Old(er) or New(ish) Van…..which is better value for money ?

Hugoman said:
I also notice but could be wrong that similar newer A class vans don’t seem to have a large window next to the habitation door
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Not just A Class all vans appear to have gone that way. Our first new Hymer was a 2008 Tramp it had a window in the wall in front of the hab door. Next van didn't have one really missed it, current van hasn't got one but got used to it now.
Hugoman said:
Ah right ! What are all the new bells and whistles ? Would they cost £50,000 to add to mine ?
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Full 4 C air, EP Jacks, 460 ah or more of Lithium, Victron Multiplus. That's taken care of about £20k.
 
Hugoman said:
Every 6 months or so when a shiny blingy Motorhome parks up next to me behind an abandoned abattoir/ French Aire I think to myself perhaps I should “upgrade”.

I have a 2004 Hymer B674 (picture enclosed) pretty much perfect layout for me…two lengthwise single beds over a huge garage, convertible to a huge Kingsize (should I get lucky) …the beds that is not the garage. Solar, Gaslo, 2.8 JTD engine, original pull out scooter rack so I can easily go over my payload.

But here’s the thing, to get an equivalent van say a B680 but 10 years newer…so 2014 I’d have to pay about £50,000 more ! Or something even newer and we’re talking an extra £100,000 more.

So what am I getting for my extra £50,000 to £100,000 ?

I suppose it would be lower mileage… mines just on 100,000 miles 😥

But is that it !

View attachment 737525
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We have had the same thoughts.

We have N&B just a year older than your Hymer, so probably the same quality and also the same 2.8Jtd engine. We have had few repairs needed in our 14 years of ownership.

The only reason for change as I can see is if one wanted to take it into Emissions Zones, which we do not, or to get an island bed, but that is not so important yet and it might lead to more technical problems with emission control gadgets.

I echo the majority on here -'Keep it'.

We shall be keeping our Arto, at least until our trusted commercial garage tells us it is becoming geriatric. He spots anything that is needed and just does it, e.g. some rust on chassis 3-4 years ago and just treated it.

If you have not done it have the engine re-mapped to overcome the problem with the high-ratio 5th gear on hills. I say re-map not just a box.

Geoff
 
Best to get a Euro 6 van so you go into towns. Until Euro 7 comes along of course. We have now worked up to Euro 3 and are glad to help the poor and needy with our higher road fund licence.
 
Mine's 27 yrs old, one previous owner, and I use it just as transport and accommodation for adventures, not to show to others.. In the 11 years that I've had it, touring only abroad, it has never let me down and never even had a single MOT Advisory.
The simple domestic electrics which don't include an 'Anxiety Panel' or an array of inaccurate dials to stress the Worried Well have never given trouble.
The 2.4 litre VW non-turbo engine without cat converter or ECU is sufficiently powerful for my travels. If I wanted to arrive somewhere sooner I'd set off earlier. I've no interest in driving in emission control areas.
Light and airy with lovely large windows as opposed to most modern vans which have so many wall-mounted domestic 'essentials' for people who want 'to get away from it all' ( :rolleyes: ) that there's only space for tiny windows.
I'm told the pattern on the unmarked supremely comfortable interior sprung seat/beds cushions is 'dated' but I'm not in the slightest concerned about the thoughts of bystanders.
It cost me £13,000 (from a dealer) in 2012. I keep it on my drive and it owes me nothing.
RH side.jpg



Looking to rear.jpg

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Hugoman said:
Every 6 months or so when a shiny blingy Motorhome parks up next to me behind an abandoned abattoir/ French Aire I think to myself perhaps I should “upgrade”.

I have a 2004 Hymer B674 (picture enclosed) pretty much perfect layout for me…two lengthwise single beds over a huge garage, convertible to a huge Kingsize (should I get lucky) …the beds that is not the garage. Solar, Gaslo, 2.8 JTD engine, original pull out scooter rack so I can easily go over my payload.

But here’s the thing, to get an equivalent van say a B680 but 10 years newer…so 2014 I’d have to pay about £50,000 more ! Or something even newer and we’re talking an extra £100,000 more.

So what am I getting for my extra £50,000 to £100,000 ?

I suppose it would be lower mileage… mines just on 100,000 miles 😥

But is that it !

View attachment 737525
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That’s a nice looking van.
Why change?
 
nicholsong said:
If you have not done it have the engine re-mapped to overcome the problem with the high-ratio 5th gear on hills. I say re-map not just a box.
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That Italian tuning box I had on the 2.8 JTD worked really well, even my Mrs said that it ran smoother and it defo had more power. It was money well spent, £60.00 at the time as I remember.

However I would try a remap now by way of comparison.
 
Another one for keep it, I’ve always said the quality went down after 2006 on most Marques.
Ours is March 2005.
 
Our coachbuild is on a 55 plate and yes is lacking in some of technology of newer built motorhomes. Some of the newer ones are mobile I Pads and I can’t be bothered at this time in our retirement. We can manage without much more than the basics needed.
Money spent on newer models would go a long way to our travel costs.
 
Hugoman said:
Ah right ! What are all the new bells and whistles ? Would they cost £50,000 to add to mine ?
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It would also make your investment more valuable. Along with bigger fridge freezer, better heater, better oven and grill, better engine, better suspension, cruise control? Everything gets better for being newer - IMHO
Why not if you can and want to afford it.
At our age you really shouldn't be looking for the best investment.
Life is getting shorter and you are here for a good time not a long time.

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It seems clear that we tend to 'stick to' our vans - not a surprise because they are living accommodation too and we like what we're used to.

I note from other threads that a level of complication has been introduced - similar to many new cars - that may take maintainability beyond the normal reaches of people who have run and kept up vehicles for many years.

IMHO I've been less than impressed by posts from members who've struggled with things like engine management difficulties, automatic transmission issues and other generally unfixable-unless-returned-to-dealer-because-the-sensor-broke or needs-plugged-into-a-computer issues.

I agree that I'm a complete luddite but I believe the less complicated the better so don't change that van!
 
I have an older van and am currently saving up to buy a new van. I am looking forward to a van that-
  • Goes into limp mode
  • The auto box plays up
  • The heating dumps the hot water
  • I have to pay someone to tell me it isnt damp
  • I spend half my life chasing up warranty work

I have thought a few times about upgrading, but I am happy with what I have got




.......
 
Stealaway said:
It would also make your investment more valuable. Along with bigger fridge freezer, better heater, better oven and grill, better engine, better suspension, cruise control? Everything gets better for being newer - IMHO
Why not if you can and want to afford it.
At our age you really shouldn't be looking for the best investment.
Life is getting shorter and you are here for a good time not a long time.
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I disagree. The more techno you have the more scope is has to go wrong, we never used to get 'Limp Mode' or Clutch out of parameters or an engine light or an an airbag light you cant get to go out and therefore struggling with MOT. Don't get me started on Electric handbrakes or lane control gismos.

I do get the concerns about emissions zones, but thankfully I don't live in one and can't think of one I can't manage without visiting. I reckon I've got about another 15 years motorhoming. My motorhome should last that long and I reckon I will still be able to find my way around the emissions zones so I'm sticking. And yes I could easily afford a new one I just don't see myself ever wanting one.
 
We often talk about changing the MoHo but it would cost a lot.
Our Hymer B584 is an oldie but goodie, and to add everything we have on it now to another van would be expensive!
This one is set up just how we want it now (except for a garage)
 
I agree that is a lovely van. It all depends if you are still happy with it and how you are for cash. Saving money is one thing but at our age who are you saving it for , children , the nursing home or the government. If you are ok for cash and would like a change or a better van then go for it but keeping with that one is also a good option.

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If I had your van I would keep it, then every six months or so would get exited about trading up, then two miniuts later when I realised I would have to part with 50,000k I would have a word with myself and pop down to Go Outdoors and buy something for about 30.00 squids to satisfy my itch.

Seriously though I am having a similar debate with myself at the moment. Due to health problems we sold our M'home and bought a caravan. If / when our health picks up we will be buying another M'home, to keep this short I will just give the make / years and price ranges we will consider:

Autotrail Tag axles 2.8 2004 - 2007 priced upto £29,950.00

" " " " 3.0 2007 - 2010 priced £30,000.00 upto £45.000.00

" " " " 3.0 2010 - 2012 priced £35,000.00 upto £55.000.00

What would you do, everyone says the quality went down at the model change in 2007, but I really fancied the 3.0 with six gears instead of 5. I have had several with the 2.8 engine and as most will testify It Is bomb proof.

Cheers Colin
 
whiskyman said:
If I had your van I would keep it, then every six months or so would get exited about trading up, then two miniuts later when I realised I would have to part with 50,000k I would have a word with myself and pop down to Go Outdoors and buy something for about 30.00 squids to satisfy my itch.

Seriously though I am having a similar debate with myself at the moment. Due to health problems we sold our M'home and bought a caravan. If / when our health picks up we will be buying another M'home, to keep this short I will just give the make / years and price ranges we will consider:

Autotrail Tag axles 2.8 2004 - 2007 priced upto £29,950.00

" " " " 3.0 2007 - 2010 priced £30,000.00 upto £45.000.00

" " " " 3.0 2010 - 2012 priced £35,000.00 upto £55.000.00

What would you do, everyone says the quality went down at the model change in 2007, but I really fancied the 3.0 with six gears instead of 5. I have had several with the 2.8 engine and as most will testify It Is bomb proof.

Cheers Colin
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Just one thing to be aware of the " " " " 3.0 2010 - 2012 priced £35,000.00 upto £55.000.00
3.0 Litre with 6 gears will suffer with the Reverse Judder Problem.:unsure::unsure:
 
We have taken the decision to “trade up” while we are working and can afford the cost to swap, and have the health to enjoy it. We currently have an auto trail chieftain 14 years old, and have owned from new, and we love the van, but will be putting up for sale as we have put a deposit down on a Carthago CLine 5.9 EL X L..
Every body to there own opinion and individual circumstances, but as we have got older we like to have better things, which we couldn’t afford when we were younger.
 
You have a lovely van - I would keep it. We have a similar aged Hymer B525 but on the Merc. Spent a bit on lithium and it's needed new tyres , brake pads and a starter motor since we bought 6 years ago but has otherwise been very reliable. I've resealed the skylights and I'm aware that the 3 way fridge is getting a bit long in the tooth so plan to change to a compressor when it does finally go. I'm tempted by full air as the ride is a bit hard but not sure that it can be fitted to the Merc. Jack's might be nice but leveling blocks and steadies seem to work well enough. At least with a old van I don't fret about mods affecting the resale value - I think it's worth more than when I bought it - if I forget about inflation!

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We only change if our needs change, we're now on to our 11th and have no desire to change it as it suits us and how we holiday, there's no other model that we would want. We could afford to change to a new one of the same model but wouldn't gain anything by doing so except a big hole in our savings and the hassle and cost of checks etc to keep the warranty.

If you are happy with it why change?
 
nicholsong said:
We have had the same thoughts.

We have N&B just a year older than your Hymer, so probably the same quality and also the same 2.8Jtd engine. We have had few repairs needed in our 14 years of ownership.

The only reason for change as I can see is if one wanted to take it into Emissions Zones, which we do not, or to get an island bed, but that is not so important yet and it might lead to more technical problems with emission control gadgets.

I echo the majority on here -'Keep it'.

We shall be keeping our Arto, at least until our trusted commercial garage tells us it is becoming geriatric. He spots anything that is needed and just does it, e.g. some rust on chassis 3-4 years ago and just treated it.

If you have not done it have the engine re-mapped to overcome the problem with the high-ratio 5th gear on hills. I say re-map not just a box.

Geoff
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I wish I could find a commercial trusted garage…I’m sure I probably have some chassis rust that needs sorting although don’t know….
 
Stealaway said:
It would also make your investment more valuable. Along with bigger fridge freezer, better heater, better oven and grill, better engine, better suspension, cruise control? Everything gets better for being newer - IMHO
Why not if you can and want to afford it.
At our age you really shouldn't be looking for the best investment.
Life is getting shorter and you are here for a good time not a long time.
Click to expand...
Hmmm…

Bigger fridge freeze…must admit that would be nice but would have to lose a wardrobe

Better Heater.. I used to go skiing a lot in my previous Hymer B544…same blown air heating and I could get it hotter than a Turkish sauna

Better oven and grill… I have a Remoska and BBQ

Better engine…people say the Fiat 2.8 JTD is one of the best

Cruise control…I just keep my foot flat to the floor

Better suspension…

Now you got me there… I have often thought about getting Air Assist on the rear suspension but then I got to thinking…. It’s the only thing that shuts the Mrs. up for a few minutes as she digs her fingernails into the seat arms as I sweep round interminable French roundabouts with gay abandon.

Plus what would I do with the hour that I would save when I arrive at my destination instead of putting back all the glasses, plates , condiments into their original positions, picking up the contents of the bathroom cupboard from the bathroom floor and rehoming them and arguing with the Mrs. (she’s recovered by then) about why I have to go around roundabouts so fast.

I’ll tell you what ….drink beer and wine for an extra hour…that’s what… so in a funny way not having Air Assist is saving my liver.
 
Lenny HB said:
Not just A Class all vans appear to have gone that way. Our first new Hymer was a 2008 Tramp it had a window in the wall in front of the hab door. Next van didn't have one really missed it, current van hasn't got one but got used to it now.

Full 4 C air, EP Jacks, 460 ah or more of Lithium, Victron Multiplus. That's taken care of about £20k.
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😳
 
Well thanks everyone…the general consensus seems to be stick with what I’ve got….so I will do.

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Until some flashy, blingy sod parks up next to me at the back of an abattoir/French Aire.
 
Hugoman said:
Every 6 months or so when a shiny blingy Motorhome parks up next to me behind an abandoned abattoir/ French Aire I think to myself perhaps I should “upgrade”.

I have a 2004 Hymer B674 (picture enclosed) pretty much perfect layout for me…two lengthwise single beds over a huge garage, convertible to a huge Kingsize (should I get lucky) …the beds that is not the garage. Solar, Gaslo, 2.8 JTD engine, original pull out scooter rack so I can easily go over my payload.

But here’s the thing, to get an equivalent van say a B680 but 10 years newer…so 2014 I’d have to pay about £50,000 more ! Or something even newer and we’re talking an extra £100,000 more.

So what am I getting for my extra £50,000 to £100,000 ?

I suppose it would be lower mileage… mines just on 100,000 miles 😥

But is that it !

View attachment 737525
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I'd say the same as everyone else.stick with what you have. i'd never buy anything with dpf's cat lytic converters( although i have one it is empty) & various emissions sensors.
Hugoman said:
In fact I think not having a DPF is a positive as well…
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It certainly is most garages have no idea how they work & there is so much computer work involved that unless you are an expert or have a mechanic who is all that follows is trouble.
A dpf is the last thing you want on a vehicle that is usually driven slowly & although the dpf should function even at cabbage watching speeds like the old boys here do, if it doesn't you need an expert computer operator who can diagnose what needs replacing from the readouts. 98% can't just change parts at your expense.

PaulOH said:
MHO I've been less than impressed by posts from members who've struggled with things like engine management difficulties, automatic transmission issues and other generally unfixable-unless-returned-to-dealer-because-the-sensor-broke or needs-plugged-into-a-computer issues.
Click to expand...
exactly. All these things are ok if the person working on them is an expert-
 
Stealaway said:
They have make them flimsy and more light weight construction to let fit all the extras like big fridges, wind out awnings and solar panels
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All of which take them over 3.5T anyway so futile.

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