New Hymer van s compact coach built
We have started to look to change from our high top vwt4. Been fantastic but wish to go further and longer.with better facilities Sadly we could not make the NEC show due to illness. Was going to look at the Murvis pvc's. We have just noticed that hymer
are now advertising the van s compact. Mercedes cab 2.2 m wide and 5.6 m long. Similar cost to Murvi's. Would welcome any comments and experiances with hymers / compact coach built Would it be better than a PVC? We know they are still small but compared to
our T4 they are cavernous!!!!!.
Comments
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As we understand it, hightop conversions are always more expensive than a coach-built because nothing in a hightop can be prefabricated. Everything is built in-situ.
We've had our coach built Hymer for 11 years and it's only now begining to show signs of wear and tear. We're coming up to the 150,000 mile mark! Long-term it might be worthwhile considering the extra living space the Hymer gives you.
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Thank you for that. Wow 150 k . That's a lot of miles. What problems have you had in that time? The Van s coach built is still about £55k with a few bells and whîstles so not cheap .
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The problems we've had have been with the base vehicle, Fiat Ducato, but just those you'd expect with use and age. We had to replace a big side window due to cracking possibly caused by age again. It was expensive ( £525) but Hymer maintain a spares back up for older vans.
It's a big expense buying a motorhome, so it's got to last you a while. If you want to go winter touring then a european coachbuilt is far better than a hightop. Hymer motorhomes are habitable down to -15C.
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Buy whichever layout suits you best and focus on the ease of use. Both are excellent options and neither will disappoint in design, build quality and longevity. Hymer's may be more convenient for service & support, especially if you go abroad, although I'd
ask Murvi about its support framework. Fiat will be a better base than Merc when it comes to £££s. Might be better to spend the fifference on more accessories for the van.Coachbuilts tend to be easier to build and square. Usually better insulated so check with Murvi about the insulation. Less likely to be an issue unless you use in cold weather. Check where are the water tanks - it's easier to add tanks to a coachbuilt.
Tough call. If I was living in Norfolk and the layout suited, I'd go for the Hymer because Becks will not be far away.
Murvi build to order so check out build times. Hymer may have already sold their UK build run so check whether you can get one or whether you will have to wait until 2017.
Download the brochures and you will be able to make comparisons away from the salesmen. Check loading margins.
My Hymer is an A-class, 6m long and 2.34m wide.
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Thank you very much for your comments. Its really helpful. Definitely want to go winter touring so insulation is certainly a consideration. I would like to not have a Fiat base as I have sat in a few and the side visibility through the cab seems very poor.
I am tall and have the seats back to their stops and really have to lean forward at junctions and roundabouts. Even worse with cab blinds fitted. Becks are only 15 miles away and hope to get there next week for a look. Murvi are along way too. Not so good.
Hymer coupled with Mercedes is sounding very appealing. The next thing of course if we like them is 5.6m or 6.3 ? Too many choices !!!!!!!!!!0 -
"Hymer coupled with Mercedes is sounding very appealing"
another option would be to go for a Fiat Hymer A class as mentioned in Aspenshaw's post....
the cab will be completely different to the std fiat one and price wise, an a class premium might not be much different to the charge for a merc over a std fiat.....?
however, you will get a much roomier van on, say, 6 m...
have a look at the exsis-i 414....a lot of quality van in a tiny footprint....
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Thank you for that Boleroboy. Have never thought of an A class. What are they like to live with and drive. What are the pros and cons. I have never been in one but they certainly look very bright and light. Vision look as if it good too. How about reliability
of the Fiat base ? Interesting.0 -
fiat base is still a damn good product....
driving an a class can seem a bit odd at first, screen much further away,as are the side windows which can make vision at angled junctions a bit tricky....only you can decide of its better or worse than the issues you have with the std cab.
however, the wider cab is much more like sitting in a caravan except it has far more comfortable seating with the swivelled cab seats....
worth a look if ypu can get a test drive....
ps...the exsis-i 414 is 6m long but only 2.12 wide....
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I'm on my third A-class and know the limitations of the design such as access to the engine bay, reduced outer shell rigidity [not safety], windscreen replacement, cost. I wouldn't have one unless space is an issue - missus loves them but doesn't drive it!
There are plenty of benefits, though, particularly visibility on the road - the missus loves the view! Probably less difficult to drive overall than a coachbuilt.0
