Advance advice

I'm waiting for my new Broadway to be delivered, 8 weeks time.....in advance of the delivery; I've been searching the web looking for information and advice.
I have come across several posts with respect to the 6 speed gearbox fitted to the X250 chassis which I believe mine is built upon. In particular the issue seems to suggest that reverse can be an issue with respect to shudder and that one should check the vehicle before accepting delivery.

Am I interpreting this correctly?.......is there a known issue or has it been resolved?

Ray

Ps, any further advice on specific issues I should check before before acceptance, this is my first motor home 

Hi Ray

Past tense - you will be pleased to hear.

The previous model did have problems with (sometimes) quite severe judder in reverse, but it's no longer a worry. Reversing smoothly does need a gentle right boot as the gearing is higher than most of us would want - probably designed for "White Van Man" who can't go in any direction at less than 50mph!!!

On anything but a very steep slope it's easy enough to reverse with no juddering, and I think you will like the 6 speed gearbox. It's not the slickest for gear selection, but once you are used to it the gearing is just right for motorhome use. Fuel economy is not quite as good as the Euro 4 engine, but you will still get 30mpg quite easily, and the power comes in very smoothly across the range. All in all you will find it a very easy and relaxing vehicle to drive.

Bet you can hardly wait!

Dave

This was certainly an issue when we bought our new Bessacarr ( Fiat X250 based) in 2007 but was eventually resolved after lots of angst by owners. We now have a Broadway, new in 2014 and that does not seem to have any problems.

I would check the posting dates of the web advice you have looked at.

There had been a design problem that lead to wedges forming from going forward in the clutch but in reverse these high spots caused severe vibration more so in the Fiat. My Broadway drives superb getting around 30 mpg you will thought y enjoy it. Make sure they explain all the kit and demonstrate every item do not be rushed.
Geof

Hi Ray, belated welcome to the forum. Yes, Gromit highlights the points. You will learn how best to apply your right foot when in reverse. I sometimes experienced judder reversing  on a steep incline more so if ground was lose gravel or a very soft surface. Less so with our previous 2009 Broadway but a common problem in the 2007 Ace Milano which had the Fiat engine. Regards Colin

Many thanks to you all for the superb response, I love forums for this, just eases the mind :)

Yes I am looking forward to it, and considering what to fit as extra improvements for want of a better phrase, currently I'm looking at the air suspension which seems a good addition.

Ray

Ray: one thing I would consider is increasing the permitted mass by replating.

A mistake had been made in the brochure when we were sold ours and the payload was quite a lot less than we expected.  We weigh it quite frequently and have never been above the permitted mass but were very close. We replated to 3700 kg via SVTech and this has allowed us to be a little more relaxed when packing.  It's a paper exercise and it might be that your dealer will do it f.oc before purchase.

It does have implications if you are approaching 70 or when you come to pay tolls etc.

Quilter wrote:Ray: one thing I would consider is increasing the permitted mass by replating.

A mistake had been made in the brochure when we were sold ours and the payload was quite a lot less than we expected.  We weigh it quite frequently and have never been above the permitted mass but were very close. We replated to 3700 kg via SVTech and this has allowed us to be a little more relaxed when packing.  It's a paper exercise and it might be that your dealer will do it f.oc before purchase.

It does have implications if you are approaching 70 or when you come to pay tolls etc.

This is an interesting point, unfortunately however; I have no concept of the legality or practicality of such a thing.
I am of course willing to consider this it would help if you have a little more info on it, in the meantime I'll do my own searching.


Ray

Ray: my understanding is fairly basic but I am sure the more technical bods on here will give you chapter and verse. This is the firm we used but, I think, AS or a dealer would have all the necessary information so could do it themselves.

http://www.svtech.co.uk/vehicles/motorhomes/

That's a good link, thank you.

Ray

Ray
The latest chassis is known as the x290 so don't get confused by  x250 problems.

Thank you for that latest info, I had assumed it was the x250 chassis.

Ray

I read somewhere, only a few days ago, of a firm which did the same re-plating as SVTech but for quite a lot less money. (SVTech are not cheap for what appears to be a simple paper exercise!!)

Can't remember where I saw it, but a search might find it - I think it was on this forum. The dog is pestering for her walk, but I'll have a look later if no-one else has highlighted it.

Dave

One thing you might consider, Ray, is joining the Autosleeper Owners' Club ( ASOC).   Apart from the monthly newsletter, with snippets of useful information, the chance to join various rallies and discounts offered on goods and services from many firms ( inc AS themselves),  you will have access to an electronic library of hundreds of useful information leaflets.

Membership costs are very low ( £10 ???). The membership secretary  ( Jill Bertlin) can be contacted at The Rockeries, Sunny Terrace, Lindale, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria LA116LQ 

They have a website:

www.asoc.uk.com

If you are going to consider replating your new van then it might be worth asking the dealer who might be able to do it before they tax the vehicle. You can reclaim the excess tax afterwards but it is less hassle  this way.

A belated welcome to the forum by the way...!

Cheers Quilter..will do

Ray

Gromit wrote:I read somewhere, only a few days ago, of a firm which did the same re-plating as SVTech but for quite a lot less money. (SVTech are not cheap for what appears to be a simple paper exercise!!)

Can't remember where I saw it, but a search might find it - I think it was on this forum. The dog is pestering for her walk, but I'll have a look later if no-one else has highlighted it.

Dave

Found it on another forum. Can't imagine the author will mind if I copy it here.

"Try using Mr John Ruffles at JR Consultancy, Bury St Edmunds, email is johnatjrcon@aol.com tel: 01359 250 808/01244 544598
He does exactly the same as SVTech and is half the price. It cost us £142 for our Fiat Ducato. It is only a paper exercise. "

Dave

I' m sure I'm missing something but my understanding of the process is simply that the tax class of the vehicle is changed in the DVLA records. , To do this the vehicle specifications must  conform to the class to which the owner wishes to  up ( or down) register it. 

Those firms who offer the up or down plating service check the vehicle against the class specifications and apply to the DVLA for the new plate to be registered and printed if it conforms.

This could surely be done by a dealer or- even better- the convertor, on the request of the owner and cost little more than the new plate to go on the door frame. No doubt the DVLA chatge for the paperwork to re- reguster it as well.

I assume that it could be done by the owner themselves with a little googling ?

What have I missed ?

It can be done by the owners, although the form is a bit fiddly as it's a "catch all" for all large vehicles including motorhomes, and some of the categories don't fit too well!

I asked Messrs A/S to do it for me, and was assured that they would. Needless to say, they didn't!

I wanted the 150bhp engine, and the higher rated chassis at 3500kg. For reasons best known to themselves, Messrs Peugeot only fit the smaller engine in the heavier chassis!!!   The (theoretical) compromise was the bigger engine in the standard 3300kg chassis, and they would get it uprated before delivery.

In the event, our dealer asked me to do it and give him the invoice, at which he immediately gave me a cheque to cover it - presumably claiming back from A/S. It wasn't a major problem, but with a bit of communication and a modicum of joined-up thinking it could (should!) be a lot more straightforward.

Dave

AS will point you to SVTech as will many others on various forums (fora) I too came across the JRConsultants on another forum and then lost it ! Thanks Dave.
Otherwise I would have a go myself if you can tell me where to find the form please.

SVTech seem to be jacking up their prices with every referral they get !

Sorry Willy, I obviously didn't make it clear.

The form I used was from SVTech. I only just found out about JR Consultancy a few days ago. Can only suggest you contact them and see how they go about the process.

Dave

If you do up-rate check your new registration document carefully.  At the first attempt mine came back from the DVLA with one of the three required boxes not agreeing with the other two.  (The new mass appears twice and the tax class once).  It too about a month to rectify and we were going abroad so timing was tight.
They automatically send you a cheque for the reduced tax.  
If you do up-rate remember that this does not increase the allowed weight on each axle.  With our van there is a tendency for the weight to move back and overload the rear end so heavy cargo must be near the front.  This may be because we have an end kitchen and carry two cycles on the back.

When we bought our Lancashire (Nuevo) I specified 3500kg instead of the standard 3300kg for the EK. A/S used a chassis that was plated at 3500kg and destined for the Nuevo with overcab bed because of "Whole vehicle Type Approval". So if Peugeot will only supply 3500kg plated vehicles with the 130bhp engine it would have been very difficult for THEM to handle and they would have found it better to delegate to the dealer.  So your "needless to say" may well be overly harsh on A/S and should perhaps be applied to the dealer.  If you were anxious for delivery then delegating it to you but paying may have solved everybody's problems!