Looks Good to Me but Need Some Expert Input

What doesn't add up is that it is on the 412 chassis. The write up says 4.6ton which would be correct but I think that the allowed rear axle weight would be more with the twin wheels. Note that it is the 2.9L engine - good but slow at 120 bhp
 
On the comments so far and on the basis that my budget means that I will have to cut my cloth accordingly I'm leaning towards having a punt on this subject to decent answers from the seller especially why he is selling it. Although I didn't intend to put a scooter on the back the fact that this is available gives me the opportunity to change my mind - although a BMW RS1200 is probably out of the question! ;)
 
What doesn't add up is that it is on the 412 chassis. The write up says 4.6ton which would be correct but I think that the allowed rear axle weight would be more with the twin wheels. Note that it is the 2.9L engine - good but slow at 120 bhp
Slow is ok - I used to have a caravan and found that going at 60 was quite relaxing.
 
Slow is ok - I used to have a caravan and found that going at 60 was quite relaxing.

We rarely go much over 90kph for fuel economy so I wouldn't worry about speed.
The twin rear wheel and RWD is an advantage on wet grass etc over FWD. We've never got ours stuck anywhere in 5 years use and we've been up a few muddy tracks etc.
I reckon with a bit of TLC, you'll probably end up with a nice van. Base vehicle stuff like exhaust and bushes etc are all just basic maintenance on any vehicle of that age, so be prepared to spend a bit of cash over time to bring it on song.
Ours was a bit tired when we first bought it but it now gets quite a few positive comments when folk realise it's 18 years old. 😁
 
We rarely go much over 90kph for fuel economy so I wouldn't worry about speed.
The twin rear wheel and RWD is an advantage on wet grass etc over FWD. We've never got ours stuck anywhere in 5 years use and we've been up a few muddy tracks etc.
I reckon with a bit of TLC, you'll probably end up with a nice van. Base vehicle stuff like exhaust and bushes etc are all just basic maintenance on any vehicle of that age, so be prepared to spend a bit of cash over time to bring it on song.
Ours was a bit tired when we first bought it but it now gets quite a few positive comments when folk realise it's 18 years old. 😁
Your giving me confidence Vic!

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Oh, and Waxoyl is wonderful stuff if it's sprayed in the right places. 👍
 
Twin wheels - didn't notice that. Do they come with any particular problems?

You need to buy more tyres! Other disadvantages are reduced internal space (larger wheel arches) and harder to check pressures, sidewall condition etc. They are also uglier, especially on the front axle. However, the big advantage is "four wheel drive". You'll be putting around 70% of the vehicles weight through the driven axle and over a much larger contact patch than the 45% of the weight going through the front axle of a 4 wheeler. This gives you considerable extra traction in the mud. It is also safer in the event of a rear blowout. Note that all wheels are typically the same design (whether inner, outer or front), so a single spare wheel can be used.

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  • Rear extension/carrier fitted with lights
  • Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both d bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))
  • exhaust corroded
  • Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()
  • Suspension arm ball joint has slight play both front (5.3.4 (a) (i))
  • Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))
  • Rear Stop lamp(s) slightly affected by the operation of another lamp on extension light board (4.3.3 (b))
  • Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

I would be concerned about the corrosion on the front off side and play in the steering . The corrosion can't be that , bad as it passed , but it will only get worse . My guess is the paint is missing and it's rusting , but beware , it's entirely possible for a hole to appear , during removal of the rusted surface . I'm speaking as one who has recently discovered the same on my 2000 , 584 , but it is a Fiat , and in my case , i have a hole which needs welding . The steering could be an indication that replacement is due , and this will be expensive . A Fiat rack is around 200 quid . Being a merk , i think you can expect more , but i really can't comment on fitting .
Replacing the exhaust removes two issues , this would appear due anyway , and the rear stop light is almost certainly , an earth issue . The ball joints are fairly easy to source , and being bolt on , fix , but though the rear anti roll bar bushes are again fairly easy to source , i've got no idea how easy/ difficult the job would be . I'm a bit puzzled as to why the the rear carrier has been listed . The main criteria has been met , and there's no mention of any structural issues . I have a slide away carrier , so i doubt my mot guy even realises it's there , though i do have a second set of light clusters as a clue .
I think , i would want to take a look at the corrosion and research the rack before i would commit any further , but i wouldn't hang about .
 
Is it normal for RHD Hymer Of that age to have its speedo in Kmh?
 
Have just come back from seeing it. Checked the corroded offside front but seemed on quick inspection to be very superficial. The underside was free of rust as far as I could see without getting it on a ramp. Exhaust seemed solid with only the end of the pipe corroded. Seller says no damp and as far as winterisation goes it has a double floor. It needs a good clean inside and out and the whole thing was missing a woman's touch (if that isn't too sexist ;))- if it was ours my wife would never have let me put it up for sale in the state it was in but that's all superficial and I have a good feeling about it. The cushions and furniture look a bit tired.
External tank for gas which holds 100 litres and was wondering if that might be a problem getting filled though I'm sure that amount would last a long time.
Can't see payload being a problem as we wouldn't be taking a scooter or mbike on the back.
For the price it seems pretty good and I'm sure if it didn't work out we would be able to sell it again without any problem.
I want to buy it so its now down to my wife if she likes it when we go and see it again tomorrow. She's much more hard nosed than me so I'll try and not be disappointed if she says no.
 
I would be concerned about the corrosion on the front off side and play in the steering . The corrosion can't be that , bad as it passed , but it will only get worse . My guess is the paint is missing and it's rusting , but beware , it's entirely possible for a hole to appear , during removal of the rusted surface . I'm speaking as one who has recently discovered the same on my 2000 , 584 , but it is a Fiat , and in my case , i have a hole which needs welding . The steering could be an indication that replacement is due , and this will be expensive . A Fiat rack is around 200 quid . Being a merk , i think you can expect more , but i really can't comment on fitting .
Replacing the exhaust removes two issues , this would appear due anyway , and the rear stop light is almost certainly , an earth issue . The ball joints are fairly easy to source , and being bolt on , fix , but though the rear anti roll bar bushes are again fairly easy to source , i've got no idea how easy/ difficult the job would be . I'm a bit puzzled as to why the the rear carrier has been listed . The main criteria has been met , and there's no mention of any structural issues . I have a slide away carrier , so i doubt my mot guy even realises it's there , though i do have a second set of light clusters as a clue .
I think , i would want to take a look at the corrosion and research the rack before i would commit any further , but i wouldn't hang about .
I appreciate you long analysis but I think you are right - - if I hang around it will be gone. He said his phone is going mad and someone from Ireland is flying in to see it which in all probability is true considering the crazy market at the moment.
I actually think its a bit of a bargain and I'll have no problem selling it on if it doesn't work out.

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I appreciate you long analysis but I think you are right - - if I hang around it will be gone. He said his phone is going mad and someone from Ireland is flying in to see it which in all probability is true considering the crazy market at the moment.
I actually think its a bit of a bargain and I'll have no problem selling it on if it doesn't work out.

Sounds like you need to make a quick decision, Hymers on a Merc tend to sell quite quickly and at the moment, because of staycations, all motorhomes are selling fairly quickly.
Get your wife over to see it this evening if I were you.
Best of luck.
 
Sounds like you need to make a quick decision, Hymers on a Merc tend to sell quite quickly and at the moment, because of staycations, all motorhomes are selling fairly quickly.
Get your wife over to see it this evening if I were you.
Best of luck.
It's in a caravan storage site which only opens 9-5 so I saw it this afternoon at 4 (the first to see) and will be taking my wife back at 9 tomorrow morning for a look over and test drive. This puts us in a good position. She has a real eye for detail and if she decides not to go for it then we're both willing to walk away if necessary and wait 'til the right one comes around although I personally think this is the right one especially for going away in the highlands during winter.
 
I say again. Check why a RHD vehicle has a speedo/ mile counter that displays in kilometres. I ask due to the advertised mileage verses mot mileage difference.
 
I say again. Check why a RHD vehicle has a speedo/ mile counter that displays in kilometres. I ask due to the advertised mileage verses mot mileage difference.
Thanks for that peppa I have taken that on board and will bring it up with the seller tomorrow when I see him with the registration doc.
 
I say again. Check why a RHD vehicle has a speedo/ mile counter that displays in kilometres. I ask due to the advertised mileage verses mot mileage difference.
Because they never bothered to change them .Just fitted on the right hand side.
If it falls through jollyrodger has a nice one for sale on classifieds.

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Check the V5 for registered weight, I can’t see anyway that a twin wheeled rear axle Mercedes chassis can possibly weigh under 3.5T

but as you have a C1 licence that’s really an advantage to weigh more you pay less in Road tax
 
I say again. Check why a RHD vehicle has a speedo/ mile counter that displays in kilometres. I ask due to the advertised mileage verses mot mileage difference.

Our S740 is RHD and has the distance covered in kilometers and speed in kph in bold and mph small. nothing strange going on. 😁
 
Check the V5 for registered weight, I can’t see anyway that a twin wheeled rear axle Mercedes chassis can possibly weigh under 3.5T

but as you have a C1 licence that’s really an advantage to weigh more you pay less in Road tax
Hi David its 4.6 tonne gross weight

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Hi David its 4.6 tonne gross weight

I had even been back and read the ad again

numbers never were my thing 🤔👍

if it were my money I would be taking a punt 👍 as you say if not falling to bits or full of damp, unlikely, you would be unlucky to lose too much

did he say why he was selling it ?
 
I was the owner of that S650, approx 5 years ago. I sold it to the present owner. Lovely vehicle. Only sold it as we needed a much larger van to do regular school runs to pick up (&return) 3 grandkids to private school while their parents swanned around the world, supposedly working, for a year.

regards
Allen
 
I had even been back and read the ad again

numbers never were my thing 🤔👍

if it were my money I would be taking a punt 👍 as you say if not falling to bits or full of damp, unlikely, you would be unlucky to lose too much

did he say why he was selling it ?
Will be giving it a good going over tomorrow. I want to take a punt as I really like it although it needs a good clean inside and out and it looks like the market will mean we will be able to sell it on easily if we don't like it. The seller says he has this MH, two vehicles, and a plane so needs to get rid of one of them. We are the first to view. Seemingly his phone has been going like mad with people wanting to see it so even if half true don't want to miss out on a possible gem.
 
I was the owner of that S650, approx 5 years ago. I sold it to the present owner. Lovely vehicle. Only sold it as we needed a much larger van to do regular school runs to pick up (&return) 3 grandkids to private school while their parents swanned around the world, supposedly working, for a year.

regards
Allen
Allen you are a star!!!
 
MotorhomeFun comes up trumps. You can’t get better info than that.

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