Auto sleeper Burford duo

[Boris7]

So we’re looking at a AutoSleeper Burford Duo (Mercedes chassis) tomorrow morning.
As you’ll see from this thread https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/hi-from-a-newbie.212041/#post-3679970 I’m completely new to Motorhomes
We like the layout as the intended use is a road trip and the twin beds don‘t need making up each night, and the rear bathroom is roomy, between the bench seats and the beds there’s lots of easily accessible storage and the Mercedes auto box should be a relaxing drive.

But, as with buying anything used product knowledge is very important, so what problems do we look for on a 5 year old AutoSleeper ?

 

[March Hare]

Hi there, I'm afraid I can't comment on the motorhome part, but our (new to us) motorhome is also on a Mercedes Sprinter chassis with automatic gearbox, and it's really great to drive! ?

 

[MikeD]

If you become a paid up member of the forum there is a book which you can download that gives advise regarding buying new Motorhome

it will be the best £15 you have ever spent

but history - ask to see the vehicle service and habitation check history.

You also want a very recent damp check done and you want to see documentary evidence of this.

 

[Boris7]

Thanks Guys.

We've looked at a number of motorhomes the last few day and settled on the Buford Duo

Very surprised at a 2013 vehicle with only 6500 miles on the clock, as predicted it drove like a dream.

Think the dealer must have thought I was a pain in the bottom as I not only went over every piece of paper in the vehicles folder, but also checked the roof thoroughly, asked them to put it on their lift and spent ages checking everything underneath (including finding a damaged grey water drain pipe joint) checked everything worked and did a DVLA and insurance check.

After deciding to buy we listed every little item we wanted putting right and drew up a list of items we wanted adding before agreeing on a deal.

Picking it up in 2 weeks time from Friday and have booked a pitch at Robin Hood Retreat on the Saturday to give us our first run out, we're not planning to use sites too much but though it a good idea the first time as it would take away any doubt about parking and allow us to test the hook up thoroughly and hopefully if we have any issues there will be people around to ask advise from.

SWMBO is busy ordering bedding, cooking stuff and god knows what else

 

[Riverbankannie]

Well done, sounds great. I bet you can’t wait for the day you pick it up.

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

 

[Boris7]

I'm very excited, but not as excited as the wife

Oh, and by the way, I'm now a paid up member

 

[Steve and Denise]

You do right never take any dealers word for nothing it is. Lot of money to part with and once you have paid your money most don’t give a shite about service.
Make sure everything is done to your satisfaction as the majority promise you the earth but don’t deliver ?

 

[Boris7]

As much as the dealer has a great reputation and an extremely high rating on trust pilot etc I've also got lots of experience with vans, we run a fleet of sprinters and Iveco's so I've a very good idea of what too look for other that the motor home features.

But I've also only paid minimum deposit and agreed a date prior to collection to view the vehicle again.

Only then will I pay the balance.

But that said, with any second hand purchase you can only mitigate so much and as long as theres no major hidden fault we should be o.k. (I hope)

 

[Steve and Denise]

As much as the dealer has a great reputation and an extremely high rating on trust pilot etc I've also got lots of experience with vans, we run a fleet of sprinters and Iveco's so I've a very good idea of what too look for other that the motor home features.

But I've also only paid minimum deposit and agreed a date prior to collection to view the vehicle again.

Only then will I pay the balance.

But that said, with any second hand purchase you can only mitigate so much and as long as theres no major hidden fault we should be o.k. (I hope)

In general Mercs are very good as you will know, check batteries electrical and damp the rest is just condition ? good luck

 

[Boris7]

Thank you.

TBH I'm just relieved I managed to NOT to have to buy a new one as judging by your avatar you'll understand I'm more into cars and I've a mind for a new one and the extra £40k would have been a bit of a hit to the budget

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

 

[tofo]

As much as the dealer has a great reputation and an extremely high rating on trust pilot etc I've also got lots of experience with vans, we run a fleet of sprinters and Iveco's so I've a very good idea of what too look for other that the motor home features.

But I've also only paid minimum deposit and agreed a date prior to collection to view the vehicle again.

Only then will I pay the balance.

But that said, with any second hand purchase you can only mitigate so much and as long as theres no major hidden fault we should be o.k. (I hope)

PAY the balance on collection ......
you lose the whip hand when you have paid in full
And that last little niggel isn’t sorted

 

[DJT]

So we’re looking at a AutoSleeper Burford Duo (Mercedes chassis) tomorrow morning.
As you’ll see from this thread https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/hi-from-a-newbie.212041/#post-3679970 I’m completely new to Motorhomes
We like the layout as the intended use is a road trip and the twin beds don‘t need making up each night, and the rear bathroom is roomy, between the bench seats and the beds there’s lots of easily accessible storage and the Mercedes auto box should be a relaxing drive.

But, as with buying anything used product knowledge is very important, so what problems do we look for on a 5 year old AutoSleeper ?

Have owned two vans both Sprinter based and Auto gearbox excellent drive ??

 

[DuxDeluxe]

MB Sprinter + Auto box = driving pleasure

 

[March Hare]

Good luck with your new Motorhome, it sounds like a great find!

We’re just about six weeks ahead of you in the new world of Motorhome ownership, and we’re loving it - although the learning curve is still more or less a vertical trajectory! There’s so much to learn, but we’ve found everyone on MotorhomeFun to be so helpful and encouraging!

Like you we started with a few days away in the Motorhome straight after collecting it, just to make a start on trying to work out how everything works! We had a really thorough handover by the agent, but it’s only when you have to pitch up on your own and get everything up and running, that you realise how much there is to learn!

Since that first trip we had a great few days away in Yorkshire over New Year, and we‘ve just spent a week making our way south through France and have got to the north of Spain - we just need to decide where to head to from here! ? Good luck with your new Motorhome!

 

[Boris7]

Thank you guys,

March Hare,

I‘m so jealous.

We drove down to Northern Spain and onto Lisbon for work last year, then having done a job in Lisbon went onto Setubal where we had a few days off before heading to Madrid for another job.
If you have time you’ll find it’s fantastic.
But crossing the Pyrenees via Vitoria and Campo to Perpignan is also great (I’ve driven Europe a lot in a works van and a Caterham) but watch the weather in those mountains.