Kontiki or Delaware/Savannah

[Strichener]

Looking for people's opinions and experiences as I try to decide what to buy. I am looking at both the Kon-Tiki 625/635 and the Auto-Trail Delaware/Savannah. This is our first MH and will initially be looking at short breaks in the UK before extending into Europe once we are comfortable that we know what we are doing.

It looks like the Kon-Tikis have a better base spec with external shower/gas etc. but they tend to be a little bit pricier and not sure if they warrant the premium.

All opinions welcome, including alternatives.

TIA

Apologies, I forgot to add that this will be a 2017/2018 year as that is as far as my wallet will stretch.

 

[Jonno1103]

The Delaware, build is better than Swift. It also has external BBQ & shower, better payload too. A decent well cared for 2018 with full history will be around £65k but negotiate, £60k is achievable. Be choosy, ensure it has the optional leather, they'll all have the media pack.

 

[Abacist]

We had a 2010 Savannah as our first Moho back in 2013. It could sleep 4 but only had 2 seatbelts and the rear roof join to the back panel leaked costing £3,500 to repair 10 years ago!

I would never buy a British built coach built or A class again.

So I am biased to German Motorhomes.

 

[Jonno1103]

We had a 2010 Savannah as our first Moho back in 2013. It could sleep 4 but only had 2 seatbelts and the rear roof join to the back panel leaked costing £3,500 to repair 10 years ago!

I would never buy a British built coach built or A class again.

So I am biased to German Motorhomes.

We've had 4 Auto Trails, we'll soon have our 5th, never had an issue with any of them. Builds have changed now especially post 2015, it's all composites and bonding in the same way they glue together aircraft.
Took a new Adria Supersonic tag for a test drive and couldn't believe the rattling, did the same with a 4 year old Comanche and nothing, solid as a rock.
Don't go by the past go by the present.

 

[MisterB]

Looking for people's opinions and experiences as I try to decide what to buy. I am looking at both the Kon-Tiki 625/635 and the Auto-Trail Delaware/Savannah. This is our first MH and will initially be looking at short breaks in the UK before extending into Europe once we are comfortable that we know what we are doing.

It looks like the Kon-Tikis have a better base spec with external shower/gas etc. but they tend to be a little bit pricier and not sure if they warrant the premium.

All opinions welcome, including alternatives.

TIA

Apologies, I forgot to add that this will be a 2017/2018 year as that is as far as my wallet will stretch.

Rather than look at specific models/manufacturers, it might pay you to do a list of the things that you really must have, would like to have and wouldnt it be nice to have? as most would say, you need to consider layout first, closely followed by the layout and finally the layout ......

most toys and gadgets can be added, but if you dont get YOUR must haves right, ie sleeping arrangements, numbers of seat belts and beds, bathroom, kitchen etc then it doesnt matter how much anything rattles or squeaks or how good the wheels look ..... it will never be the right motorhome for you.

for us, the priorities were sleeping arrangements, number of belted seats and seating arrangement for travelling and 'living', large fridge. most other things can be added or changed but the fixed in 'bits' are usually there for ever !

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[Strichener]

Rather than look at specific models/manufacturers, it might pay you to do a list of the things that you really must have, would like to have and wouldnt it be nice to have? as most would say, you need to consider layout first, closely followed by the layout and finally the layout ......

most toys and gadgets can be added, but if you dont get YOUR must haves right, ie sleeping arrangements, numbers of seat belts and beds, bathroom, kitchen etc then it doesnt matter how much anything rattles or squeaks or how good the wheels look ..... it will never be the right motorhome for you.

for us, the priorities were sleeping arrangements, number of belted seats and seating arrangement for travelling and 'living', large fridge. most other things can be added or changed but the fixed in 'bits' are usually there for ever !

Thanks, that is how we have come down to the ones that I have listed. I have read through the motorhome buyers guide and I am trying to buy my 3rd Motorhome first!

 

[Abacist]

We've had 4 Auto Trails, we'll soon have our 5th, never had an issue with any of them. Builds have changed now especially post 2015, it's all composites and bonding in the same way they glue together aircraft.
Took a new Adria Supersonic tag for a test drive and couldn't believe the rattling, did the same with a 4 year old Comanche and nothing, solid as a rock.
Don't go by the past go by the present.

You may be right or just lucky!

Once bitten, twice shy for me I’m afraid

 

[Polar bear]

We bought a savannah new in December 2016 it has now toured 9 countries and done 31k of the 3 vans we have had this is the best.if you buy one make sure the 10 year water ingress guarantee comes with it as new vans now only have a 5 year warranty.

 

[Strichener]

We bought a savannah new in December 2016 it has now toured 9 countries and done 31k of the 3 vans we have had this is the best.if you buy one make sure the 10 year water ingress guarantee comes with it as new vans now only have a 5 year warranty.

Is the warranty transferrable? Is there a specific piece of paper with the warranty terms/certificate?

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

Looking for people's opinions and experiences as I try to decide what to buy. I am looking at both the Kon-Tiki 625/635 and the Auto-Trail Delaware/Savannah. This is our first MH and will initially be looking at short breaks in the UK before extending into Europe once we are comfortable that we know what we are doing.

It looks like the Kon-Tikis have a better base spec with external shower/gas etc. but they tend to be a little bit pricier and not sure if they warrant the premium.

All opinions welcome, including alternatives.

TIA

Apologies, I forgot to add that this will be a 2017/2018 year as that is as far as my wallet will stretch.

With huge respect to folks on here ...Ignore the problems with Autotrail. If the motorhome you like, ticks all the boxes that you have in front of you, then its the one you have . We Had a Delaware and a Savannah and a few others . I was fortunate to be in that situation. All have had their faults. The important bit is that I've been happy with what we have done and most importantly...they have made some serious memories that we cannot replace at all. Life is too short so choose what you feel will make you happiest. Don't be put out off by stuff. We all have had a number of issues if the truth be known. You choose what it is that will make your journeys ....memories ! That is the most important part of all this ...trust me.

A dreamer most possibly...but most of all ......Happy!

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[whisky walker]

We have a 2021 Kon tiki, had a few issues with it and felt we had done the wrong thing more than once. However all sorted now it was the ideal layout we wanted. Love the big rear lounge, front dinning area and alde heating. Just my own thoughts but hopefully you will find your dream and enjoy the adventure.

 

[Jonno1103]

You may be right or just lucky!

Once bitten, twice shy for me I’m afraid

I think we're all the same, we go with what we trust and as pricing increases even more so.

 

[RV-AL]

Looking for people's opinions and experiences as I try to decide what to buy. I am looking at both the Kon-Tiki 625/635 and the Auto-Trail Delaware/Savannah. This is our first MH and will initially be looking at short breaks in the UK before extending into Europe once we are comfortable that we know what we are doing.

It looks like the Kon-Tikis have a better base spec with external shower/gas etc. but they tend to be a little bit pricier and not sure if they warrant the premium.

All opinions welcome, including alternatives.

TIA

Apologies, I forgot to add that this will be a 2017/2018 year as that is as far as my wallet will stretch.

I have a 2018 Delaware with 4 seat option. We bought it in 2021, with 2,500 miles on the clock, deceased estate. It has been amazing. We have travelled extensively in the UK and since summer 2022 extensively in France, Spain and Portugal. Just back from 2,700 miles in Spain and Portugal for the last 5 weeks. Probably the best purchase we every made.

Before we bought ours read quite a lot of negative reviews of AUto-trail. Like with most people, the happy owners don’t tend to post on websites, just the unhappy ones. If you are buying a 2018 van, any snagging issues will have been sorted.

In our travels i have met plenty of owners who have bought German brands and had plenty of issues, I would just make sure you do your own damp tests everywhere, check all the appliances for yourself and if it all checks out you will have the best time.

Good luck

 

[scotzsue]

For warranty check that all habitation checks have been done on time, missed ones will invalidate the warranty.

 

[Strichener]

Well, just to update everyone. I am now the owner of none of the models that I was initially looking at.

After visiting the motorhome show in Glasgow and looking at all the permutations of layout we decided that the Benimar Mileo 282 was what we wanted. A month or so later and we have purchase our very first MH

We have went for a 2019 Auto 3650 kg model (stretched our initial budget) so will be looking for plenty of advice on loads of things - apologies in advance.

Have spent the last week cleaning it out and fixing all the things that need fixing although we won't be away in it until next month due to existing commitments.

Any thoughts, hints or tips greatly received.

P.S. SHMBO has decided on our "colours" which seems to be a thing.

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[CAB96]

Well, just to update everyone. I am now the owner of none of the models that I was initially looking at.

After visiting the motorhome show in Glasgow and looking at all the permutations of layout we decided that the Benimar Mileo 282 was what we wanted. A month or so later and we have purchase our very first MH

We have went for a 2019 Auto 3650 kg model (stretched our initial budget) so will be looking for plenty of advice on loads of things - apologies in advance.

Have spent the last week cleaning it out and fixing all the things that need fixing although we won't be away in it until next month due to existing commitments.

Any thoughts, hints or tips greatly received.

P.S. SHMBO has decided on our "colours" which seems to be a thing.

Very nice!

2019, is it Comfortmatic or ZF9 auto gearbox?

If the former, search on here for Comfortmatic fluid change, make sure it has been done, or book it in for changing.

 

[Strichener]

Very nice!

2019, is it Comfortmatic or ZF9 auto gearbox?

If the former, search on here for Comfortmatic fluid change, make sure it has been done, or book it in for changing.

It's the comfortmatic. I'm trying to find someone local to carry out the fluid change and cam belt. Not easy.