Is the Grand California a success?

[The Merle]

I see Sam Kemp got hold of one of the first S700’s to hit the UK.
He’s already started modding it. Looks an absolute Beast…!!!
Those longitudinal beds…

No more mrs climbing on top of you in the middle of the night if you get that

 

[Jay20cali]

I would say everytime I GC merc on the road it’s an old dude driving it and prob only ever ends up on a campsite show off vehicle. Look cool but that’s the target market!

If you want overland get your fix watching Nick and Mathilde next meridian ex great YouTube ch or itchy boots, love them both.

You could mod that Sven

Awsome thankyou love watching this stuff on utube.already subscribe to itchy boots .But will check our the others enjoying abucklife watching his build this is definitely inspiring me more to go self build.no the Sven will be going up for sale one i purchased a van I need to scratch that 4x4 camper intch it’s been niggling me for far too long

 

[Jay20cali]

No more mrs climbing on top of you in the middle of the night if you get that

For all the wrong reasons I get that

 

[The Merle]

Awsome thankyou love watching this stuff on utube.already subscribe to itchy boots .But will check our the others enjoying abucklife watching his build this is definitely inspiring me more to go self build.no the Sven will be going up for sale one i purchased a van I need to scratch that 4x4 camper intch it’s been niggling me for far too long

Nick and Mathilde should have a following like Itchy they are really good French couple travelling the world in a landy

 

[Jay20cali]

Nick and Mathilde should have a following like Itchy they are really good French couple travelling the world in a landy

Nice will give it a watch!!
big landy fan ..here’s a landy I restored a couple years back .full nut and bolt resto

 

[The Merle]

Nice will give it a watch!!
big landy fan ..here’s a landy I restored a couple years back .full nut and bolt resto View attachment 132405

Nice, if you can do that then you can definitely build a 4x4 camper which you will enjoy doing as much as using.
Plus you could prob do it with new or nearly new base van and not cost anymore than the Sven will sell for.

 

[Jay20cali]

Nice, if you can do that then you can definitely build a 4x4 camper which you will enjoy doing as much as using.
Plus you could prob do it with new or nearly new base van and not cost anymore than the Sven will sell for.

Thanks buddy appreciate the nice comments and what you’re saying

 

[Svenhedintony]

Jay

Love the Landy I have owned loads since the 70’s - 2a, 3, forward control, military 90, classic Range Rover, lightweights, a Defender 90, Discos’ and a new model Defender 90. I vowed never to own another landy after the last disco and Defender 90, they’re were unreliable and dealers were rubbish. The new Defenders tempted me back, it didn’t last long as nothing had changed. Unreliable and disinterested dealers…..

 

[The Merle]

I just think if you are happy to leave £130-140k van in new forest car park or say the rangers car park to go up snowdon or any car park in the uk really then go for one.
I would be to worried about it, even a bird pooing on the roof.

 

[Svenhedintony]

Merle

I get your sentiments about the S700.

I have had several motorhomes and two Sven Hedins. All vans are a compromise and as much as I love the Sven my needs have changed. I could mod the Sven but again, some of the compromises would still be there and I preferred to spend the money on upgrading.

I am a very practical person and would love to build my own van, but I am not in a position to do it.

Ultimately, the S700 is no wider than the Sven, not much taller and less than 1.0m longer. The length makes a big difference.

 

[Jay20cali]

Jay

Love the Landy I have owned loads since the 70’s - 2a, 3, forward control, military 90, classic Range Rover, lightweights, a Defender 90, Discos’ and a new model Defender 90. I vowed never to own another landy after the last disco and Defender 90, they’re were unreliable and dealers were rubbish. The new Defenders tempted me back, it didn’t last long as nothing had changed. Unreliable and disinterested dealers…..

Thankyou yeah I had many .200s 300s td5s never a transit powered one.
The only one o had issues with was a late td5 that had ABS after that I stuck with the early ones restored about 10 over the years I do miss them tbh .the new one has grown on me but all them ecu’s in one vehicle wow!!!

 

[Jay20cali]

I get your sentiments about the S700.

I have had several motorhomes and two Sven Hedins. All vans are a compromise and as much as I love the Sven my needs have changed. I could mod the Sven but again, some of the compromises would still be there and I preferred to spend the money on upgrading.

I am a very practical person and would love to build my own van, but I am not in a position to do it.

Ultimately, the S700 is no wider than the Sven, not much taller and less than 1.0m longer. The length makes a big difference.

The longways bed and bigger toilet in the s700 are a winner for sure .if I built a van on a mwb what I’m looking to do,I’ll be going down the composting toilet and rear doors shower .to give more space inside.
In all honesty we have never used the shower in our van it’s been easier to just use a campsite when needed

 

[Jay20cali]

Merle

I get your sentiments about the S700.

I have had several motorhomes and two Sven Hedins. All vans are a compromise and as much as I love the Sven my needs have changed. I could mod the Sven but again, some of the compromises would still be there and I preferred to spend the money on upgrading.

I am a very practical person and would love to build my own van, but I am not in a position to do it.

Ultimately, the S700 is no wider than the Sven, not much taller and less than 1.0m longer. The length makes a big difference.

Hey Tony when I decide to put our Sven up for sale where is a good place to advertise it?
or did you trade yours in buddy?
I know there quite sought after

 

[The Merle]

Hey Tony when I decide to put our Sven up for sale where is a good place to advertise it?
or did you trade yours in buddy?
I know there quite sought after

On here, will get snapped up I imagine.

A pull out compost loo is what I done in my t6.1 (comes out through garage area) with a bin next to it then keeps any smell out of the habitation area

 

[The Merle]

Merle

I get your sentiments about the S700.

I have had several motorhomes and two Sven Hedins. All vans are a compromise and as much as I love the Sven my needs have changed. I could mod the Sven but again, some of the compromises would still be there and I preferred to spend the money on upgrading.

I am a very practical person and would love to build my own van, but I am not in a position to do it.

Ultimately, the S700 is no wider than the Sven, not much taller and less than 1.0m longer. The length makes a big difference.

I get that with layout wanting more space etc, just don’t get the 4x4 side it’s just a look and awful fuel consumption will 99% of them sold will never be used as overlander or even see wet mud.

 

[Jay20cali]

I think we’re on the same path

 

[Svenhedintony]

I have part ex'd my van. I have to say that there were massive differences in the cost to change.

Some dealers are still in COVID mode and thought they were doing me a favour in selling me a van!

I also experienced laziness and greed! Giving a discount on a new van is something they haven't had to do for a while (I had several there is no money in a new van tales), and they didn't want to have the Sven on their forecourt. Also, "we have a price from a broker for your van" from several. So the Sven goes to the broker and the first dealer skims some money off for the trouble, the broker sells the van to another dealer and takes his cut, the dealer retailing the Sven makes a profit as well! Three people taking their cut.

The result of no discount and/or not wanting the Sven on their forecourt saw cost to change deals varying by nearly £20k.

 

[Svenhedintony]

Merle

I fully understand what you are saying. It is the same as Land Rover owners who never venture off the tarmac. I have had many Land Rovers, been stuck many times, waded through rivers with water around my waist, competed and had the unfortunate experience of hanging upside down retrained by a harness!!

 

[Wondering Star]

Svenhedintony it will be interesting to see how you get on with the S700. Seriously thought about changing my Grand Canyon S RWD for a 700 S AWD but can't bring myself to part with 50k plus the cost of modification's
Can't really so what advantages it gives apart from a useable shower that has limited usage when only having 100L of useable water on board.
100 L tank makes sense with a composting toilet especially when camping off grid.
Totally agree about dealer attitude, but has it ever been any different?

 

[Svenhedintony]

Wondering Star I'll let you know how I get on.

 

[larrylamb]

As I said I loved the Cali love our Sven too but even now I’m looking for something 4x4 instead

My mate has bought a 4x4 MAN TGE converting it to a low spec multi use camper. He goes green laneing and needs room in the back to store his scrambler. You could fit one out easily enough.

 

[soulstyledevon]

The longways bed and bigger toilet in the s700 are a winner for sure .if I built a van on a mwb what I’m looking to do,I’ll be going down the composting toilet and rear doors shower .to give more space inside.
In all honesty we have never used the shower in our van it’s been easier to just use a campsite when needed

Never used the shower in mine either.
Can’t say I ever will, to be honest. I’d rather not both showering for a day, use a campsite shower or the local swimming pool. Swim and shower, sorted.
But having a fixed loo and bed is a real game changer…

The other negative with a big van, is I rarely use it for local stuff.
So, therefore going even longer in length probably wouldn’t make much difference.

Agree with some of the other comments regarding 4x4. Probably overkill for a European van.
Pretty sure Sprinter vans from 2025 are 4-matic . The proper 4x4 version is being phased out.

 

[Jay20cali]

Never used the shower in mine either.
Can’t say I ever will, to be honest. I’d rather not both showering for a day, use a campsite shower or the local swimming pool. Swim and shower, sorted.
But having a fixed loo and bed is a real game changer…

The other negative with a big van, is I rarely use it for local stuff.
So, therefore going even longer in length probably wouldn’t make much difference.

Agree with some of the other comments regarding 4x4. Probably overkill for a European van.
Pretty sure Sprinter vans from 2025 are 4-matic . The proper 4x4 version is being phased out.

4-matic really ?
that’s good to know.
do love a mwb crafter it still feels like a camper but the s700 looks another level going to Europe full time travelling ect the van i aspire too

 

[Jay20cali]

Daily drivers a 21 plate Kombi with super low mileage that does around 20 miles a week ..I’m half tempted to get rid of that aswell as the Sven put some money too and go down the s700 route but probably the sensible thing to do it get a mwb crafter 4motion and do a self build

 

[Svenhedintony]

Mercedes dropped changed the 4wd system in Sprinters in 2022. It coincided with the switch from 7sp to 9sp transmission.