Benimar Tessoro 481

[finbarb]

Hello everyone! My very first post here (after searching a few older threads). I expect to be interacting with you all quite a bit in the future as I am getting close to pulling the trigger on my first motorhome, a Benimar Tessoro 481, for digital nomadic adventures in Europe starting summer 2022. I was attracted by layout, the Ford base + 170bhp engine, grade 3 insulation and protected tanks etc. as I plan to be in some sub-zero climes.

I would appreciate input about the brand and model if anyone has experience! I'm just wondering about general build quality, the building materials used, fit & finish, durability, or any major red flags I should know about before parting with my chunk of change. Thanks in advance!

 

[Steve N Tracy]

Hi cannot comment on the Ford running gear as we had the Fiat 202 version, overall it was quite well built, however Benimar had not applied insulation above the cab correctly which other owners also suffered from, and the van once we weighed empty it was a lot heavier then mentioned in the brochure which did mention that the weight was based on a similar vehicle, which I think may have been a Spanish version as once you added the weight of the UK additions, oven, upgraded heating spare tyre etc it came to around the ecsess weight figure,.
The Fiat running gear gave no issues what so-ever.

 

[finbarb]

Thanks for the reply. I know they have qualified as being Grade 3 insulated now so I'd hope that snag was taken care of. I'll inquire after the weight too - I plan to carry a lot of beer.

 

[Pablo19]

I've got a Mileo 202 which is the Fiat version of the 481 and I'm very happy with it. Mine is a 65 plate and have owned it for just over a year with no issues. I had my hab check done yesterday and it's passed with no issues. Overall, I can highly recommend the brand and there are two facebook groups which have really helpful members and there some really good help page resources to solve the known problems. The Tessoro models have had a lot of issues with the Ford injectors and the importing dealers Marquis get very mixed reviews (generally not good), particularly being very slow to source spare parts and dealing with warranty issues. The layout is fab, love the space in the lounge but there are sometimes issues with the drop down bed but ways around those if you read up on the FB groups. Build quality is generally good, certainly better than a lot I've seen but also not in the same league as some of the quality German brands. I've not gone sub zero yet but there owners that have and not heard of any issues and the heating is very effective, particularly on gas. If you need any more info just shout.

 

[ontheroadagain]

I know they have qualified as being Grade 3 insulated

This can be a bit confusing. All it means is that it has a good enough heater to keep the internal temperature at +20 when it is -15 outside.
It is not a good indication of how well insulated it is.
For example, our Elddis is grade 3 but has no insulation whatsoever to the rear plastic wheel arches.

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[Blue Knight]

If you want the 481 to be registered at 3,500kg then it's not much good for European touring as the payload is a bit naff. It'll only have a manufacturers quoted 390kg payload available if it's on a Ford Auto chassis and even then you'll need to reduce it much further for added toys, water and weight discrepancies etc.

You really need to buy a 481 on a heavy chassis or at the very least get the 3,500kg upgraded to 3,700 or 3,850kg with semi-air suspension fitted to the rear.

All the best,

Andrew

 

[SpitzTM]

Well worth joining this group (even if at the prospective purchasing stage), very friendly and tons of good info.

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[SpitzTM]

PS. We own a Benimar Mileo 243 after a long time looking at many different vans and marques.

 

[Old Gibber]

If you want the 481 to be registered at 3,500kg then it's not much good for European touring as the payload is a bit naff. It'll only have a manufacturers quoted 390kg payload available if it's on a Ford Auto chassis and even then you'll need to reduce it much further for added toys, water and weight discrepancies etc.

You really need to buy a 481 on a heavy chassis or at the very least get the 3,500kg upgraded to 3,700 or 3,850kg with semi-air suspension fitted to the rear.

All the best,

Andrew

Sorry but much of this is wrong. You can't get a "heavy chassis", and you don't need semi-air suspension fitted. The 481 can be upgraded from 3500 to 4200kg simply as a paper exercise. My Ford Benimar was within 10kg of the advertised weight when I bought it. Removing the rear steadies saves a good few kg too.

My Benimar was well built and excellent value considering all the standard items that are usually extra on other models. Sad to see it go after 3 years.

 

[Pablo19]

If you want the 481 to be registered at 3,500kg then it's not much good for European touring as the payload is a bit naff. It'll only have a manufacturers quoted 390kg payload available if it's on a Ford Auto chassis and even then you'll need to reduce it much further for added toys, water and weight discrepancies etc.

You really need to buy a 481 on a heavy chassis or at the very least get the 3,500kg upgraded to 3,700 or 3,850kg with semi-air suspension fitted to the rear.

All the best,

Andrew

Is it that much heavier than the Fiat manual? My 202 has 520kg payload and confirmed about right on a weighbridge.

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[gpat]

We had a benimar mileo 201 for 3 years. It wasn't the greatest build quality. Somewhere between brit and German. Marquis made it worse. But you know what, we loved it and would have another no problemo

 

[Blue Knight]

Is it that much heavier than the Fiat manual? My 202 has 520kg payload and confirmed about right on a weighbridge.

In my example I was just going off the technical section of the Marquis 481 advert which as it transpires is the same as the Benimar quoted figures. It gives two figures; one for the auto and one for manual.

 

[Blue Knight]

Sorry but much of this is wrong. You can't get a "heavy chassis", and you don't need semi-air suspension fitted. The 481 can be upgraded from 3500 to 4200kg simply as a paper exercise. My Ford Benimar was within 10kg of the advertised weight when I bought it. Removing the rear steadies saves a good few kg too.

My Benimar was well built and excellent value considering all the standard items that are usually extra on other models. Sad to see it go after 3 years.

OK, so besides the semi-air point, my observation about the running of a 481 for longer European travel remains 100% relevant if utilising a 3,500kg registered chassis.

Not everyone wishes to extend beyond the 3,500kg limit and it many cases can't do so due to age/license related matters

The OP needs to establish his license entitlements first and then decide what weight he wishes to run at before making a final choice.

 

[Li150]

We have a 463 with the 170 hp.motor and auto box, it's a pleasure to drive and economical.
Agreed you do have to watch the weight/distribution, we manage to keep under 3500kg.by not carrying anything we don't need. Should imagine most sub 3500kg.Motorhomes will be close to the limit on weight.

 

[Jonno1103]

The 481 is decent motorhome plus if there's only one or two of you the payload is sufficient

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[Blue Knight]

........ if there's only one or two of you the payload is sufficient

For those who often buy this van in a 3,500kg guise then can you put some meat on the bones and expand on the above comment.

What is a 3,500kg Benimar's payload sufficient for? Is it sufficient for two adults on a weekend trip away to a C&MC site in Lincoln or is it sufficient for two large adults with dogs, full supplies, full water, extra off-grid gas and batteries plus all their touring stuff to travel Europe and Morocco for a few weeks or even a few months......legally!

We are here to help advise the OP on specific details so the word suffient doesn't really help TBH.

 

[Jonno1103]

For those who often buy this van in a 3,500kg guise then can you put some meat on the bones and expand on the above comment.

What is a 3,500kg Benimar's payload sufficient for? Is it sufficient for two adults on a weekend trip away to a C&MC site in Lincoln or is it sufficient for two large adults with dogs, full supplies, full water, extra off-grid gas and batteries plus all their touring stuff to travel Europe and Morocco for a few weeks or even a few months......legally!

We are here to help advise the OP on specific details so the word suffient doesn't really help TBH.

Do we know if the OP will be spending extended time off grid... did he mention Morocco, did he mention months on the road, did he mention dogs... did he mention anything in your post?

No he didn't.

Maybe if he did my response would be different.

The payload is around 450kg which for a sub 6m motorhome with limited storage space built on a limited Ford L2 chassis is pretty decent.

 

[Old Gibber]

For those who often buy this van in a 3,500kg guise then can you put some meat on the bones and expand on the above comment.

What is a 3,500kg Benimar's payload sufficient for? Is it sufficient for two adults on a weekend trip away to a C&MC site in Lincoln or is it sufficient for two large adults with dogs, full supplies, full water, extra off-grid gas and batteries plus all their touring stuff to travel Europe and Morocco for a few weeks or even a few months......legally!

We are here to help advise the OP on specific details so the word suffient doesn't really help TBH.

Sorry you you are the one not being very helpful. First you start waffling on about heavy chassis and air suspension, which are not needed on a Ford to get a significant weight upgrade. Now you are claiming that the payload is not sufficient. Our 486 had almost exactly the same payload, and fully laden for a six week trip round Europe with 2 electric bikes, auto gearbox, 2 leisure batteries, awning, 2 adults, no dog, but everything else and was still within the weight limit with half a tank of water. We could easily stay long periods off grid. The Benimar Tessoro's appear to not have a particularly good payload but bear in mind that they come very well equipped as standard, and all those included extras are also included in the unladen weight.

 

[finbarb]

I'm bowled over by how many of you took the time to step in and help out a newbie here. I slipped out of touch with replies as I got logged out and received no notifications, and only now I see the conversation has been ticking over nicely. Thank you so much!

For a bit more context, I will buy in Spain, and I'd be travelling solo and living/working in it full time. Sadly, I am limited to 3,500kg for now and in light of people's comments on the payload + the gizmos I'd be hoping to add, I'm wondering if it's a good choice after all. I also now feel it's a tad short on clothing storage for full-timing, given the wardrobe moonlights as a vertical garage accessible from the outside.

Although I'm pretty determined to stay at 6m or lower I think maybe the 440 would be a better Benimar, or else a van conversion.

Wading through all my options and evaulating different vehicles is part torture/part exhilaration

 

[finbarb]

I'd like to add a little more info after digging a little deeper. I received some up to date spec from the dealer in Spain, I attached it fwiw although not in English (fairly easy to understand though). The 481 model I would potentially buy is not the auto gearbox, but has TV antenna + solar + awning that does not appear to have been factored into the listed MIRO of 2808kg. Am I wrong in now thinking this is a pretty decent payload? Total newb, sigh...!

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[Blue Knight]

Sorry you you are the one not being very helpful. First you start waffling on about heavy chassis and air suspension, which are not needed on a Ford to get a significant weight upgrade. Now you are claiming that the payload is not sufficient. Our 486 had almost exactly the same payload, and fully laden for a six week trip round Europe with 2 electric bikes, auto gearbox, 2 leisure batteries, awning, 2 adults, no dog, but everything else and was still within the weight limit with half a tank of water. We could easily stay long periods off grid. The Benimar Tessoro's appear to not have a particularly good payload but bear in mind that they come very well equipped as standard, and all those included extras are also included in the unladen weight.

Don't give me the shite comments about 'waffling on' as I'm the type who goes the extra mile on this forum to help anyone

In your instance you've just spouted-out that your van is under its weight limits so put your money where your mouth is and give the OP some realtime help by quoting some figures; your registered weight, your MIRO, your axle weights, your full gear, your add-ons to the standard kit.

You've obviously had it weighed so it should be easy for you to help him properly this time.

 

[Blue Knight]

I'd like to add a little more info after digging a little deeper. I received some up to date spec from the dealer in Spain, I attached it fwiw although not in English (fairly easy to understand though). The 481 model I would potentially buy is not the auto gearbox, but has TV antenna + solar + awning that does not appear to have been factored into the listed MIRO of 2808kg. Am I wrong in now thinking this is a pretty decent payload? Total newb, sigh...!

Hi there

This is a cut 'n' paste from the official Marquis website regarding the manufacturers quoted figures for a 481 in manual guise (2022 year):

<Broken link removed>

All the best,

Andrew

 

[Old Gibber]

I'd like to add a little more info after digging a little deeper. I received some up to date spec from the dealer in Spain, I attached it fwiw although not in English (fairly easy to understand though). The 481 model I would potentially buy is not the auto gearbox, but has TV antenna + solar + awning that does not appear to have been factored into the listed MIRO of 2808kg. Am I wrong in now thinking this is a pretty decent payload? Total newb, sigh...!

The Benimar vans for the Spanish market have a different specification to British vans, therefore it is very likely that the MIRO will be different too. Frankly 700kg payload should be more than enough. BTW, in my experience it is the width not the length which causes most problems when parking for instance. If you are full timing, then consider a slightly longer van with more storage. Having just changed to a 6m PVC, I can assure you there is far less storage than in the C class Benimar.

Don't give me the shite comments about 'waffling on' as I'm the type who goes the extra mile on this forum to help anyone

In your instance you've just spouted-out that your van is under its weight limits so put your money where your mouth is and give the OP some realtime help by quoting some figures; your registered weight, your MIRO, your axle weights, your full gear, your add-ons to the standard kit.

You've obviously had it weighed so it should be easy for you to help him properly this time.

Not a lot of point in doing this. He has already stated that he is buying a van in Spain. The Spanish Benimars have very different specifications to the UK ones. Perhaps if you really want to go the extra mile as you claim you do, you would figure out a lot more about the particular make before commenting. It is pretty clear you know nothing about Benimars, or for that matter the Ford chassis.

 

[gradyp]

Hi can I please ask a question (hopefully not divert the answers from the OP).

I'm in contact with Marquis at the moment looking at part Ex'in my current van for a Benimar Tessoro 494 on the Ford with auto transmission.
There details around weights are for the manual at a payload of 400kgs , they have no info with the automatic gearbox.
So my questions are does anyone know how much more does the auto box weight and how easy is it to increase the max weight from 3500kgs to possibly 3850kgs or more (I'm licensed up ok for the extra weight)

Cheers Paul

 

[Old Gibber]

I believe the auto box adds 30kg, though the literature quoted 20kg when I bought mine. It is dead easy to upgrade the weight. SV Tech will do it for you. Check their website.

There is little point in just upgrading to 3850kg. This figure is for the Fiat as it is the most you can upgrade a Fiat without having air suspension and new tyres. However, the Ford can be upgraded as a simple paper exercise to 4200kg, with no suspension modifications or replacement tyres.

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[gradyp]

I believe the auto box adds 30kg, though the literature quoted 20kg when I bought mine. It is dead easy to upgrade the weight. SV Tech will do it for you. Check their website.

There is little point in just upgrading to 3850kg. This figure is for the Fiat as it is the most you can upgrade a Fiat without having air suspension and new tyres. However, the Ford can be upgraded as a simple paper exercise to 4200kg, with no suspension modifications or replacement tyres.

4200kgs would be fantastic thanks for the quick reply