Hymer 534/544

[Mr bean]

I'm looking to buy probably a 534/544 m/y from 2012, any hints or tips what to look for much appreciated. Anyone got one or thinking of selling by any chance

 

[BusyBuilder]

Get a 4250kg one (Fiat Maxi chassis) if you can and have C1 on your license,

 

[pandas]

Agree on above post. B544 2012; perfect vehicle ours had a 3L engine, rated to 4250 (we usually had just under 4 ton - fantastic torque with a metal timing chain so didn't need replacing after so many miles.
Bit back heavy with roof mounted aircon unit and sat dish towards the back which made it a bit less grippy on the front but all weather tyres compensated well.
We added semi air suspension as it was a hard ride and our fillings used to come out on some Italian roads but a really good investment as it made such much difference to the quality of the ride. Look at the leaf springs underneath and see if they are near the rubber bump stops or whatever they are called.
We only had the usual suspects that needed replacing kitchen sink tap, fresh water pump (habitation), electric step got sticky, windscreen wiper motor, horn. all insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
See if it has had the under chassis spray warranty carried out and regular damp check - not that there is an issue far from it. Ours had 30k on the clock after 7 years from new. A really good motorhome which we really enjoyed.

 

[Manic]

What about this

Hymer B544

An excellent opportunity to acquire a well sought after motorhome with the layout and accessories for full time living or long periods away with all t

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Hettie's Crew]

Ours is a 2014, so slightly different but contrary to the above posts I would advise against a heavy chassis. Ours is on a light with 15inch wheels and was only around 3100kg before extras/essentials. We had it up rated to 3850kg. The ride on ’lighter’ motorhomes with heavy chassis’s can be a very hard ride until they are loaded to their max. We have hydraulic jacks, rear air assist, spare wheel, side awning, twin 11kg gas and fully loaded, ready to go with fuel, water, full fridge, two adults and the dog we weigh in at 3600kgs. We have a 2.3 150 engine which is more than powerful enough and returns 30mpg.

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[BusyBuilder]

Goldshmitt springs on front.

There's not much to watch for on these vans we've had ours coming up 3 years, done about 17000 miles all over Europe. We've replaced water pump, mattress, all lights replaced with LED, two solar and two GEL Exide Marine batteries. Added some extra USB charge points and put LED strip lights in side lockers.
They really are a good design, and even with our Pointer aboard, the two of us never seem to be squashed in, the long benches are great, and even though I'm 6'5" tall I can sleep okay in the king size bed.

 

[Mr bean]

Thank you for the replies, rather foolishly I let my c1 lapse, both 534/544 are a bit thin on the ground at any weight so I was thinking about downgrading the weight to 3500 if needs be, what sort of payload would I be left with at 3500????

 

[Mr bean]

Thanks manic, yes I've been watching this one on ebay, but it's the interior colour and miles that puts us off. The next van is going to be a keeper so have to get it right for both of us. That's why the budget is creeping up all the time!!!

 

[Hettie's Crew]

Thank you for the replies, rather foolishly I let my c1 lapse, both 534/544 are a bit thin on the ground at any weight so I was thinking about downgrading the weight to 3500 if needs be, what sort of payload would I be left with at 3500????

If we got rid of the side awning, one gas cylinder, the spare wheel and one leisure battery instead of two I think we’d just come under 3500kg fully loaded.

 

[BusyBuilder]

All depends if you go on sites or wild camp ? We also have 2 alugas tanks fitted, as we wildcamp in the Highlands all the year round. The vans are winterised very well insulated and we've never been cold. Even in winter, we can have lights on, watch TV or DVD for an hour, cook, have heating on and still not drain batteries below 12.2v, the solar tends to have the batteries topped up by morning anyway, I really do rate the 85amp, Exide GEL Marine batteries, they replaced 2 Banner AGM 110amp batteries that didn't last as long, really poor batteries.

We loaded ours up, full water, full deisel, clothes and food and dog and swmbo. We weighed in at 3600kg, with awning and 2 solar panel, 2 batteries, put a smaller table in as the original surfboard was too big. I'd be quite careful before you consider down rating from 4250kg.

Don't worry about mileage too much as the Fiats are commercial vehicles made for big mileages, and the Maxi chassis can take the weight easily, having heavier suspension, bigger brakes and wheels etc.

And I know your feeling re your budget, ours kept creeping up too, as when we bought there were only 2 vans available to buy. We love ours and can't think of a better design than a 544.

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[peterc10]

Thank you for the replies, rather foolishly I let my c1 lapse, both 534/544 are a bit thin on the ground at any weight so I was thinking about downgrading the weight to 3500 if needs be, what sort of payload would I be left with at 3500????

If you let your C1 lapse when you got to 65, you can apply to get it reinstated at any time. Just need to pass the medical.

 

[Mr bean]

Thank you to all for the replies. We're away in our van Sunday to Wednesday, and with an agreed sale which is due to go through on Thursday can't wait to start looking. peterc10 I've actually been looking into this today, might have to wait for the b/p to go down with all the excitement before I take a medical.

 

[Just smiffy]

Thanks manic, yes I've been watching this one on ebay, but it's the interior colour and miles that puts us off. The next van is going to be a keeper so have to get it right for both of us. That's why the budget is creeping up all the time!!!

For a commercial base vehicle it’s just run in....
Mines too heavy for you anyway...

 

[pandas]

For a commercial base vehicle it’s just run in....
Mines too heavy for you anyway...

Why hasn’t yours sold - looks a really nice one

 

[Just smiffy]

Why hasn’t yours sold - looks a really nice one

I’ve only had one couple look at it and they want it but they need to sell their old one....

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[Mr bean]

Well after all the excitement at looking at........nothing!!!! I've ended up buying the one and only b544 that we looked at. We went to view it at a local dealer about three weeks ago and came away to think about it, then it disappeared from their website, so we assumed it had sold, then last week I got a call from the salesman asking how I'd gone on with the sale of mine (which was to go through the following day) I asked him about the 544 and he told me it's gone to another depot but was still available so I told him I'd have it, so we collect it tomorrow. It's a 2012 b544 one owner 28000 mls with service history plated at 4250. Can't wait!!!!!!

 

[Hettie's Crew]

came away to think about it, then it disappeared from their website,

Similar story to us, we went to view it, really liked it but being sensible decided to think about it a couple of days only to get a call from the salesman to say it’s been sold. A week later the salesman called back to say it’s available again as the buyers had been turned down by the finance company.
The only problem we have now is that there is nothing we would swap it for, so we’ll have to take care of it.
You won’t regret your choice I’m sure.

 

[Hymerbell]

Had a B544 for 20 years...if I hadn’t wanted a garage I’d have got another one...great van.

 

[pandas]

Well after all the excitement at looking at........nothing!!!! I've ended up buying the one and only b544 that we looked at. We went to view it at a local dealer about three weeks ago and came away to think about it, then it disappeared from their website, so we assumed it had sold, then last week I got a call from the salesman asking how I'd gone on with the sale of mine (which was to go through the following day) I asked him about the 544 and he told me it's gone to another depot but was still available so I told him I'd have it, so we collect it tomorrow. It's a 2012 b544 one owner 28000 mls with service history plated at 4250. Can't wait!!!!!!

Sounds like my old B544. Did it have a reindeer decal on the side ?

 

[Mr bean]

It was first registered in Scotland. Haven't got the Reg to hand think it's HK 12. Don't remember seeing a reindeer decal.

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[pandas]

It was first registered in Scotland. Haven't got the Reg to hand think it's HK 12. Don't remember seeing a reindeer decal.

Not mine, no Father Xmas sitting on the roof either then!

 

[Mr bean]

Sorry for the slow update but only collected it Friday. It should have had an awning fitted but that hadn't been done (said they'd been sent wrong brackets) so it has to go back, also has a rather strange feel on the steering at 35/45mph not a wheel wobble or judder but like it's driving on a poorly made tarmac road!! But wifey and I LOVED IT!!!!

 

[BusyBuilder]

Best Hymer design for 2 people imho, even with George on board it never feels cramped, though I made a smaller table from some beech worktop. My only disappointment is the 130bhp, at 4250kg it should be 150bhp. It can be a struggle on our Highland roads, but we managed the very long steep road up to the Eagles Nest at Bertesgarden.

 

[Mr bean]

Have to agree with you Busybuilder, just spent 3 nights in the Lake District putting it through its paces, both wifey and myself came home with big smiles on our faces, and our puppy loved the extra space. Got another short trip planned for the 12th of next month, was hoping to go down to Spain but think that's off till next year.