Looking for advice (1 Viewer)

[filofax]

Hi,

I am just registered to this great site today. I'm living in Ireland and looking to buy a motor home.

I am married with 3 young kids from 2 to 6 years. I have always dreamed about owing a motor home and I'm now actively looking at buying this winter.

I have a real liking towards the old Hymers - 700s etc but I am very open minded.

My budget is around €15kish and i would love anybody's suggestions on what i should consider.

2 Adults
3 Kids

Regards

Kevin

 

[chatter]

Hi and welcome to fun
what ever you decide on make sure it has enough seatbelts for everyone and they should be forward/rearward facing not sideways

 

[ourcampersbeentrashed]

Hi and welcome to fun.

Choice of motorhome is individual but have a good look round.

Jim our ringleader has a good buyers check guide well worth having

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[filofax]

Where is the guide that Jim has?

 

[lesleyjean]

You will find it here.
Welcome to fun


Link Removed

 

[betty swallux]

Cannot go wrong with the old "S" Hymers, Mercedes and bomb proof.
We have the S560 and it never has let us down, Turning circle of a 3 wheeler, Naturally aspirated 2.9 diesel engine with a manual box, "first gear it will climb everest", 25mpg :thumb::thumb:
The S700 was the top of the range, fixed rear bed and bar version is what we would like, but parking will not permit.

Mick

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[lorger]

Hi and welcome to fun

Make sure you take your time and get the van that is rightt for you, as you will be stuck with it for years to come. Think about what your going to use it for if its mainly in the uk and Ireland then you will spend a lot of time indoors during winter months, so make sure there is enough room for you all to sit and do what ever you do like watch T.V or plays games. If your going to use it mainly in the sun so abroad then you will be sitting outside a lot more just something for you to think about.

Go to shows and dealers and look on ebay until you are sure you have found the correct layout also think if you plan to keep it for 5 or 6 years how big the kids will be so make sure beds are big enough.

Cheers Gerry

 

[filofax]

Cannot go wrong with the old "S" Hymers, Mercedes and bomb proof.
We have the S560 and it never has let us down, Turning circle of a 3 wheeler, Naturally aspirated 2.9 diesel engine with a manual box, "first gear it will climb everest", 25mpg :thumb::thumb:
The S700 was the top of the range, fixed rear bed and bar version is what we would like, but parking will not permit.

Mick

Hi Mick,

What years would you recommend for the old hymers? Do i need to do a test if i go for the bigger motor homes?

Thanks

Kevin:thumb:

 

[filofax]

Hi and welcome to fun

Make sure you take your time and get the van that is rightt for you, as you will be stuck with it for years to come. Think about what your going to use it for if its mainly in the uk and Ireland then you will spend a lot of time indoors during winter months, so make sure there is enough room for you all to sit and do what ever you do like watch T.V or plays games. If your going to use it mainly in the sun so abroad then you will be sitting outside a lot more just something for you to think about.

Go to shows and dealers and look on ebay until you are sure you have found the correct layout also think if you plan to keep it for 5 or 6 years how big the kids will be so make sure beds are big enough.

Cheers Gerry

Thanks Gerry... That is really good advice. You are right I will be spending the majority of the time in Ireland and UK.

Kevin

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[rob kinnear]

Hi Kevin and welcome :welcomefunster:
as everybody else has said have a good look around dealers Ebay etc. and you will know what layout will suite you and your family. When you find the van that you think is for you post a link on here and some one will have the pros and cons,
Remember to think of where you will keep it, will it fit on your drive ?

All the best
Rob :thumb:

 

[filofax]

Hi Rob,

I have a cousins hayshed where i can store it. Not a problem. Just need to the find the right motor!

Is it better to wait and buy during the winter months?

 

[rob kinnear]

Time of year is not important just wait to find the right motor we spend 6 months looking for ours after looking at web sites and visiting dealers. when we found our van we both new it was what we wanted.
Storing in a hay barn may be risky as I have heard that mice love to sleep in motor homes.

Rob

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[betty swallux]

Hi Mick,

What years would you recommend for the old hymers? Do i need to do a test if i go for the bigger motor homes?

Thanks

Kevin:thumb:

Hello Kevin

My preference is for 1992 on and Mercedes, but no doubt people who have older models could give you some glowing reports of theirs.
Most will say that the old hymers out-do the modern in build quality

As the other posters say have a really good look at the layout to make sure it will fit the bill, not for just the near future but as the family grows, a test is always adviseable on the big ones to make sure the handling characteristics suit.
The S700 is basically the S550 with an extra 6ft on the end with twin wheel back axle, most are LHD and are imports, the engines will literally go on forever, looked after they will give 500,000km quite easily, the rear bed is roughly super king in size, the pull down over-cab bed is both big and very comfortable and whilst down in sleep mode acts as security to prevent entry via the front windows (if we leave the van parked for any length of time this is always down)
The captains chairs are really comfortable and driving is a pleasure and stress free sat in them.
A lot of them are already fitted with Solar panels which is a big plus point, electric or manual steps, Excellent awnings, heated motorised wing mirrors on some which can be expensive (Brownhills £300+ for one)

All in all though a lovely practical bit of kit

 

[filofax]

Hymer 770s

Hi,

I am just wondering if all 770s have the same layout? I have heard that the best place to buy a second hand Hymer is in Germany. Is this the case and where should i start to look.

What would i except to pay for a 92 770s on a merc?

Thanks

Kevin

 

[betty swallux]

Hi,

I am just wondering if all 770s have the same layout? I have heard that the best place to buy a second hand Hymer is in Germany. Is this the case and where should i start to look.

What would i except to pay for a 92 770s on a merc?

Thanks

Kevin

Hello Kevin
There are a few different layouts, the Bar version is just one of them, you could probably Google the layouts for the S700,
All S700 are Merc, I believe the "S" before the number denotes this, as previously stated the exchange rate is crap at present and hardly worth the bother of buying over there.
But a good website should you want to look for motorhomes is "Mobil.de" they have hundreds of every kind for sale throughout Europe

good luck
Mick

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[Cumbrian_Georgie]

We looked at many layouts before coming to a decision. We decided against an A class as the ones we could afford didn't have enough 3 point seat belts.

We went to a localish dealer and drove a couple to see what engine we could live with, living in a very hilly part of the UK we needed to be be sure it was tough enough.

Buying a motorhome is one of the best things we have done, hope you have as much fun as our family.