Buy British, why not?

[Dutch 68]

I had a T4 Westy for about 10 years. It was increasingly costly to maintain. T5s and now T6s have known issues so not all they are cracked up to be. VW must try harder if they are to maintain their brand image of reliability.

The best that can be said is that they are nice to drive, frugal on diesel, and very useable campers. If people want to pay the VW "scene" tax that's up to them.

Got a neighbour and someone in work, both are VW mad, they spend fortunes, and still breaking down every month…….

 

[Folkranger]

I think that people ARE giving you their answers to the original topic, it's just that the original question is so open as to be impossible to have an actual "answer" as it is so subjective. I mean, why did you choose a Merc and a VW for your car choices? There are certainly cheaper options around and I would hazard a guess that there are options with a similar price difference to that in your original post.
To some, the 40k that you quote is absolutely worth it, whether that be for difference in quality (whether that be real or perceived), brand image (again, real or not) brand loyalty etc etc. There are simply too many reasons why one may choose a higher monetary value item over a cheaper option. I myself alluded to this when i said that it has been a dream of mine since the age of 11 to one day own a Hymer. Many then stated how the brand has gone downhill, it isn't what it used to be etc, but it doesn't change the feeling for me of "God I'd love a Hymer one day!"
So really, the only person who can answer your question is you and the answer is only really relevant to you. You can compare spec sheets, building techniques, material specifications, base vehicle equipment and specifications as much as you like, as it will only answer a part of why people choose one make or model over another.

I don't need to answer my question I know why I buy what I buy, I am, and possibly so are others interested in a variety of views and opinions. For the record we bought my Merc and My wife's VW because we can easilly afford this and are at an age when we no longer need to save slavishly for the future. We chose my Merc as it is a plug in electric and I liked the idea of driving fully electric. My wife's VW for the same reason and having tried everything from a Renault Zoe to a BMW i, The VW was the best.

 

[jongood]

Point is motorhomes are mainly all the same vehicles, its mainly furniture and some of the shell that differs. Cars are all different. I drive a Mercedes PHEV and a VW id3 electric so I know what I want. so back to the original topic.

On the same running gear yes, but construction of bodies and fittings can differ vastly in terms of design and quality, thats what makes the difference imo

 

[RubyOptics]

I don't need to answer my question I know why I buy what I buy, I am, and possibly so are others interested in a variety of views and opinions. For the record we bought my Merc and My wife's VW because we can easilly afford this and are at an age when we no longer need to save slavishly for the future. We chose my Merc as it is a plug in electric and I liked the idea of driving fully electric. My wife's VW for the same reason and having tried everything from a Renault Zoe to a BMW i, The VW was the best.

You're missing my point when you say "I don't need to answer my question". The only person that the opinion is relevant to is the buyer. However, as you seem to be rather insistent on knowing what other people think then I would say "sometimes".
Yes, there can be a big difference in the price, however for that price you are getting proven technical design and generally a very good standard of workmanship. There is still a perceived difference between say a Hymer and a Chausson to the vast majority of the motorhome buying public, and so that and its difference in aftersales value can be considerable.
Generally, the interior of more expensive vans reflects the sticker price somewhat. That isn't to say that the interior is to your personal taste, rather that the materials used and the standards with which they are installed are generally higher than that found in cheaper brands.
The perceived value of a product can also come into play - as you yourself can testify to when you say

because we can easilly afford this and are at an age when we no longer need to save slavishly for the future

you know you could have bought a cheaper PHEV, there are a multitude to choose from at a cheaper price than your Merc, yet you chose not to as you are in a position where the financial expenditure means less than the enjoyment of ownership of the product in question. This is the same as when i say "One day I'll own a Hymer". It doesn't matter, on an emotional level, whether Hymer are as good as they used to be or not, their perceived value to me is raised beyond mere financial or technical considerations.
Anyway, that's a long enough essay i think! Hope i answered your question to your satisfaction though!

 

[RubyOptics]

Point is motorhomes are mainly all the same vehicles, its mainly furniture and some of the shell that differs. Cars are all different. I drive a Mercedes PHEV and a VW id3 electric so I know what I want. so back to the original topic.

As an aside on this point, the design or cars and motorhomes really isn't that dissimilar. Most large motoring consortiums will design a common "platform"/chassis that will then be used across multiple brands and models. Really the only difference you are paying for between those models is the badge on the front and some upholstery and minor styling differences.

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[Old Gibber]

I cannot for the life of me understand why anyone chooses a lesser lifestyle choice when buying a MH than what they enjoy at home, why travel and accept discomfort it makes no sence.

What an odd thing to say. A motorhome never gives you the same lifestyle as at home. The bathroom is just one example. You either accept walking to the shower block on a cold wet morning or make do with a lesser shower, and having to empty the loo fairly frequently. Completely different to going into the en-suite on a morning.

Yes, today there are many creature comforts in a motorhome, but it is a very different lifestyle as far as I am concerned. This is one of the things I have enjoyed over many years of camping/trailer tents/caravanning and motorhoming, otherwise I might as well just forget the motorhome and stay at home.

Travel always entails some level of discomfort. A 4 hour wait in an airport lounge is nothing like being in my sitting room watching TV. A long haul flight is inevitably . I do envy Harry Potter sometimes.

 

[Coolcats]

Tell that to the rally drivers that won races!

Rally cars tend to not be the same spec that the public purchases

 

[Coolcats]

Got a neighbour and someone in work, both are VW mad, they spend fortunes, and still breaking down every month…….

Really? having had VW transporters none have ever broken down a couple of BMW, did break down but it’s the sort of fault that happens to most modern cars (ignition coils) we also have had a number of golfs and no issues there. Probably the vehicle with least issues is the lotus Evora it runs like clockwork and very reliable.

 

[steve69]

I was about to add Elddis, but remembered they are now owned by Hymer. Now there's something for the badge snobs. The worst British manufacturer becoming part of what used to be one of the best German brands. Next you'll be telling me that a Skoda is really a VW.

Elddis won a few design & best value-for-money awards - albeit years ago. My 10 year old Elddis is wonderful - never leaked anywhere always reliable. Would never part with it - well, not yet anyway.

 

[LesW]

I cannot for the life of me understand why anyone chooses a lesser lifestyle choice when buying a MH than what they enjoy at home, why travel and accept discomfort it makes no sence.

It's not a 'lesser' lifestyle, but a more simple lifestyle, we have no discomfort at all in our 'little' Inca, no need for a telly, warm and snug at night...

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[Landy Andy]

Tell that to the rally drivers that won races!

I don’t think the rally drivers were driving the car you bought from the dealer. It was a bit different and cost a little bit more. So not really a true comparison

 

[Landy Andy]

Sometimes it’s worth getting the more expensive vehicle if it holds its value. At the end you get you “extra” money back and enjoy your chosen vehicle.

 

[Littlewheels]

What an odd thing to say. A motorhome never gives you the same lifestyle as at home. The bathroom is just one example. You either accept walking to the shower block on a cold wet morning or make do with a lesser shower, and having to empty the loo fairly frequently. Completely different to going into the en-suite on a morning.

Yes, today there are many creature comforts in a motorhome, but it is a very different lifestyle as far as I am concerned. This is one of the things I have enjoyed over many years of camping/trailer tents/caravanning and motorhoming, otherwise I might as well just forget the motorhome and stay at home.

Travel always entails some level of discomfort. A 4 hour wait in an airport lounge is nothing like being in my sitting room watching TV. A long haul flight is inevitably . I do envy Harry Potter sometimes.

I was responding to a post that thought the MH was adequate enough as it was a move up from camping.
l do believe,However, that certain Motorhomes do offers the comforts of home at a massive cost that attracts buyers with those needs and capital at the same time l believe there to be some amazing small MH’s that fulfill ones needs but again at a cost if you want high quality in both finish and fittings.
Incidentally, l have been Motorhoming in excess of fifty years and have never ever bathed in any form in a shower block from the small cheap one l started with to my current one that has En Suite facilities and large waste tanks.
All horses for courses as they say.

 

[Littlewheels]

It's not a 'lesser' lifestyle, but a more simple lifestyle, we have no discomfort at all in our 'little' Inca, no need for a telly, warm and snug at night...

The post l responded to inferred it was a adequate enough move up from camping with basic facilities, my point in fact supported yours why choose one that doesn’t offer comfort when many are available that offer a better choice,you found one.

 

[GibAvon]

Hey! Stop making fun of Skodas!

OK - here are a couple more jokes:
1. How do you overtake a Skoda? Run!
2. How do you make a policeman laugh? Tell him that your Skoda just got nicked.

BTW - we own a Skoda (It’s our second). It’s cheap, reliable, and gets us from A to B.

L&J

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[Richard n Ann]

There's a new 16 valve skoda out, 14 in the radio, 2 in the engine

 

[L' Hobo]

I don’t think the rally drivers were driving the car you bought from the dealer. It was a bit different and cost a little bit more. So not really a true comparison

Is that not like saying, the motorhome which we read about and was tested by MMM magazine for example, because they have ALL the options, (some, one would think would be standard such as ABS) are not the same as the customer is likely to buy.

It makes me wonder sometime when one read the basic cost £65,000, as TESTED £82,000?

 

[L' Hobo]

There's a new 16 valve skoda out, 14 in the radio, 2 in the engine

I think old-mo has been selling OR giving away as Christmas presents, some of his OLD joke books!

 

[L' Hobo]

Sometimes it’s worth getting the more expensive vehicle if it holds its value. At the end you get you “extra” money back and enjoy your chosen vehicle.

I'm curious, can you enlighten my on which Motorhome I can buy as NEW with all taxes paid, and sell for more than I paid?? I'm looking for an sure fire investment??

 

[The Wino]

Sometimes it’s worth getting the more expensive vehicle if it holds its value. At the end you get you “extra” money back and enjoy your chosen vehicle.

It could happen but not very likely. If you want less depreciation the best thing is buy secondhand our last two have been from motorpoint let someone else have the high initial depreciation.

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[Otter Spotter]

So where do you stand on my question of the relative worth of an Aston Martin versus a Mini?

Ian

Different vehicles built for different buyer demographics/markets. Both will get you from A to B but one will get you the girl, the other will give you cramp, your choice

 

[bigtwin]

Different vehicles built for different buyer demographics/markets. Both will get you from A to B but will get you the girl, the other will give you cramp, your choice

My question wasn’t a serious question but rather intended to draw a parallel with the OP’s question; in reality it’s a non-question, a bit like comparing apples and pears.

Ian

 

[Landy Andy]

Is that not like saying, the motorhome which we read about and was tested by MMM magazine for example, because they have ALL the options, (some, one would think would be standard such as ABS) are not the same as the customer is likely to buy.

It makes me wonder sometime when one read the basic cost £65,000, as TESTED £82,000?

No. In basic terms. There will be next to nothing in that is remotely similar between rally and purchased road car to be honest. I’ve worked with race and rally teams, and they work within the body confinements but that’s it. You could not buy what they are rallying until they run something new, and it won’t be road going.

 

[Landy Andy]

It could happen but not very likely. If you want less depreciation the best thing is buy secondhand our last two have been from motorpoint let someone else have the high initial depreciation.

I never said buy new. But some vehicles such as VW‘s and LR Defenders have a higher price than they should be, but once in the brand you get your money back. I always have with the Defenders I’ve had. These cheaper brands are ok for those who buy with warranty but second hand drop like a stone.

 

[Old Gibber]

I'm curious, can you enlighten my on which Motorhome I can buy as NEW with all taxes paid, and sell for more than I paid?? I'm looking for an sure fire investment??

I did just that a couple of months ago after 3 years of use. It was a Spanish mh.

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[Folkranger]

Elddis won a few design & best value-for-money awards - albeit years ago. My 10 year old Elddis is wonderful - never leaked anywhere always reliable. Would never part with it - well, not yet anyway.

My Elddis caravan cost me the best part of 2 grand to repair damp after only three years. My daughter's Elddis caravan leaked after three years (2 years ago). Solid construction it's called. She had to have corner pods fitted where the square wooden frame stresses the rounded corners. Bad design and common problem. Having said that, they look a lot better construction now than mine 20 years ago.

 

[L' Hobo]

I did just that a couple of months ago after 3 years of use. It was a Spanish mh.

I've searched you posts for the past 2 months and still don't know, go on, give us a clue or post number?

 

[ShiftZZ]

Define British..

The base vehicle is likely to be either Italian or German.
All the refrigeration is not British.
Windows etc not British
Electrical equipment unlikely to be British..

I've had two Autosleepers, the designs were dated, went to a Rapido, better design, now on a Carthago, The autosleeper was a nice van, full cooker, but didnt have a fixed bed, the Rapido was ok, French bed, I loved the van but tiny garage.
Early Rapdio were good, modern vans are built to reduce the weight, would I buy a van 'put together' in the UK? Possibly not..

 

[Coolcats]

I'm curious, can you enlighten my on which Motorhome I can buy as NEW with all taxes paid, and sell for more than I paid?? I'm looking for an sure fire investment??

Looking at the state of the used market it’s pretty close in some instances and there is a model we have which is a couple K more than we paid new so currently it’s a sellers market. Once things calm down I suspect a glut in 2nd hand MoHo’s and the gap between new and used will widen once again.

 

[Coolcats]

, would I buy a van 'put together' in the UK? Possibly not..

Totally agree with you I also think the dealer network in the U.K. needs sorting out. From sales who need training around their products to making it easy to get things fixed not just by the original selling dealer and some reasonable pricing for spares.

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