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Post by Soro's Sorrows on Jul 21, 2020 19:35:18 GMT
I am looking at buying a camper van, currently considering the VW T6 and the Mercedes Marco Polo. Has anyone on here had one? Any must do's and must not do's?
Is a manufacturer presented van better than a conversion?
It will be replacing my daily car so vintage isn't really an option. Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks.
Forgot to mention that it is just for me and the Mrs as the laddo is now an adult (of sorts).
Any great campsite recommendations would also be welcome.
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Jul 21, 2020 19:53:33 GMT
I don’t have any opinions on Campers but if anyone has any good campsites knowledge for couples it would be appreciated as I’m not going abroad of staying in hotels this year at least. Coastal or near decent historic towns would be good.
Sorry Sorros for infiltrating your thread so quickly. I’ll start a new one if not appropriate 🤗
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Post by salopstick on Jul 21, 2020 20:03:48 GMT
I’ve got a T5 kombi everything costs more due to scene tax. A decent pugeot boxter may be better value for money
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Post by salopstick on Jul 21, 2020 20:04:44 GMT
I don’t have any opinions on Campers but if anyone has any good campsites knowledge for couples it would be appreciated as I’m not going abroad of staying in hotels this year at least. Coastal or near decent historic towns would be good. Sorry Sorros for infiltrating your thread so quickly. I’ll start a new one if not appropriate 🤗 Google some farm outside Glastonbury stayed there Dollys farm Llanidloes really nice |
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Post by Soro's Sorrows on Jul 21, 2020 20:07:50 GMT
I don’t have any opinions on Campers but if anyone has any good campsites knowledge for couples it would be appreciated as I’m not going abroad of staying in hotels this year at least. Coastal or near decent historic towns would be good. Sorry Sorros for infiltrating your thread so quickly. I’ll start a new one if not appropriate 🤗 No problem at all mate, it is likely the better topic to be fair. |
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Post by Soro's Sorrows on Jul 21, 2020 20:09:33 GMT
I’ve got a T5 kombi everything costs more due to scene tax. A decent pugeot boxter may be better value for money Charged more a VW? |
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Post by salopstick on Jul 21, 2020 20:22:20 GMT
I’ve got a T5 kombi everything costs more due to scene tax. A decent pugeot boxter may be better value for money Charged more a VW? A decent non vw van will be cheaper than a vw |
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Post by Soro's Sorrows on Jul 21, 2020 20:35:35 GMT
A decent non vw van will be cheaper than a vw Yeah, I get that mate. The residual values on the German brands appear to stand up better though and they look a little sexier (for a van) than their French & Ford rivals. Is the T5 fun and or practical for a long weekend away? |
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Post by salopstick on Jul 21, 2020 20:42:10 GMT
Last year I took it away but we had a tent. This year we have bought a drive away awning. Camped at my mates farm the other day so all good
It’s a kombi so all my gear is either in the trailer or I’ve got room in the back. So we do t sleep in it. But my rear seat converts to a double bed. In lockdown the kids had the odd night on the drive.
Long old story but I’ve put a brand new engine In it. Runs like a dream
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Post by skiptanbroonacari on Jul 21, 2020 21:06:34 GMT
I've got a T5 campervan, full conversion by Denby in Leek.
Scene tax is an issue, but it WILL hold its value. Biggest advice I would offer is to make sure you buy a poptop, previously owned a T4 without poptop, I'd never go back.
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Post by Soro's Sorrows on Jul 21, 2020 21:17:22 GMT
I've got a T5 campervan, full conversion by Denby in Leek. Scene tax is an issue, but it WILL hold its value. Biggest advice I would offer is to make sure you buy a poptop, previously owned a T4 without poptop, I'd never go back. Do you use it as a daily runner mate? does it do both jobs well? Sorry for the questions, I am hungry for the knowledge. I will take a look at Denby. |
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Post by skiptanbroonacari on Jul 22, 2020 8:57:15 GMT
Yes mate it's my daily runner, drives like a car (well, a big car).
It's remapped to 150 bhp which certainly helps. I would recommend Denby, there are cheaper alternatives but their customer service is excellent. Helps that they are only in Leek.
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Post by marylandstoke on Jul 22, 2020 9:49:03 GMT
A decent non vw van will be cheaper than a vw Go for the Merc then  |
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Post by redstriper on Jul 22, 2020 10:53:57 GMT
Hi Skip, I've also got a T5 180 lwb which I've taken all over europe - done 56k miles in it - and its never missed a beat engine wise. Conversion was from new by bodans near shrewsbury, the only problem I've had with that was the solar panels have had to be replaced. I use it for commuting most days - ie when the weather is poor.
Just looked for comparable on autotrader and it appears to be worth around 40k at the moment which is amazing, so definitely recommend.
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Post by Northy on Jul 22, 2020 10:57:40 GMT
I am looking at buying a camper van, currently considering the VW T6 and the Mercedes Marco Polo. Has anyone on here had one? Any must do's and must not do's? Is a manufacturer presented van better than a conversion? It will be replacing my daily car so vintage isn't really an option. Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks. Forgot to mention that it is just for me and the Mrs as the laddo is now an adult (of sorts). Any great campsite recommendations would also be welcome. I'm going here in September, my boss went last week and said it was great if you are into wildlife etc. knepp.co.uk/ |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2020 10:59:59 GMT
We had a VW Transporter converted, can't remember the name of the company at the time but I believe the guy has now set up Liverpool Campervan Convertions in Kirkby, was never used daily but we had absolutely no issues at all with it until we sold it when our 3rd child came along. Was used predominantly in Wales/Scotland but also in France/Germany/Switzerland/Spain and the range of campsites particularly in France are second to none.
Hope you get sorted soon they're a great investment and a great way of seeing the UK and Europe......
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choc
Academy Starlet
Posts: 149
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Post by choc on Jul 23, 2020 19:15:11 GMT
An alternative from the VW scene is the Japanese import market. The Toyota Alphard / Vellfire or Nissan El Grand for example. These have big petrol engines so LPG is an option if you are doing plenty of miles but they are good for towing.
Then you have a choice of conversion styles - full/part side or rear.
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Post by Soro's Sorrows on Jul 23, 2020 19:59:21 GMT
An alternative from the VW scene is the Japanese import market. The Toyota Alphard / Vellfire or Nissan El Grand for example. These have big petrol engines so LPG is an option if you are doing plenty of miles but they are good for towing. Then you have a choice of conversion styles - full/part side or rear. It's a good shout mate and they do offer great value for money! I don't really want anything more than 2 or 3 years old though so that tends to rule out the imports. Having a choice of a petrol engine with good BHP over the majority low BHP diesel european offerings is very tempting though. |
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choc
Academy Starlet
Posts: 149
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Post by choc on Jul 23, 2020 22:28:24 GMT
An alternative from the VW scene is the Japanese import market. The Toyota Alphard / Vellfire or Nissan El Grand for example. These have big petrol engines so LPG is an option if you are doing plenty of miles but they are good for towing. Then you have a choice of conversion styles - full/part side or rear. It's a good shout mate and they do offer great value for money! I don't really want anything more than 2 or 3 years old though so that tends to rule out the imports. Having a choice of a petrol engine with good BHP over the majority low BHP diesel european offerings is very tempting though. Yes the import market is more popular for 10+ years vehicles (less testing for import). A new Vellfire comes in at £50-60k depending on spec.  I previously had a Mazda camper I used as a daily driver but it feels vintage compared to the Alphard/Vellfire. I agree they are good value and usually have plenty of electronic gadgetry to play with. |
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Post by DunnetHeadMoonraker on Jul 24, 2020 9:31:07 GMT
Up here on the route of the North Coast 500 we are having problems with " Wild campers, litter louts and moronic motorhome drivers are being shamed by hundreds of angry residents who have turned dirt detectives on the North Coast 500 (NC500) ". This was the report in the Glasgow Herald this morning www.heraldscotland.com/news/18604246.villages-around-nc500-being-ruined-litter-vandalism/I live near the Dunnet Bay caravan site which is adjacent to the 3 mile long sandy beach . If you want something different the north coast of Scotland is well worth visiting. I was on the beach this morning with Mrs Moonraker and there was only about a dozen other people on the beach. Some people were surfing and others were using paddle boards. |
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Post by heworksardtho on Jul 24, 2020 11:10:06 GMT
I am looking at buying a camper van, currently considering the VW T6 and the Mercedes Marco Polo. Has anyone on here had one? Any must do's and must not do's? Is a manufacturer presented van better than a conversion? It will be replacing my daily car so vintage isn't really an option. Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks. Forgot to mention that it is just for me and the Mrs as the laddo is now an adult (of sorts). Any great campsite recommendations would also be welcome. Get a Renault master LWB hightop , they are so low to the floor , acres of space , I’ve had Renault vans for 30 years , clocked over 300 thou on same engine , had a brand new 15 plate , twin turbo 2.3 engine , get 47 to the gallon on Scotland runs , thinking on having it converted when I retire it |
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Post by chuffedstokie on Jul 27, 2020 7:52:06 GMT
I don’t have any opinions on Campers but if anyone has any good campsites knowledge for couples it would be appreciated as I’m not going abroad of staying in hotels this year at least. Coastal or near decent historic towns would be good. Sorry Sorros for infiltrating your thread so quickly. I’ll start a new one if not appropriate 🤗 As far as destinations go where I am here in Tywyn is actually pretty well served with some very good camp sites. Pretty much everything is catered for. Some excellent beaches and a pretty good base for Snowdonia. Given its size and location the quality of the eating out is very good, everything from chippys and Chinese to quality dining (the latter doing their meals takeaway at the moment). About 3 hrs from N Staffs. |
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Post by Soro's Sorrows on Aug 1, 2020 20:29:31 GMT
A quick update. It seems that this is the year of the Campervan! It's hard to get hold of a good one and everybody want's one. I nipped down to Denby (by appointment) in Leek last week and they are sold out of stock, they are a good set up with nice people and they are building Vans at an incredible rate, the factory behind the showroom was packed and staff were also using the showroom to glue and screw bit's of van together. As nice as they were I can't bring myself to spend 45 grand on a second hand plasterer's van (there's nowt wrong with plasterer's) with a Wickes Kitchen glued into the back, there is also a 8 to 10 week leadtime which appears to be common among most converters at the moment. So having thought long and hard I am pretty much set on a VW California Ocean (the residuals appeal to me), there are few pre registered T6's knocking around but they are 72 grand + (around 8 grand over list price)and the technology i.e digital cockpit etc is not as good as a factory ordered T6.1. I was speaking with one of our local VW California dealers today and they normally order and sell 10 to 15 a year, they had ordered 13 to arrive this spring for stock and they sold them within 2 days, they also sold all there demo's and second hand stock. The current leadtime is February/March 2021 and I am waiting on a quote as the brochure/VW website price is no longer applicable. Just to add I can't get anyone at Mercedes to give me a leadtime let alone a price, they have given up.
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Post by salopstick on Aug 1, 2020 20:37:51 GMT
Three days away in mine
Portesham Dairy Farm Campsite Dorset. 6 miles from Weymouth. (Avoided) 2 miles from chesil beach 8 miles from Bridport. Both great places
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Post by BuzzB on Aug 1, 2020 22:53:38 GMT
I will be buying (all being well) a used motorhome in the next two weeks or so. Mrs Buzzb and I have been on about giving it a go for a few years so, now we are taking the plunge.
Any tips, do's don'ts places to visit would be much appreciated. Gone for the motorhome over a camper so the Grandkids can jump in, once we have learned the ropes.
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Post by elystokie on Aug 2, 2020 7:50:19 GMT
I will be buying (all being well) a used motorhome in the next two weeks or so. Mrs Buzzb and I have been on about giving it a go for a few years so, now we are taking the plunge. Any tips, do's don'ts places to visit would be much appreciated. Gone for the motorhome over a camper so the Grandkids can jump in, once we have learned the ropes. Remember to put the blue stuff in the toilet, nobody told us when we rented a motorhome in Canada, luckily most petrol stations sold the stuff. And they're nowhere near as quiet and serene looking on the inside as they appear to be when you pass them on the outside |
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Post by swampmongrel on Aug 2, 2020 18:55:29 GMT
Caravan Club!
You lads are going to be up to your knees in clunge!
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Post by redstriper on Aug 2, 2020 20:22:00 GMT
Took mine up to Worlds End today with the dogs... (near minerva/coedpoeth) .... only a 7 mile drive from my house, but when you get up there there are places where you can't see any signs of human life. Been going there for 20 years, it was always peaceful bliss... but now, cyclists everywhere!, with £4k bikes and all the gear, pretending they are climbing alpe d'huez...
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Post by Soro's Sorrows on Aug 3, 2020 18:35:57 GMT
I will be buying (all being well) a used motorhome in the next two weeks or so. Mrs Buzzb and I have been on about giving it a go for a few years so, now we are taking the plunge. Any tips, do's don'ts places to visit would be much appreciated. Gone for the motorhome over a camper so the Grandkids can jump in, once we have learned the ropes. I hope you get sorted mate, let us know how you get on. |
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Post by salopstick on Aug 6, 2020 11:25:30 GMT
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