Best Auto Motorhome for under £80k with Large Garage

[Tractorboy]

We are looking for a Motorhome must be auto and have a large garage which will fit 2 electric bikes. Prefer 4 berth as probably take grandchildren on shorter trips. For Europe trips will be just the two of us.

Have seen in person the Benimar range but was not 100% sold on these. Going to view Swift Voyager 540 and possibly a Chausson 640. Any other suggestions would be great or comments on the ones I have mentioned.

Thanks in advance.

​

 

[brianmercerbaines]

I have got a new motorhome coming on the first march Bailey Adamo 75-4t i under stand it dose not come with a spare wheel dose anyone know if ford transit steel wheel that’s the same size fit would do as a spare,yours Brian

 

[TerryReis]

Autotrial Expedition 68

 

[Flairy]

Why not buy a used that may originally cost twice that much eg Argo Flair Hymer, youd be getting a large garage and high quality .Select motorhome have aHymer678for £79 thousand just the ticket

 

[Boringfrog]

I have got a new motorhome coming on the first march Bailey Adamo 75-4t i under stand it dose not come with a spare wheel dose anyone know if ford transit steel wheel that’s the same size fit would do as a spare,yours Brian

You're best off starting a new post.

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[Lenny HB]

German A Class vans with twin single beds at the rear normally give the best size garages and you have a drop down double bed in the cab.
For your budget you are probably looking at a 6 to 8 year old van.

 

[97243]

We are looking for a Motorhome must be auto and have a large garage which will fit 2 electric bikes. Prefer 4 berth as probably take grandchildren on shorter trips. For Europe trips will be just the two of us.

Have seen in person the Benimar range but was not 100% sold on these. Going to view Swift Voyager 540 and possibly a Chausson 640. Any other suggestions would be great or comments on the ones I have mentioned.

Thanks in advance.

​

Even with our limited experience with MH's, it is clear that there is a massive difference in build quality, and even if we had very deep pockets, I would certainly not buy a new van. There is tremendous value to be had in the pre-owned market and for your budget you should be able to pick up a top of the range gem.

All the usual caveats apply regarding used vehicles, but something with a sound running history in many ways is a better bet than something else that would be a budget range new van for £80,000.

 

[IRHP]

Adria Matrix 670SC (5 berth) or Coral ( 3 berth,) with lifting island bed, look for SC or DC models for island bed. The single bed options might have the same space as the beds are pretty High. Mine is a 2019 and I can fit 2 large e bikes in the garage with the bed raised. There isn't much room for anything else when you do that. You aren't supposed to use the bed in the raised position but some do and say it's fine. I wouldn't. We put ours on a rack. Later models have a slightly smaller garage door so might be limited. They changed around 21/22. You won't get a new one for under 80k

 

[Tractorboy]

Even with our limited experience with MH's, it is clear that there is a massive difference in build quality, and even if we had very deep pockets, I would certainly not buy a new van. There is tremendous value to be had in the pre-owned market and for your budget you should be able to pick up a top of the range gem.

All the usual caveats apply regarding used vehicles, but something with a sound running history in many ways is a better bet than something else that would be a budget

Even with our limited experience with MH's, it is clear that there is a massive difference in build quality, and even if we had very deep pockets, I would certainly not buy a new van. There is tremendous value to be had in the pre-owned market and for your budget you should be able to pick up a top of the range gem.

All the usual caveats apply regarding used vehicles, but something with a sound running history in many ways is a better bet than something else that would be a budget range new van for £80,000.

range new van for £80,000.

We definitely would consider used and probably after to speaking to a local dealer this morning he suggested used would be better as you will get a higher quailty MH. He didn't have anything that would suit our needs at present so was not just saying this to try and get a sale! Any ideas on models we could consider? Don't really want anything above 7m in length.

 

[IRHP]

We definitely would consider used and probably after to speaking to a local dealer this morning he suggested used would be better as you will get a higher quailty MH. He didn't have anything that would suit our needs at present so was not just saying this to try and get a sale! Any ideas on models we could consider? Don't really want anything above 7m in length.

Might struggle with a large garage under 7m. The Adria I mentioned is 7.5m

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[AG 2602]

We have a Pilote G740 so only just over 7m it has a fixed bed at the rear which you can raise and should give you the space you need. Its our second Pilote and we have been pleased with the quality on both vans.
On saying that we have only had two vans so can't really compare to other brands.

 

[Lenny HB]

Going to view Swift Voyager 540 and possibly a Chausson 640.

Both those vans have only two travel seats, driver & passenger, so you wouldn't be able to take the grandkids.

 

[suavecarve]

We have a roller team 685 which hits your requirements.
I recently saw one for sale at Alan Kerr for 55k brand new

 

[Lenny HB]

Tractorboy Do you have a C1 Licence as if not that will limit your choice and you need to be looking at vans under 7m.

 

[Tractorboy]

A quick google search shows both have 4 seat belts and both are 4 berth.

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[Tractorboy]

Both those vans have only two travel seats, driver & passenger, so you wouldn't be able to take the grandkids.

A quick google search shows both have 4 seat belts and both are 4 berth.

 

[Tractorboy]

Tractorboy Do you have a C1 Licence as if not that will limit your choice and you need to be looking at vans under 7m.

Yes have C1 but above 7m the ferry prices go up a fair bit. Also will be stored on my drive sometimes and over this would be hard to park.

 

[Lenny HB]

Yes have C1 but above 7m the ferry prices go up a fair bit. Also will be stored on my drive sometimes and over this would be hard to park.

In that case well worth looking at A Class vans as they have more space for the size and the lounge is still useable with the bed down.

Ferry prices aren't much different above 7m.

 

[grasscutter]

As others have said a used quality A class should fit the bill.
We opted for our van due to the large garage.
Hymer Exsis i588 length 6.99m
Good luck in your search.

 

[WESTY66]

Tractorboy ferry prices are usually the same price 6-8m

There’s a cracking Hymer 678 for sale at Select motorhomes, with some top quality air suspension and a few mods, it’s probably everything you would want. It is 7.5m and LHD tho

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[ChrisL]

As you're looking for an automatic I would stay away from anything with a Fiat comformatic gearbox, if you do a search on here there are a lot of people who have had expensive issues with their's, look for one with a proper torque converter auto gearbox.

 

[WESTY66]

As you're looking for an automatic I would stay away from anything with a Fiat comformatic gearbox, if you do a search on here there are a lot of people who have had expensive issues with their's, look for one with a proper torque converter auto gearbox.

Theres a lot more that hasn’t had any problems

 

[ChrisL]

Theres a lot more that hasn’t had any problems

That you've heard about perhaps I'm just giving my opinion based on my experiences driving torque converter gear boxes and robotic ones, I wouldn't have a robototic gearbox for more then one reason not least reliability and i've done many miles in both types.

 

[Lenny HB]

As you're looking for an automatic I would stay away from anything with a Fiat comformatic gearbox, if you do a search on here there are a lot of people who have had expensive issues with their's, look for one with a proper torque converter auto gearbox.

Last two vans have been Comformatic done a total of nearly 80,000 miles in them without problems.

 

[WESTY66]

My experience has 3 autos, 2 comfortmatics zero issues and 1 true auto which packed up

Mind you T’was a 79 Ford Granada

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[Lenny HB]

A quick google search shows both have 4 seat belts and both are 4 berth.

Both the ones I looked at on the manufacturers sites had the rear seats were side facing.

 

[ChrisL]

Last two vans have been Comformatic done a total of nearly 80,000 miles in them without problems.

Congratulations Lenny
For the OP here's a link to the latest Comformatic issue post.

Thread 'Problem with Comfortmatic clutch?' https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/problem-with-comfortmatic-clutch.298884/

 

[nicholsong]

We definitely would consider used and probably after to speaking to a local dealer this morning he suggested used would be better as you will get a higher quailty MH. He didn't have anything that would suit our needs at present so was not just saying this to try and get a sale! Any ideas on models we could consider? Don't really want anything above 7m in length.

I also agree that good quality S/H is the better bet.
To answer the question about specific models our N&B Arto 69GL is 6.99m with large garage, Ours is 2003 but they made similar for many years. Ours is manual so cannot comment on FIAT autos.

Ours is still in very good shape so you could buy one ten years or more younger within your budget and have many years use ahead.

 

[Ladylinda54]

Both the ones I looked at on the manufacturers sites had the rear seats were side facing.

Each bench seat converts to a forward facing seat with seat belt on the Chausson 640.

 

[Jonno1103]

If you're looking for comfort, value for money, extra's, decent garage & auto box. I'd consider the Roller Team Zefiro 696.

250kg dropdown bed 5ft wide island double & go for the Pioneer head unit Zefiro pack & Auto box. The bike rack is factory fitted and included in the MTPLM & the garage has a 77cm height.

If you have C1 it can also be up plated to 4100kg without any work needed to be done. This will give over 1000kg of payload.

With all of that, Price on the road is a shade under £71k.

There's also the Zefiro 685, the difference being twin rear singles giving a garage height of 120cm for an extra £1000.

Price breakdown:

Motorhome - £64995.

Zefiro pack ( 170 engine, Silver cab, Alloy wheels, Ford safety pack) - £1995.

Auto box - £1860.

Pleated blinds - £590.

Pioneer 9" media/ nav - £870.

Flex space height adjustable rear island bed - £520.

£70830 OTR.