Warwick Duo 2008 Year Model

Hi all we have decided on a Warwick Duo 2008 one owner low mileage and are going for a test drive on Saturday. Would appreciate some comments on a few things before we hit the piggy bank with a hammer, any and all previous experiences with this type of van would be appreciated, also any recommendations on a good insurance company and a breakdown insurer please.

Many thanks.

hi have recently purchased a Warwick on a 57 plate. Bit early for me to comment on much but i got the best insurance deal through "scenic motorhomes" tel 0845 0131624.
my first impressions of the van is that the build quality and level of kit is v.good

Ps; i got breakdown cover with the insurance policy. Its virtually always cheaper to do it that way rather than purchasing it seperately.

Watch out on insurance for how many days cover is allowed out of the UK we found this a problem for us with cheaper quotes, also if longer term touring abroad its cheaper to get your own breakdown cover. If your staying in the UK then insurance is less problematic. 

For breakdown cover look if you have another vehicle to cover as well. Any cover provided with your insurance will only cover the motorhome whereas personal cover from RAC for example covers any vehicle you are in (saves having two separate breakdown policies).
Scenic was best quote for me too.

The Warwick Duo is our ultimate choice but it's 6 inches too long for our drive. Just a little jealous !

We've had our Duo since new in 2009 and have had very few problems. All I can suggest is to ask to see all the equipment working and, in particular, the Truma heater in all modes of operation. That means checking both the water heating and space heating on both gas and electricity. This can be expensive to repair if there's a problem. Also check that the fridge works on all modes too. Have a close look at the external bodywork to see if there is any obvious signs of damage repair. If you're buying privately a declaration that everything works might be useful.  

Some early X250 vehicles had severe juddering when reversing uphill. I think that it affected mainly Fiat engined vehicles and it didn't seem to affect Boxers to the same extent, although I do remember a few people with coachbuilt Autosleepers having to have their gearbox replaced. But if you can find a steep hill on your test drive it might be worth checking.

When it was new we had a few niggling problems that Autosleepers sorted at their excellent service centre. Since then the only trouble has been with the engine which was reluctant to start from time to time but that has now been cured.

We go the motorhome shows from time to time and can't find anything better that suits our needs. Even the latest Duo has retrograde features in our opinion with a smaller wardrobe and redesigned kitchen which doesn't seem to work as well as ours.

Anyway, hope it all goes well on Saturday and look forward to you joining the clan.

Roly

Some of our problems appeared after a time:
Paint peeling off front bumper valance - normally black so has to be painted to match
Veba mirror monitor conked out probably due to bad wiring when built - the interior is not designed to allow access to the wiring
Truma Combi 4e electric heating element conked out - 5 hour job to get the unit out
Engine Management Light on - not neccesarily a problem unless you take it to Peugeot.
It is a very good van once sorted.  Best of luck, Pete
ps see Improvements To The Warwick Duo thread

I thought things like engine management light on is now a MOT fail?

Not always.  There are some faults like P0603 which, as I mentioned in a previous thread is due to low battery voltage, that will fix themselves if you drive the van.
Pete

Jeez I am so glad all I have to do is watch a temperature gauge an oil light and a charging light on my van rather than keep looking up codes to find out what is wrong now! 

We have done the deed this afternoon, thanks to you all for the very helpful advice, 2008 Warwick Duo 19,400 miles full dealer history on the Boxer base vehicle all stamped up to date in the book, all habitation services stamped up to date in the Autosleeper manual, she,s hardley been used by the look of her full MOT and 6 month warranty, drives like a new van but terrible rattle over bumps, it was a wrong spin glass plate in microwave, dealer noticed it missing so put one in which was obviously from another van. My wife opened the glass storage flap below the oven to discover a brand new plate in there unopened in its box, result !! Also got an amazing price and deal on insurance with Highway through Insurance Choice.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] can you enlighten me on the Veba mirror monitor please, [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] you need to get a builder to move your house back 8 to 10 inches !!!

Thanks again Guys.

sounds like a great van. Good travels and enjoy.

We've just got a 2011 duo pleased with it so far.apart from losing part of the front roof light seems a common problem. Have fun

I forgot to mention that the outer skin disappeared off our roof light.
The new one is much better.  See here:
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Our microwave has a sticker:  Safety Notice Please remove microwave plate before moving off
We used to keep the plate in the fabric pocket behind the drivers seat but that made it go baggy so now it goes in the glass cabinet.
The microwave is wedged with a rubber door stop during transit but still rattles.
Marmot - what sort of enlightenment would you like about the Veba mirror monitor?  A chinese product which is very good until it gets the blue screen of death normally just outside warranty.  Have you got one, if so does it work or does it only work in reverse gear?  See here:
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
( It is not just for reversing - we use it as a rear view mirror )
Or here:
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Pete

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Apologies for confusion with Marmot
Another thought:  If not already done, we would recommend Waxoyl or similar treatment.
Pete

Thanks guys, not been on the roof but will check it out sounds like theres a soloution anyway if its missing the cover not the end of the world,  dont have  a reversing camera fitted and have already decided to have the underside treated. Was very intrigued about the little white blank key on the key bunch so rang AS "opens the soap dispenser in the shower" yeah thought so just wanted to make sure (not!!! spent all weekend between two of us trying to fathom it out) youd think we were new to this not having just come back from our sixth tour of New Zealand.

Picking up this Saturday will report back in then.

Only the outer skin of the rooflight flies off so it works Ok but may sound very noisy when driving.  Not a problem to replace.
The soap dispenser is a mysterious thing which has no known use.
Pete

Hi all I have just bought a 2008 model  but it doesn't say duo on the documents. We had a weekend away and all seems to work well just wondering though it is quite noise over bumps especially makes a banging noise  like the suspension is bottoming out is this normal? 
Andy

We have a 2009 for sale if anyone still looking.ta

andyreese wrote:Hi all I have just bought a 2008 model  but it doesn't say duo on the documents. We had a weekend away and all seems to work well just wondering though it is quite noise over bumps especially makes a banging noise  like the suspension is bottoming out is this normal? 
Andy

just to up date you all it was 3 rubbers stoppers missing from the ends of the leaf springs put some new ones on and its worked also put 4 new tyres on Dunlop LT SP 60 don't need to be inflated to death :)

andyreese wrote:Hi all I have just bought a 2008 model  but it doesn't say duo on the documents. We had a weekend away and all seems to work well just wondering though it is quite noise over bumps especially makes a banging noise  like the suspension is bottoming out is this normal? 
Andy

Hi Andy, could it be the gas bottles rattling in the cupboard?

Rest regards, Mike  

Hi mike
many thanks for your response but it was the leaf springs banging together when I went over bumps all sorted now and away we go 

one thing we have a 2008 white warwick and 10" tv which came with it,  size isn't important as I keep telling my wife  but we would like the option to use it sometimes the standard Aerial
is a but rubbish and doesn't work at all on the sites we like can any one recommend a outside aerial I can just put in the grass and plug it in to my socket
many thanks
Andy

Andy - the problem with aerials is that reception gets a lot better the higher up it is, so anything mounted into the ground is a waste of the height of the vehicle itself. If you want a portable, compact aerial then I have heard good things about Necvox compact aerials which IIRC have a magnetic mount on the back - though I have never tried one myself (as I don't take a TV away with me).

Hi mojo
thanks for the advise. I know what you mean and will look into the necvox  aerials
thanks
Andy

Hi All,
just come back from our 5th weekend away and the fresh water tank has a leak
tried to fill it up and water started flooding out  and the alarm keeps going off every 10mins saying its low. I always have done things myself on all my vehicle's so has anyone taken off there tank and repaired or replaced it is there anything I should know before I start..
I do have a few more issues thinking of replacing the leaf springs and shock absorbers back and front has anyone had them done and did it help with noise and the ride.
many thanks

Andy