Grand or not?

[CampervanTime]

What warranty are MAN giving you on German import van?
As VW only gave 2yrs on my joker.
If I didn’t need 4m with diff then would love a Sven, nice choice

I'm assuming 2 years (same), but I have got the feelers out in terms of factory extended warranty options to see what they can do. They need a VIN first to be able to check so won't know the answer for a little while.

 

[WestySvenHedin]

Great choice
Just got back from a 3-week trip to Portugal in our Sven. Absolutely loved it, can’t fault the van, really great to live in. It’s worth the wait

 

[CampervanTime]

Looks fantastic! Did you have any little niggles or problems at all or did it just perform as expected and flawlessly? Would also be interested in fuel economy on that kind of trip too, just so we can compare against the GC600 we borrowed.

Thanks

 

[WestySvenHedin]

Looks fantastic! Did you have any little niggles or problems at all or did it just perform as expected and flawlessly? Would also be interested in fuel economy on that kind of trip too, just so we can compare against the GC600 we borrowed.

Thanks

No major problems. I’d spent some time customising as few things - putting some shelving up here and there, got an outside window cover for the front windows (ours came with internal shields, but zero internal condensation with the lovely external rainbow screens one). The heating and hot water system is fantastic - diesel heating which has an auto cut-off if less than 1/4 tank so no risk of getting stuck! One importantly thing I did do was insulate the inside of the pop-out. For some reason this is bare plastic from the factory, I fitted some flexible insulation and covered with self-adhesive felt. There is a plastic insert inside of the pop out which can be removed, to allow the insulation to be fitted, and then replace the insert. Works really well.
Fuel economy was surprisingly good - 33mpg. Bear in mind we have the 140PS and I never go over 60 though!

 

[CampervanTime]

Oooo that sounds like a handy job to do (the pop out). If you have any links to the insulation material you used I'd be interested. Glad to hear it went really well. 33mpg is good. I suspect the 180/auto will be more thirsty but likewise, we'd probably stick to 60ish anyway.

 

[Svenhedintony]

Looks fantastic! Did you have any little niggles or problems at all or did it just perform as expected and flawlessly? Would also be interested in fuel economy on that kind of trip too, just so we can compare against the GC600 we borrowed.

Thanks

I picked up my second Sven Hedin at the end of November last year. I have probably done nearly 100 nights in it already. One or two minor things like adjustments as things bed in. Although, I have a drip from the grey waste tank at the moment, nothing major and should be an easy fix.

Economy wise I have the 180. The average mpg since I picked it up is bang on 30mpg. On a long run 35mpg is achievable.

 

[WestySvenHedin]

Oooo that sounds like a handy job to do (the pop out). If you have any links to the insulation material you used I'd be interested. Glad to hear it went really well. 33mpg is good. I suspect the 180/auto will be more thirsty but likewise, we'd probably stick to 60ish anyway.

I used this simple insulation layer attached with double-sided Gorilla tape: https://www.toolstation.com/ybs-gen...S9eWCzNCcL7mogi_YpxoC3LwQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Then this self-adhesive felt in ivory over the top: https://hotpinkhaberdashery.com/col...elt-fabric-by-the-meter-or-5m-roll-48-colours

 

[The Yorkshireman]

This might be of interest as an alternative for the future.

Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge wird neuer Zulieferer und Partner der Erwin Hymer Group

www.erwinhymergroup.com

 

[Corradobrit]

This might be of interest as an alternative for the future.

Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge wird neuer Zulieferer und Partner der Erwin Hymer Group

www.erwinhymergroup.com

While the T6.1 is reaching its Swan Song, the Crafter is clearly alive and kicking. I guess this means there are no plans for an eCrafter anytime soon.

 

[soulstyledevon]

This might be of interest as an alternative for the future.

Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge wird neuer Zulieferer und Partner der Erwin Hymer Group

www.erwinhymergroup.com

Yep.
The Westfalia we looked at wasn’t worth another £20k on what the Hymer cost us.
Nice van, but not £20k nicer.
I would happily look at a Crafter based Hymer, could be very interesting…

 

[andyinluton]

While the T6.1 is reaching its Swan Song, the Crafter is clearly alive and kicking. I guess this means there are no plans for an eCrafter anytime soon.

There is already an ECrafter, Amazon use them round our way. Range at the moment is limited.

 

[The Yorkshireman]

There is already an ECrafter, Amazon use them round our way. Range at the moment is limited.

Here’s SOD’s ECrafter the battery’s in the trailer!

 

[Corradobrit]

Here’s SOD’s ECrafter the battery’s in the trailer!
View attachment 107284

Is that the solar array perched on the tope of the trailer ready to deploy to the size of a tennis court?

 

[Wondering Star]

EV camper.
I quite like the concept, with further development who knows what's possible.
Happy with my diesel for now but in five years time would I or you be confident enough to purchase yet another diesel?

 

[andyinluton]

Here’s SOD’s ECrafter the battery’s in the trailer!
View attachment 107284

Isn’t that a horse box for a couple of ponies to pull it once the batteries are flat?

 

[Bill]

Well we have today finally decided having had our Cali from new for 2 years to upgrade to a limited edition sven hedin from westfalia in Crawley (estimated delivery sept). We will shortly both have retired and have so much more time to travel in a bit more comfort. We are pleased to see we are not alone. It will be sad to say goodbye but also excited to try something new. Thanks to all those that have posted comments it has helped. I hope we can start a discussion on the sven for those with or have one on order and learn together what works and what doesnt in terms of accessories etc.

 

[CampervanTime]

Well done @Bill and congratulations. Good idea to start a thread on here about the Sven and there is also a couple of decent Facebook groups, one for Westfalia owners in general and one about the Sven in particular which we started and is only just gathering members, but is good for pics and questions etc.

 

[Bill]

Well done @Bill and congratulations. Good idea to start a thread on here about the Sven and there is also a couple of decent Facebook groups, one for Westfalia owners in general and one about the Sven in particular which we started and is only just gathering members, but is good for pics and questions etc.

Thanks we watch your channel which has been excellent and very informative. I've emailed you separately.

 

[CampervanTime]

That's kind, glad you've been enjoying it

 

[Billylou]

Not sure if the photo is good enough to warrant any discussion however the high level decal on this GC really makes a significant difference to the van’s appearance. It gives the impression that the van is a lot lower, looks good and proportionate. I’ve always struggled with the appearance of the 600 GC but I can’t stop looking at this one. Amazing what can be achieved with a well placed decal.

 

[Corradobrit]

Not sure if the photo is good enough to warrant any discussion however the high level decal on this GC really makes a significant difference to the van’s appearance. It gives the impression that the van is a lot lower, looks good and proportionate. I’ve always struggled with the appearance of the 600 GC but I can’t stop looking at this one. Amazing what can be achieved with a well placed decal.View attachment 107977

Agreed the blue decal cleverly dissociates the mass of the roof from the body of the GC. Not dissimilar to the use of camo paint schemes on wind turbines in Germany giving a visual impression of lifting what is a massive structure off the ground, and thus less dominant in the visual field
480 × 640

 

[Mullaghroe]

Great thread with loads of good info, (kudos for scanning the operating manual). Having just pulled the trigger on an order with Campersales, I can't get too much info. Not surprised that my insurer, Comfort, requires a tracker but I'm amazed that there is no standard fit alarm. Otherwise the Special Edition spec is very impressive., (lets not talk about the wheels).

 

[Wondering Star]

What did you order?

 

[Mullaghroe]

What did you order?

The Limited Edition in Black.

 

[Mr T]

The Limited Edition in Black.

Congratulations. Very nice and very disappointing