Transporting from Germany

[Coastal Cruiser.]

And 'Umpteen' years later it's still THE dual carriageway on the island.

Island is like a time warp??

 

[bellabee]

By coincidence, I've just come across this from Facebook. I know nothing about the company and whether they are reputable or otherwise, but it may be worth giving them a ring.
<Broken link removed>

 

[TeamBandS]

WRT the inspection, would the dealer do a video walk round "with" you? Never be the same a you being there but better than photos and you can get the dealer to show you everything working. I imported a Hymer a few years back as I received such a rubbish experience from the sales staff at the well known dealer in the midlands. I thought if they are so poor before they get my money what will they be like after! I did ask someone from service about them looking after a MH if I imported myself (this was after I had given up on the sales staff who would just abandon me mid sentence if they say someone looking at a more expensive MH) and they left me in no doubt that I would be lucky if I could even get a slot! I know that Hymer agents are supposed to look after any Hymer weather they sold it or not but...... Will the UK dealers of your van be willing to undertake any snagging? Might be worth checking...... Sorry to add a down beat note but as other have said, always better to check first.

 

[Hymerbell]

I think your first port of call should be the dealer. I'd be surprised if he couldn't arrange the transport for you.
The question is, 'Do you trust him?'
If, on balance, you do - then I wouldn't hesitate in getting it transported over. You could get him to take a lot of photos of the van for you, before he sends it. Apart from potential prangs during transit, any problems should be covered by warranty anyway. Having it transported would also relieve you of the headache of driving it to the continental port on third-party insurance.
You could then spend the next 6 weeks or so going through the DVLA/VOSA process, by which time (fingers crossed) things might have eased up a bit here and your brand new van would be ready to use.

6 weeks ! More like 6 months the way things are at the moment !

 

[PeteH]

Always better if you can get a back load though, would expect about £3-4K for a run to Germany and back.
Not sure what the tunnel cost for commercial but I paid £1k for the Isles Of White ferry years ago when I sold a dozer and scraper box to a chap over there, no wonder he smiled when I said I would deliver??

IOW, Ferry. The most expensive "sea" travel in the world in terms of cost/mile!.

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[dodfloss]

Yes, that's the one!

Hi Seakay 22, just noticed your thread, we are looking at camper vans. Is it ok to ask you a few questions on your purchase. Sorry to trouble you on a Sunday. Danny

 

[seakay22]

Hi Seakay 22, just noticed your thread, we are looking at camper vans. Is it ok to ask you a few questions on your purchase. Sorry to trouble you on a Sunday. Danny

Go ahead, I'm sat in my hot tub staring at grey skies..

 

[dodfloss]

Hi Seakay, sounds like your having fun. I’m looking for a camper van, looked at Adria supreme, Carthargo and wild ax. I like them all. Why did you pick Malibu and how much research did you do. Cheers Danny

 

[seakay22]

Good question, some of those were in my list, Globecar too. I think they are all great vans so a lot comes down to preference.

My specific requirements in downsizing from a Hymer A class were that it was 6 metres, had a good sized bed, a usable bathroom, a 3 way fridge as opposed to compressor, the bench seat was comfortable to use, and the fittings and finish were both good quality and appealing. I also really liked the lack of storage above the cab area which gives an almost A class feel especially with the second sunroof. I wanted LHD as I only intend to use it abroad so that pretty much removed British vans.

As for research, loads. I probably watched 100's of YouTube videos of every van that fitted the above requirements and every manufactures websites checking layouts and specification. I visited the Düsseldorf motor show last September which gave me opportunity to compare every van in my shortlist and placed the order there. FYI, the second runners was an Adria Twin but personally I didn't like the grey and white interior, to meet it felt a bit sanitised and cold whereas the Malibu instantly felt warm and welcoming.

I have also specced the thing right up with 160hp, 9 speed auto, every pack (except the winter one), alloys, upgraded truma to include gas + electric, climate control, sat nav, reversing camera, awning, and more... I'm hoping that a smaller van suits me so thought I'd future proof it for longterm ownership. Now all I've got to do is get the bloody thing!

Edit: I also upgraded to the maxi chassis (4000kg) following advice on this forum. I was initially against this but it means I will have a massive payload, I reckon I can get a scooter on the back as there's such a small overhang. The maxi chassis also comes with disc brakes all round, better suspension and a slightly higher ride giving more ground clearance. God I want this van on my drive ??

 

[dodfloss]

Cheers seakay22, like you watched loads of you tube. I had a Defleffs A Class , loved it but it was to big for the small french villages and British. It’s down to Malibu , wild ax merc elara which I like a lot but cost a lot, Adria very good and Globecar. I’m looking at maximum £70,000 . Camper vans make it easier to drive anywhere. Bought a new vw kombi last year for work and pleasure , I need up to 7 metre fiat, vw or merc van . It is hard looking to find the van that meets all my needs. I did like the Malibu, I like it’s reliability,build quality , history and it’s German quality. I want automatic with future proof extras to make it fun. Thanks for your time and help , much appreciated. Danny

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[CazPaul]

Cheers seakay22, like you watched loads of you tube. I had a Defleffs A Class , loved it but it was to big for the small french villages and British. It’s down to Malibu , wild ax merc elara which I like a lot but cost a lot, Adria very good and Globecar. I’m looking at maximum £70,000 . Camper vans make it easier to drive anywhere. Bought a new vw kombi last year for work and pleasure , I need up to 7 metre fiat, vw or merc van . It is hard looking to find the van that meets all my needs. I did like the Malibu, I like it’s reliability,build quality , history and it’s German quality. I want automatic with future proof extras to make it fun. Thanks for your time and help , much appreciated. Danny

The Wildax Elara is almost 7 metres though, does that cancel out the benefit of a PVC?

 

[dodfloss]

Hi, yes it’s length is near 7 metres, it’s the width and height which makes it more adaptable for driving in towns and villages, we are also looking at minimum 6 metres up to 7 .

 

[Sapper520]

We wanted a 6m van. After lots of research and working within our budget, we’ve ordered a Sunlight Cliff 600.

It’s the layout we wanted and we got it for a good price, with all the extras we wanted.

 

[dodfloss]

Hi Sapper520, thanks for your reply. We will have a look at the sunlight range. Thanks again Danny

 

[seakay22]

Ok, I've emailed the dealer and had a response yesterday saying that they can transport the vehicle to my door for 1700 euro. I've responded asking if they will share the cost and and awaiting an answer.

I've got a couple of questions..
1. Does the price sound fair?
2. Having it delivered means there will be no handover and opportunity for me to inspect and snag the vehicle. In one respect this troubles me but in another it's brand new and I'm sure it will get checked before dispatch (won't it?). What happens if it arrives with a handful of snags?

General thoughts and advice is much appreciated as I've never bought new before. And is there anything else I ought to be aware of given the exceptional circumstances?

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[Paulypaul]

Ok, I've emailed the dealer and had a response yesterday saying that they can transport the vehicle to my door for 1700 euro. I've responded asking if they will share the cost and and awaiting an answer.

I've got a couple of questions..
1. Does the price sound fair?
2. Having it delivered means there will be no handover and opportunity for me to inspect and snag the vehicle. In one respect this troubles me but in another it's brand new and I'm sure it will get checked before dispatch (won't it?). What happens if it arrives with a handful of snags?

General thoughts and advice is much appreciated as I've never bought new before. And is there anything else I ought to be aware of given the exceptional circumstances?

Purely from a haulage perspective, that sounds a fair price as long as there are no additional costs for the ferry etc? As I say, that's me basing it in a truck bringing it over and not someone driving it (I'm not sure I would fancy that option)

 

[funflair]

Sorry I can't really comment on the cost other than it doesn't look too bad, it would of course depend where the dealer actually as it will depend on miles as well as ferry costs etc. I know ours was delivered by truck but it's a much bigger vehicle and I don't know the cost anyway, what I do know though is that we have paid nearly that amount to take delivery at the factory with a full days handover and guided factory tour (not happening now) so we have saved all our transport and accommodation costs getting to Germany.

I assume you have a reasonable relationship with the dealer otherwise you wouldn't have ordered from them in the first place so I would say do your own snagging and document everything to them and then fix anything that is simple but after that you need to have a conversation with them about taking it back for work at some time in the future or wether it can be done at home but at their cost.

Martin

 

[Lenny HB]

Sounds a very good price especially if he is only shipping one vehicle. I don't think I would bother trying to haggle on that price it sounds like he is doing it at cost.
In general German dealers are trustworthy & straight, if you do find any snags I don't think it will be a problem getting them sorted.

 

[seakay22]

Thanks for the responses. Just got a reply and no that price is fixed they won't move. In fairness, it doesn't sound too bad to me either. When you figure in I'd have to fly out, transfers from the airport, hotel fuel, import plates, ferry/tunnel etc + my time i think its OK.

I have met the owner and he has always been fair throughout. So cost aside, it's just the fact that I'm taking delivery off the van somewhat blind. I'm not concerned about being told how everything works, I'll figure that myself. It's just body condition, build quality, catches and cupboards etc all working correctly that bothers me a bit. Am I worrying unnecessarily do you think?

 

[tonyidle]

If you'd bought from certain dealers in the UK you would have noted the snags, told the dealer and returned after a week to find nothing had been done or more damage had been caused. If you intend to take it abroad as soon as it's possible you could call in if there's something that you need your dealer to do. If it was me I'd go ahead. The current situation could continue for a few months yet.

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[funflair]

As above, new times new normal so crack on and get your new van, OK we have a UK dealer for support but we had to pay over £200k before the factory would even load it on a truck.

Martin

 

[colyboy]

Malibou 640. We were looking at one at one of the recent shows. Really did like it but some reason we didn’t buy it ( Wife)

After asking many questions about the van, the salesman! Did mention that you could not fit a Satilite dish as it had ridged roof very strange! I know we could have over come that.

Really lovely van dear wife!

Colyboy

 

[Paulypaul]

As above, new times new normal so crack on and get your new van, OK we have a UK dealer for support but we had to pay over £200k before the factory would even load it on a truck.

Martin

Understandable really, no retailer would deliver anything unless its paid for. As long as the transporter was insured (CMR terms or above) what's the problem? irrespective of the cost of the vehicle too.

 

[funflair]

Understandable really, no retailer would deliver anything unless its paid for. As long as the transporter was insured (CMR terms or above) what's the problem? irrespective of the cost of the vehicle too.

No problem we were pretty relaxed with the arrangement but I got the impression others might not have been quite so relaxed.

Martin

 

[Paulypaul]

No problem we were pretty relaxed with the arrangement but I got the impression others might not have been quite so relaxed.

Martin

I know what you mean. We deal with customers who entrust their boats to us to deliver, and some are visibly anxious about their new acquisition being moved by road, again, irrespective of the value. Yet others, seem so blazé about it.

Mind you, they all know we're insured up to £650,000 at an all risks level. Sometimes I'm more nervous transporting a boat than the customer is. If for example its £500k's worth of boat sat on our trailer, I've always got it in the back of my mind that no matter what I do, there could be some eejit on the road who's not paying attention who may end up damaging the load. So with all the planning and care taken by the transporter, ultimately we can't control what other people do.

Personally, I would be proper anal about having an acquisition delivered by a third party, but that's me being paranoid.

I'm sure everything will work out fine for the OP.

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[seakay22]

I'm sure everything will work out fine for the OP.

Fingers crossed you're right.

I spoke to the dealer again yesterday and they are going to confirm a few points tomorrow but subject to that I'm going to give them the go ahead and get it delivered, they reckon next week. Eight and a half months since placing the order and all being well it will be on my drive soon. Obviously I've then got to pay the VAT, register it etc.. but with a of luck by the time all that's done we might be allowed out again.