Old Hymers V New (1 Viewer)

[Snowbird]

There has just been listed today an early RMB Arnold on Mobile de and if it was any other time of year I would be on my way out to Germany now to collect it. Its a very cheap, quality built motorhome and an ideal starter van. Any one looking to start motorhoming with a low budget would be well advised to check that one out at around £5000 its a gift and will last years and still be worth 5K.
Its on the Merc 602 chassis with fixed bed and in very good condition with low mileage for a Merc, at less than 100000 miles there is another 10 years or more left in it.

 

[Sheepskin]

Another point is that i personally think the old motorhomes are very cool, in particular the S Klasse Hymers, or the corrugated sided Citroen Van ( hyper cool) or the split screen Volkswagens.

lots of the modern vans are very nice and VERY WHITE !!!!!!

 

[enery8]

I wish I had sold my range rover already. If I had I would certainly be after that one! Still, who knows maybe in the not too distant

Bill

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[Snowbird]

I wish I had sold my range rover already. If I had I would certainly be after that one! Still, who knows maybe in the not too distant

Bill

That is definitely a bargain for someone Bill and a very rare find in that condition.

 

[Snowbird]

Well somebody moved quickly on that one.....its gone :thumb:

 

[nucs200]

is it the 4900 euro one cos i can still see it on mobile d

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[Snowbird]

is it the 4900 euro one cos i can still see it on mobile d

No, It was on the 602 chassis. It came on this morning and went off tonight and was as good as they come at 6900 Euros.

 

[nucs200]

ah, got the wrong one. been looking at clou liners but very pricey think ill stick with mine what do think of ,em

 

[cbrookson]

Interesting thread, we have much the same views. Found ours in a field where it had sat for 5 years, and bought it. Really good condition. We went to the Motorhome and Caravan Show this year and both left saying we would never change

Cheers

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[Wildbill]

There are many things that have to be taken into consideration when choosing a motorhome, be it new or old.
Firstly..If you are not able to do small jobs yourself and rely on a main agent to do all your repairs and maintenance this can prove costly with an old van. If on the other hand you are capable and as I do enjoy tinkering, then this adds another dimension to your hobby.
Although I love to travel in the van, there is hardly a day goes bye that at some point am not tinkering with something in there.
One thing with older quality built vans is that at least you can work on them. The new vans today will not allow this as everything is electronic and its easy for the untrained to cause more problems than they started with.
Older "agricultural" style engines can be worked on without specialist tools by anyone that owns a bike spanner and bed spanner and parts are available on most street corners.
Traditional materials were used in them, many passed on from boat and coach builders who knew there trade and not some new and untried and untested material that claims to be lighter and stronger.
There is a very important thing to remember by anyone thinking of purchasing an older quality van, and that is resale value. Most if not all quality built vans if looked after will still be worth what you paid for them when you do decide to sell. Many of the older Sclass Hymers are making more money now than they were 5 years ago. Personally I have never lost a penny on all the vans I have owned over the years. If I had bought new from a dealer, I dread to think how much I would have lost. OK I would have had some security from the dealer, but then again, it would depend on what dealer I used as to the quality of the guarantee. As in most things in life, its horses for courses. Enjoy what you have and use it as it was intended, travelling not sitting in front of the house looking pretty.

wel my van is 1986 glendale with all the origanal fixtuers and fittings working as good as new just the cab lets it down a bit but nothing i can't fix got rid of my old van and did not lose out it did not owe me a penny

 

[Snowbird]

I think this is something that has to be taken into consideration when buying a motorhome. The older quality built vans have lost what they are going to loose and bottom out at an affordable level as long as they are looked after properly and maintained then there is no reason why they should loose value. One thing I have noticed with newer vehicles, both cars and vans is that its becoming more and more difficult for anyone other than a main agent to work on them. The downside to this is that we all know what main agents charge .

 

[Deckard]

One of the old threads i have enjoyed reading through...

I am thinking about an E690 as I like the layout and all the favourable press they get, however, I am as green as they come for looking at motorhomes....any current or former owners got any advice or things to look out for?

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[Deckard]

I think this is something that has to be taken into consideration when buying a motorhome. The older quality built vans have lost what they are going to loose and bottom out at an affordable level as long as they are looked after properly and maintained then there is no reason why they should loose value. One thing I have noticed with newer vehicles, both cars and vans is that its becoming more and more difficult for anyone other than a main agent to work on them. The downside to this is that we all know what main agents charge .

I wonder how much Snowbird costs to hire for sourcing a good E690 or similar?

 

[JockandRita]

One of the old threads i have enjoyed reading through...

I am thinking about an E690 as I like the layout and all the favourable press they get, however, I am as green as they come for looking at motorhomes....any current or former owners got any advice or things to look out for?

Hi Deckard,

Rita and I have owned (and loved owning) a Hymer E690. The B754 is exactly the same layout, and also on a Fiat Ducato tandem axle chassis. E690 from 95 to 1999, and B754 from 2001 onwards (apparently).

The E Class and S Class with the integrated bike rack built in to the rear body work, did suffer from a common problem with regards to the rotting of the rear underside wooden flooring, especially from the corners, and working in towards the centre. Peter Hambilton (Preston) who repaired ours, advised that it was due to a Hymer design fault, but even though they knew about it, they wouldn't put their hands up to it. Hymer AG never replied to any emails I sent, regarding the problem, but as soon as I emailed them to arrange a service and buy some spares at Bad Waldsee, they were hot on my trail. Funny that, eh? oh:

Anyway, Peter Hambilton's repair, (and he has carried out several of the same) incorporates a fabricated modification which guides the rainwater away from the previously affected area, so that the problem cannot happen again. :thumb:

If you have any queries, please feel free to PM me, and I'll reply soonest. How's that?

Cheers for now,

Jock.

 

[Snowbird]

I wonder how much Snowbird costs to hire for sourcing a good E690 or similar?

I have never charged for advice, as its often wrong . But seriously I have brought vans in from Germany for people that want them. Never charged for my time since I retired as I enjoy fooling around with motorhomes. As long as it does not cost me money am always up for anything .

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[Peter JohnsCross MH]

BTW, I spotted an E650 on a trade stand at one of the Warner shows this year. I poked around underneath at the rear, and it was rotten at the rear corners. A few months later, we were parked up to a young couple who had bought the very same MH from the very same trader. They were so pleased, as it was their pride and joy, but purchased without a warranty to keep costs down. I didn't have the heart to tell them what I had found on their MH, on that very weekend they purchased it at the same show. :Sad::Sad::Sad:
Jock.

A motor trader cannot sell a vehicle without a warranty and if he sells one knowingly with a fault without declaring it........................

Peter

 

[herbies]

thanks for all those reassuring posts. just bought a 1995 694 which we are going to live in for a while.

 

[Lindaandnicole]

1994 s700 - ooooooh!!!

Hi everyone, we've been pondering the 'old hymer v new' question for a couple of years now; & having consulted widely we have just taken the plunge and bought the most marvellous 1994 s700 which we are MASSIVELY excited about!! A bit more planning & practising time & then we're off for a year round Europe in her. Can't wait! Lovely to join this site and looking forwards to benefitting from the accumulated wisdom gathered here :thumb:

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[mof70]

Hi Jock
I have just joined and just purchased my first motorhome, Hymew E690, I wish I had seen your post first about the internal bike rack, as we have a small amour of rot in the corners, do you know what the fault with the bike rack was and how it was rectified, hope I have not brought a money pitoh:
regards
John

 

[JockandRita]

Hi Jock
I have just joined and just purchased my first motorhome, Hymew E690, I wish I had seen your post first about the internal bike rack, as we have a small amour of rot in the corners, do you know what the fault with the bike rack was and how it was rectified, hope I have not brought a money pitoh:
regards
John

PM sent John. :thumb:

Cheers,

Jock.