Hymer Van 374 / ML-T 540, or something else?
Hymer Van 374 / ML-T 540, or something else?
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Discussion

Patrick1964

Original Poster:

737 posts

249 months

Tuesday 15th July
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We are looking to buy our first motorhome later this year and would like something up to or not much over 6m long.

! Itink Euro 6 is probably necessary as although we don't want to drive into London we may well want to enter Malmo (for instance).

Our budget would stretch to a Euro 6 Hymer as above, but as a first time buyer the choice of alternative makes and models is baffling !

I looked at some Benimar vehicles as a cheaper (newer) option but it looks like the quality is poor and the dealer even worse.

Any advise or comments on different chassis / engine options (are there any to avoid?) or alternatives that won't fall apart would be welcome please.

We would like a fixed rear bed (twin singles or a double, I'm 189cm tall) and a garage for Bromptons, boots and fishing tackle etc.

Thanks in advance.

Spuffington

1,314 posts

186 months

Wednesday 16th July
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Congratulations that you're in a position to buy a motorhome - best decision I ever made, 11yrs and 5 vans ago now!

Personally, based upon issues I'm currently having with Fiat (new gearbox required after 3months and 3k miles), I could never recommend buying one and will never buy another. I think I'm potentially one of the unlucky ones and there are plenty of people who are fans, but the 2.2l 9spd auto gearbox has a reputation for lunching itself on heavy motorhomes.

My favourite base vehicle is the current MAN TGE/VW Crafter which I had on my last Knaus BoxDrive 600XL (a 6m unit). I had 4x4 auto and it was fabulous. Only sold it because I have 3kids and couldn't get them all in. But if you're just solo or a couple, it's a fabulous van.

Sprinters would also be on the list.

What do you want to do? Are you looking at all year around camping? You mentioned Malmo, if you're doing Scandinavia you want some decent offgrid capabilities (LifePo4, DC-DC charging, solar etc) and winterised even in summer.

Have you been to shows and plenty of showrooms to sit in a load? In my opinion, there's a big difference between Hymer and Benimar and it's worth paying the premium if you can afford it. My current Dethleffs (cab aside) is a super mid-premium build quality and we're super impressed iwth it.

cts1975

359 posts

186 months

Wednesday 16th July
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I've just purchased a new Adria 670 Matrix SC after selling my Wildax Aurora XL 3 berth.
If I was buying used I would always buy from a German derived manufacturer like Hymer, Knuas or Adria.
The build quality on our Wildax was really good but that's what Wildax are renowed for.
The Adria is just as good but you would expect that from Adria.
Try and go to one of the shows - all the vans in one place is makes them ideal.
Our Wildax was on a Citroen Relays which gave no problems and our Adria is on a Fiat with the 9 speed auto ZF gearbox.

Patrick1964

Original Poster:

737 posts

249 months

Wednesday 16th July
quotequote all
To answer a question and clarify - there are two of us (a couple) and at present two dogs.

We're not looking to winter camp, although we do want to do Scandinavia when we can - I'd love to go to the Acrtic Circle, but maybe by train !

We do want an end bedroom with a fixed bed - two singles or a double is fine.

We do want a garage.

Thank you for the replies so far.