Neoplan Starliner coach conversion ( picture heavy )

[mickb3275]

Hi all, I’d like to show you guys my build.
in February 2019 I bought a coach to convert into a motorhome. I had looked at many coaches and then this one came up, it was the one for me.
she is a 2001 neoplan Starliner with Mercedes engine, a 15ltr V8 twin turbo producing 480bhp coupled to a 8 speed ZF semi automatic gearbox.
I purchased her from Andrews coaches of Tideswell. Thanks Russell she’s been a good en.
The coach was used for football and rugby teams, there is plenty of history on the internet about her.
I 95% completed the conversion to a usable condition by september 2019, since then I’ve completed all the finishing touches but as ever with this type of build, the project continue, upgrades and modification.
So running from the front to back,
Over the drivers area is a large lift up day or night bed, great for star gazing through the large screen on a clear night.
Saloon, 2x seater sofas on either side with smart tv and full motion tracking satellite tv receiver.
On to the galley, equipped with 4 ring gas hob with over head extractor, microwave and full size sink. Pull up 240v sockets in the worktops. We had to make the worktops from scratch, a real time consuming job but worth the effort for the finished. Glued, screwed, stained and epoxy resined.
Separate toilet with small hand basin. Not much to say here, toilet was a pain to get working properly. This is the original toilet but the rest has been changed.
Shower is a full wet room with plenty of room to get dry. Gulper waste pump used to remove the waste water as the shower drain is lower than the grey waste tank.
Both are down stairs either side of the centre stairs.

Next room on the main deck has a single bed either side with centre walk way. TVs and usb chargers for both beds, storage under the beds, at the end of the beds and over head lockers.
To the rear is the master bedroom with king size bed, plenty of space and storage here.
Heating is a Webasto 35kw diesel water heater using existing and additional radiators. I fitted a towel rail radiator in the shower and a full width radiator in the front belly locker. This was to stops things potentially freezing in winter and stop any heat being zapped by the flooring.
I modified the electronics so the heating temp can controlled from the living area and also when travelling.
I has also added a 5kw hot air heater just to keep the chill off instead of using the big heater where possible.

Hot water is via a instant heat lpg water heater.
Water tanks hold 550 litres and the grey waste tank hold 480 litres
Black waste tank, well I’ve not measured the capacity, however it is fine for 5 days or so.
Now to the power supply
3x 1kw victron energy solar panels and smart charge controller. Best yield so far is 8kw in a day, I’m more than pleased with that.
12x 2v agm battery cells for main power
2x 12v lithium batteries for 24v system with their own charger
1x lithium battery for 12v systems, not much runs off the 12v system, mainly usb charger sockets.
240v is via the 24v victron energy 5kw inverter charger.

Fridge is a webasto 24v compressor fridge, I looked at many fridges and the power draw is minimal once cold. absorption fridge was out of the question due to flue issues, lots of glass windows wouldn’t allow for the flue angle.
I have also fitted a omni roof vent over the existing sunroof in the saloon to increase air flow, the ventilation fans can be run at half speed if required.
I have limo tinted the windows which reduces heat absorption in the summer months, or is that days?

Externally I have fitted a 5 metre fiamma manual awning to the drivers side, I have one to fit to the passenger side, still to do. This is so that either side can be used when parked up or site dependent.
I also added a spec lift for the tow car, this has its own proportional braking system that I can transfer from car to car. To me there are lots of pro and little cons to the spec. It folds away nicely, I don’t store a trailer at site, it’s fairly quick to load, not as quick as a fully equipped tow car on a A frame, but it does reverse a lots easier than an A frame.
I have also fitted a fiamma 4 bike carrier.

Now, she’s a big girl and as you can Imagine, some camp sites I can’t even get in their gate let alone park up. Although why are the gates usually the tightest part of the camp site?

All this work was carried out by myself and my good friend Simon, which I would like to thank Publicly.

Pictures will start from as I bought her and ending up current day.

I hope you’ll find it of interest.

so, the obvious question is why? Well I’ve had 2 American RV’s in the past, 1 with a slide out side, they are great, except they drive terrible And designed for 2 portly American. No good for a family, dragging out the sofa bed every night…. Then you lose the sitting area.
And then we get to mpg, american 350hp 6.8 litre 4-5 mpg. 480bhp merc v8 8-11 mpg.
I know it’s not for everyone, it too big, block of flats etc, but this is good for me & I love it. Would I do another one, absolutely yes.

thanks, Mick

 

[mickb3275]

Galley

 

[mickb3275]

Drivers area & saloon

 

[Chipster]

Chapeau !!

 

[mickb3275]

Interior

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[mickb3275]

Manual door conversion

 

[Steve and Denise]

Wow mega project, not sure it would fit my type of touring but it looks like you have got a solid direction, best of luck enjoy!

 

[mickb3275]

Chill time

 

[mickb3275]

Spec lift

 

[mickb3275]

Shower & toilet

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[Zoobec]

Absolutely awesome

 

[poppycamper]

Whoa... mega indeed.. only one possible reservation and that is what appears to be side facing bench lap belts... legal????

 

[mickb3275]

Whoa... mega indeed.. only one possible reservation and that is what appears to be side facing bench lap belts... legal????

They are legal, wether you wear them or not.

 

[L' Hobo]

I used to hire in one of these, when I was short occasionally, for my bus & coach company, great vehicles to drive although I would have thought they were too big for UK, too low for grass and too little MPG, for a M/H but then, I'm probably just jealous It looks good!

 

[ManTheVan]

Respect.

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[poppycamper]

They are legal, wether you wear them or not.

Oki doki.. I maybe did not say what I meant... lap belts are indeed legal on "designated travel" seats but it is my under standing that "side facing seats" can not be classed as designated travel seats.!

 

[L' Hobo]

They are legal, wether you wear them or not.

On my coaches, legal seating had to be either forward or backward facing? Side facing seat belts are not recognised by the ministry so were never fitted to the buses.
In an accident, we were told, they would cause more injury than save. (When someone is hung, it's the sudden side snap of the head that does the killing?)

 

[mickb3275]

On my coaches, legal seating had to be either forward or backward facing? Side facing seat belts are not recognised by the ministry so were never fitted to the buses.

It’s no long under psv ministery rules. It’s a private HGV.

 

[Someday]

Amazing. In the motorhome world I love the big stuff and that’s amazing there’s a guy near me who has done a couple like yours he lived in it for two years while he built his house. Sold it then done another

 

[L' Hobo]

It’s no long under psv ministery rules. It’s a private HGV.

Don't quote me, but I don't think that makes a difference? (see edit to last post)

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[poppycamper]

Are there any currently manufactured mohos around with side facing travel seats... I doubt it.?

Don't quote me, but I don't think that makes a difference? (see edit to last post)

 

[mickb3275]

Don't quote me, but I don't think that makes a difference? (see edit to last post)

I know what your saying and agree, lap belts are fitted to limos with side facing seats, same rules. I checked this with dvsa testers. I wouldn’t fit them if I didn’t need / require to.

jeez, there’s always someone trying to pick fault…. Merry Christmas

 

[Gaston aires]

Impressive but wouldn’t fit on my drive. I’ll stick to the Ixeo.
Hope to see you someplace sometime.
Phil

 

[L' Hobo]

I know what your saying and agree, lap belts are fitted to limos with side facing seats, same rules. I checked this with dvsa testers. I wouldn’t fit them if I didn’t need / require to.

jeez, there’s always someone trying to pick fault…. Merry Christmas

Not finding fault, just trying to stop you killing someone. What you have done is great as I said in my first post.

 

[poppycamper]

I know what your saying and agree, lap belts are fitted to limos with side facing seats, same rules. I checked this with dvsa testers. I wouldn’t fit them if I didn’t need / require to.

jeez, there’s always someone trying to pick fault…. Merry Christmas

Sorry you feel that way... and I apologise for being concerned that you may have had dodgy info.been misled or just did not know any better..
Thought we were the Fun Forum that look after and respect each other
Again my sincere apologies for careing.

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[busby]

Great job but I prefer my 5 mtr Autosleeper Symbol,,Sorry.,,BUSBY..

 

[Googlebot]

That looks amazing!

Very jealous as it must be a palace to use.

The water tank must take a while to fill.

 

[Carol]

What a achievement looks great hope you have lots of enjoyment with it.

 

[Mikey RV]

Happy travels, looks great well done.

 

[Four of us]

What an achievement…it looks so comfortable. Well done .

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