Opinions sought on possible purchase (1 Viewer)

Hollyberry

LIFE MEMBER
Apr 24, 2011
5,518
42,265
New Forest.
Funster No
16,134
MH
None.
Exp
4yrs
Looks a very similar layout to the Benimar I had, ( but far posher!) As long as the cut off corner bed is large enough for both of you, I'd say it looks like a very nice van.
I full timed in mine ( dimensions look similar too) for almost 2 years, only one person but two dogs plus 2 cats. Managed just fine, I found it a comfortable space summer and winter.
 
Dec 17, 2016
948
954
Malvern
Funster No
46,488
MH
Hymer B525 2006 A cl
Exp
2012
As well as payload a concern might be where the table will be.Will it make access difficult from the habitation door which is quite far forward? Nice looking van.
 
OP
OP
mjltigger

mjltigger

Free Member
Nov 12, 2014
1,619
2,672
Trowbridge
Funster No
34,213
MH
Autotrail Dakota Max
Exp
2012
@paddymcc r table d a home by the bathroom and if we need it will take up a lot of space. Being honest I think we would provably look for a smaller one just for us.

@MH 55 FUN the payload is a real issue. Half of that is gone just from passenger and dogs .. Based on the useful document you posted though I wonder if replating might be a pure paperwork exercise?

@Hollyberry that's good to hear. I wonder if the beni had a better payload?

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

MC 55 FUN

Free Member
Feb 18, 2016
3,432
6,347
Rural South West Wales.
Funster No
41,707
MH
2015 Majestic 195
Exp
Since 20th Feb' 2016
@MH 55 FUN the payload is a real issue. Half of that is gone just from passenger and dogs .. Based on the useful document you posted though I wonder if replating might be a pure paperwork exercise?

Maybe it is just a paper exercise, however you'll have potential issues selling it again to a limited market if uprated, & @3.5t it appears unfit for purpose as per @Mickey1's unpleasant Chausson escapade in the other thread.
 
OP
OP
mjltigger

mjltigger

Free Member
Nov 12, 2014
1,619
2,672
Trowbridge
Funster No
34,213
MH
Autotrail Dakota Max
Exp
2012
.
Maybe it is just a paper exercise, however you'll have potential issues selling it again to a limited market if uprated, & @3.5t it appears unfit for purpose as per @Mickey1's unpleasant Chausson escapade in the other thread.

I think to get what we want the likelihood is that 3.5t isn't enough anyway.. So whether we choose a different van or replate this one the outcome might be the same

Know a spanish couple v happy with a v similar van. Looks nice.
You know you want to!

I want to... but its an expensive mistake if I get it wrong !!!!

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

MC 55 FUN

Free Member
Feb 18, 2016
3,432
6,347
Rural South West Wales.
Funster No
41,707
MH
2015 Majestic 195
Exp
Since 20th Feb' 2016
I think to get what we want the likelihood is that 3.5t isn't enough anyway.. So whether we choose a different van or replate this one the outcome might be the same

Well . . . it seems there are 3.5t MH's with an adequate payload - just not this one.
 

Zepp

Free Member
Jun 22, 2008
1,673
3,260
Roaming
Funster No
3,005
MH
A Class
Exp
7 Years
If you like it thats what counts go for it

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Nov 2, 2014
1,073
1,000
somerset
Funster No
34,099
MH
coachbuilt
Exp
2011
I have the e745 been very pleased mine has the cream upholstery which we found was nicer, what ever you go for enjoy
 

TheBig1

LIFE MEMBER
Nov 27, 2011
17,480
42,682
Dorset
Funster No
19,048
MH
A class
Exp
many many years! since I was a kid
Now I know I am going to get the usual comments, but I must add a few words of caution. swift group are notorious for build quality issues, specifically leaking. add to this that the 2004 product range was beset with problems of rotting floors because swift cut back on the specification of the plywood used

if it has been repaired check it thoroughly if not walk away is my advice
 

138go

Free Member
Feb 26, 2016
3,276
14,612
Funster No
41,781
MH
Carthago 138
Exp
Since 2001
What happened to the awning. Looks like the fitting rail has been left on. As above Swift are not very well put together. We had 2012 one and that had all sorts of bits falling off. They give the customer what they want. Loads of BLING and a Microwave. Just be really good if they could actually screw one together that doesn't start falling apart as soon as you drive it away from the Dealer.
 

lunarman

LIFE MEMBER
Sep 23, 2008
2,147
2,438
South Glos
Funster No
4,151
MH
C Class
Exp
since 1994
You need to ask whether it is a 710 or a 710 maxi. The van was built on an ALKO chassis with a standard or maxi option. The Standard had a Max Mass of 3400kg whereas The Maxi has a Max mass of 3850kg so should not have any payload issues you will need C1 to drive it but road tax will be less.

The advert is quoting 3500kg which cannot be correct! Get them to check the vin plate

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Last edited:
OP
OP
mjltigger

mjltigger

Free Member
Nov 12, 2014
1,619
2,672
Trowbridge
Funster No
34,213
MH
Autotrail Dakota Max
Exp
2012
What happened to the awning. Looks like the fitting rail has been left on. As above Swift are not very well put together. We had 2012 one and that had all sorts of bits falling off. They give the customer what they want. Loads of BLING and a Microwave. Just be really good if they could actually screw one together that doesn't start falling apart as soon as you drive it away from the Dealer.
The awning is under the bed. No idea what it is but presume it is a driveaway
 

grasscutter

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 11, 2009
2,432
8,261
East Wittering. West Sussex.
Funster No
8,848
MH
Hymer Exsis i588
Exp
Started in 1980
Also be aware that this age model came out of the Swift factory that had all the problems with floor delamination due to the use of laminated plywood for the flooring.
Very well documented on the forum.
Make sure it is fully checked.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
OP
OP
mjltigger

mjltigger

Free Member
Nov 12, 2014
1,619
2,672
Trowbridge
Funster No
34,213
MH
Autotrail Dakota Max
Exp
2012
Feb 4, 2016
2,784
2,127
West Sussex, UK
Funster No
41,567
MH
Hymer B680 Starline
Exp
Long term a few years now.
May be im old fashioned or tight seems a lot of money for a 2004 van , plus the problems previous posts have highlighted .

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Langtoftlad

LIFE MEMBER
Apr 12, 2011
8,824
148,275
Langtoft, South Lincs
Funster No
16,024
MH
WildAx Aurora FB [PVC]
Exp
Since 2015
I had an Ace [Swift] Modena 2004 with a very similar layout to that Besscarr e710 and have to say the layout suited me well.
May be im old fashioned or tight seems a lot of money for a 2004 van , plus the problems previous posts have highlighted .
Seems to be the 'going' price at a dealership

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Langtoftlad

LIFE MEMBER
Apr 12, 2011
8,824
148,275
Langtoft, South Lincs
Funster No
16,024
MH
WildAx Aurora FB [PVC]
Exp
Since 2015
We went to highbridge at the weekend and after looking in at least 100 vans came away in love with a swift kontiki 660

http://www.highbridgecaravans.co.uk/products/motorhomes/HCCQF39719/2004-swift-kontiki-660

Now of course we know this is to all intents the same van as the bessacarr 760 we found online. Does anybody know if there really is a difference?

How bad is the swift problem? Are we safe enough if we buy from a reputable dealer?
Of course the Kontiki is a much longer van than the Bessie e710 you OP'd with - presumably the driving, parking, weight or storage has been considered?

My Ace was supposedly the budget brand of the Swift stable - this model was produced under three marques... Ace, Swift & Bessacarr and as far as I could tell were pretty much identical with just the name being different:

The top brand Bessacarr 450


The budget brand Ace Modena:
Broken Link Removed

As for the notorious "Swift Issues", all I can say is that mine had none [or possibly they had all been resolved by the time I got it]
 
Jun 16, 2013
1,228
820
Wiltshire
Funster No
26,522
MH
Low Profile Hymer CL 554
Exp
Since May 2014
We have a hymer cl 554 which is a similar layout with the french bed. Love this layout like having the feeling of two seperate rooms :)

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Funsters who are viewing this thread

Back
Top