step,batteries. We decided we'd do one more summer, this year, and then give up motorhoming....
Rather than go through the aggravation of finding, buying and fettling a new van.
Illness, hastened that decision.
If a part is meant to move on a motorhome..... It will eventually drop off.
If a part is not meant to move..... It will start to move....

 

[Fisherman]

Just bought a roller team Pegaso 590. Had it a month now, and apart from the drivers side mirror requiring adjustment there is nothing to report. I would do the adjustment myself but it involves removing the glass first and I don’t want to take the chance of breaking it. I am impressed with the standard of workmanship and the spec of the equipment of this Italian Motorhome delivered on uk spec. I will wait a few months before making a full report, but I am delighted with it to date.

 

[spigot]

Some of us needed to downsize for medical reasons when reaching the young age of 70
GRRRRRRRR
Stupid thing is we can still drive a large car with an even larger caravan behind!

Tell me about it. I am not allowed to drive a 3,800kg MH, but I can hop on a 1500cc high powered motor bike & kill myself & probably others at the same time.


Daft, innit?

 

[Borders2]

We made our purchase just under a year ago now, some 9 months. We visited five dealerships and scratched 2 instantly due to not being interested in us or our money. One in Perth and one in Newcastle.

So after looking at and more importantly in some 500+ vehicles we found what we wanted. It's a bit of a compromise but the fixed bed and the subsequent garage suits us spot on. We ended up buying our Burstner 2nd hand from Perthshire Caravans. A bit of a trek for work under the gurantee but they have been very good to us. They forgot to fit the stays we had ordered and did a rush job to put them in and then showered us with goodies in appology. Fair enough we all make mistakes.


It really pays to visit as many vans as you can and as the OP is finding out the German vehicles clunk, the British stuff merely clicks. You can tell a lot from opening and shutting interior doors.

B2

 

[Robina]

If anyone does know a decent dealer oop north let me know. Anywhere I can get to to fix stuff as if its new its bound to have problems. The sad thing is my current ones fine (missus wants a new one). I just wonder why the quality of something the price of a high end car is so poor and why the german ones appeared so much better. The fella a couple of doors along has a very old Burstner, 30 years old I think 180,000 miles and its running as strong as ever. My 2007 little elddis is fine. Maybe its just the newer ones?

We have used Danum's in Askern near Doncaster for several repairs on a van we bought elsewhere. I would happily recommend them as their service has always been attentive and very helpful - they are very knowledgeable about all things van. It is a family firm that sells several makes of new motorhomes and some second hand as well. New and Used Motorhomes in Doncaster, South Yorkshire

Hope that is far enough north for you.

 

[Dezi]

If anyone does know a decent dealer oop north let me know. Anywhere I can get to to fix stuff as if its new its bound to have problems. The sad thing is my current ones fine (missus wants a new one). I just wonder why the quality of something the price of a high end car is so poor and why the german ones appeared so much better. The fella a couple of doors along has a very old Burstner, 30 years old I think 180,000 miles and its running as strong as ever. My 2007 little elddis is fine. Maybe its just the newer ones?

Hi, Like your good selves we had a little elddis but 1998 we were looking for a purpose build touring van so splashed out £38,500 for a Murvi Morello.

After 110,000 miles we changed it for another new Morello in 2009 and again in 2016.

Excellent build, and faultless after sales service. We have no complaints whatsoever.

Incidentally the £38,500 in 1998 was 10.5 times the cost of our new three bedroomed semi purchased in 1966.

rien ne reste pareil

Dezi

 

[The laird]

Anyone who wants a new van when their present one is running fine has got to be out of their bonce!

Why spend a lot of dosh on the possibility of a load of grief?

I’ve got that much money it’s great

 

[REC]

We paid over £40000 for a tribute 670 new in 2018. It went back to dealer in July 2018 and we got a full refund. The dealer sold it (for more than we paid) two weeks later and couldn't have fixed all the faults in that time.Thoroughly recommend doing what we have now done, bought a new base vehicle and paid someone to convert it to our specs. Cost less than £28000 and we know exactly how much insulation is in place and have designed it to fit our needs. The other option of doing it ourselves ( well, Dave doing it) was discarded as no time.
Nor for everyone but if you want a panel van conversion it's worth thinking about!

 

[landoboguy]

As im selling my current motorhome I decided to have a look to some dealers. Just thought id post as an example of the quality and service I found. Dealer one wasn't to bad except I couldn't get into the new motorhome. When I asked why it was because the lock on the door was broken. Had to get in through the drivers door to open from the inside. This was a £45,ooo motorhome with no miles and the door was broken.

Wasnt my Autotrail Imala 734 by any chance , Im STILL locked out and Fuming about the lack of reply by Autotrail see my post below.

https://www.wildcamping.co.uk/forums/reviews/71106-auto-quest-imala.html?highlight=#post1016325

 

[landoboguy]

We paid over £40000 for a tribute 670 new in 2018. It went back to dealer in July 2018 and we got a full refund.

How did you go about this Ruth, I feel like doing exactly the same

 

[trevskoda]

I built my own van so if any complaints i wright to my self then forward to management,her indoors who reduces my food allowance to the repair is sorted,the only thing that scares me is a empty plate.:sad:

 

[QFour]

If anyone does know a decent dealer oop north let me know. Anywhere I can get to to fix stuff as if its new its bound to have problems. The sad thing is my current ones fine (missus wants a new one). I just wonder why the quality of something the price of a high end car is so poor and why the german ones appeared so much better. The fella a couple of doors along has a very old Burstner, 30 years old I think 180,000 miles and its running as strong as ever. My 2007 little elddis is fine. Maybe its just the newer ones?

Our Laika came from Portsmouth 200 miles away. Only been back for damp checks. Few jobs done myself and couple of warranty bits when it was down for damp checks. Our local Dealer Lowdhams has a few British ones with bits missing or broken.

 

[Poacher]

If anyone does know a decent dealer oop north let me know. Anywhere I can get to to fix stuff as if its new its bound to have problems. The sad thing is my current ones fine (missus wants a new one). I just wonder why the quality of something the price of a high end car is so poor and why the german ones appeared so much better. The fella a couple of doors along has a very old Burstner, 30 years old I think 180,000 miles and its running as strong as ever. My 2007 little elddis is fine. Maybe its just the newer ones?

I use JB Caravans at Shildon for my habitation side of things - used him for years and reasonable on price. Never felt ripped off.

 

[REC]

How did you go about this Ruth, I feel like doing exactly the same

My thread at the time....Consumer Rights act 2015 Reject a motorhome as not fit for purpose?
Quoting the trading standards seemed to be good. I also searched and found the name of the managing director, and phoned him!! Had to forward all my previous emails to the company (80+) but it proved the case!
It was all a bit traumatic, but the outcome was good! For me, but maybe not for person who purchased it next!