upgrading to hymer split decision which model out of 2 any help ??? (1 Viewer)

[georgie boy]

been living in our autotrail for 7 years now, and ready to up grade to something a bit more suitable. been looking at a few models which we like but cannot decide which to go for. so any advise would be welcome . looking at the concorde charisma around 2004- 2006 models. also the frankia I 8400. and also 2 models of the hymer B Class SL B 654 SL, B Class SL B 655 SL. both are at travelworld with prices around 50k one is on fiat chassis and other is on merc chassis my heart tells me to go for the merc but fiat has a lot more spec. oyster sat and air suspension ect. the link for these 2 models are below any advise on which is the better value machine would be welcome never owned a hymer and all the different models are very confusing, then when looking at the concorde seems like a lot more superior quality build but very expensive price around 50k for 2005=2006 models were as the hymers are 2008
then there is the frankia i8400. ? any advise would be most welcome
Regards George

http://www.motorhomes.co.uk/motorhomes-for-sale/hymer/b-class-sl/b-654-sl/1789/

http://www.motorhomes.co.uk/motorhomes-for-sale/hymer/b-class-sl/b-655-sl/1720/

 

[JeanLuc]

I cannot see a great spec. difference between the two, apart from full versus half leather and the air suspension. I would probably tend toward the B655 as it has an automatic gearbox, but then I'm biased as I have a Merc Hymer.
Concorde are very well built and at the age you mention will be on the previous generation Merc chassis. To get similar build quality from Hymer you might need to consider an older S-class such as this.
http://www.motorhomes.co.uk/motorhomes-for-sale/hymer/s-class/s820/1768/

 

[StitchesnFluff]

I too would go for one of the autos

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Theonlysue]

I am changing my 2006 hymer on 2.8 fiat manual to 2012 merc 3l auto.
As different and chalk and cheese.
Go and look and test drive.

 

[scotjimland]

sorry.. not a problem I've ever been faced with.. never had that much to spend on a van..

whatever you decide.. I'm sure you will enjoy..

 

[Zepp]

Im sure you will make your mind up when you get in them ......you will know what feels right.

We are also looking at changing the van next year when we finish work it's doing my head in looking at vans .I keep changing my mind every 5 mins also budget keeps going up

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[funflair]

I think I would be going for the Concorde on an older Merc Auto or IVECO chassis with manual box (rather than Agile on the IVECO), my guess is it would be bigger and give you a lot more living and storage space OK more money but if you are living in it you need the space in the large garage and double floor large tanks etc etc, I dont know much about the Frankia.

Martin

 

[Jac Sprat]

I have a Hymer 654 legend 25
Is that the same? I think mine is A though.
We love ours so do ask questions if you'd like to.

 

[Jac Sprat]

All I will say is its oven is truly lousy
We use the space to store a Dutch oven that we use on the hob.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Gaston aires]

We had a Merc based S630. Loved it to bits. Semi auto box was great too. I would not buy a van because of things like satellite or air suspension, you can have these fitted if you really need them.
Phil

 

[JeanLuc]

To add a little more to last night's post, Mercedes changed the Sprinter in 2006. The later versions of the pre-2006 models were fitted with 2.2 or 2.7 litre engines. There were three chassis versions designated 3xx, 4xx and 6xx. The last two digits (replacing the xx) indicated the engine fitted: the 2.2 4 cylinder producing 130 bhp was '13' the 2.7 5 cylinder producing 156 bhp was a '16' (rounded up). So, a full chassis designation could be 313 up to 616. (There was also a 311 chassis with lower power output but I don't think that was used much, if at all, on motorhomes.)

• 313 = up to 3.8 tonne MAM chassis with 130 bhp engine
• 316 = same chassis with 160 bhp engine
• 413 = 4.6 tonne chassis with 130 bhp engine
• 416 = same chassis with 160 bhp engine
• 616 = 6 tonne chassis with 160 bhp engine

These were CDi engines that warrant a Euro 3 classification. The 160 engine with auto box will return around 22-25 mpg.
For the big Hymer S-class of the early 2000s the chassis could be 416 or 616 (S740) or 616 for the S820. I believe Concorde also used the 616 for the Charisma. This was a grate base, often fitted with a 5-speed full-auto box and it featured an air-pressure parking brake, the standard pull-up hand-brake being insufficient for the 6 tonne chassis.

My more modest Star-Line 630 from 2003 (6.5 metres) is on a 316 chassis with the same 5-cylinder engine and 5-speed auto as the big 616. Good power to weight ratio and the engine is very smooth although the more recent Sprinters (post 2006) are even smoother I understand. My average fuel consumption over total ownership is a fraction below 25 mpg - I cruise modestly (maximum 50-60 mph where possible).

Hope this helps in considering any older Merc-based options.

 

[Lenny HB]

If you don't mind LHD have you thought about buying from Germany, same spec vans £10,000 cheaper.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}