Another size question
Some advice please
Seen a motorhome today that more or less ticks all our boxes and would be an ideal starter vehicle as we dip our toes into the world of motorhoming.
Its a Bessacar E425 with over cab but it only has the 100 bhp multi jet Ducauto engine which concerns us a bit.
Would we be frustrated at the lack of power. Any thoughts appreciated please.
Thank you
Comments
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We have a coach built that we love, on a fiat base, our engine is is 1.9 diesel. No idea how that compares to what your mentioning . So long as you are happy to take your time, after all its a leisure vehicle, we've not had a problem. We bought our motorhome
on impulse and love the layout, didn't give really consider the engine size. Not sure we'd swop for engine size alone, we have a dry fault free motorhome, too many tales of problems.0 -
I would be dubious of the 100 engine personally, Natasha. Test it and see but bear in mind you will not have your payload on board during a test drive .
Above all, try reversing it uphill to check for the dreaded Fiat clutch judder.
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There was a thread on these forums a few years ago about damp problems with a Bessacar E425 but no-one else on any MH forum seems to have raised concerns about the power, or lack of power, in that model.
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Thank you everyone for your thoughts.
it is surprising that 100 bhp appears to be the standard size engine for a typical smallish British motorhome between 2008 - 2010.
However we'll have a test drive and see how it goes. its so perfect for our needs but will try not to get too carried away.
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as stated, around 2008 the 100 bhp was a std fitment, mainly to reduce the ticket price by a grand or so...
most will have been supplied with the 130 bhp motor, which would be ample for a 3000 kg ish MIRO van.
only you will be able to say if its enough, but unladen, it may seem fine, only perhaps becoming frustrating when running fully laden and on long uphill sections.
one thing for sure, try a van, any similar van (even if not that interested in it) so as to understand what the 130 might add.
our two Boleros had the 130 and its a pretty good, solid lump.
On the 2nd (larger, 7m) Bolero, im sure the 100 bhp motor would have been a bit lacking, on the 1st one, might have been ok.
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My 2002 Autotrail Tracker has the 2 Ltr 84 BHP engine.
It's been up most of the high mountains in southern Europe and Norway for example.
It cruises at 60MPH, or 70 MPH if you want, and has averaged 29.6 MPG.
It weighs a real life 3300Kgs when travelling.
I don't do 'my ????? is bigger than your ?????'
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with my dearest OH kindly giving away my beloved Audi TDi Avant to our needy son (too big for her to drive confidently in town, etc....) and replacing it with a tiny Fiat 500, i am astutely aware of the differences 'grunt' (or lack of it) can make to relaxed
progress..yes, the Fiat will cruise at 60 or 70 or even 80, but when loaded (people and/or stuff) and faced with long inclines it behaves differently to the TDI.....ie, it slows down....and requires plenty of gear shifting and commensurate
changes in noise levels.....the Audi just required a slight depression of the accelerator, in virtually any gear...a small engine in a MH will definitely do the job....but sometimes a bit more oomph makes the progress a little more relaxing...
not wanting to get into the 'mines bigger.....' thing, however we do have the 150bhp motor in ours and it suits it well, again avoiding downshifts that would be necessary with the 130.
i do think the OP should try a couple of different engine/weight combinations and then make an informed choice....
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I agree that the 100bhp engine was fitted to keep the price down. Progress was leisurely but for some, this was acceptable. However, driving something which wasn't overly keen on keeping up with traffic many years ago is going to feel pretty strange to someone
who hasn't driven a motorhome but tends to drive a modern motorcar.I would be less worried about the engine and more worried as to whether I could live with the limited safety features including how quickly it stopped.
If its dry, in good condition, and the layout you want, then if you can accept the compromises on safety and performance, go for it. Just allow more time to get to your destination, be defensive in your driving style, and learn to live with the van.
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I was going to say that 100bhp should be adequate. That's what my van has (Ford Puma diesel engine), and it's pretty nippy. However, I've got a Romahome R30 (see avatar) which is quite a bit smaller than a Bessacar E425, so perhaps you will find it a bit
under-powered.0 -
Great comments everyone.
I think we knew that it would be underpowered but having searched for so long for the 'right' motorhome for us layout wise, we perhaps had the rose coloured specs on.
There's a MH for sale just up the road from us with the same engine so trying to persuade Mr Natasha2 to go on a test drive. We have a big hill nearby too so it would be a good test.
Realistically though I think our search continues but thank you for all the good advice.
What a good forum this Is
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Dare I suggest that layout and condition are far more important than engine size!
Whether it's motorhomes or tow cars nearly everybody has a 'thing' about horse power.
I used to rally and race and even then the most horse power often didn't win
I'd better shut up!
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Natasha, is the overcab a nice to have or is it part of the must haves, for extra berths or storage?
its just that, more recently, overcabs have drifted away, in favour of a drop down bed over the lounge to provide additional berths.
i can see one on Autotrader in Reading at a shade under £30k, this looks to have the 2.3 130 engine, on the heavy chassis.
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Hi Bolero Boy
Yes the overcab is an essential for storage.
Have looked a euro lounge/garage options but don't find the lounge comfortable.
Todays thoughts are for autotrail tribute 625 or imala 625 which would give us a caravan type lounge and storage in a shortish van. Obviously the budget would be blown apart!!
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