This just got very complicated (1 Viewer)

[TheWM]

If you're in the lez zone by 10 metres, can you just park it up the road??

Well, I can park it on my drive and just hope and pray that I don't get caught

Although, it's really weird, I live in a cul de sac and the main road to get into my road is exempt, yet years ago they placed signs on the entrance to my road detailing that that it now is in a LEZ go figure.

What I'm trying to say is that I'd live with a motorhome that isn't LEZ compliant for the 10 metres it will travel, although most of the surrounding roads, are also in the LEZ and I know of one camera on the main road towards the motorway that will get me - why this stretch of the main road is not LEZ and we are is a mystery.

Happy to take suggestions of any motorhomes that meet my spec irrespective of age, as I'm a total novice and need guidance

 

[Frentchy]

Welcome The WM;
I would think the next stage of your MH hunt would be to find a couple of suitable options and put them on here as "target practice" to see what sort of "incoming"pros and cons you get back!! Now where did I put that Popcorn.

 

[Momo]

Hi TheWM and welcome to the Fun!

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[TheWM]

The only 2 I have really considered is swift 686 (or 644) or an Autoquest 145 so let the shooting commence!

I would be very welcome for any alternatives though. Please!

 

[Carol]

Hello welcome to Fun, if you could get to one of the big motorhome shows eg Peterborough in April you would see hundreds of motorhomes parked in one place and order your Funster badges etc and pick them up at the show.

 

[Lisa]

Hi and Welcome

We thought we knew what we wanted until we hired a few with different layouts. That's when we found out what we were willing to compromise on or not!

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[TheWM]

I think we are pretty set in our requirements. A rear lounge for us to chill out when the kids are in bed. We also regularly camp with a whole load of friends so the room for them to spend time with us in the evening whilst the kids are in the overhead cab. We also need 4 travel seats so that generally lends itself to a full or half dinette up front.

 

[Arthur01]

You mentioned the Thor make in your first post - Signature Motorhomes are a Thor dealer with some smaller units on the forecourt.

Regards

Arthur.

 

[TheWM]

OK - so seen a Swift (yes I know) Sundance 630L. Seems to meet our spec and is actually not some far remote place that will take a day to get to... Anyone had experience with them?

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[maison]

OK - so seen a Swift (yes I know) Sundance 630L. Seems to meet our spec and is actually not some far remote place that will take a day to get to... Anyone had experience with them?

Got a Sundance 530LP which we are trading in next week for a new Swift Esprit.
A smaller unit than yours.

What year is the one you are looking at?

 

[TheWM]

2003/4 (I've seen 2).

 

[maison]

Should be fine. You have avoided the soggy floor era.

Good luck.

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[TheWM]

So a quick check has shown its not lez compliant

Whilst not a show stopper makes me want to pull what little hair I have out. Will be a pain if I do go for it and can't drive to a petrol station nearby etc...

 

[Peter JohnsCross MH]

Come down to us and have a look around, talk to Andy or Paul, we may well have something that will suit you, you can browse all our used stock here ......

http://www.johnscross.co.uk/pre-owned-motorhomes.html

or new here ......

http://www.johnscross.co.uk/categories/motorhomes-and-caravans-for-sale/new-stock-motorhomes.html


Peter

 

[TheWM]

Thanks Peter - I'm on your website everyday but have been meaning to PPP down in case something comes in that doesn't go on the web that is suitable for us. Don't think we can justify getting something new, just yet - small kids will trash it!

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[westy77]

Hi TheWM, you messaged me, do I know you?

When we were looking we felt that our two year old would tear a Swift (or most UK built vans) to pieces quickly. We were looking at Karmanns as fell the European built vans are better put together. Euro Mobile are another (Built in same factory as Karmann) we eventually settled on Adria as we loved the layout and had the build feel of a Karmann. We used to have a rear lounge, but wrote that idea off as they either have lap belts or no belts at all on side facing seats. Also if we were told correctly, if there are no rear belts you cannot travel in mainland Europe.

 

[westy77]

Karmann SL based on VW LT35 2.5tdi 109ps. Overcab bed. Mid lounge layout with 3 point belts. Side bench so five berth overall and good lounge area. Bog and kitchen at rear. This is what we were going to go for before getting ours. Mileages seem to be higher on mainland vans though. If your into VW's you'll know you can't get these in RHD

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[TheWM]

Hiya westy77,

Thanks for your response. Yes - we do know each other from our previous VW lives; I hope you and family are well. That LT is awesome not exactly what we want but I love it!!!

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[westy77]

Is it the layout that doesn't suit? In the LT' s the H has rear "C" shape seats (like T3 Karmann Si had(4 berth)). SL like the linked van, (this can come with or without the fith bed/side bench(4/5 berth). GB has a fixed double bed in rear with garage underneath as well as mid seat/bed and cab bed (6 berth). Then I think LB has rear single bunk beds (6 berth). I think these are 6.35m long

In the T4 Colorado there's the H again (as above) and S which is mid seat/bed, both 4 berths. I think these are 5.9m long

All should be about 2.3m wide and 3ish m high.

 

[TheWM]

The LB sounds like an interesting layout - but then these are just super awesome as they're really well done LT's. As you know I'm partial to a well designed german camper

What the engines like on these?

 

[westy77]

The only thing with the GB/LB's is they didn't sell many and people seem to ask a premium (or did when we looked). They usually are nearer to E30,000, but with the exchange rate that's notmuch over £20k! In fact just looking, now seems a really good time to buy from Europe! I'm not too sure about engines, someone such as Si should be able to say more about reliability. But the 2.5tdi 102 or 109 ps is supposed to be a nice van to drive. On the Karmann forum the few that have them say the sit happily at 70 and it's easy to go over!

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[TheWM]

I'm seeing Si tomorrow and have already alerted him to me picking his brain. In all seriousness though whilst I'd love a VW, we want to get the 'right' layout first and the only one we have seen is the 686 (close to 6.9m)

 

[westy77]

The layout and right seatbelts are the most important things imo. The van chassis different makes all have pros and cons. I think most post 2000 vans should drive "nice". I was really into having a VW based Karmann. We nearly went over to Germany for one. But we took a drive out and saw an Adria, really liked the build quality and got one. You need to go sit/try/lay down in a few at a dealer. Just don't rush into it, research your makes and models. Find one or two models you like, Google problems with those. Then armed with that find your van and see if it has any of those problems. What year and make is the Swift based on you like?

 

[TheWM]

Next Friday hopefully the whole family will go and have a gander

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[Popeye]

The WM....It sounds like you've had your tenners worth already........ best of luck in your search........Griff

 

[TheWM]

The WM....It sounds like you've had your tenners worth already........ best of luck in your search........Griff

I know and meeting old friends on here too - it's great!

 

[Shazrick]

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[Ralph-n-Bev]

What about this layout? It worked for us as a family. Front lounge , swivel driver passenger seats , large lounge area. Then the bunks at back for the kids king size Luton for you. Plenty room for adults to sit and socialise. You don't have to gave a rear lounge for space.

 

[TheWM]

What about this layout? It worked for us as a family. Front lounge , swivel driver passenger seats , large lounge area. Then the bunks at back for the kids king size Luton for you. Plenty room for adults to sit and socialise. You don't have to gave a rear lounge for space.

Ralph. I salute you for your fantastic suggestion. This is what I'm after in terms both ideas and layouts that could work. I agree that lounging can happen at any end - and this looks great as am option that I'd love to see.

As an aside I also have seen a Rapido 9010df layout and had a 'moment' .

Every forum needs a Ralph and Jay to assist in ones time of need! Thanks guys you are really helping me understand what there is out there as no dealer will ever stock everything!

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

Ralph. I salute you for your fantastic suggestion. This is what I'm after in terms both ideas and layouts that could work. I agree that lounging can happen at any end - and this looks great as am option that I'd love to see.

As an aside I also have seen a Rapido 9010df layout and had a 'moment' .

Every forum needs a Ralph and Jay to assist in ones time of need! Thanks guys you are really helping me understand what there is out there as no dealer will ever stock everything!

It's Bev actually
We are in the process of building our pvc. So we shall be selling ours in the very near future. Once we can put an advert together. If your interested pm and I'll send you details.
Here's a couple of internal pics. It's been fully refoamed and upholstered by careavan.

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