Crossover vs Xtura … Fight!

[Rollingwheels]

Yes Rollingwheels I collected it last week and its currently in my shed,
Can't give much of an opinion yet as I only drove it home & parked it up but one good point is the Mrs absolutely loves it! seems very solid and capable and its lovely to drive
Going to take it out to the Picos or Dolomites in a few weeks time and I'll know better then what it's like View attachment 1039409

Luvly jubbly as Del Boy said, please keep us informed, much appreciated.

 

[CaptainPaul]

Luvly jubbly as Del Boy said, please keep us informed, much appreciated.

Had the new van out for a few hours today and have to say to be honest I'm not jumping through hoops about it, even though it has paddle shifters etc I don't like the automatic gearbox but then again I don't like any automatic gearboxes! Lol
It also handles a bit like a boat, and vague so I'm not sure if I'll keep it, I'll give it another go later in the week and if I'm still not feeling it it's going back to the dealership and I'll just sell the Malibu and see what I want to do from there

 

[WESTY66]

Had the new van out for a few hours today and have to say to be honest I'm not jumping through hoops about it, even though it has paddle shifters etc I don't like the automatic gearbox but then again I don't like any automatic gearboxes! Lol
It also handles a bit like a boat, and vague so I'm not sure if I'll keep it, I'll give it another go later in the week and if I'm still not feeling it it's going back to the dealership and I'll just sell the Malibu and see what I want to do from there

But it looks soooooo good

 

[CazPaul]

Yes you can get that boat feeling with a high chassis like that it will take a bit of getting used to I’m sure.

 

[Jane NotRog]

Had the new van out for a few hours today and have to say to be honest I'm not jumping through hoops about it, even though it has paddle shifters etc I don't like the automatic gearbox but then again I don't like any automatic gearboxes! Lol
It also handles a bit like a boat, and vague so I'm not sure if I'll keep it, I'll give it another go later in the week and if I'm still not feeling it it's going back to the dealership and I'll just sell the Malibu and see what I want to do from there

Oh no!

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[Rog NotJane]

I agree, the raised suspension and comedy tyres (and maybe the longer body) are never going to feel like your PVC which in turn will never feel like a Mini.

It’s not like you’re taking it to a track day. Or… are you?

 

[CaptainPaul]

Ol

I agree, the raised suspension and comedy tyres (and maybe the longer body) are never going to feel like your PVC which in turn will never feel like a Mini.

It’s not like you’re taking it to a track day. Or… are you?

Lol
No not track days, I was just driving around some of our rural roads here in Donegal, some of which are quite representative of some of the poor roads etc in Morocco, but there has been a slight update since my last posting and that is my Mrs says if I still don't like it much she'll drive it instead as she loves it! Lol, so that works for me and she's a better driver than I am anyway, so we'll probably be keeping it now and it can be hers.

 

[CaptainPaul]

Maybe it's because she drives that .........and I drive this.....

 

[Abgs]

Maybe it's because she drives that .........and I drive this..... View attachment 1041007View attachment 1041006

Very tasty !

 

[Abgs]

Had the new van out for a few hours today and have to say to be honest I'm not jumping through hoops about it, even though it has paddle shifters etc I don't like the automatic gearbox but then again I don't like any automatic gearboxes! Lol
It also handles a bit like a boat, and vague so I'm not sure if I'll keep it, I'll give it another go later in the week and if I'm still not feeling it it's going back to the dealership and I'll just sell the Malibu and see what I want to do from there

They do wallow a bit, particularly at low speed .. my RWD Sprinter van, which sat about 10cm lower was the same but I blamed that on having 150kg of pop top roof above me. The tyres must also make a difference.

I going for rear air assist and upgraded dampers all round. You can tune Sprinter suspension to pretty much where ever you want it to be as there is a huge aftermarket range out there.

We found it to be the prefect tool in Morocco due to extra ground clearance, but for the long motorway sections up through Spain my previous 6.4m Carthago riding on full air would have been the better option.

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[Abgs]

Ol

Lol
No not track days, I was just driving around some of our rural roads here in Donegal, some of which are quite representative of some of the poor roads etc in Morocco, but there has been a slight update since my last posting and that is my Mrs says if I still don't like it much she'll drive it instead as she loves it! Lol, so that works for me and she's a better driver than I am anyway, so we'll probably be keeping it now and it can be hers.

Mrs ABGS is very happy to pilot the MLt and has told me it's a keeper!

From a driving point of view she was never keen on our first Fiat based manual A class, loved the Auto Sprinter van but didn't really jell with the Carthago.

 

[Rog NotJane]

Shame the Aston doesn’t come in Orange. Would have saved you a packet.

 

[Jane NotRog]

Well done to everyone's partners on taking the helm. I hate driving and would be scared stiff just taking our mini across the big roundabout at the M20 - let alone a massive 4x4 through narrow streets.

 

[Rollingwheels]

Had the new van out for a few hours today and have to say to be honest I'm not jumping through hoops about it, even though it has paddle shifters etc I don't like the automatic gearbox but then again I don't like any automatic gearboxes! Lol
It also handles a bit like a boat, and vague so I'm not sure if I'll keep it, I'll give it another go later in the week and if I'm still not feeling it it's going back to the dealership and I'll just sell the Malibu and see what I want to do from there

That was one of the concerns of mine about the lift kits they fit, they look great but move the centre of gravity, I think that the xtura has the tyres and lift kit as an extra even though at the moment you can’t order one without, The Hymer MLT with just the 4x4 option will only lift it by 100mm, I am not sure how much higher the Crossover sits above a standard 2wd, if anyone knows it would be helpful.

 

[Abgs]

That was one of the concerns of mine about the lift kits they fit, they look great but move the centre of gravity, I think that the xtura has the tyres and lift kit as an extra even though at the moment you can’t order one without, The Hymer MLT with just the 4x4 option will only lift it by 100mm, I am not sure how much higher the Crossover sits above a standard 2wd, if anyone knows it would be helpful.

Pretty sure it’s the same as the MLt 4x4 & 4x4 Grand Canyon S - 10cm front & 8cm rear. It’s a Mercedes thing rather than a Hymer lift kit.

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[Rollingwheels]

Pretty sure it’s the same as the MLt 4x4 & 4x4 Grand Canyon S - 10cm front & 8cm rear. It’s a Mercedes thing rather than a Hymer lift kit.

Ah ok thanks’ they said it is 100mm higher but it seems they are a lot higher, I suppose the tyres probably add another 75mm to the height.

 

[Rog NotJane]

EuraMobil do claim the Xtura has more lift than the crossover. Infact I found the original article when I was trying to find a picture of them next to each other.

 

[Steve I]

Had the new van out for a few hours today and have to say to be honest I'm not jumping through hoops about it, even though it has paddle shifters etc I don't like the automatic gearbox but then again I don't like any automatic gearboxes! Lol
It also handles a bit like a boat, and vague so I'm not sure if I'll keep it, I'll give it another go later in the week and if I'm still not feeling it it's going back to the dealership and I'll just sell the Malibu and see what I want to do from there

Crikey, that sounds like a painful couple of weeks ownership , think personally I’d have to grow to like it at the sort of money they are!

 

[Trots55]

Mine has loads more than what's listed in that article for example ive got 2 x 11kg gaslow, heated leather seats, cab & habitation air conditioning, water purification system, SOG toilet venting system 4 x 80ah lithium batteries, 2 x 100 solar panels, with controller, shunt etc and a 2000w inverter to all plug outlets, smart TV, mifi hub, bbq point external shower, theres other stuff I cant remember lol plus theres stuff in the cab, heated screen, distance control, lane assist, speed sign & traffic light recognition automatic headlights & rain sensor wipers, digital 10" screen.... there's loads that aren't in that review...
But I agree both fantastic vans, Jane & Rogs is a beauty too, hopefully we'll meet up next year and have some off road adventure

Do you find you use the habitation aircon much? We're looking at spec-ing that but not sure about how much we'd use it (we will be mostly in Europe), the weight (up high on the roof), and that I think it's really only useable when on EHU.

 

[Rog NotJane]

Do you find you use the habitation aircon much? We're looking at spec-ing that but not sure about how much we'd use it (we will be mostly in Europe), the weight (up high on the roof), and that I think it's really only useable when on EHU.

Xtura or Hymer?

Xtura can run the aircon off battery but I’m not sure how long you’d get. Maybe it’s be ok with the second 330 battery.

We have an aircon on our Twin. We don’t really want it but we’ve actually used it quite a lot - it’s especially useful to keep the dog cool

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[CaptainPaul]

Do you find you use the habitation aircon much? We're looking at spec-ing that but not sure about how much we'd use it (we will be mostly in Europe), the weight (up high on the roof), and that I think it's really only useable when on EHU.

I have found the aircon more handy than useful if you know what I mean.... in other words it's nice to have but not essential although I'm with Rog NotJane on this ref the dogs in the van if we go out for a meal or whatever, but also as Rog says it's not going to last long on battery especially if it keeps needing to kick in with the cooling compressor every now & again
I've only used it on EHU and it's always been fine but if I wasn't getting it as a sweetener for buying straight cash I'm not sure I'd bother to be honest, sorry I can't be much more help but it's probably a personal choice

 

[CaptainPaul]

Update on my initial impressions of the new Hymer van.....
Well we took the van for another good spin out today and its like a completely different van!
I had spoken to the dealer about my earlier concerns and after taking his advice we did 2 things we loaded it a bit more with weight (our clothes, tinned food, bedding, deck chairs & tables etc plus a good tank of diesel and a decent amount of water and we also disconnected the driver lane keep assist and what a transformation! It's handling superb now, soaks up pot holes and bad road surfaces like they're not there and I took it across a couple of fields and bit of forest paths beside our house and it performed flawlessly, I'm still trying to get the hang of the automatic gearbox my biggest issue is I keep waiting for it to catch up! I would be through 3 gear changes by the time it does one! I'm not used to sitting at 30mph and the rev counter sitting around 2000rpm it seems really strange to me, it makes me feel like the engine is working far too hard for the speeds it's doing, to me the revs are far too high but maybe I'll get used to it, thank goodness it has paddle shifters! to sum up I'm getting there! Lol

 

[CaptainPaul]

Bought the new van a couple of wee presents for good behaviour today!

 

[John and Jo]

Nice garage

 

[CaptainPaul]

Nice garage

I've 4 sheds like that (full of all sorts of crap)

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[Abgs]

Very Dakar !

Bought the new van a couple of wee presents for good behaviour today! View attachment 1042219View attachment 1042220

 

[CaptainPaul]

Very Dakar !

I got it out in Morocco in anticipation of buying the new van
Need somewhere else for the recovery boards don't like them on the ladder...

 

[Abgs]

Update on my initial impressions of the new Hymer van.....
Well we took the van for another good spin out today and its like a completely different van!
I had spoken to the dealer about my earlier concerns and after taking his advice we did 2 things we loaded it a bit more with weight (our clothes, tinned food, bedding, deck chairs & tables etc plus a good tank of diesel and a decent amount of water and we also disconnected the driver lane keep assist and what a transformation! It's handling superb now, soaks up pot holes and bad road surfaces like they're not there and I took it across a couple of fields and bit of forest paths beside our house and it performed flawlessly, I'm still trying to get the hang of the automatic gearbox my biggest issue is I keep waiting for it to catch up! I would be through 3 gear changes by the time it does one! I'm not used to sitting at 30mph and the rev counter sitting around 2000rpm it seems really strange to me, it makes me feel like the engine is working far too hard for the speeds it's doing, to me the revs are far too high but maybe I'll get used to it, thank goodness it has paddle shifters! to sum up I'm getting there! Lol

My Merc E class has the same engine and 9G box as the Sprinter - less the AWD bits. The gearbox on the E will learn your style of driving, so if you use the paddles to shift up and down sooner it remembers and adapts accordingly. I think the Sprinter is the same.

I do agree that it needs some weight in it to stop it hopping around. The rear suspension has an extra leaf, the red one, compared to the regular Sprinter chassis.

I had a good look a Crossover today at my dealer in Germany, I’m going to see if I can order the wheel arch extensions for my MLt - they seem like a sensible embellishment.

 

[KASPAR]

You have a diseasel lump (OM654, check your V5), not petrol. Use the torque to make progress, not revving the nuts off of it like a petrol. Flappy paddles were added to save you going to Halfords for stick ons

Our non AWD MB Sprinter based MH (mit OM654 & 9g) is car like to drive by using the torque, just like in our daily with the same 9g box and V6 3l diseasel.

Your MH is a 4 tonne brick, not a streamlined saloon or sports car Ford thingy with a David Brown badge It's a Mercedes Benz, for making progress in comfort, not a boy racers traffic light GP idiot thing

You likely have this combination:

OM 654​

The engine is a 2.0 litres (1,950 cc) turbo-diesel cast aluminum block, inline four-cylinder with balancing shafts. It has a single turbo and its cylinder walls are lined with slippery Nanoslide, an iron-carbon coating that cuts friction. In the 200-configuration it produces 110 kW (150 PS; 148 hp) at 4,500 rpm with peak torque of 320 N⋅m (236 lbf⋅ft) at 1,400-3,200 rpm. In the 220-configuration it produces 143 kW (194 PS; 192 hp) at 3,800 rpm with peak torque of 400 N⋅m (295 lbf⋅ft) at 1,600-2,400 rpm. The engine weight is 168.4 kg (371 lb) (a 17% improvement over the 202.8 kg (447 lb) of the previous 2.1 litres (2,143 cc) OM651).Also, the engine consumes 13% less fuel than its predecessor. It is planned that it will feature across the entire Mercedes-Benz range of cars and vans.

 

[CaptainPaul]

You have a diseasel lump (OM654, check your V5), not petrol. Use the torque to make progress, not revving the nuts off of it like a petrol. Flappy paddles were added to save you going to Halfords for stick ons

Our non AWD MB Sprinter based MH (mit OM654 & 9g) is car like to drive by using the torque, just like in our daily with the same 9g box and V6 3l diseasel.

Your MH is a 4 tonne brick, not a streamlined saloon or sports car Ford thingy with a David Brown badge It's a Mercedes Benz, for making progress in comfort, not a boy racers traffic light GP idiot thing

Please remember Rule 1 thank you

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