Buying my first MH - Please Help!!

[Chugger]

Hi all,

I am a newbie looking to buy a MH and travel through Eurooe for a year on a shoestring. I have about 5-6k budget to get me on the road.

I have found a vehicle I like the look of. I know nobody here can give me any reassurance as to the mechanical quality of the vehicle but I was hoping some 'old hands' might be able to give me some pointers when going to view it next weekend (i.e what to be wary of etc.)

I will post some pics below. The info I have been given on the MH is as follows:

- Talbot Express 2.5 litre J5
- 1991 (H Reg)
- Left hand drive. Imported to Uk in 2013
- MOT until July 2018. Passed without adviseries.
- Diesel
- Manual
- 115,000 miles
- Advertised at £6,500
- Vehicle based in Lancashire

I asked for the MAM but was simply told it can be driven on a normal driving licence. This hasn't clarified the situation much. Anyobe got any idea wgat the MAM fir this model will be. Being over 3.5t would be a dealbreaker for me.

What are your thoughts based on the above info and the pics that folliw?

Thanks,

Chugger

 

[airwave]

What are your thoughts based on the above info and the pics that folliw?

Hi there Chugger , from the photo's you've posted , that actually look's a really nice outfit .

Okay , well my initial thought's . You don't mention if it's turbocharged or not , without one , it will be seriously underpowered . Now i can't give you accurate figure's , but it's gonna be around 71 to 74 hp depending on how well it's being looked after . Just for a comparison my hatchback produce's 56hp on 1000cc less , but it's also 2 ton lighter . The engine itself is well known for being pretty much bullet proof , it has a reputation for being able to cover half a million mile's , before a rebuild should become necessary , however i'm afraid the same can't be said for the gearbox . A flaw in the design mean's , the 5th gear does not receive proper lubrication , and is prone to failure , though it should be added this is easily repaired , the part's can be a bit pricey .
So now the bad bit's , under the radiator there's a cross member , it's prone to rotting and an mot issue , they can easily be sourced on ebay , and it's bolt on . The problem area , is were it bolt's too on the main chassis , on the right front chassis member there's an enclosed drop link , i think part's of the steering attach to it , well it's a water trap and rot's from the inside . Excessive corrosion will mean drastic surgery . I'm afraid it's bodyshop work , so will be expensive to put right , walk away . Check the sump , it's made of tin and also prone to rot , again ebay will help ya out . Check on the cam belt , when was it last changed , they need replacing every 5 year's , i wouldn't worry with mile's , i doubt it near that one . Now under the bonnet you should find some windscreen drain's , you really need better advice with this one . My A class don't have them , so i cant say anymore on that subject . And that my friend is pretty much it , there are other bit's , but in comparison their nothing that can be easily sorted out . However one last thing my friend , mot , bit short enit 7 month's , actually not even that now , i would want 12 personally .

 

[Barclaybasher]

@Chugger.................just joined...........buying Janine's van for £5k............

...........buy a lottery ticket now !!

Great start to FUN and motorhoming...........

 

[Chugger]

Hi there Chugger , from the photo's you've posted , that actually look's a really nice outfit .

Okay , well my initial thought's . You don't mention if it's turbocharged or not , without one , it will be seriously underpowered . Now i can't give you accurate figure's , but it's gonna be around 71 to 74 hp depending on how well it's being looked after . Just for a comparison my hatchback produce's 56hp on 1000cc less , but it's also 2 ton lighter . The engine itself is well known for being pretty much bullet proof , it has a reputation for being able to cover half a million mile's , before a rebuild should become necessary , however i'm afraid the same can't be said for the gearbox . A flaw in the design mean's , the 5th gear does not receive proper lubrication , and is prone to failure , though it should be added this is easily repaired , the part's can be a bit pricey .
So now the bad bit's , under the radiator there's a cross member , it's prone to rotting and an mot issue , they can easily be sourced on ebay , and it's bolt on . The problem area , is were it bolt's too on the main chassis , on the right front chassis member there's an enclosed drop link , i think part's of the steering attach to it , well it's a water trap and rot's from the inside . Excessive corrosion will mean drastic surgery . I'm afraid it's bodyshop work , so will be expensive to put right , walk away . Check the sump , it's made of tin and also prone to rot , again ebay will help ya out . Check on the cam belt , when was it last changed , they need replacing every 5 year's , i wouldn't worry with mile's , i doubt it near that one . Now under the bonnet you should find some windscreen drain's , you really need better advice with this one . My A class don't have them , so i cant say anymore on that subject . And that my friend is pretty much it , there are other bit's , but in comparison their nothing that can be easily sorted out . However one last thing my friend , mot , bit short enit 7 month's , actually not even that now , i would want 12 personally .

Thank you for such a detailed response - it is very much appreciated. It is reassuring to know there are such knowledgable folk out there!

However I am now going for @Janine 's old girl 'Shirley' rather than the Talbot in my OP.

 

[Chugger]

@Chugger.................just joined...........buying Janine's van for £5k............

...........buy a lottery ticket now !!

Great start to FUN and motorhoming...........

It's about time I had some good luck!

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[Beacons]

Welcome to fun happy and safe travels.

 

[airwave]

However I am now going for @Janine 's old girl 'Shirley' rather than the Talbot in my OP.

Yeah , i noticed after i posted , lol , i'm a bit slow writing .

I looked at the t4 , a few year's back . But i couldn't find the year i wanted , it was only later i found out they had released the t5 , and man did that have problem's . I'm afraid the value's some owner's placed on their van's were also what i classed as excessive , which was the reason , i eventually brought a suzuki carry instead . Much newer and with a fraction the mileage .

Vw's on the whole are pretty , solid , reliable motor's , they do tend to hold their value well , but some of their spare part's can be a bit on the expensive side . Spare part's should not be an issue , though you may need to use specialist company's to source some . I'm going back some , but i seem to remember the only issue's t4's had were handbrake , for which they were subject to recall .
This van has a good cambelt , being regularly serviced annually , and has less mileage . Though i do note it only has a month of valid mot left . It's also reasonably priced , i was looking at double that for a swb van , with 100k plus on the clock .



Oh and

my friend .

 

[Stretto Boy]

My main concerns would be damp and rust. Most other things can be fixed at reasonable cost.

 

[duffs]

Brilliant so pleased for you @Chugger , nice one, enjoy

 

[Stretto Boy]

My main concerns would be damp and rust. Most other things can be fixed at reasonable cost.

My apologies for being late posting and not having spotted that you have decided to go for Janine’s van. I think you have made a good decision

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[Chugger]

Sorry for my long absence all. I have actually been really rather unwell throughout Feb and March and was concerned I would have to cancel my planned trip around Europe. Fortunately I am back on track and my set-off date is next Saturday!

I am going to start a journey blog/thread!

 

[Chugger]

Which is the best sub-forum to post my journy diary? I may be blind but I can't see a specific category. Thinking the solo traveller's category.

 

[JockandRita]

Which is the best sub-forum to post my journy diary? I may be blind but I can't see a specific category. Thinking the solo traveller's category.

You could try here @Chugger.

https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/ubs/

Good luck,

Jock.

 

[Northernraider]

I just stuck mine in motorhome chat

Where you landing?
France or Spain?

 

[Chugger]

I just stuck mine in motorhome chat

Where you landing?
France or Spain?

France first, going to hang around for Cannes Film Festival and Monaco GP, then probably head to South Spain.

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[Candapack]

Enjoyed reading this thread. A happy outcome which really shows the benefits of being part of something like this.
Congrats to @Chugger and best wishes in your travels.