Hi I have found a lovely Avondale Bianco caravan around 2005. I do know that Avondale are no more and I have heard various rumours about the later ones not being so well made. Has anyone here had any expereinces? Will there be a parts problem etc later down the line? Should my head rule my heart and not touch it?!!! Opinions would be greatly appreciated!
Jean.
As with any manufacturer that has gone out of business, the availability of parts that are unique to the brand will eventually become harder to find.So panels and interiors will probably become a problem.
With regards to the issue of quality,I can confirm that I sold my rialto after 3 years due to cracked front and rear panels. The problem was never resolved under warranty. I feel that part of the companies problems were caused by buyers deserting the brand. That said, you should always buy a van on its condition, so a good inspection and damp test would not go amiss.If you can get a long warranty then so much the better. If you research this site, there are plenty of posts in relation to avonadales.
Hi John Many thanks for your good advise and I will certainly research this site. Its such a shame as some of their vans had great designs.No warranty available on this one as its a private sale. I may just look for one with a reputable dealer as I just fell in love with it! Thanks again Best wishes Jean
Quote: Originally posted by johnnyg56 on 12/6/2010
Jean. As with any manufacturer that has gone out of business, the availability of parts that are unique to the brand will eventually become harder to find.So panels and interiors will probably become a problem.
With regards to the issue of quality,I can confirm that I sold my rialto after 3 years due to cracked front and rear panels. The problem was never resolved under warranty. I feel that part of the companies problems were caused by buyers deserting the brand. That said, you should always buy a van on its condition, so a good inspection and damp test would not go amiss.If you can get a long warranty then so much the better. If you research this site, there are plenty of posts in relation to avonadales.
Good luck
John
Being slightly biased ....
Cracked panels are something that happened to a number of makes during a particular period of time.
I understood that Avondale was closed by the owner himself as he wanted to do something else.
There are lots of people with Avondales, who love them and have no problems. Ours is 2008 and I have yet to see a new van that I would replace it with. The design and equipment level are outstanding.
I would always buy a second hand caravan from a dealer no matter what make - just for peace of mind.
I understand Avondale parts are easily available from various places - one in particular www.magnummotorhomes.co.uk bought up all the stock when Avondale closed. Most parts are of course common though ie Thetford, Shurflow etc.....
Hi Jean If the van is good then have it. We have an Avondale Mayfair Dart 380-2 and it is absolutely fantastic 2004. We stayed at Henley a couple of weeks ago and there were quite a few Avondales and I think they looked great especially as they are not plain old white. Why worry about parts you may never need. Most of the inside things like cookers and heaters are the same as most vans. If you are unlucky to damage the outside there are manufacturers that will most probably be able to make the parts you want. Just enjoy it, if it is as good as our one, we do.
With new vans coming out year after year parts for older vans will be just as scarce no matter whether the manufacturer is still in buisiness or not,as said before most parts are the same as any van of similar age as thats what was used by all of them at the time.
Just check the whole van for damp with a decent meter and check its service history.
Many thanks to all of you. I have owned an Avondale before and loved it. I had no trouble with it. I was determined to go for somethnig different this time but having looked at lots of vans they do still stand out from the crowd and their designs are second to none. A good check for damp etc and I may just go for it! Thanks for the useful parts info-though I will do my best not to break anything! Thankyou all once again Jean
My old Avondale was lovely, as much spec as newer vans, sadly she fgot damaged and I couldnt get her fixed as the insurers said she was repairable but as Avondale were in administration they couldnt get parts!! Lovely vans though!!
------------- Jan:Braids Gretna, Feb Stanwix Park Silloth & Braids Gretna,
We have a Avondale Argente - love it never had a problem and where we have it serviced they say they have no problem getting spares. We thought of exchanging this year but they told us to hold onto it.
We had the the bianco brought it in 2006 it must of been jinked as everything went wrong not with caravan but we had nothing but bad luck while we had it got written of in end 2 years ago becouse some chap was in rush to get home and wiped us off the road we ended up in ditch he drove off lost loads on excess becouse we had to claim on our insurance the car was saved just by the skin of its nose by getting written off they said becouse the bianco was limited to not being made you long the parts would be impossible to get and as you cam imagine it needed loads off parts we have never seen another bianco around every site we look and every one we pass we look they are very rare
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Topic: Avondale Bianco
