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Hi,

Am about to purcahse a new 2008 model van, first van, was going for the Avondale, but having read the reviews of the stress cracks have switched to the Swift Charisma 590.

Now I've read about the problems with the hinges (which i see as a less major problem).

Does anybody know if the 2008 swift has the hinge problem solved?

Am I making the right decisions, we are looking for a six berth, end bathroom van?

Hi,we have a 2006 640/6 and absolutely love it,not a single problem from the manufacturing side,only the damage we have done and when in for repair at local dealers they done even more damage.But I would highly recommend the Avondale it has everything we could want.

The cracked panels were in the older models  upto 2005 as from then  they changed the shape and from what I can gather this has sorted the problem out,I could be wrong on the explanation,but I know we had the 2005 model and had the cracks with in 6 months but we've had the 2006 for 18 months now and not a problem.

Hi

I can second Poppy, I did my homework before taking the plunge and the cracks were indeed 2005 and earlier.  We bought a 2007 Argente 650/6 last October, due for her first service in November.  Apart from the pull bit of the front chest coming off - due to be fixed in the service, we've had no snags (touch wood) to complain about.

I was told by a salesman that the problems stemmed from the screws being put in without holes being made first, OH works in the aircraft industry and he said that explanation made sense. 

That's a big van for a first one!   The Europa 600 is the same layout, different finish inside.  The Swift Group have several the same under different brands.

I heard the hinge problem was sorted, certainly the ones we saw had good hinges.

Thanks for the input.

I agree that it is a big van for the first one, however we have secured a seasonal pitch, so do not intend to tow it that much within the first season.

Hi

Both us and my parents bought new Swift Group vans this year.  From our experience I would advise you to expect to return your van to the Dealer at some time/s during its first year (or at its first service if you can wait) for some minor defects to be corrected.

I don't think Swift vans are very different to any other UK makes, they all seem to have at least some glitches that need resolving.

Our were minor issues - some stitching that was loose, a scuffed fridge display, a table that wasn't quite level, a door which didn't slide properly and a satellite socket which wasn't connected (!)  All of these arose immediately and necessitated returning the van and we also later had a water leak.  In the case of the leak, the dealer sent Mr U-M the parts, to fix it himself rather than return the van again.

My parents suffered a similar number of issues, the worst of which was a fridge failure on their second trip out - can't blame Swift for that though, the same fridges are in most current vans.  Again, their van had to be taken back.

- No problem with any hinges though  .  We love the van and feel that our Dealer gives us good after-sales support too.

I hope this helps to give you a realistic view of your first year of ownership, especially if you are not comfortable with towing and manoeuvring a caravan.

Finally, don't underestimate the need for every possible form of security and insurance.  Large new vans are very vulnerable when left unattended on sites (twin axles even more so).

All the best.

Thanks again    

I am looking towards the Swift now, a few niggling issues don't worry me, especially as the dealer I am using has a little man in a van who tours local sites as needed (validated by the campsite owner).

Thanks for your help.