What motorhome to purchase

[johno1716]

Hi All
I’m a complete novice to the motorhome movement, my wife and I have had enough of airports and crap holidays, so we have been offered two motorhomes a

2004 Burstner Argos A747-2 Active​

And a

2006 CI Kiwi Riviera 181​

I have no idea if these are any good but they r in our price range any feedback would be much appreciated.

 

[funflair]

Hi

Why the choice of just two ? Lots of homework to do I think.

 

[Figaro]

Reading this is a great way to get started

The Motorhome Buyer's Guide - MotorhomeFun

Download our Free Motorhome Buyer's Guide packed with essential tips, checklists, and expert advice. Distilled wisdom from 60,000 members

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Lots to consider, firstly do you have C1 on your license ?
I think you'd need it for the burstner, not sure about the other one you mentioned

 

[Grianan]

Burstner Argos - what are people’s thoughts ?

So I was not looking to change my camper but I saw a MMM review on line a few weeks ago of the Burstner Argos 747-2 and I have fallen in love. To me it looks like a what a proper camper should do so yesterday I went and looked at one. So my question: Has anyone here had or have one. What, if...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Riviera 181, any thoughts to help a newbie make a decision?

Help! I went to the Mendip caravan & motorhome show on the weekend and have really got the bug now! I have decided on a motorhome and have seen a second hand Riviera 181, Fiat 2.8TD based vehicle locally. It is a 2004 build and only has 1800 miles on the clock so is in very good condition...

www.motorhomefacts.com

I have no knowledge of either model but I think a starting point has to be

• what layout works for you (go to see lots and imagine your daily routine)
• if buying an older vehicle get someone to check it mechanically
• check for any damp issues/delamination etc

Good luck and, as funflair says, there are lots of used MHs out there, time spent researching could avoid later disappointment.

 

[Jev88]

Have you joined the Fun club and read Jim's buyers guide? Very useful.

Go and physically see as many new and second hand MH that you can and have fun!
You'll quickly recognise familiar designs across different brands and hopefully will settle in a few deal breakers?
For us it was a Separate shower became a must have!
Layout error is the main reason people sell their first MH.

Good luck!

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[Puddleduck]

It's not just about what it must have but also what won't work for you.

 

[nicholsong]

Hi All
I’m a complete novice to the motorhome movement, my wife and I have had enough of airports and crap holidays, so we have been offered two motorhomes a

2004 Burstner Argos A747-2 Active​

And a

2006 CI Kiwi Riviera 181​

I have no idea if these are any good but they r in our price range any feedback would be much appreciated.

As funflair says 'Lots of homework to do'

The first point to decide is how you want to use it e'g'

Just campsites, or being independent of their facilities.

Which seasons, winter use?

What licence you both have - C1 for over 3.5t? Do you both want to drive it. Are either of you over 70, needing C1 medical and have any medical problems?

As to your immediate question, you say you have been 'offered' these two vehicles, is that by dealer(s) or privately?

They are older motorhomes, which is not in itself bad, as ours is 22 years old and still good. It does indicate that maybe there are budget considerations, again not a real problem as there are some makes of motorhomes which last that long, but others which are near end of life.

I suggest you give us more information, in order to give you more advice.

 

[johno1716]

Hi all thank you so much for the reply’s, I have a c1 license so I’m all good there, I’m leaning towards the burnster as I like the size, the unit looks solid, I’ve noticed in a message above there’s a motorhome guide looks like I have a lot of reading to do.

 

[Lenny HB]

The Burnster will have a much better build quality and less prone to damp issues.
Do you have a C1 Licence as you will need it for the Burnster and probably the CI.

 

[johno1716]

As funflair says 'Lots of homework to do'

The first point to decide is how you want to use it e'g'

Just campsites, or being independent of their facilities.

Which seasons, winter use?

What licence you both have - C1 for over 3.5t? Do you both want to drive it. Are either of you over 70, needing C1 medical and have any medical problems?

As to your immediate question, you say you have been 'offered' these two vehicles, is that by dealer(s) or privately?

They are older motorhomes, which is not in itself bad, as ours is 22 years old and still good. It does indicate that maybe there are budget considerations, again not a real problem as there are some makes of motorhomes which last that long, but others which are near end of life.

I suggest you give us more information, in order to give you more advice.

Hi thanks for the reply, I’m 58 I’m retiring soon, wife has already lucky her, I’m hgv driver by trade so driving is my life no medical problems, I’ve always said let’s get a motorhome and go exploring in the uk and abroad, so I need something that’s solid and reliable, these two units are private sales, I’m not going to go stupid on price as there’s units out there which are solid and probably better than the more expensive ones.

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[unclestinky]

Hi thanks for the reply, I’m 58 I’m retiring soon, wife has already lucky her, I’m hgv driver by trade so driving is my life no medical problems, I’ve always said let’s get a motorhome and go exploring in the uk and abroad, so I need something that’s solid and reliable, these two units are private sales, I’m not going to go stupid on price as there’s units out there which are solid and probably better than the more expensive ones.

Take a look on the classified section on here, there is some nice lower priced vans available.

 

[Brains]

I'd rent a couple before you buy.
(Rent in Germany, you'll get much better quality for a lower cost than you will in the UK)

What you may think you want and what you actually want can be very different.

We thought we were looking for a 8+ meter MoHo with a French bed. Italian, French or German built.
We hired (a German) one and decided the French bed was a very bad idea, and 8m was too big for the UK.

We changed the spec to be under 7m with twin rear beds and a massive garage.
(And we limited our search to German vehicles only on quality)

 

[Sneds]

Wish I’d done that!

 

[Figaro]

I’m not going to go stupid on price as there’s units out there which are solid and probably better than the more expensive ones.

That's sound thinking, the older 2.8jtd engine is pretty bullet proof compared to the more recent euro 6 engines which seem very tempremental throwing dpf and egr messages and going into limp mode just as you set off on holiday.
Just look out for damp in the habitation areas and corrossion on the chassis. Some motorhomes have an Alko chassis which is galvernised so only the front bit of Fiat cab chassis corrossion to worry about.
Make sure all appliances fridge, boiler etc are working as they are costly to replace.
Cambelts should be replaced at 5 years and if theres no evidence it's been done assume it hasn't and negotiate hard

 

[Fdhadi]

We had a 2004 Burstner A747 for 16yrs. Bought it in 2006.
Brilliant family Motorhome, very well built with 1.5t payload less weight of extras of course.
Probably looking at around 21-22mpg but cheap PLG road tax (£165 ish).

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[mitzimad]

the burstnerwill be better quality

 

[Tony the Manc']

Hi All
I’m a complete novice to the motorhome movement, my wife and I have had enough of airports and crap holidays, so we have been offered two motorhomes a

2004 Burstner Argos A747-2 Active​

And a

2006 CI Kiwi Riviera 181​

I have no idea if these are any good but they r in our price range any feedback would be much appreciated.

A piece of advice I was given by a motorhomer in 2018 when looking to buy a moho' "always buy something bigger than you think you'll need" Best bit of advice ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Sidders]

I personally wouldn’t go near the CI, the place that I use for my hab checks said they see lots of issues in that particular brand more than any other.
The Burnster is in a different class, the Argos I’m sure is a tag axle so just want to make sure you’re ok with the length (driveway/driving etc)
Good luck and keep us posted

 

[Soycd]

We had a Bürstner 747 from 2002 - 2004. Brilliant, one of the best motorhomes we've had. Really easy to drive. Do you need that much space though? At the time we had 3 youngsters 4-9 years old, a 3 metre RIB with a engine, bikes and all the other stuff a family needs for 5 weeks away in Greece/ Italy etc. I'm thinking it might be a bit OTT just for two people?

 

[Hymerboy]

There's a saying that the third motorhome you buy is the one you should have bought in the first place, I'm on my second one at the moment.

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[Brains]

There's a saying that the third motorhome you buy is the one you should have bought in the first place, I'm on my second one at the moment.

Rule One:
Read the book which can be downloaded here
Many words of wisdom from the thousands of users of this forum,
all of whom have years, if not decades of knowledge and experience ahead of you.

Rule Two:
Rent, at least two, Motorhomes vaguely similar to what you may be looking for.
(Germany is the best place to rent. Twice as good for half the price compared to the UK)
What you think you want, what the salesman tells you require, may have no relationship with what you need.

Rule Three:
Research, Research, Research !
Layout, Budget & Specification

Make a long list of 'must have', 'nice to have', 'Not wanted'
Do not compromise, except on budget (maybe... your partner may have different ideas!)
Look at loads, but don't be distracted by the massive land yachts if the budget is a pop-top.
Don't think twice about looking at one from the other end of the country.
Dealers are not your friends.
Don't be afraid to 'miss' the perfect vehicle, another will be along shortly

 

[Brains]

Rule One:
Read the book which can be downloaded here
Many words of wisdom from the thousands of users of this forum,
all of whom have years, if not decades of knowledge and experience ahead of you.

Rule Two:
Rent, at least two, Motorhomes vaguely similar to what you may be looking for.
(Germany is the best place to rent. Twice as good for half the price compared to the UK)
What you think you want, what the salesman tells you require, may have no relationship with what you need.

Rule Three:
Research, Research, Research !
Layout, Budget & Specification

Make a long list of 'must have', 'nice to have', 'Not wanted'
Do not compromise, except on budget (maybe... your partner may have different ideas!)
Look at loads, but don't be distracted by the massive land yachts if the budget is a pop-top.
Don't think twice about looking at one from the other end of the country.
Dealers are not your friends.
Don't be afraid to 'miss' the perfect vehicle, another will be along shortly

We owned two camper vans.
Then rented two motorhomes (in Germany),. before buying the Motorhome we still have today.

With the benefit of hindsight, there is very little I'd change.
I think we got the best vehicle, for the best price, available at the time.

 

[whitebeach]

For an older one maybe a Hymer, had four of them all around 20 years old and no major issues like damp.