Yes the Burstner Elegance 821 is an excellent build quality motorhome, certainly better than the Autotrail but is at least £25k more expensive, we looked long and hard at the Burstner and found that as nice as it was it just didn`t work.
Example:- the lounge area is to the right as you walk in, utilizing the drivers and passenger seat which spin round to face the lounge, there is a long seat on the right hand side of the vehicle with a fixed table and “L” shaped seat opposite.
The table does move around on a sliding system but space is limited, ie there isn`t much room to get past someone sat on the long seat on the right hand side of the vehicle, yes you could push the table over to the left hand side but not if someone is sat on that side.
The tv is mounted by the door on a slide out, not really the perfect position for those sat facing across the motorhome.
Ok bed time well let`s say we have a family situation so time for bed kids, mmhh their bed is over the drivers and passengers seats which means when you pull it down you have lost your lounge area, you certainly wouldn`t want them sleeping in your lovely end bedroom.
The kitchen is first class though as is the loo and shower room, the end bedroom comes with 3 options, island bed, double bed to one side or 2 singles.
So as individual areas the Burstner is top quality it`s just as a package it doesn`t work for a family.
Not sure where the 'at least £25k more expensive' comes from - certainly not in the mid-noughties age range when I was buying last year. :Confused:
Agree with the comment about the over-large table - first thing I did was remove it and buy a folding leg table that stores neatly out of the way by the wardrobe. That way you have a lovely open living area.
Don't watch TV so can't really comment on that aspect. My van doesn't have the slide-out by the door that robnchris mention, so guess that has altered over the years
Don't have children either, but take the point about the drop-down bed putting the cab seats out of action.
If you're not looking for winter use, then the Burstner might well be higher spec than you need. Full winterisation was one of my priorities, together with high payload.
Good luck in your search!