Just bought my first motorhome

[hellodave]

Hello!

I just bought my first motorhome, a 2003 Burstner i660, I pick it up on Saturday. Quite old, but low mileage and it seems to be in very good condition.

We bought tickets, camping and ferry crossing for this years 24h LeMans at the end of last year, now it's only about 6 weeks away, I was hoping to get it sorted before now.
Yes, I paid for a ferry crossing for a motorhome I didn't yet own, now I've sorted the purchase I'm stressing a bit less now, but I'm still a bit... er... overwhelmed

I have loads of questions, and loads to learn, but I'll do some reading here first before unloading on you!

 

[Figaro]

Good motorhomes and probably a 2.8 JTD engine ? They're very reliable when serviced regularly and no euro 6 emissions sensors to spoil your holiday
Ask away whatever you need to know, lots of helpful people on here

Just a couple of things to check to get you started, can you be certain when the cambelt was last changed, how old are the tyres (they're dated and should not be more than 5-6 years irrespective of tread) and if it has an Alko chassis has the rear torsion bar been greased (frequently overlooked) ?

 

[Janine]

Welcome to the Fun

 

[hellodave]

Advice already, I love it, thanks!

Yes, 2.8 engine, and full service history. I took a mechanic friend with me when I went to see it last weekend, he gave it the thumbs up.
I remember seeing a cambelt change in the paperwork, but not sure when, I'll make sure to check on Saturday. How regularly should it be changed?
The tyres are 2021 I think, plenty of tread, but I understand I'll have to change them for age reasons at some point.
It has an Alko chassis, I have no idea about the rear torsion bar grease. Is it something I can tell from a visual inspection? Is it a difficult job?
Luckily, I live just down the road from a Burstner dealership, so I'm planning to have them do the maintenance stuff I can't do myself.

 

[Figaro]

It has an Alko chassis, I have no idea about the rear torsion bar grease. Is it something I can tell from a visual inspection? Is it a difficult job?

It's an easy job to do yourself, it's just a grease gun on a grease nipple each end of the rear axle.
The only tricky part is the rear wheels have to be off the ground when you do it.
I have a laid back MOT guy who's happy for me to go in the pit during MOT so I do it then while he has the wheels airbourne, takes about 2 mins each side.
It's something often overlooked though as it's not a FIAT service item and many garages are oblivious to the need.
Failure to do it can be costly
Not all Alko chassis require this, some are sealed, but it's worth finding out.

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[Mohawk Mo]

 

[Phill D]

Hi there and welcome, I’m sure you will get it sorted out and have a great trip.

 

[Just smiffy]

Welcome, I’m sure you’ll have fun in France it is motorhome heaven…

As for the servicing or mechanical repairs I wouldn’t take it near a dealer, try and get a recommended local garage that actually fixes cars/vans that can accommodate it… it will be cheaper and they will fix it and service it better…

 

[f6c]

Welcome aboard

 

[rolosroller]

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[CAB96]

Hello hellodave

 

[cliffanger]

AndDave

 

[MisterB]

Some great advice re the torsion bars, just go on you tube for additional info, and don't forget to come back on here and post your progress. I never stop learning

'education is a journey, not a destination'


and welcome to the Fun House

Dave ...

 

[Nanniemate]

Hello!

I just bought my first motorhome, a 2003 Burstner i660, I pick it up on Saturday. Quite old, but low mileage and it seems to be in very good condition.

We bought tickets, camping and ferry crossing for this years 24h LeMans at the end of last year, now it's only about 6 weeks away, I was hoping to get it sorted before now.
Yes, I paid for a ferry crossing for a motorhome I didn't yet own, now I've sorted the purchase I'm stressing a bit less now, but I'm still a bit... er... overwhelmed

I have loads of questions, and loads to learn, but I'll do some reading here first before unloading on you!

Like your style I'm not a natural planner outside of work

Enjoy everything you need that you forget you cabby over there , raid the home kitchen fir everything and only buy once you know you need it

 

[ambulancekidd]

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[scousebird]

 

[Brains]

Hello!

I just bought my first motorhome, a 2003 Burstner i660, I pick it up on Saturday. Quite old, but low mileage and it seems to be in very good condition.

We bought tickets, camping and ferry crossing for this years 24h LeMans at the end of last year, now it's only about 6 weeks away, I was hoping to get it sorted before now.
Yes, I paid for a ferry crossing for a motorhome I didn't yet own, now I've sorted the purchase I'm stressing a bit less now, but I'm still a bit... er... overwhelmed

I have loads of questions, and loads to learn, but I'll do some reading here first before unloading on you!

I'd also suggest you book and pay for a camping pitch at le Mans ASAP.
Otherwise you could be ending up in a layby 20 miles away for a week.

 

[gus-lopez]

 

[Go_buddy_go_]

 

[Barchetta47]

Great vans, I’ve got a similar age i681 you won’t regret it.

Travelling to Le Mans you’ll likely pass through Rouen so you will need to take advantage of the LEZ exemption scheme. Heres a link.

https://formulaires.demarches.metro...tps://demarches.metropole-rouen-normandie.fr/

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[Lee Fryer]

 

[hellodave]

Thanks for the welcome everyone!
To answer a few points -

Brains yes, the camping was pitch was booked at the same time as the tickets and ferry, we are at Arnage this time
The same group of friends did this in 2023, I had a great time, but I vowed to never sleep in a tent again, so here we are

Barchetta47 I didn't know that about Rouen, something to bear in mind for the future though as our ferry is to Ouistreham, so we won't go near Rouen.

Just smiffy Surely not all dealerships are bad? The one I'm talking about is TMD Motorhomes in Redditch if anyone has any experience with them. They do more than just Burstner.

Small update, I picked it up yesterday and it's now on my driveway. It took a bit of getting used to, LHD and I've never driven anything that big, but it drives great, plenty of power and not that noisy once you get on decent roads.
I don't think it's quite sunk in yet... I have A LOT to learn, and not that much time. I am getting organised though, I've started planning all the things I need to do on JIRA
I feel a bit like Arnold J Rimmer colouring in his study planner, but I'm sure I'd forget stuff if I don't put it somewhere.

One issue I didn't realise until I got it home... I only have access to one side of it on the driveway, it has to be right up against a wall on one side to not encroach on my neighbour.
I don't know how I'm going to wash it. It's going to make a lot of things tricky.
I think the next major milestone will be taking it to a local camp site and spending the night in it, probably in 2 or 3 weeks, maybe the Malverns.

I need to research which motorhome clubs are worth my while joining, please post links if you have any good ones!

 

[Russ N Tracey]

Hi and Welcome. Why not come down to the Newbury show in 2 weeks? (details on here) you can meet up with a few of us there, ask all the questions you want and have a shake down weekend too

 

[Richard n Ann]

I need to research which motorhome clubs are worth my while joining, please post links if you have any good ones!

This is the best club but we used to be in the Camping & Caravanning Club, throughout most of the year they have temporary holiday sites (THS) in some good locations and they are only about £10 a night.
Apart from that I'd suggest going to France and Spain where prices are reasonable and motorhomes are welcomed

 

[Just smiffy]

@Just smiffy Surely not all dealerships are bad? The one I'm talking about is TMD Motorhomes in Redditch if anyone has any experience with them. They do more than just Burstner

No not all but few and far between, but even a good one will still charge much more then a garage for a service on the base vehicle….

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[Grummyb]

Hi Dave Welcome to the fun referenece serviceing didnt you say you took a mechanic friend to look at the avn with you if so cant he service it for you the base vehicle will be pretty much the same as any other car / van and with help from fellow funsters i bet you will get abetter job done cheaper than going to any garage

 

[Armytwowheels]

Hello and Welcome. I hope you have a great trip and don't forget, if something goes wrong with the van, help and advise is only a post away on here.

 

[denisejoe]

Hi good year for Motorhome same year as ours.

 

[Geistguy]

Before leaving for France, remember to check that everything works on mains power, 12v and gas. How big is your habitation battery ? Check that it's in good order and big enough for your needs. You will have frustrations and minor glitches but that's half the fun of motorhoming

 

[Spara4042]

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