As they used to say in Motor Sport a few years ago, the usual disclaimers apply. This is just advice that I think is useful. A couple of years ago I bought a Knaus Sundwind from a UK owner who had bought the unit new from P J Joeressen [http://home.mobile.de/JOERESSENPJGMBH] to German spec and prior to purchase I checked out one or two details with the agent. They were very helpful and P J speaks good English. I have also had dealings with Kemper [http://home.mobile.de/WOHNWAGEN-KEMPER] when considering another unit and they were very helpful [and also speak English] although I did not conclude any business with them. Both dealerships seem keen on price as well. Kemper have a Knaus Sport 500fdk 2012 unit 14500euro [£12474] and Joeressen have a Knaus 500qdk 2011 under 13962euro [12013]. Personally I can not see why it is important for a Caravan to have a door on the side that suits UK roads. There is a good website for searching for units and that is mobile.de when you get to the home page, click on the mobilehome image [Wohnmobile] and go to Kategorie [Category] drop the menu down and click on Wohnwagen [Caravan]. You can select certain aspects of fittings such as Bunk beds [Etagenbett] and there is an option of year of manufacture location by country and so on. You can also see the stock the dealers have if you go down to handler homepage towards the bottom of the individual adverts. The dealerships are as straight as anywhere, there should always in any case be a buyer beware approach. For the record unless you are set on travelling via Calais, I really prefer the Norfolk Line ferry into Dunkirk, it is generally speaking cheaper than the Calais route and is better for central and northern Germany anyway. Hope that has been useful.
I went for mine for a number of reasons, but the top two were 1) the PUAL construction method - no frame to rot, no damp to worry about, and 2) As soon as I lay on the fixed bed in the demonstration 465 I looked at I was sold.
This is where I got mine from
http://www.caravanextra.nl/
They sell the full range of van makes there, and seeing htem side by side Hymer is far better than the Dethleffs or Buerstner vans. Not only is the Hymer far better built than those, but the design details in the Hymer are far superior - they really think about the little things. So at the top end of the van the Hymer has a shelf at the bed head so you put your cuppa there in the morning, and still have space for a book and a radio...
UK dealers are rubbish compared to the Dutch ones. Caravanning is essential to Dutch life! :o)
Nick Schellens looked after me really well, and I saved 20% compared to UK prices (that's about £5,000). Also I wasnt just stuck with a single standard level of equipment. You can choose from a wider range of fabrics, for example and I opted for a silvery style pack which you can see in my profile pics. I deleted the oven, saving a huge amount of weight and gained a cupboard. They did a few other mods I wanted, including making it UK spec for plugs and gas etc and I cant rate them highly enough.
Five years on the van looks and feels brand new. It even still has the "new van" smell. I had a couple of minor plastic bits break in use on the room divider track, and Nick sent them over in the post. He even tracked down an English manual for me. The woodwork is simply stunning.
It tows like a dream, very easy, and (imho) it looks great. Ive had many an admiring glance on site, and the modern interior has had lot of interest from my nosey camp-site neighbours!
I have mine serviced at a local independent. I found the UK franchised dealers far too snooty and expensive;
Go Hymer, you wont regret it.
------------- Veni Vidi Velcro.... I came, I saw, I stuck around!
Quote: Originally posted by SilverLiving on 29/11/2011
Go Hymer, you wont regret it.
I'm sure I wouldn't - if I could afford the damn thing! Our friends bought one about 5 years ago and it cost them £16k then - I can't find a price anywhere but they reckon the same model is now over £20k - heck of a lot to pay for a single axle.
------------- 'In later life, you will be more disappointed with the things you didn't do than with the things you did.' - Mark Twain
Having recently visited Lowdhams at Nottingham for a service on my Hymer,I enquired as to why they no longer sell Hymer caravans. They informed me that this was due to cost and that Hymer were unwilling to discount the product to UK dealers to encourage sales.
I was informed that a Hymer Nova S would need to be priced around the £30000 mark in the showrooms.
I was a little sceptical about this so checked the Hymer site to find the list prices(2010) of a Hymer nova s starting at 26000 euro plus vat at 20% plus delivery. I don't think he was too far off the mark.
No wonder they have stopped selling them.
Nice but not 30 grand nice.
John
The Nova btw is £20,300. In my own case I'd go with the Jive as my car wont easily tow the Nova unless I left all my clothes and equipment at home!! :)
If I was buying a new van today I wouldnt hesitate to get another Hymer. And Id buy it in Holland.
I agree about the door btw. I deliberately dont climb in or out of the van while I am driving!!!
When you are laid up on site or in a services area or supermarket car park it doesnt matter where your door is.
Post last edited on 02/12/2011 02:40:33
------------- Veni Vidi Velcro.... I came, I saw, I stuck around!
If you look back to the original post, you will discover that it was by me - about 15 years ago.
In early 2006, I bought a Burstner S500TS four berth single axle UK layout van from MG Caravans in Todmorden. I have had it for over 14 years it is absolutely bone dry, the interior still looks like new.
So, same question as in the original post. What can I possibly buy to replace it? The options now seem to be:
1. A Knaus Starclass 690
2 Some British twin axle with a similar layout to the Knaus
3. Don't bother, just keep the Burstner caravan.
The main reason for considering a change is that I now have the Burstner on a seasonal pitch and maybe bigger is better.
I drive a Toyota Landcruiser, so towing a twin axle is no issue.
So, given that you caravaning folks have had 15 years to think about it, are you any nearer to an answer??
At the moment, option 3 is my favorite, followed maybe by option 1
.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Buying a German caravan??
via mobile 12/7/2020 at 3:18pm
