Benimar Are they any good?

[madkoka]

Hi Funsters
Looking at buying a MoHo soon been looking at Chausson, Bailey, and Swift, island bed models cause that’s SWMBO likes, then saw a Benimar Mileo 294 and just wondered what they are like as don’t see to many on the road
Thanks

 

[Dickie0121]

We bought our Tessoro 494 in 2019 and as we wanted an Automatic we opted for a Ford. Fiat do the same layout and now offer a 9 speed Automatic. We are more than happy with our van built quality is above average and they are good value for money with many items included as standard.

 

[Jonno1103]

That's one of the areas the Autotrails fail.My Scout did.Same group.

What's Auto Trail got to do with it? They only build the panel vans in Grimsby, same as they do for Roller Team. The coachbuild production lines are in Spain. Trigano own them, they don't build them.

 

[Jonno1103]

Hi Funsters
Looking at buying a MoHo soon been looking at Chausson, Bailey, and Swift, island bed models cause that’s SWMBO likes, then saw a Benimar Mileo 294 and just wondered what they are like as don’t see to many on the road
Thanks

If you're considering Benimar look at the Tessoro rather than the Mileo. The MK8 3rd generation Ford is far better than the new Series 8 Fiat.
Personally I'd not consider any motorhome built on the new Fiat, Peugeot or Citroen... far shorter cam belt life, weak engines, higher service charges aged chassis design.
If considering the Bailey Adamo, don't, the payloads are essentially useless even for 2. The Swift Voyager is slightly better but still poor.
For me it'd be a choice between Benny's Tessoro, Chausson, Auto Trail F Line, Roller Teams Zefiro and the new Ford based Auto Roller - the 746 has a 5ft wide overcab bed and Hymer's new Ford based Etrusco. For a lower budget Rimor offer good value.

If you're feeling adventurous have a look at Chausson's sister, the Challenger, they're not available over here but any Chausson dealer can work on them.
Finally, the only caveat with Ford is that no dealership can work on the Mk8 post 2017 base vehicle, it must be taken to a Transit Centre. Ford refuse to release the software for the Ecoblue engine to any 3rd party garage so again all services & maintenance must be done in a Transit Centre.

 

[gpat]

If you're considering Benimar look at the Tessoro rather than the Mileo. The MK8 3rd generation Ford is far better than the new Series 8 Fiat.
Personally I'd not consider any motorhome built on the new Fiat, Peugeot or Citroen... far shorter cam belt life, weak engines, higher service charges aged chassis design.
If considering the Bailey Adamo, don't, the payloads are essentially useless even for 2. The Swift Voyager is slightly better but still poor.
For me it'd be a choice between Benny's Tessoro, Chausson, Auto Trail F Line, Roller Teams Zefiro and the new Ford based Auto Roller - the 746 has a 5ft wide overcab bed and Hymer's new Ford based Etrusco. For a lower budget Rimor offer good value.

If you're feeling adventurous have a look at Chausson's sister, the Challenger, they're not available over here but any Chausson dealer can work on them.
Finally, the only caveat with Ford is that no dealership can work on the Mk8 post 2017 base vehicle, it must be taken to a Transit Centre. Ford refuse to release the software for the Ecoblue engine to any 3rd party garage so again all services & maintenance must be done in a Transit Centre.

It's funny how views differ.

Yes the transit drives great and the engines are very smooth and quiet. I'm sorry though, but I wouldn't touch one with a bargepole.

Had terrible experiences and also I see some of them are rusting already on the wheel arches. Yuch!

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[madkoka]

If you're considering Benimar look at the Tessoro rather than the Mileo. The MK8 3rd generation Ford is far better than the new Series 8 Fiat.
Personally I'd not consider any motorhome built on the new Fiat, Peugeot or Citroen... far shorter cam belt life, weak engines, higher service charges aged chassis design.
If considering the Bailey Adamo, don't, the payloads are essentially useless even for 2. The Swift Voyager is slightly better but still poor.
For me it'd be a choice between Benny's Tessoro, Chausson, Auto Trail F Line, Roller Teams Zefiro and the new Ford based Auto Roller - the 746 has a 5ft wide overcab bed and Hymer's new Ford based Etrusco. For a lower budget Rimor offer good value.

If you're feeling adventurous have a look at Chausson's sister, the Challenger, they're not available over here but any Chausson dealer can work on them.
Finally, the only caveat with Ford is that no dealership can work on the Mk8 post 2017 base vehicle, it must be taken to a Transit Centre. Ford refuse to release the software for the Ecoblue engine to any 3rd party garage so again all services & maintenance must be done in a Transit Centre.

Really good advice thank you

 

[Bettsy]

I owned a Melio 201 for 5 years and loved it. Also dealing with Marquis seems to depend upon the individual branch, my experience was positive.

 

[Old Gibber]

The Ford is definitely the better drive, even compared to the 9 speed Fiat. Cheaper to service too, and with 3 years warranty. Also Fords can be uprated to 4200kg without any modification, just a paper excercise if your licence will cope.

Do bear in mind Benimars come with all the extras fitted. They may seem quite expensive to start with, but work out cheaper in the end. Even winter fridge vents are standard fittings. Reliability and build construction seem first class with only minor niggles reported on the Benimar Forum. The standard sat nav comes in for some stick, 85% of problems are user error, 14% are due to badly positioned gps receiver - its a 10 minute job to sort out on the Ford. Its actually a good sat nav (Tom Tom) designed for motorhomes.

Marquis (also part of Trigano) are not as bad as some would suggest, though branches do vary. Much better than some caravan dealers I've had the misfortune to use. I have no complaints with my branch, and they do seem to listen to niggles from users, with changes made to the most annoying features.

 

[JnJ]

We have had Benimar Mileo 286 for 3 years and love it. Couple of niggles with the drop down bed, nothing major but might look at the simple up/down switch option.
We up plated to 3700kg took the heavy wind down legs off and swapped out the incredibly heavy table for a light weight which we store in one of the wardrobes.

 

[sarumsteve]

A big thumbs up for the mileo 286......ours is a 2019 model. Had it paper uprated to 3650kg although at that the payload is still a little tight. Manual gearbox on 2.3 fiat is good. Really spacious for a couple and 2 large dogs. Had an 8 week european tour in it in 2021 and it never felt too small or under equipped. A few niggles early on.....nothing major.....all were sorted by Marquis who have been ok to deal. Previos vans have been hymer and laika. The benimar is the best equipped and has a great layout (for us). Will not be replacing it for some years to come.

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[Miggs]

85% of problems are user Installer error,

Fixed it for you


PS: Anyone wanna buy a 463?

 

[Bob Wyke]

Ha ha! I always like to be at the front of the pack

Brilliant
We have Benimar 486
Drop down bed, stops at any level so no need for ladder if not required.
Ticks all boxes, proper door handles, separate shower, large lounge, free standing table ( not fixed and in the way like others)
No electric step needed as built in. Great kitchen work space, large garage, 170HP, excellent drive, spacious wardrobes, good graphics

Good afternoon
I saw a MoHo advertised with a power drop down bed over the rear lounge, can anyone tell me what make/model that would have been?
Many thanks
Alderney Bob

 

[lunarman]

Good afternoon
I saw a MoHo advertised with a power drop down bed over the rear lounge, can anyone tell me what make/model that would have been?
Many thanks
Alderney Bob

The Benimar Mileo 282 (Fiat) or Tessoro482 (Ford) have a rear u lounge with drop down bed over.

 

[Bob Wyke]

The Benimar Mileo 282 (Fiat) or Tessoro482 (Ford) have a rear u lounge with drop down bed over.

Cheers Lunarman
hopefully they will be attending NEC next month

 

[Deadloss]

It's normally Marquis the dealership at the NEC shows (as opposed to Benimar directly) with a selection from all the ranges they supply. They brought a number of Benimars to the last show in Oct 22.

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[Bob Wyke]

Hi Deadloss
Not been to NEC show before, got our first Approach last May, couldn’t get on with the French bed, swapped for an Autograph last September with Island bed but find it a bit tight for living space. Ironically I read a blog last year that said by the time you get to your third motorhome you have found one that suits you
Have been looking at Frankia or Carthago but need right bed configuration for 2 people
Regards
Alderney Bob

 

[Deadloss]

I'm sure you'll find Frankia and Carthago a step (or two) above Benimar. We're still on our first motorhome (Benimar Mileo 286), but spent a lot of time (a) thinking about how we were going to use it and (b) ensuring we only looked at ones that had a layout that would support that use. It seems to have worked so far! As I, and others, have said the Benimars are very well equipped as standard, and our layout works really well for us (a couple plus dog). A big lounge and kitchen with a drop down bed. The drop down bed means it's not taking up space in the day when you're not using it so in our opinion gives better use of the space. The only downside as far as we're concerned is it means we both have to get up and go to bed at the same time (the lounge is unusable when the bed is down).

 

[Bob Wyke]

I'm sure you'll find Frankia and Carthago a step (or two) above Benimar. We're still on our first motorhome (Benimar Mileo 286), but spent a lot of time (a) thinking about how we were going to use it and (b) ensuring we only looked at ones that had a layout that would support that use. It seems to have worked so far! As I, and others, have said the Benimars are very well equipped as standard, and our layout works really well for us (a couple plus dog). A big lounge and kitchen with a drop down bed. The drop down bed means it's not taking up space in the day when you're not using it so in our opinion gives better use of the space. The only downside as far as we're concerned is it means we both have to get up and go to bed at the same time (the lounge is unusable when the bed is down).

Living in the Channel Islands we were unable to spend our weekends at motorhome dealers viewing different makes and layouts, hopefully the NEC will be an education

 

[Pablo19]

I've just traded in my Benimar Mileo 202 for a Knaus, mainly due to the layout and lack of a garage rather than not being happy with the Benimar. Totally disagree with the "Ford better than Fiat" opinions for what it's worth. I agree the Ford is possibly a little smoother but judging from the regular comments I see about the Ford injector problems, I wouldn't touch one with a bargepole. I had the Benimar for just under 3 years and it never missed a beat and was superbly comfortable to drive. Build quality is better than say Elddis by far but some way behind the German build quality and components.

 

[Old Gibber]

Plenty of problems with Fiat too. My new Fiat broke down after just 2000 miles.

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[stevel]

Hi Funsters
Looking at buying a MoHo soon been looking at Chausson, Bailey, and Swift, island bed models cause that’s SWMBO likes, then saw a Benimar Mileo 294 and just wondered what they are like as don’t see to many on the road
Thanks

We’ve got a Mileo 282. we’ve had one or two things that needing fixing under warranty but nothing significant. Pleased with the amount of space it gives us.

 

[Deadloss]

As posts above, we have a 2016 Mileo (Fiat) 286 and really like it. Only issue has been a temperamental electric bed which I've now had re-wired to bypass the electronics so that it's a simple rocker switch for up and down.

 

[Headrush]

Our friends have a 2017 mileo and while they seem happy with it, I know they had a problem with the transfers on the outsides leaking ink down the sides, insects taking over the ventilation system and an issue with the shower tray leaking which needed replacement.

 

[JB30]

Our 486 is approaching 5 years old, small electrical issue fixed under warranty at 1 year old, no problems since. Still love it just as much as the day we took deliver. Lovely Ford proper auto gearbox and 170 bhp as standard.

 

[gpat]

Plenty of problems with Fiat too. My new Fiat broke down after just 2000 miles.

Did you fix it again tomorrow.

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[Bilko1953]

We hae only recently changed from a Bailey 740 to a Benimar Mileo 286 ( same as Bailey 15 but on a fiat base 2.3 9spd auto and 4400 mam) Initial thoughts are that build quality is good and materials used are better than previous vans we have had. Benimar claim 99percent wood free construction so damp should not be a problem. I agree with Bailey 15 the wardrobes are cold. (but we dont sit in them ) The layout suits us using at as a 2 berth although it has 4 belted seats. Large lounge and kitchen area in a van that is 6.99 m long. This is possible by using an electric drop down bed over the lounge.
The reason we changed was that all of the storage on the bailey was under the seats or bed at a low level and being of a certain age it was becoming a chore to crawl around on the floor store or retreive stuff. The Beninamr storage is all accessible standing up.
As regards the 9spd auto Fiat it is a dream to drive.

Hi, Like the sound of this van. How is it for headroom. At 6' 1" I find clearance a problem with most drop down bed models. Cheers, Bilko1953.

 

[lunarman]

Hi, Like the sound of this van. How is it for headroom. At 6' 1" I find clearance a problem with most drop down bed models. Cheers, Bilko1953.

I will measure the head room in the morning and let you know.

 

[irnbru]

Hi, Like the sound of this van. How is it for headroom. At 6' 1" I find clearance a problem with most drop down bed models. Cheers, Bilko1953.

We have a mileo 264 and headroom is ok at 6 ' 1.

 

[lunarman]

This is the height of ours

It could go up another couple of inches but we store the bedding on top of the mattress.

 

[HKF]

We have a Benimar Europe 740. He's beautiful and we love him. Unfortunately, because of various issues that are nothing to do with him, he hasn't moved for months and months. We're hoping to get back out in him soon, though

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[irnbru]

We are out in ours now on a very wet Ayrshire coast parked up facing the sea, at least it’s dry and warm inside.