Carthago vs Malibu

[dom_k]

I am looking for a new van to upgrade our current PVC. After looking at quality of vans we have narrowed to a carthago or a Malibu (same manufacturer)
Questions for people in the know - is it worth the carthago for the alko chassis over the Fiat one?
My current options are looking like:

1. UK carthago compactline or c-tourer. Probably 2022 to get something in budget. Probably a Mercedes coach built or a Fiat a-class as the merc c tourer are still too much used.

2. UK Malibu 430 or 490. Alan Kerr have a LHD 490 which is tempting at £110k.

3. German LHD new mercedes c tourer. There are plenty out there with 20k discounts so looking around £115k for a new 143 LE.

Any thoughts? Be interested to know why some German dealers can discount so much to the extent the van’s are ending up 30k plus cheaper than in UK!!

 

[Minxy]

Hi Dom, we have a 2019 Compactline i-138 on the Alko chassis so we have a double floor with loads of storage and the narrower width make driving etc much more pleasant than a chubby van. Having had 10 coachbuilts/PVCs previously we wouldn't have anything other than our 138 now, it's a joy.

Ref the Malibu versions, AFAIK they aren't as well spec'd as Carthagos and I don't think the have the double floor either.

As for German dealer prices, you need to check the spec carefully as many sold in the UK have a higher spec as standard so by the time you've added in what you want it might not be much cheaper than buying here, Lenny HB may be able to give more info on this aspect.

 

[dom_k]

Thanks - I think after looking in more detail I want the alko as it gets rid of the leaf springs from the Fiat chassis.
The vans in Germany seem to have a good base spec with the basic plus, media and driving packs on them. They don’t tend to have solar etc… but I’d probably end up fitting that in the UK with a proper set up.

 

[Ditcha]

I am looking for a new van to upgrade our current PVC. After looking at quality of vans we have narrowed to a carthago or a Malibu (same manufacturer)
Questions for people in the know - is it worth the carthago for the alko chassis over the Fiat one?
My current options are looking like:

1. UK carthago compactline or c-tourer. Probably 2022 to get something in budget. Probably a Mercedes coach built or a Fiat a-class as the merc c tourer are still too much used.

2. UK Malibu 430 or 490. Alan Kerr have a LHD 490 which is tempting at £110k.

3. German LHD new mercedes c tourer. There are plenty out there with 20k discounts so looking around £115k for a new 143 LE.

Any thoughts? Be interested to know why some German dealers can discount so much to the extent the van’s are ending up 30k plus cheaper than in UK!!

Malibu have double floors exactly the same as the Carthago the main difference is side wall construction Carthago is aluminium pu foam aluminium sandwich where as Malibu is aluminium pu foam wallboard sandwich both have same grp roofs and floors so it's only really the two sidewalls that are different, the fiat wide track chassis is also prepared by alko. You will also find that all the under floor lockers are aluminium pu foam aluminium sandwich on the Malibu including the gas locker door (must be pre made assemblies they use on both the Carthago and Malibu)
The internal layout and fittings are the same as the Carthago but not a much bling.

 

[Ditcha]

Thanks - I think after looking in more detail I want the alko as it gets rid of the leaf springs from the Fiat chassis.
The vans in Germany seem to have a good base spec with the basic plus, media and driving packs on them. They don’t tend to have solar etc… but I’d probably end up fitting that in the UK with a proper set up.

We added full VB air to our Malibu i500 to get rid of the leaf springs and still had money to spare by not buying the Carthago equivalent C Tourer 150.

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[cyberyacht]

We added full VB air to our Malibu i500 to get rid of the leaf springs and still had money to spare by not buying the Carthago equivalent C Tourer 150.

According to your profile you've got a Frankia

 

[WESTY66]

According to your profile you've got a Frankia

He has now, the Malibu went months ago

 

[WESTY66]

I am looking for a new van to upgrade our current PVC. After looking at quality of vans we have narrowed to a carthago or a Malibu (same manufacturer)
Questions for people in the know - is it worth the carthago for the alko chassis over the Fiat one?
My current options are looking like:

1. UK carthago compactline or c-tourer. Probably 2022 to get something in budget. Probably a Mercedes coach built or a Fiat a-class as the merc c tourer are still too much used.

2. UK Malibu 430 or 490. Alan Kerr have a LHD 490 which is tempting at £110k.

3. German LHD new mercedes c tourer. There are plenty out there with 20k discounts so looking around £115k for a new 143 LE.

Any thoughts? Be interested to know why some German dealers can discount so much to the extent the van’s are ending up 30k plus cheaper than in UK!!

Kerrs have two LHDs in, if you can, stretch to the 118k one, it has the bigger brakes and better alloys, oven etc.
I think it’s the order I cancelled, but they changed the spec when I cancelled and they must have added the drop down bed to appeal to a broader audience as I ordered it without!
They WILL do a deal on it

That said I’d rather have a Carthago

 

[CRD]

2. UK Malibu 430 or 490. Alan Kerr have a LHD 490 which is tempting at £110k.

Alan Kerr are our local Malibu dealer and we had a terrible experience with their after sales care.

A friend is currently engaged in a multi month battle with them having bought a used Carthago A class which has issues that they are refusing to fix.

I would avoid Alan Kerr at all costs, if I were you.

 

[dom_k]

Kerrs have two LHDs in, if you can, stretch to the 118k one, it has the bigger brakes and better alloys, oven etc.
I think it’s the order I cancelled, but they changed the spec when I cancelled and they must have added the drop down bed to appeal to a broader audience as I ordered it without!
They WILL do a deal on it

That said I’d rather have a Carthago

Shame they changed it as I would much prefer a van without the drop down. They are much harder to find though! I looked at the compactline at premium but my wife doesn’t like the epic wood - she wants the lighter Casablanca wood. Other than that it I probably would have bought it.

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[Ditcha]

Shame they changed it as I would much prefer a van without the drop down. They are much harder to find though! I looked at the compactline at premium but my wife doesn’t like the epic wood - she wants the lighter Casablanca wood. Other than that it I probably would have bought it.

Lenny HB might have a compactline with all the toys for sale now they have cancelled the winter fuel allowance

 

[Shropshire lad]

Simon at Select Motorhomes has a very nice Malibu T 430 LE 160 9 speed auto with loads of extras at the moment.

 

[Gellyneck]

Lenny HB might have a compactline with all the toys for sale now they have cancelled the winter fuel allowance

But Lenny isn't old enough to collect the winter fuel allowance!

That is what you wanted me to say Lenny HB , correct?

 

[Lenny HB]

But Lenny isn't old enough to collect the winter fuel allowance!

That is what you wanted me to say Lenny HB , correct?

Been getting it for many years.

 

[Gellyneck]

Been getting it for many years.

but what about the winter fuel allowance?

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[dom_k]

I’ve taken a deposit on my van today so collection Friday all being well so I’m on the hunt for a van properly now!