Choosing between Hymer and Frankia Motorhomes (16 Viewers)

[Margaux2]

This may set the cat amongst the pigeons.
Thinking about buying a new Motorhome.
Either a new Hymer BML 890
Or a Frankia Platin 8400 QD
Thought about the new N&B Arto on the Merc chassis but feel its interior styling is minimalist!
Morello to expensive and Voyageur garage too small.
Worried about the respective internal fittings quality between Hymer and Frankia???
Thanks

 

[Coolcats]

This may set the cat amongst the pigeons.
Thinking about buying a new Motorhome.
Either a new Hymer BML 890
Or a Frankia Platin 8400 QD
Thought about the new N&B Arto on the Merc chassis but feel its interior styling is minimalist!
Morello to expensive and Voyageur garage too small.
Worried about the respective internal fittings quality between Hymer and Frankia???
Thanks

As they say you pay your money and make your choice, your profile says you already have a Hymer 890 so do you fancy more of the same or change to Frankia. Sometimes its better the devil you know but of the Frankia sets you alight then why not ?

If you like both then just flip a coin

I suspect the components and build quality are very similar

 

[Brains]

If the base vehicle is identical, and the interior layout is very similar, then I'd start by looking at the quality of the fixtures and fittings.

The most obvious ones to look at are the fridge, the cooker and the SatNav.
My guess is that one company will be using considerably cheaper options than the other.

Also are some of the optional extras on one van, fitted by default on the other ?

 

[Brains]

One advantage of Hymer.
There are more of them, more dealers, easier to get parts, easier to resell.

However, that does not mean they are better!

 

[WESTY66]

My money would be buying a Frankia

Did you look at Carthago??

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[peterc10]

I own a Hymer and am very happy with it. It is my "keeper".

But if I was faced with your dilemma I would go for the Frankia. It is a step up from Hymer.

 

[EuroTrotters]

This may set the cat amongst the pigeons.
Thinking about buying a new Motorhome.
Either a new Hymer BML 890
Or a Frankia Platin 8400 QD
Thought about the new N&B Arto on the Merc chassis but feel its interior styling is minimalist!
Morello to expensive and Voyageur garage too small.
Worried about the respective internal fittings quality between Hymer and Frankia???
Thanks

We have had both, including a Bespoke built 8400 with rear lounge on a Mercedes.

I would opt for the Frankia.

 

[EuroTrotters]

 

[CutThroatJake]

I realise things may have changed with Frankie's since 2020 but when we were waiting for the MH we have now we went down to SMC to look at a couple of new Platin's they had in stock.

I was quite surprised at how 'ordinary' they were. HYMER's are decent mid range vans and I would put the Frankia's in the same category.

I didn't like the driving position on one of them, the 'double floors' could just about fit a folded towel in a couple of the compartments and SMC's staff bordered on rude. One of the vehicles had an island bed and the mattress had been exchanged from one in another van and it was damaged. Sales guy said you buy as you see it...we're not changing it! Of course that was then

With that we set off back home to Bolton happy that we had ordered our HYMER which we've had a couple of niggles with (all vans have them) since delivery 3 years ago but on the whole are happy with our purchase.

 

[BusyBuilder]

When we wanted to swap our 2012 B544 for a similar newer van just a month back, I wanted another B544, but it seems they stopped production in 2015, so fancied a Frankia 640, but local dealer had a Hymer B534DL 2017 in. We contacted SMC, but it was this is what we have, that's the price, take it or leave it. The 640 they had didn't suit as the bed was non extending (I'm 6'5"). And thother 640 was too expensive for our budget, so we ended up with the Hymer.
We've noticed a difference in quality from our 2012 model, but not much, but the newer one is more modern interior which we like. So overall we are happy with our 3rd Hymer.

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[Brains]

With Hymers, as a rule of thumb, the older they are, the higher the quality of build.
There is a reason so many 40+ year old ones are still on the road.

Mine is a Hymer built in 2016-17 model, delivered in late 2018.
At the NEC show the 2024-25 model of my van was very shoddy in comparison.
Where we have solid laminate, the new one has flimsy ply.
Where we have stainless or brass fittings, the new one had chromed steel (which will rust).

Everything in the new one seemed to have been done so save a few pennies here and there.
Personally I'd rather pay a grand more and get better quality.