I've Collected My RMB

[Bellini]

I've done it!!

I now own a motorhome. A glorious old chap that's 22 years old and in rude health by the looks of it.

I bought him from a dealer in Germany. And that's where we are now. On the way home having a small bit of luxury in Dortmund at a good hotel. The RMB's outside, resting after 300km of driving.

So, I now own a rare RMB 670 with a bar-version interior, sofa settee, drop-down double and fixed rear double. Garage underneath the rear bed. Seperate toilet and shower. Truma heating and a Webasto heater. I've got a refillable underfloor gas tank (loose, to be fitted), double glazing, an inverter and an awning.

The mileage is under 90,000 and there's a rear differential lock for slippery sites.

Personally, I don't think it's bad value for £15,000, but when I post pictures you can make your own minds up.

Tomorrow, we're driving back home. To Calais, it's another 5.5 hours and then a few more to get fully home.

Campsite booked by a canal in Banbury next weekend to see what's what.

 

[Brisey]

Hi Bellini, congratulations on your purchase, I hope it serves you well.:thumb:
Exciting times ahead for you.:Cool:
Safe journey home.riving2:

Brisey.

 

[hilldweller]

So, I now own a rare RMB 670

A man who knows quality.

Enjoy.

And look after it, an RMB is for life not just for Christmas.

 

[Mel]

I am sure it will be a great motorhome.
Well built van.

Congratulations.

Mel

 

[dogman]

Watch the Dortmund Actien bier tonight, drive safely tomorrow, have a great trip.

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[Snowbird]

Ahah, good man. A good choice but am getting more than a little worried that these RMBs are going to become as common as Hymers. You are now a member of a very exclusive club. You will never have to worry about depreciation as you now have a heirloom that will be passed down through generations as long as the UK government do not make all cities LEZ. Good luck with your purchase and am sure you will be more than pleased with it. Quality does not come with a price tag :Cool:

 

[Mel]

Just hang on to the German transit plates .
LEZ is then no problem

Mel

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

It sounds great , I'm sure you'll love it to bits and a bargain too:thumb: one thing you will love is the Webasto. It's fantastic. We wouldn't be without it now.

 

[Bellini]

Thanks for the positive replies. :thumb:

I must admit that I was getting pretty nervous on Friday night, having flown myself, wifey and 2 children to Germany to buy an old motorhome we'd never actually seen in real life before.

Not only that, but it was in the middle of nowhere and required a 2 hour drive from leaving the hotel. My 2 year old daughter didn't sleep brilliantly on Friday and I think the most any of us managed was 4 hours. I dozed and just kept thinking 'we're mad!' My wife was thinking the same.

But it was taken as an adventure. A few anecdotal stories for dinner parties and conversation. A 'what the hell!' mentality. No regrets. If it went wrong, we'd have flown back again.

Oh, and the dealer wanted payment in cash, so I was carrying €17,000 on me throughout all of this.

However, all those nerves totally evaporated as soon as we first saw the RMB. I mean the first second. And here's the thing. As Snowbird said all along; they're solid. Shutting the door feels like closing a vault. Just a lovely damped 'thunk' to it.

I've not taken many photos yet, but here's one just before dropping the hire car back at Hannover airport. My son is standing behind the RMB watching a plane take off.

 

[The Dudess]

That is one beautiful van. Happy truckin'. Can't wait to see more photos.

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[Snowbird]

Bloody hell, its a twin.

 

[hilldweller]

Shutting the door feels like closing a vault. Just a lovely damped 'thunk' to it.

"Like a Golf"

Looks a proper job MH. Your big problem now is getting it home rather than invading Poland.

Enjoy.

 

[Wildman]

"Like a Golf"

Looks a proper job MH. Your big problem now is getting it home rather than invading Poland.

Enjoy.

where have you been hiding Brian, driving home IS like invading Poland, hee hee

 

[knokinonabit]

Your 'avin a larf mate.

That's brand new innit? :thumb:

 

[Baldeagle7470]

That looks a superb van to be proud of,enjoy it

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[Carol]

WOW what a find, you will look well parked up next to Snowbird. :thumb:

 

[Snowbird]

Pat says she wants to change my red stripes for your blue ones. They match the Smarty better.

 

[Bellini]

Just got home. We left the hotel in Dortmund at 9am, stopped very briefly for fuel and some takeout lunch in Belgium and made the 15.20 Chunnel crossing with 10 spare minutes to get a very much-needed coffee.

At this point we were asked to open our gas storage to be checked it was off. I couldn't make any of the many keys work, so we parked in frustration and panicked a bit. There's two switches to activate the step and I pushed one and my wife the other. That blew the fuse (I hope, because I've not had time to check yet) and we found out the hard way just how high-up a RMB's floor is!

That took our attention away from buying beam-benders. D'oh!! So we stopped at Clacket Lane and.... useless!! Garages want to sell food these days. Not even any tape. Oh well, no one flashed us.

That aside, we made it back home by 6pm on the dot. 8 hours driving, I think today. That's quite enough.

MOT is booked for 11am tomorrow. I've got to order a few essentials: EHU lead, water hose, beam benders.

The dealer chap was called Udo. He was a nice guy. Helpful, friendly, patient with my endless questions. So we've decided to 'name' the RMB 'Udo'. I've even found a registration plate 'B16 UDO', which seems appropriate enough.

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

I can't believe it's an older van. It looks brand new. Love the colour. Why are most motorhomes white.
Post some inside pictures , I bet it's proper quality .
Non of this sticky back plastic covered plywood in that. :thumb:

 

[Bellini]

No plywood. All real. And it smells like it, too.

Will get some interior pictures up tomorrow. :thumb:

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[Snowbird]

Plywood in an RMB.......It would be like painting the Sistine chapel with emulsion

 

[Taran_Las]

Congratulations. Now the fun begins:thumb:

 

[Snowbird]

Dont be tempted to change the 50 mlb gas regulators to English. They will fit Calor bottles if you dont want to fill the German ones yourself. With the LPG tank and the ability to carry 2 bottles in the gas locker you will never have to worry about foreign bottle/regulator changes when away.

 

[Malcolm Bolt]

Thanks for the positive replies. :thumb:

I must admit that I was getting pretty nervous on Friday night, having flown myself, wifey and 2 children to Germany to buy an old motorhome we'd never actually seen in real life before.

Not only that, but it was in the middle of nowhere and required a 2 hour drive from leaving the hotel. My 2 year old daughter didn't sleep brilliantly on Friday and I think the most any of us managed was 4 hours. I dozed and just kept thinking 'we're mad!' My wife was thinking the same.

But it was taken as an adventure. A few anecdotal stories for dinner parties and conversation. A 'what the hell!' mentality. No regrets. If it went wrong, we'd have flown back again.


Oh, and the dealer wanted payment in cash, so I was carrying €17,000 on me throughout all of this.

However, all those nerves totally evaporated as soon as we first saw the RMB. I mean the first second. And here's the thing. As Snowbird said all along; they're solid. Shutting the door feels like closing a vault. Just a lovely damped 'thunk' to it.


I've not taken many photos yet, but here's one just before dropping the hire car back at Hannover airport. My son is standing behind the RMB watching a plane take off.

It's just beautiful. I want one. :thumb::thumb::thumb:

 

[superk]

25 for sale here .

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[marymary]

Wow!! Looks great!! Enjoy

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

25 for sale here .

If we weren't going to go smaller , ( PVC ) on our next van I'd be very tempted with one of these. Get the upholstery done , and all would be great. So much better quality than the new vans we've seen on offer. At a fantastic price. :thumb:

 

[Bellini]

Well, today's activities on Udo have been many and varied.

A few early morning shots of the interior taken from outside. The upholstery is like alcantara. It's like chamois leather. And truly looks like new.

I rather like the lights. They're 'table' and 'wall' units with brass stems and shades. Very lovely.
I've now also found 4 electric sockets. There's one in the toilet, one in the cupboard above the TV, one above the sink and another just behind the drivers seat. Lucky I have 4 EU-UK adapters.

The cupboards have proven to be cavernous. We were really worried we'd run out of space but Dave's 'tardis' description was bang on the money.

The bar-version layout was a huge draw for us. I like the front seats having dual-functionality.

The dealer, Udo (now you can see how my RMB got his name) sold me this refillable 125 litre tank for €200. It's certified until 2020 and there's clear marks from a previous tank being in place. There's even a remote level gauge by the door. Udo gave me a new 5kg bottle to be getting on with until this one is installed.

The outside view with the garage. Same as Dave's RMB. Again, loads of space but worth noting a 200 litre fresh water tank, inverter, two Optima yellow-top leisure batteries and good lighting in there.

There's two control panels. One here... Note the gas tank gauge, Truma AND Webasto heater controllers plus a few light switches and thermostats.

Then there's the main panel above the door.

So, the MOT... it's a fail. oh:

One rusty, snapped exhaust bracket and no power to the rear fog lights. I thought the fail was a mite harsh, but rules are rules.

Anyway, the storage place that Udo sits in will sort those this week and I'll take him back for a re-test on Friday assuming all is well.

And then off to Banbury this weekend to try out the mattress toppers and double skillet. Can't wait!:thumb:

 

[Mel]

Very nice motor home.
Excellent photos. Enjoy your first trip away in it.

Mel

 

[jhorsf]

Your van looks a lovely van just like Dave's I am sure you are to have many happy holidays in him:thumb:

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