Which Hymer is best? Hymer B558 Premium Line OR Hymer ML-I 580 (1 Viewer)

Dec 28, 2019
16
8
The United Arab Emirates
Funster No
67,658
MH
Hymer B698
Exp
I'm a newbie
Hi everyone,

We are about to return to the UK next week to buy our first motorhome. We are looking remotely at a Hymer B558 Premium Line and a Hymer ML-I 580. I know you can't tell much about them till you get inside them and drive them, but as Hymer has such a wide range of MoHos it's hard to tell which would be the best model out of the two.

Any and all advice, thoughts, would be much appreciated!
 

Armytwowheels

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 10, 2012
6,446
14,775
Market Harborough
Funster No
22,346
MH
Carthago S Plus - Iveco
Exp
Since 2011
Hello and welcome.

I cannot help with your choice of Hymer but someone who owns those models will be along shortly, I am sure.

Theonlysue didn't you have an ML-580 for a while?
 
Oct 18, 2014
1,855
1,155
Salisbury
Funster No
33,868
MH
Hymer B598 PL
Exp
Since 2013
Hi & welcome to Motorhome’fun’ ??

we have a 598 premium line and love it. Unfortunately we have no knowledge of the mli
 
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SandBunnies
Dec 28, 2019
16
8
The United Arab Emirates
Funster No
67,658
MH
Hymer B698
Exp
I'm a newbie
Thank you! I know it's an odd question in a way as there will be pros and cons to all models. It's just that many of them look really similar to me!

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SandBunnies
Dec 28, 2019
16
8
The United Arab Emirates
Funster No
67,658
MH
Hymer B698
Exp
I'm a newbie
? well, bottom line is that we want a big payload, second hand, LHD Hymer. There are about 4 for sale in the UK at the moment, plus a couple of nice (but pricey) Carthagos. One will be purchased next week because we don't have a big time frame. Hymer B678 and Hymer ML-I 620 as well as the two I first mentioned - all 4 look like a variation on a theme.
 

claude et maude

LIFE MEMBER
Mar 17, 2018
437
1,336
Kent
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52,842
MH
Hymer B664 CL
Exp
Since 2018
I think you said it yourself, you need to get a look at them. Everyone’s needs and point of view is different......but I’d love either of those! My better half would kill me if I tried to upgrade our Hymer to one of them, she loves it!

Good luck!

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Jul 6, 2016
1,547
1,264
West Sussex
Funster No
43,954
MH
Carthago Chic A clas
Exp
Since 1990
Wecome to the forum.

Seeing you are looking for a LHD and secondhand, why not stop off in Germany on the way back where you will find a far wider selection compared to UK.

This company specialise in export customers https://www.duerrwang.de/ The savings you make would cover the cost of shipping to UK.

I wanted LHD and bought in Germany like many others on this forum. The import paperwork is not difficult.
 
Jul 29, 2013
9,048
18,087
Salisbury
Funster No
27,215
MH
Hymer B678DL A class
Exp
since 2011
Have you looked on Link Removed there are usually a great selection on there it would of course mean you have to import it but that’s not difficult we have twice. We have B678DL which has a great payload.by the way our existing van came from Durrwang?
welcome to FUN ?????
 
Dec 17, 2016
951
955
Malvern
Funster No
46,488
MH
Hymer B525 2006 A cl
Exp
2012
I think Detnor may have the MLI 620?. He was very helpful to us when we were first looking at Hymers. MLI will be on the Merc chassis so rear wheel drive
Paddy

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SandBunnies
Dec 28, 2019
16
8
The United Arab Emirates
Funster No
67,658
MH
Hymer B698
Exp
I'm a newbie
Thank you all for the links. I'll check them out now.

We've made this difficult for ourselves by only having 3 days to buy one before going back to the UAE for our last 4 months there. We've thrown in the towel workwise, and are setting off on an 18 month European tour on 1st July. Yep, it's all a bit daunting and rushed but we've had a few friends come down with the big 'C' over the last couple of years and decided to just do it!! Then of course Brexit came along and our itinerary is now being scuppered by the 90 day rule...so we're getting away asap.

Lots and lots of research but it's a labour of love. This site has been INVALUABLE so far and all the members so giving of their knowledge and experience. I hope we can do the same later down the line when we get some miles under our belt.
 
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SandBunnies
Dec 28, 2019
16
8
The United Arab Emirates
Funster No
67,658
MH
Hymer B698
Exp
I'm a newbie
Hi Paddymcc - I'm sure my other half will like the idea of a Mercedes chassis. I've read a bit of debate about the merit of said chassis over a Fiat Ducato, but I know nothing of course. The one we are looking at has a microwave - first time I've seen one in a German vehicle.
 
Sep 28, 2015
1,992
2,554
Kingston upon Hull, East Yorkshire.
Funster No
38,946
MH
Hymer B544
Exp
2001 Caravans 2011 Motorhomes

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Dec 17, 2016
951
955
Malvern
Funster No
46,488
MH
Hymer B525 2006 A cl
Exp
2012
RWD should be better in mud and it also gives a better lock which can be useful. However we have never got stuck - fingers crossed. Older RWD mercs don't have the double floor ( fiat do) but Hymer put in external lockers to use the space and the waste tank although below the chassis is insulated and heated.
You are going to be busy over 3 days good luck. Someone on here might be able to have a peek at the vans before you come over?
 
Sep 29, 2014
64
186
West Yorkshire
Funster No
33,579
MH
Adria Twin 600 SPB
Exp
2016 Hymer, Adria
I have a LHD MLI 580 - perfect for a couple, the twin rear beds mean we are in touching distance, but don’t disturb each other getting up, the shower & toilet are both good, the garage allows us to take 2 electric bikes and more with ease. Perfect for long distance travel in France, rhe 2.3 motor more than adequate, auto gearbox faultless. Long service intervals. Not a huge living space, but mostly we try and be outside. Same with kitchen, good for breakfasts and quick meals (we don’t have an oven), but mostly cook / eat out.
Let me know if you have any questions. Good luck!
 
6

63720

Deleted User
Imo. The ML has the better layout the the B has a better kitchen, but it's not my decision.

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SandBunnies
Dec 28, 2019
16
8
The United Arab Emirates
Funster No
67,658
MH
Hymer B698
Exp
I'm a newbie
Thank you for the info BillM and paddymcc. We thought the living space small but after reading about the U shaped lounge v fixed beds, and the big garage you get with the fixed beds (not to mention convenience) we decided the garage was more important.

I've not read yet anyone taking golf clubs with them - well we've got a set each plus golf trolleys and bikes. I think my husband is seeing this as a chance to play the top 100 golf courses in Europe...we can't be the only ones surely....
 

Lenny HB

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 18, 2007
52,688
147,602
On the coast in West Sussex
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658
MH
Hymer B678 DL
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Since 2008 & many years tugging
The ML is fairly basic as it is an Exsis on a Merc chassis does have the advantage of RWD, some had ground clearance problems at the rear, the waste tank would ground on not very steep inclines & ferry ramps the cure is to fit rear air suspension. The Premier Line is more up market well kitted out on the Fiat with Al-Ko chassis so has a double floor, wider body, design a little bit dated.
 
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SandBunnies
Dec 28, 2019
16
8
The United Arab Emirates
Funster No
67,658
MH
Hymer B698
Exp
I'm a newbie

Checked this out Hettie's Crew - no Hymers but thanks for the link!

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SandBunnies
Dec 28, 2019
16
8
The United Arab Emirates
Funster No
67,658
MH
Hymer B698
Exp
I'm a newbie
The ML is fairly basic as it is an Exsis on a Merc chassis does have the advantage of RWD, some had ground clearance problems at the rear, the waste tank would ground on not very steep inclines & ferry ramps the cure is to fit rear air suspension. The Premier Line is more up market well kitted out on the Fiat with Al-Ko chassis so has a double floor, wider body, design a little bit dated.
Excellent! Thank you
 
Jan 22, 2013
146
196
Dorchester
Funster No
24,382
MH
C class
Exp
since 2010
We have had an mlt 620 since mid 2016, 7.6m
Max trip duration 3months 90% offgrid
Relevant comments
Merc rwd chassis is transformed with rear air suspension crashes and bangs almost eliminated
Update to 4200kg if possible
We opted for the taller garage, swallows Dutch style ebikes, BUT compromises head room above beds. The lower garage would have given more headroom and still been ok for the bikes
We considered the 580, but are pleased we went for the longer version as it gives a larger living area
Do watch for rear axle loading even at 4200kg we are at maximum with full water in running trim; however we have a towbar and spare wheel plus air suspension which added 130kg a long way behind the axle.
We find that we have more than 200kg unusable on the front axle, however this is for the non A class body.
We opted for Alde heating with underfloor option plus engine heat exchanger - toasty.
Other stuff is more body specific.
Good luck
Jon
 

Theonlysue

LIFE MEMBER
Sep 14, 2009
6,104
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Essex
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8,456
MH
As Executive 50th an
Exp
Not long enough!
I've got the mlt630. Island bed on the 163 Bhp..
The garage is slightly smaller than the single bed model.
With full water and fuel, it copes fine, but nice to have a bigger engine.
The merc auto drives wonderfully, no roll back at all. In comparison the old fiat was like driving a cart on comparison, but not sure what the new auto box is like.
Depends on layout. Small kitchen diesnt bother me, rather have the room in the lounge.
Any other questions feel free to ask.
Buy in haste, repent at leisure.

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SandBunnies
Dec 28, 2019
16
8
The United Arab Emirates
Funster No
67,658
MH
Hymer B698
Exp
I'm a newbie
Jon & The only sue - such great information! The great thing for us is that we are not restricted by the 3,500 vehicle weight. For us, the more we can carry the better. Though I've abandoned the idea of electric bikes due to carrying the golf clubs.

The ML-I 620 is a private seller and the husband is a bit (well, really) nervous of dealing with a private sale. He thinks that the dealers offer the perks of MOT, insurance, servicing and dealer warranty. It's a big chunk of cash after all. Given it's a 2018 model should we be anxious about this?
 
Jan 22, 2013
146
196
Dorchester
Funster No
24,382
MH
C class
Exp
since 2010
We have space for stuff eg golf clubs plus ebikes in the garage, the pay load would be ok without the tow bar (63kg)
We also have twin 11kg gaslow refillable gas bottles. There are lighter bottles available ie Alugas.
We moved our spare wheel forward to the cupboard under the starboard bed. This may not work if the low garage option is selected and also may not work on the 580.
MOT not a big problem on newer vehicles in my view. Insurance is a matter of research and best done by yourselves. I don't entirely discount a relationship with a GOOD dealer, but you should pay less in a private sale which should compensate. The truck side is down to the commercial market and is easily achieved all over. We had a suspension fault fixed in Croatia and were pleased enough to have a service at the same place.
The rest of the niggles we sort.
The only thing we use a dealer for is the continuing annual damp inspection, can be done by any Hymer dealer in Europe.
 
Jul 6, 2016
1,547
1,264
West Sussex
Funster No
43,954
MH
Carthago Chic A clas
Exp
Since 1990
The ML-I 620 is a private seller and the husband is a bit (well, really) nervous of dealing with a private sale. He thinks that the dealers offer the perks of MOT, insurance, servicing and dealer warranty. It's a big chunk of cash after all. Given it's a 2018 model should we be anxious about this?

Haha, it's usually the buyer who is nervous about a private sale. We sold our 10 year old Hymer privately and the buyer was so "scam conscious" that she checked on google view to make sure it was visible at our home address.

Transfer of monies electronically these days is virtually 100% secure (bank to bank). I think the limit is £10k per transaction so just do multiple payments. You do need to do a check that the vehicle has no outstanding finance on it.

I gave the new owner a 4 page handover document as she was new to motorhomes, as you are, I suspect.

I worked in Oman for a couple of years in the 90's....really enjoyed the experience but you do need to be consciously aware, all the time, of complying fully with the host countries traditions. The ultimate freedom was sitting on the runway with the engines on maximum thrust :LOL:

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