A class access to engine (1 Viewer)

[Anesta]

Hi, nearly signed contract for an A-class, but having all sorts of doubts: is it really that difficult to find a garage for maintenance versus a coachbuilt? Is it so much more expensive?
Maybe just nervous about coughing up the money....

 

[Chris]

Hi, nearly signed contract for an A-class, but having all sorts of doubts: is it really that difficult to find a garage for maintenance versus a coachbuilt? Is it so much more expensive?
Maybe just nervous about coughing up the money....

Engine access is a pain ( I am told) but I don’t think it makes it any more expensive.

For me the downside with an A class was the layout we had.

 

[TheBig1]

some jobs are harder to do but a good garage find work arounds, like removing engine mounts to lower the engine temporarily. More hours of labour equals extra cost

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[pappajohn]

Many ancillary items such as the alternator, starter motor and upper exhaust parts are easier accessed from below even on a regular van.
Cam belt is accessed via removal of the road wheel and the inner wing plastic panel.
That really only leaves the front of the engine.... Radiator, AC radiator, intercooler etc.

 

[Stealaway]

I really cannot see the advantages of A class. Massive dash and massive screen just seems like an ego trip.

 

[pappajohn]

I really cannot see the advantages of A class. Massive dash and massive screen just seems like an ego trip.

My thoughts too... But I suppose at a push you could sleep a couple of kids on the dash.

My American A class had an 18" dash, about the same as my car. But the engine and gearbox was between the seats under the floor so didn't need all that front end space.

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[Armytwowheels]

There's a course you can do with NHS!!

 

[CazPaul]

I really cannot see the advantages of A class. Massive dash and massive screen just seems like an ego trip.

There's many a folk who'll say''Thas spouting trash man, spouting trash''

 

[TheBig1]

I really cannot see the advantages of A class. Massive dash and massive screen just seems like an ego trip.

says the man that never owned one. The internal space and how the cab is part of the living space makes a huge difference. And no un-aerodynamic cab to body joints to leak either

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[Chris]

says the man that never owned one. The internal space and how the cab is part of the living space makes a huge difference. And no un-aerodynamic cab to body joints to leak either

Well I agree with him. We had a Burstner Aviano and I often pondered on the waste of space the dash was. Completely wasted.

That wasn’t the reason I hated it though, that was about the layout.

 

[Stealaway]

Where exactly is that internal space? Just above the dash board? Just what I need.

 

[Larrynwin]

An a class imo is no ego trip it’s what we prefer for space and comfort . In ours we have seating for eight if needed but that also gives us stacks of room to stretch out on a wet and windy day.
When travelling we have a fantastic elevated view around and when it’s cold the domestic heating system is ducted into the cab area so no cold area coming from the cab as in a coachbuilt.
In ours there is not a massive dash wasted space.
If it costs a bit more for maintenance so be it, if I wanted to save money I wouldn’t have a motorhome in the first place.

Each to his own

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[pappajohn]

says the man that never owned one. The internal space and how the cab is part of the living space makes a huge difference. And no un-aerodynamic cab to body joints to leak either

The seats are in the same place, they have to be because of the steering wheel and pedals attached to the bulkhead/firewall.
The front of the dash is in the same place, it has to be as its attached to the bulkhead/firewall.
So apart from a very large shelf and panoramic window where's the extra space, you can't walk about in it or sit in it.

 

[Larrynwin]

The seats are in the same place, they have to be because of the steering wheel and pedals attached to the bulkhead/firewall.
The front of the dash is in the same place, it has to be as its attached to the bulkhead/firewall.
So apart from a very large shelf and panoramic window where's the extra space, you can't walk about in it or sit in it.

Much of the extra space comes from the full width cab area in an a class and the floor is level throughout and not all a class have a dash top larger than a coach built.

 

[Armytwowheels]

I really cannot see the advantages of A class. Massive dash and massive screen just seems like an ego trip.

so funny. I must tell Colin that we are on an ego trip, because we have just bought our 4th A class motorhome.

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[Blue Knight]

Hi, nearly signed contract for an A-class, but having all sorts of doubts: is it really that difficult to find a garage for maintenance versus a coachbuilt? Is it so much more expensive?
Maybe just nervous about coughing up the money....

Access for some things in an A-class is much more of a challenge IMO. I think this was highlighted recently when the allocated hourly rate for the fix of an EGR system on a coachbuilt was 4-hours and the same fix for an A-class was circa 8-hours.

 

[jongood]

The seats are in the same place, they have to be because of the steering wheel and pedals attached to the bulkhead/firewall.
The front of the dash is in the same place, it has to be as its attached to the bulkhead/firewall.
So apart from a very large shelf and panoramic window where's the extra space, you can't walk about in it or sit in it.

Not correct. Many of the iveco based motorhomes have the seats moved upwards and forwards.

 

[Cat53]

I really cannot see the advantages of A class. Massive dash and massive screen just seems like an ego trip.

We love ours. A fantastic panoramic view. It works better for us as my husband is disabled and he can access the habitation area really easily.

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[jongood]

Better view, more space, warmer, better styling.

Yes its more hassle when components fail, but that doesn't happen that often for most of us.

 

[tacr2man]

Should have gone to specsavers then , others obviously can see it ,
and they are the ones paying for it
Engine accessibility on mine isn't affected its in the back

 

[BreweryDave]

Cos they look like a motorhome rather than a caravan stuck on the back of a van, ,,,,,,

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[pappajohn]

Much of the extra space comes from the full width cab area in an a class and the floor is level throughout and not all a class have a dash top larger than a coach built.

All my C class but one have had level floors front to rear and a couple or three inchs each side, well whoopee doo, you have a pair of seats in the way so that ain't going to help much.
As the steering Column and bulkhead can't be moved without massive alteration including moving the engine forwards I don't see how the distance from the dash face to windscreen can be reduced to incorporate a shallower dash.
The only way is to move the windscreen backwards but that reduces all this valuable 'extra' space.

 

[Lenny HB]

Where exactly is that internal space? Just above the dash board? Just what I need.

That's a load of tosh Alex. Had a low profile and now on our second A class wouldn't want any other type of van now.
Cab is more spacious, with the drop down bed down you can still use the lounge can't do that in a low profile. Better insulation better driving experience better view of the road easier to reverse and get through tight spaces due to parallel sides, quieter when driving.

A couple of weeks ago at our dealers while killing time went in every van in their showroom, I hated the standard cabs, felt like you were going to bash your head on the windscreen, they felt so claustrophobic and I hate the bit where the side bits intrude where can and body join.

 

[Lenny HB]

The seats are in the same place,.

My last Hymer the passenger seat was offset 2 or 3 inches twoards the outside of the van giving a lot more space between the seats unfortunately they haven't continued that trend really miss the extra space between the seats in this van.

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[G7UXG]

I've had both. Didn't notice any extra room in the A class Hymer... and the engine had to be dropped down to replace the turbo (3-litre), costing an extra £700 in labour, fortunately not at my expense.

 

[Lenny HB]

Cos they look like a motorhome rather than a caravan stuck on the back of a van, ,,,,,,

Spot on A Class are proper Motorhomes.

 

[pappajohn]

Engine accessibility on mine isn't affected its in the back

Wasn't on mine either....
20% (injectors and plugs) through the floor hatch and 80% sat on a low stool underneath at either side.
Plenty of room around American truck engines and having a steering box you sit in front of the front wheels.....minimal wasted space.

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[Anesta]

oh dear...didn't think conversion would get so animated

 

[pappajohn]

My last Hymer the passenger seat was offset 2 or 3 inches twoards the outside of the van giving a lot more space between the seats

No, it gives you 2 or 3 inchs, that's not a lot of space.
2 or 3 FEET is a lot of space

It only gives an illusion of space.

Still, everyone to their own... I wouldn't thank you for a euro A class.

 

[pappajohn]

oh dear...didn't think conversion would get so animated

You never know what will happen on Fun.

But it's all light hearted... Mostly.