Panel Van Mercedes poor choice. (1 Viewer)

Jun 30, 2011
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We have just sold our beautiful Hymer S820 and are downsizing, as work commitments dictate that a smaller van would be better for nipping off on a Friday night etc.

I realise we won't get anything with the pure quality of an S820.

We have had 2 motorhomes now in the last 7 years, both Mercedes and not an ounce of trouble with either.

What choice do we have of Mercedes panel vans, want 5.91 metre long, rear u lounge. Don't mind second hand.

Vantage is confusing, there is information online about a vantage cad, merc 5.91 metre rear lounge, but when you go onto vantage website, nothing. Someone told me they have stopped them due to lack of interest. I will contact them shortly to find out.

The Murvi website is the best, they advertise all base vehicles(Merc, Volkswagen, Fiat) with full details of each one, price, options, spec etc. A bit out of our price range though for the Merc. I presume that 99.9% of Murvis are sold on the Fiat, as they are all built to orrder, with just the odd merc, volkswagen ordered.(Take note Vantage, if you have gone to the trouble of designing one why not leave all the info on your site to give people a choice, you are not going to get many orders but I think it does enhance your reputation)

The Devon conversion factory is only a minutes drive from where I work, they do a Merc, but only a 6.9 metre one so too big. I wasn't that struck on them either, red plastic beer barrel taps on the outside look shocking especially when you look at the German ones in comparison, proper engineered metal levers.

Wildax and East Neuk don't touch mercs. IH only do the 6.9 metre one.

Ideally I would like one of the German 4x4 ones, HRZ joy, CS, Dopfer but you need to be filthy rich.

Then there is the small converters who may build you one and buy a second hand base vehicle for you or you could supply your own, Anybody gone down this route and can recommend?

We only sold the S820 on Thursday so its very early days, loads of research to do, no rush whatsoever.

Any information would be welcome.

Regards

Paul.
 

rainbow chasers

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Oct 30, 2009
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If you have the ability and the time, why not buy a newish merc van at auction, pop over to Germany and buy your internals off the shelf? They are very much into their own conversions. You can walk into DIY shops and buy your desired conversion off the shelf, throw it in the van and fit when you get home!

An idea!
 
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CazPaul
Jun 30, 2011
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Barnard Castle, UK
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If you have the ability and the time, why not buy a newish merc van at auction, pop over to Germany and buy your internals off the shelf? They are very much into their own conversions. You can walk into DIY shops and buy your desired conversion off the shelf, throw it in the van and fit when you get home!

An idea!

Cracking idea.

If only I had either the ability or the time. It would be a nuch cheaper way of doing it, which I am all in favour of.

There is a lovely one on mobile.de at the minute just what we are looking for, a Dopfer 331 on a mercedes 5.91 metres rear u lounge, a used one registered in january this year, 8000km. A whopping 70,000 euros.

Paul.
 

Wildman

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May 30, 2008
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misleading title to this thread,
merc van a great choice but poor selection on offer.:thumb:

would be better.

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Wildman

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May 30, 2008
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cal motorhome repair shop that will fit vans to your specification. You could also contact Terry, a member here by the same username he is a chippy that does a quality build, see his avatar for the last van he did. He could convert one to order for you I suspect.

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Mar 22, 2011
477
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Since Feb 2013….2nd Van
Also have a look at Shire Motorhomes: http://www.shiremotorhomes.co.uk

I hd some initial dealings with them, when I was looking for a van. I really liked their attitude and their clever designs. Pricewise they we very completive, especially if you provide your own van. They were also reviewed favourably by one of the MH magazines.
 
Aug 29, 2013
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There is a german built van at specialistvehicles.com, its not a Merc, but the conversion looks nice to my untrained eye!:Smile:
 
Jun 30, 2010
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The fella that invented "BEENY BOXES" Beeny, he has since sold the Box business and moved on, now does, bespoke van conversions, Hav'nt a clue how you contact him but last I heard, which was about 4 years ago:Doh: you gave him your van and 12k, told him what you wanted, and he delivered, excellent quality.
As I've said that was 4years ago

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CazPaul
Jun 30, 2011
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The fella that invented "BEENY BOXES" Beeny, he has since sold the Box business and moved on, now does, bespoke van conversions, Hav'nt a clue how you contact him but last I heard, which was about 4 years ago:Doh: you gave him your van and 12k, told him what you wanted, and he delivered, excellent quality.
As I've said that was 4years ago

Thanks, that sounds a good deal, I wonder how you get his contact details, ANYBODY.

Paul.
 
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CazPaul
Jun 30, 2011
7,190
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Barnard Castle, UK
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Just a shame there is not a uk dealer for HRZ or CS or Dofner.

It may have to be me getting a van and paying someone to do it. But then Caroline can't see it before we are committed to buying, she may not want to go down this route.

How much would a Merc mwb van cost, say a 2009/10 plate?

Paul.
 

Terry

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Dec 27, 2007
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Just a shame there is not a uk dealer for HRZ or CS or Dofner.

It may have to be me getting a van and paying someone to do it. But then Caroline can't see it before we are committed to buying, she may not want to go down this route.

How much would a Merc mwb van cost, say a 2009/10 plate
?

Paul.

7k upwards but around 10kplus for one with unde 100k miles add to that around 12k plus for the conversion --probably end up around the 25k mark --of course you could do a fiat fam van 2012/13 van that is a lot wider :thumb: which makes a big difference inside for around the same money
terry

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CazPaul
Jun 30, 2011
7,190
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Barnard Castle, UK
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MH
Concorde Concerto
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Since 2007
7k upwards but around 10kplus for one with unde 100k miles add to that around 12k plus for the conversion --probably end up around the 25k mark --of course you could do a fiat fam van 2012/13 van that is a lot wider :thumb: which makes a big difference inside for around the same money
terry

Thanks terry. £25k would be good price I feel for a 2009/10 plate merc fully converted to my design.

I can't quite get my head around the Fiat idea at the minute, but who knows after a few months.

Regards

Paul.
 
Sep 26, 2013
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One of the main problems with the Mercedes is that it's not wide enough to have a transverse bed either fixed or one you make up from a rear lounge setup. This is why a couple of converters use the 7m long model so that they have enough room for either a French bed layout or 6 ft long lounge seats.
When doing my own conversion I just discounted them for this reason alone. In the end I bought a new 6m long Peugeot Boxer for 18k and spent 9k on materials and ended up with a tranverse fixed bed and fully fitted out as a compact motorhome.
Very comfortable and quiet when driving and getting around 37mpg..

Mike
 

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