Seeking opinions on Hymer B680
- Thread starter Hymerboy
- Start date
cliffanger
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We have the B690 with island bed, but with the same engine and gearbox. We both love the van, and Cliff loves the engine and gearbox.
Ours is the 2013 version - a quality van.
Ours is the 2013 version - a quality van.
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- Feb 24, 2013
- 13,556
- 103,121
- Funster No
- 24,833
- MH
- Hymer S800
- Exp
- not long enough
It’s only fault is 20mpg +/- 2
Lovely to drive, some wallow on ours at low speed but it is a bit bigger
Lovely to drive, some wallow on ours at low speed but it is a bit bigger
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just sold mine , superb machine , excellent build quality , the last of the decent Hymers .
At 5300 Kg its not going to be economical probably 20 mpg but so smooth. Rear air assist or full air improves very soft ride. If you can get one the starline S gives over £20 K worth of extras , Alde heating with 17 radiators , heat exchanger for hot water and heating as you drive , porcelain toilet, double glazed cab windows , stone sink, leather seats, real wood extending table, and so much more.
I wish I could of kept mine but had a heart attack and now fitted with ICD so lost my licence for six months and not sure I will have C1 when i get my Licence back.
At 5300 Kg its not going to be economical probably 20 mpg but so smooth. Rear air assist or full air improves very soft ride. If you can get one the starline S gives over £20 K worth of extras , Alde heating with 17 radiators , heat exchanger for hot water and heating as you drive , porcelain toilet, double glazed cab windows , stone sink, leather seats, real wood extending table, and so much more.
I wish I could of kept mine but had a heart attack and now fitted with ICD so lost my licence for six months and not sure I will have C1 when i get my Licence back.
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cliffanger
LIFE MEMBER
We have air suspension on ours. I think that makes a difference on handling (?) but don’t really understand it.
The Merc chassis is very ‘floaty’ when parked up, but the levelling system sorts the problem.
Our previous B564 van had the Alko chassis which was much more stable, but the B690 is a far more spacious and comfortable van - the B680 will be the same van, apart from the single beds, so a lovely van to go for.
The Merc chassis is very ‘floaty’ when parked up, but the levelling system sorts the problem.
Our previous B564 van had the Alko chassis which was much more stable, but the B690 is a far more spacious and comfortable van - the B680 will be the same van, apart from the single beds, so a lovely van to go for.
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haganap
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- Dec 5, 2007
- 12,821
- 27,162
- Funster No
- 974
- MH
- Niesman+Bischoff 79e
- Exp
- I'm an oldbie MH number 10
I have one, the starline S as mentioned above.
super impressed and I've had fiats and Iveco.
The engine is the best there is mounted to a fantastic gearbox. Power plant beyond belief but as David says, dont expect the fuel economy to have "just stop oil" letting you through a protest. I get about 20-22 mpg..
best to have air fitted as it can roll a bit but air certainly stiffens it up.
super impressed and I've had fiats and Iveco.
The engine is the best there is mounted to a fantastic gearbox. Power plant beyond belief but as David says, dont expect the fuel economy to have "just stop oil" letting you through a protest. I get about 20-22 mpg..
best to have air fitted as it can roll a bit but air certainly stiffens it up.
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Hi, we have had ours for 6 years now and agree we other comments regarding engine and gearbox. Ours is late 2013 model b680. we certainly wish we had air assistance suspension as it is a very soft ride.Fuel economy is average of 20-22 mpg which isn't great but we pull a large trailer with VW UP and engine performs with ease. Interior quality is very good.
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- Nov 19, 2010
- 363
- 902
- Funster No
- 14,483
- MH
- Hymer Exsis-I578
- Exp
- since 2012
We had a 13 plate 680, bought it at 1yr old and kept it for 4yrs. Excellent quality and a very comfortable van for long stays. I think standard is 5T but ours was plated at 5.3T. Payload was over 1T and I never weighed it or worried about it.
The downside of the size was the fuel economy, it was pretty consistent at 20mpg over 20k miles. Another downside is that if used abroad, the motorway tolls charge at HGV rates. Sometimes the height could be an issue on Spanish campsites which had low tree canopies(ours also had sat dish and roof aircon). The soft suspension and narrow wheelbase means that it can be susceptible to a little wind buffeting.
As already said, the engine/gearbox is a great combination.
The only issue I had in 4yrs was with the electronic steering lock at the base of the steering column. I understand this is a recognised issue on Mercedes and not just on their vans. To compound the problem, I was in France and the Merc dealer had problems diagnosing the problem.
Overall, a great big van.
Terry
The downside of the size was the fuel economy, it was pretty consistent at 20mpg over 20k miles. Another downside is that if used abroad, the motorway tolls charge at HGV rates. Sometimes the height could be an issue on Spanish campsites which had low tree canopies(ours also had sat dish and roof aircon). The soft suspension and narrow wheelbase means that it can be susceptible to a little wind buffeting.
As already said, the engine/gearbox is a great combination.
The only issue I had in 4yrs was with the electronic steering lock at the base of the steering column. I understand this is a recognised issue on Mercedes and not just on their vans. To compound the problem, I was in France and the Merc dealer had problems diagnosing the problem.
Overall, a great big van.
Terry
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Hi Meaderc3224,
Sorry to bother you again, I bought the B680 2013 and am delighted with it, unfortunately the reversing camera is not working, previous owner said it was ok when he had it so I am wondering if it has blown a fuse howevever the manual says on page 114 that it is to the left of drivers seat but I cant find it, have you any idea?. Also the Merc keys suggest that it has central locking but I have to use the key to lock it, are they just for the egnition?
Regards
Jack.
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There are some fuses to the right of the big storage cupboard behind the passenger (RHD) door , panel pulls out and there is three or four fuses.
One was for satellite but cant remember if there's one for reversing camera in there.
Our 680 didn't have central locking although it was on the key fob.
One was for satellite but cant remember if there's one for reversing camera in there.
Our 680 didn't have central locking although it was on the key fob.
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I think I found the ones you refer to just above the EBL, theres four fuses 2 x 2amp and one x 10 amp and one missing I'm going to see if theres any power to it then maybe try it with a fuse, see what happens. Nervouse time for me though.
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I just noticed that those fuses are not the ones refered to in the manual, page 114 ,still can't find them.
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Just looking at an American sprinter forum and they suggest under the drivers seat but could be passenger seat for UK market
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Cheers I'll have a look tomorrow
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If it originally had central locking then it could be a blown fuse or the fuse has been removed to disable the central locking, I pulled the fuse on my 2004 Hymer because I didn't want the habitation door and garage door unlocking when I opened the drivers door.
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Thats a good call, I'll leave it as is thanks
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Hi Meaderc3224, I have another query for you, I dont know if my Hymer has an alarm, I notice on the garage doors it has some typical alarm sensors but when I lock it with the key there is no audible sound nor do the lights flash, I just find it hard to believe that it does'nt have one, I wonder if the sensors I mention are to warn if the door is open when driving. Does this model come with an alarm or need to be fitted by the owner ?
Jack
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