Elldis - does budget = poor quality?

[Gary217]

Hi, we've been hunting around for a little while looking to update our van and one model that appeals to us is the Elldis 115 range as it's compact which suits our 'off the beaten track' touring style. The other appeal is that while, like all motorhomes, they are a lot of pound notes they are on the more economical side of cost (i.e. budget).
I've looked at the Elldis section in the UK motorhomes area below and see a few people with problems and couple of damning reviews of Elldis (not specifically the 115). The main issues seem to be with the more hidden bits such as plumbing, water fillers, heating. However, I am also thinking that the thread I've been looking at is, understandably, one that picks up the bad points rather than the good points as people are seeking ideas to fix things etc. One slight hint though is that with Elldis being more budget, the build quality is accordingly a bit lower than some.

What I wonder is whether anyone on here with experience of Elldis could let us know what they think about them in terms of build quality, durability of fittings and finish - good or bad - please? Hence why I've posted on here rather than down in the Elldis section. All comments/advice gratefully received. Thanks!

(We don't rush into these things but am getting a trade-in valuation on our van on Monday so it's sort of crystallising - our current van is a La Strada which has tremendous build quality).

 

[TheBig1]

elddis used to build chunky, well put together vans that although budget end of the market were pretty good. In the last few years the production process has been updated with an emphasis on reducing costs.. The fit and finish of elddis vans is fairly rough and ready, with cheap materials used. All the internal fittings are pretty much standard with the cheaper models of toilet, fridge, heating, hot water heater.
That is not saying they are not turning out usable vans, they are. Just not comparable quality to the better european manufacturers. Those european manufacturers also do their own budget ranges at similar lower cost, but they are better put together but basic

 

[Richard n Ann]

If you buy a coachbuilt elddis expect to spend at least a couple of days going over it finishing off the build. Here's what I had to do to ours..

Re-enforce toilet sink with 18mm ply where the tap goes through.
Trim all dangling cotton off the seats and copydex the ends.
Fit extra silicone round where it had been missed on the outside panels. (by the way it's all shrunk and gapped again at 5yr old).
Bond the sink waste joints on both sinks (both leaked and we're fitted upside down).
Put extra little right angle brackets in the wardrobe base front.

And the biggie...
Seal all exposed wood underneath round the wheel arches, (especially the wheel arches) but also down each side of the wall panels with something like sikaflex. Our floor was bloody wet through and food cans rusting to it after the last trip home in the rain.

Seeing as they are cheap vans, and as long as you know what you are getting into they may be still worth buying, but please beware. Would we buy another? It's a no from us. Probably would go for a nice dry panel van.

 

[SteveRallye]

Had the 185 for 3 years and all that wanted attention was the whale heating packed up good style and they replaced it under warranty at one year old (went down france and back form Spain on the excellent oven heat 70degrees) in the beast from the East winter. On site we used Fan heater. The other fault was that within 4 mths the fridge door top cracked were we had to release it from the travelling lock. We could not get the van in for replacement/ repair for a while and when they put the report in Dometic said it was wear and tear and refused to do anything about it. No backing off Elddis (They had just been taken over by Hymer) Other wise yes they are built to a price but they are stylish and practical and in our case the Pegeuot was very reliable.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Oh some more things that have come to mind...
Seal round the fridge with armaflex tape so it wedges in (to stop the howling gale blowing in)
And new whale water heater at 6 months old. Perhaps not elddis' fault.

There is probably more too ?

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[mikebeaches]

I maybe wrong, but they always used to have significantly smaller fresh and waste water tanks than other brands.

And otherwise, just check very carefully for any signs of damp, as I guess should be the case with any coachbuilt.

 

[PhilMary]

I have owned my 155 now for three years and has proved to be reliable and more the suitable for Grandparents/Grandchildren trips around Europe.
I am selling the 155 (it's in the classified adds) as I'm more likely to be traveling alone, but will still consider another Elddis as it's smaller replacement.
Phil

 

[Gary217]

If you buy a coachbuilt elddis expect to spend at least a couple of days going over it finishing off the build. Here's what I had to do to ours..

Seeing as they are cheap vans, and as long as you know what you are getting into they may be still worth buying, but please beware. Would we buy another? It's a no from us. Probably would go for a nice dry panel van.

Thanks for the info - not checked but I think I may have spotted your woes in the Elldis thread, but it certainly gives us food for thought. I'll see what other comments arrive but it's indicating an element of you get what you pay for, unsurprisingly.

Interesting comment you make re 'dry' panel vans - our current van is a panel van and is totally dry and in very good condition and up until now we've always said we'd stick with a PVC, but a bit seduced by that bit extra living space in a coachbuilt for winter touring. Oh blimey...do we, don't we...?

 

[Gary217]

I have owned my 155 now for three years and has proved to be reliable and more the suitable for Grandparents/Grandchildren trips around Europe.
I am selling the 155 (it's in the classified adds) as I'm more likely to be traveling alone, but will still consider another Elddis as it's smaller replacement.
Phil

We actually looked at and pondered on a 155 on Thursday, it was 2 years old and seemed in good nick but it's the hidden bits that slightly concern (the sort that Richard and Ann discovered on theirs). However, for our style of touring we decided the 155 is too long despite the niceties inside.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Thanks for the info - not checked but I think I may have spotted your woes in the Elldis thread, but it certainly gives us food for thought. I'll see what other comments arrive but it's indicating an element of you get what you pay for, unsurprisingly.

Interesting comment you make re 'dry' panel vans - our current van is a panel van and is totally dry and in very good condition and up until now we've always said we'd stick with a PVC, but a bit seduced by that bit extra living space in a coachbuilt for winter touring. Oh blimey...do we, don't we...?

Even if you've got a dry coachbuilt van, damp is always in your mind. When the rain is hammering down on the roof I think is that seeping in anywhere? Also heart's in your mouth going round with the damp meter.. They just aren't worth the worry, even if bone dry, it's only a matter of time.

Can you tell I've lost all confidence in our van ? stick with the pvc vans ?

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[Googlebot]

Friend of mine had a brand new Elddis caravan, it had a number of issues all down to crappy build quality.

The final straw was when it was 14 months old and the rear panel cracked. Elddis initially refused the warranty as the back panel only had a years guarantee.

Having had new before myself, never again! Especially an Elddis.

 

[mitzimad]

i would prefer a 2-4 year old premium van to a new budget one

 

[cruiser]

As a Elddis owner for 30 years We brought it in 1990. It is still dry And no main faults in all those years. But as been said they have not been made as well . So we will keep the one I have. It is a coach built It is thee 400. Autoquest.

 

[TheBig1]

As a Elddis owner for 30 years We brought it in 1990. It is still dry And no main faults in all those years. But as been said they have not been made as well . So we will keep the one I have. It is a coach built It is thee 400. Autoquest.

your van is built like a tank and the only fault I know of is the big nut on the steering wheel has a screw loose Mike

 

[Cyprio42]

We love our Eldiss 115, it’s our first motorhome. What little issues we’ve had I have fixed myself. I think we were fortunate to get it at the price we paid, it had only done 1000 miles. Personally I don’t think they are worth the current price you have to pay for a new one. If theirs anything you need to know re the 115, please ask.

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[RichardB]

I| have a 2013 115. Bought it at 2 years old. I have had real problem with it - a few bits of trim needed restocking but in general any build issues had been sorted by the first owner. Since we have had it we've added solar panels, extra battery, sat dish, inverter, external shower, gas low and later the week we are putting some tank heaters on as were planning a trip next month and it could be freezing!

All in all, a good van for the price....

 

[rosalan]

For value and quality, it is advantageous to buy second hand. This should bring many other marques into a realistic price bracket, usually with a warranty to sort out anything remaining after the original owner dealt with anything missed on the PDI. You also save tax.
Elddis like some other UK vans have not always been highly rated. if you listen to the chat of some motorhomers but the engine and chassis are common to many higher priced vans.
It is always difficult to make negative comment on any van, for almost all vans are someones pride and joy.
If I were to make a derogatory comment about the latest Elddis vans, it would be about the internal doors which seem too thin. I have noticed that Swift used to also produce similar doors but recent models are much more substantial.

 

[tjay]

We have had 3 new Elddis motorhomes over past 4 year , bigger each time, never had any major problems with either of them, current on an 185 , the drop down bed was sticking when being put up, but upgraded motor fitted at dealers under warranty and never been a problem since.
Have ha d top of the range Autotrail in the past and it was the biggest bag of SH1T we ever had and eventually but it back to deals as not fit for purpose !

 

[cruiser]

Thanks John. So true. TheBig1 See you soon.

 

[old-mo]

Those european manufacturers also do their own budget ranges at similar lower cost, but they are better put together but basic

You ever had a modern one, John.???

Nowt wrong with them..!!!

Might be a bit flimsy on the build but size for size and to get under the 3;5 limit they are a good buy for the money...

Like any motor home charge around like a bull in a china shop and things will break and go wrong...

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[Two on Tour]

We have had our 2013 Elddis Autoquest 175 for a little over 2 years now and the only problem we have had to date was the way the Thule electric step was mounted on the van. The mounting bolts were starting to pull through the floor of the van, but I soon solved that by knocking up and fitting an angle bracket to give more support which Elddis should have done in the first place.
We went in with open eye and knew we were buying a van from the budget end of the market, but we have been more than happy with our Elddis and it will be a long term keeper for us.

 

[Tinker2]

Hey I had the same problem, and a friend of mine did the same fix.

 

[Gary217]

Thanks for the replies, a bit of a mixed bag but certainly does help us with our decision(s) and more importantly the sort of things to look out for. We are contemplating a second hand (up to two years old) one although the dealer we're seeing tomorrow has (in his mind) a brand new one with our our names on it on his forecourt. The advantage of not buying new, apart from the immediate depreciation in the first year, is that we avoid the punitive £2000 + road tax that new vans get hit with, plus we might scrape in with c£240 annual road tax rather than £400 + . We've spotted a couple of c2 year old ones but they do seem to sell quickly.

Having said all that, we're taking on board the points made here and thinking long and hard.

 

[MC 55 FUN]

Our first Moho was a 60 plate Elddis Autoquest 145 which we purchased at just over 6 years old in Feb' 2016, kept it for 14 months & had no issues other than a blown heated mirror fuse.

Our second & current Moho is a Majestic 195, purchased in June 2017, the only issues we've had with this vehicle are base vehicle issues such as the common - as - muck airbag ecu failing, the equally common instrument cluster ghost warning lights & somewhat surprisingly one of the rear dampers started misting oil so we replaced as a pair.

For the prices we paid we have no complaints.

 

[tick59]

Mine is a 2006 autoquest 120 and has been very,very reliable. I will not part with my van as i know what has been done to it besides that i can't afford another one. It still gets me and my wife out and about and to a few rallies every year no damp found so i recon i got a good un.

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[dickydo]

Have had a 105 for 2 years, it had done under 6k when we bought it, 2015 model 2.2 litre
Apart from a indicator bulb blowing have had no issues
Been around Europe last year and doing the same this year

I think that any make and any price can be a disaster but buying second hand usually means that the original owner has sorted out any problems
Take your time deciding

Would I buy another Elddis?
Definitely

 

[Wobblybob]

Hi just seen the post about step mountings on 175(from two on tour)
I have majestic 175,& will check said mountings.
if needed were did you fit angle bracket?. Please.

 

[138go]

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We had look at one today and I quite liked it. For the same layout, they are massively cheaper than a Hymer.

 

[Two on Tour]

Hi just seen the post about step mountings on 175(from two on tour)
I have majestic 175,& will check said mountings.
if needed were did you fit angle bracket?. Please.

Rather than us two hijacking the thread with our chit chat about the step, I'll PM you with a few photos in the morning when there is a bit more light and hopefully less rain.

 

[maison]

We bought a 125 in November last year. To date the only problems experienced are

Rear view camera found to be defective at PDI. Replaced one month into ownership, by dealer.

Cupboard catch defective. Replacement obtained from Elddis but, owing to my mistake, not all new catch provided at first attempt. Rest due for delivery on 10th February.

We have now covered 1500 miles without problems.

Yes, the fittings, fridge heating etc are fairly simple with manual rather then electronic controls but, having had “all the bells and whistles “ on our last motorhome, which gave us problems I am delighted with the way everything works.

The cabinet work is good quality, and the m/h is very comfortable. Night time temperatures during our present trip have dropped to -5C and, with the heating on its “night” setting we have been warm and comfy all night.

For the money we have been delighted. (We have owned 7 previous motorhomes over the last 40 years so have some exprience to draw on).

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