Why I decided NOT to wait for the GC

[DNR]

Cool! I hope you point us to any self build thread that you plan to start (and I would recommend you start please) . Even on here on a Cali forum will be fine.

Good luck with the build.

Not sure

The successful sale is good news especially achieved so easily and financially positive.

Our 'blank canvas' was collected from the MAN dealer last Thursday, hopefully conversion will begin in January.
View attachment 101546
It's a LWB FWD High roof 177bhp Auto MAN TGE ordered August 2021 and delivered at the original quoted price. The spec as ordered is attached.

Our current LWB High roof T6 can be seen in the background, this will most likely be sold sometime next year when the TGE is completed and tried out.

That's great news Rod. You are finally under way. Look forward to seeing it finished. Great blank canvas by the way!

 

[DNR]

Sorry Chris, started writing a reply, then got side tracked. 'Not sure' just appeared. I'm building a Sprinter, so am 'not sure' Admin will be pleased with me posting up pics of my Merc self build. I will keep everyone on here posted tho, for as long as I am allowed.

Absolutely nothing against the Crafter, its been a fabulous van, but I do a lot of heavy towing and the RWD Sprinter should do this job a bit better IMO. Time will tell...

 

[rod_vw]

Sorry Chris, started writing a reply, then got side tracked. 'Not sure' just appeared. I'm building a Sprinter, so am 'not sure' Admin will be pleased with me posting up pics of my Merc self build. I will keep everyone on here posted tho, for as long as I am allowed.

Absolutely nothing against the Crafter, its been a fabulous van, but I do a lot of heavy towing and the RWD Sprinter should do this job a bit better IMO. Time will tell...

Did you not look at the rear wheel drive Crafter?

And yes if I'm allowed I will post more as it goes along.

 

[itscalledbob]

Boxdrive sold and being collected tomorrow.

That’s great news! I’ll be interested in how it develops and the choices you make.

My Hymer finally arrived last week, 14 months wait and only 8 months late….

For some odd reason we’ve decided to do our shakedown trip in Scotland during November. At least we’ll find out if it’s water tight .

 

[DNR]

That’s great news! I’ll be interested in how it develops and the choices you make.

My Hymer finally arrived last week, 14 months wait and only 8 months late….

For some odd reason we’ve decided to do our shakedown trip in Scotland during November. At least we’ll find out if it’s water tight .

View attachment 101549

Now that is impressive! Check out the ground clearance... I see you've been buy on it already. Happy with it?

 

[Wondering Star]

MLT 570 with the new engine and AWD would be my choice, unfortunately only 2/3 birth.
Enjoy the van, looks great.
Really happy with my Hymer.

 

[itscalledbob]

Now that is impressive! Check out the ground clearance... I see you've been buy on it already. Happy with it?

Really pleased but not had it long enough to give a full assessment. The ground clearance was the reason why I went down the Mercedes route. Got to also say the software control interface (MBUX) is so much better than VW.

MLT 570 with the new engine and AWD would be my choice, unfortunately only 2/3 birth.
Enjoy the van, looks great.
Really happy with my Hymer.

Originally was going for the 570 crossover but decided to go for the 580 and spec it up. We found the extra 20cm was worth the trade off for a better washroom and extra hanging space. The new engine/ gearbox and 4matic is good though I haven’t had any experience of the old V6

 

[Wondering Star]

Unless your a hard case off roader I think the AWD and new engine will be a major plus.
25 + mpg a real bonus, AWD should be nicer to drive.
MLT facebook group worth a look.

 

[itscalledbob]

Unless your a hard case off roader I think the AWD and new engine will be a major plus.
25 + mpg a real bonus, AWD should be nicer to drive.
MLT facebook group worth a look.

Its only done 600miles but we managed 28mpg between metal bridge inn and Glasgow (90 miles). Had to draft a lorry all the way tho

 

[Wondering Star]

That's good, my Sprinter GC 2WD averages 26/27 when fully loaded, believe the older MLT V6 only averaged 24 mpg
It's worth saying that when I first moved to the Sprinter from the California I found the engine slightly agricultural , however now it has covered 16000 miles it's quite and really smooth.
Happy travels.

 

[LesleyAnne]

That’s great news! I’ll be interested in how it develops and the choices you make.

My Hymer finally arrived last week, 14 months wait and only 8 months late….

For some odd reason we’ve decided to do our shakedown trip in Scotland during November. At least we’ll find out if it’s water tight .

View attachment 101549

Your new MLT looks great. We nearly went down the Boxdrive route ourselves but finally much to our own surprise ordered a Hymer B-MCI 690 to replace our Cali in 2020. Took 12 months to arrive and have now covered 14,000 + miles and overall are very pleased. Average overall mpg on the trip computer is 28.8 but varies hugely.
We bought from Travelworld in Stafford, who did you order from? I hope you enjoy many great adventures, it would be good to hear how you get on.

 

[The Merle]

That’s great news! I’ll be interested in how it develops and the choices you make.

My Hymer finally arrived last week, 14 months wait and only 8 months late….

For some odd reason we’ve decided to do our shakedown trip in Scotland during November. At least we’ll find out if it’s water tight .

View attachment 101549

You’ve picked the wrong spot as the cairngorms has been dry and sunny/cold.
I’m guessing you sold the GC (I bought your 907 bottle)
Cracking van

 

[soulstyledevon]

I wonder if the admins could start a Hymer section.
Seems to be quite a few converts on the forum.

 

[GrannyJen]

I wonder if the admins could start a Hymer section.
Seems to be quite a few converts on the forum.

I suggested it over a year ago.

It would also be quite good for Campervan bits as a lot of stuff sold through the club shop is very applicable to a Hymer, or anyone elses, Campervan.

 

[The Merle]

I wonder if the admins could start a Hymer section.
Seems to be quite a few converts on the forum.

Would be better to have a other/miscellaneous van section if they do

 

[soulstyledevon]

I suggested it over a year ago.

It would also be quite good for Campervan bits as a lot of stuff sold through the club shop is very applicable to a Hymer, or anyone elses, Campervan.

My Hymer arrived Wednesday…
Just the long wait for the paper work. Fingers crossed all sorted before Christmas.

 

[Kevthegas]

My Hymer arrived Wednesday…
Just the long wait for the paper work. Fingers crossed all sorted before Christmas.

We need PICS !

Loads of them !!

 

[GrannyJen]

We need PICS !

Loads of them

If you want to see an Ayers Rock then there's one in my drive ... although I think you have seen it

 

[GrannyJen]

My Hymer arrived Wednesday…
Just the long wait for the paper work. Fingers crossed all sorted before Christmas.

It took about 4 weeks for mine to be registered.

Definitely different driving to a VW but a brilliant camper. Off next week, 4 nights walking miles around Duxford museum.

 

[soulstyledevon]

It took about 4 weeks for mine to be registered.

Definitely different driving to a VW but a brilliant camper. Off next week, 4 nights walking miles around Duxford museum.

Yeah, the garage said about 4 weeks.
They said I could pop in for a look, but I feel that would add to the torture of waiting…

Have fun at Duxford

 

[Jester]

I wonder if the admins could start a Hymer section.
Seems to be quite a few converts on the forum.

remind me what is the name of this club? Sure hymer have there own club, you could always start one.

 

[soulstyledevon]

remind me what is the name of this club? Sure hymer have there own club, you could always start one.

Now now.
There was a time on this forum where there were no other sections other than California SE. Being one of the first adopters of the Beach I asked for a Beach sub section and it happened.
Now we have sub sections for Coast, Caddy and Grand.
You could argue that the later two aren’t really proper California’s…

Plenty of members have moved on and come back. It’s good to hear experiences from all sides.

 

[itscalledbob]

Yeah, the garage said about 4 weeks.
They said I could pop in for a look, but I feel that would add to the torture of waiting…

Have fun at Duxford

A month? I would have thought a Hymer dealer would be able to access the secure DVLA system and register it themselves? TW managed to turn mine around in 5 days and register the day of collection.

 

[andyinluton]

Now now.

Now we have sub sections for Coast, Caddy and Grand.
You could argue that the later two aren’t really proper California’s…

You could argue, but you would loose!!

 

[soulstyledevon]

You could argue, but you would loose!!

Possibly Andy, but we all loves a good bun fight on here …