Talk me out of an A class?
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Discussion

tight fart

Original Poster:

3,397 posts

295 months

Wednesday 28th January
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We've had a Bessacarr E560 (our first motorhome) for 9 years and its been brilliant.
It's time for a change, must haves are Island bed, good storage, under 7.5m and 3m high.
I fancy an A class, Mrs TF says they look like a bus and that you don't actually get anymore space.
Friends say that maintenance and insurance are higher, windscreen cover expensive etc.
Any owners here like to advice?

Also if you were to group manufacturers on build quality would you put the German vans top?

Spuffington

1,330 posts

190 months

Wednesday 28th January
quotequote all
Afraid I can’t - I’m just in the process of changing myself.

I’ve had two A classes to date (Hymer B640S and Concorde Charisma I880f) and just about to get into a Dethleffs Globetrotter XLi. I’ve also had Rimor & Dethleffs coachbuilts.

In fairness, I’d have kept the current coachbuilt for 10yrs had it not have had issues but the difference in ambience in an A class is a game changer.

To me, it makes the whole experience more immersive (both in terms of the landscape during and following the drive and the living room experience).

I’ve never had any discernible difference in running costs.
If anything I felt the a classes were more robust, warmer and better at warding off damp. I’ve had windscreens replaced on both A classes and I’ve only ever paid the excess of £100-200. Yes, you require specialist windscreens that may take a little longer to order but no issues which caused me any concern.

In terms of what to look for - personally my favourite has been the Concorde in which i fulltimed for 18months. It was a 2005 I bought in 2017 and sold in 2021 for more than I paid for it.

What is your budget?

tight fart

Original Poster:

3,397 posts

295 months

Friday 30th January
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Budget wise, I’d be looking £50 to £75k, Mrs TF would be happy to spend a bit more.
Also I’d like to go euro6 if possible, it’s getting a bit confusing abroad with all the different clean air zones.

missing the VR6

2,487 posts

211 months

Friday 30th January
quotequote all
We looked at a few A Classes when we nearly changed our bed over cab MoHo 2 years ago, found out that some do use generic windscreens, if memory serves Pilote. The windscreen thing was scaring the hell out of us, after reading on here tales of £4,000 windscreen not covered by insurance. We decided the Coachman Travelmaster was the better option for us after all, not sure how much they are these days but the quality felt a cut above most other things.