looking for a Symbol

Hello
I am new to motorhomes but have been looking for about 6 months at motorhomes. In September we hired a very spacious 4/6 berth motorhome and toured Cornwall. We had a great time but realised the limitations of a large (7m long), wide motorhome.
Since then we have been looking at Motorcaravans and have focused on the Symbol. We want enough faculties to be self contained if we are away from camp sites but a smaller van.
What we would like is a 4 seat belt version, so we can take our daughter and granddaughter out for day trips, and with A/C (as we want to tour in southern Europe). I think this means we are looking for a 2011 or younger Symbol ES. Not that many around and the ones that come up for sale seem to go very quickly.
So now a few questions!
Is there a  list anywhere of the different models and when they were introduced?
So far only post 2011 seem to have A/C (happy to be told otherwise!), was it fitted to earlier models and can it be retro fitted?
With the 4 seat belt model is the double bed ok (it seems to be made of more cushions in the 4 berth)?
Can the 4 seat be retro fitted?
Do any companies rent out Symbols?

Any comments suggestions very welcome.

Thanks
Mike

Hi Mike
Welcome to the forum from Bridlington , you might want to have a look at the Marquis Dorset es, its the Marquis version of the Symbol, with 4 berths, belted seats and cab/hab a/c.
We had a 59 Symbol 6years ago and loved the van, until we started to stay away for longer trips.
Boaby

Hi Mike and welcome to the forum from Leicestershire  , I think the Marquis version of the Symbol is the Dorset and as 'Boaby' says the ES (extra seat) version gives 4 belted seats. It seems all that we have seen have cab air conditioning and the Dorset includes habitation A/C.


We find the Symbol to be a perfect van for us, good luck with your search ... Jeff

burlingtonboaby wrote:Hi Mike
Welcome to the forum from Bridlington , you might want to have a look at the Marquis Dorset es, its the Marquis version of the Symbol, with 4 berths, belted seats and cab/hab a/c.
We had a 59 Symbol 6years ago and loved the van, until we started to stay away for longer trips.
Boaby

so is the Marquis Dorset  made by Auto-sleeper?
Thanks for the comments.
cheers
mike

mpbarrett wrote:

burlingtonboaby wrote:Hi Mike
Welcome to the forum from Bridlington , you might want to have a look at the Marquis Dorset es, its the Marquis version of the Symbol, with 4 berths, belted seats and cab/hab a/c.
We had a 59 Symbol 6years ago and loved the van, until we started to stay away for longer trips.
Boaby

so is the Marquis Dorset  made by Auto-sleeper?
Thanks for the comments.
cheers
mike

Yep

Our 61 plate ES Symbol is for sale at Peak Motorhomes (Chesterfield). It has all the toys. http://peakmotorhomes.co.uk/home/autosleeper-symbol-es-2011/search/vehicle-details/?vin=T383LZLMTK59TWQQ622D  Bargain of the year??

Loved it, except the bed. Making it up was a bit of a pain but the main thing was the mass of cushions which didn't give a level surface. Ended up using memory foam mattress toppers which helped. - I still have them if anybody is interested.

We have now moved onto an Adria Twin with a fixed bed.

Thanks. That does look very nice.
Slightly concerned about your comments about the bed. Was it very uncomfortable or just a pain to put together. I did wonder about the ES as it seems to use a lot of cushions!

cheers
mike

The shuffling cushions was a pain, obviously the es takes more arranging than the ordinary symbol. The multitude of cushions leave the surface not perfectly flat and a tendency to dip sometimes. The mattress toppers sorted it out.
Apart from that a brilliant camper.

The beds are no problem on the older Symbols. Mine is a 2002 beds excellent,,BUSBY65.

We prefer the 2 single bed option and the makingup of the beds is simple and takes just a few minutes. I suppose we all fine tune the vans to suit our own needs and from then on life is easy ... Jeff

Hi Mike, we have a Symbol ES on a 58 plate and find the beds perfect as a single bed option in fact my wife sleeps better in the van than at home and she has back problems.
The extra seats in the upright position are ok but not as comfortable as the front seats which both turn around and become part of the bed.
We find it ideal as the wife sometimes stays up late due to her back. Dropping the cushions into a bed is no trouble even the wife does it when I'm asleep.
Best regards and any more info shout, Mike  

Flying High wrote:Hi Mike, we have a Symbol ES on a 58 plate and find the beds perfect as a single bed option in fact my wife sleeps better in the van than at home and she has back problems.
The extra seats in the upright position are ok but not as comfortable as the front seats which both turn around and become part of the bed.
We find it ideal as the wife sometimes stays up late due to her back. Dropping the cushions into a bed is no trouble even the wife does it when I'm asleep.
Best regards and any more info shout, Mike  

Just an update to above, there are no cushions so store in this configuration. All extra are removed and stored in the loft.
Best of luck in your quest, regards Mike  

went down to Somerset to look at a couple of Autocruise Jazz's and a Symbol.
The Jazz was quite nice, good price for the year and plenty of toys but seemed very poor quality with badley fitted trim and bits hanging off. The bed was neat and easy to put up but we missed the open feel of the corridor to the rear doors.
The Symbol was very nice but only had 3 belted seats...
We were going to head north to see a Symbol ES but ended up on the side of the M5 waiting to be recovered by the RAC. We were in my wifes Jag XK8 lost all power so have got it recovered to a Jag specialist near Cambridge. Its a Jag so will be expensive...
But the trip was useful as we are certain we want a Symbol and not a Jazz!
BTW thanks for all the comments very helpful.
mike

Hi Mike, stick with it and you will get one.
We love ours even though its small, if you are serious members could look around in there area for one and let you know, just a thought.
Sorry to hear about the Jag hope it's not to serious.

Best regards, Mike  

Spinney have one with 4 ,travel seats...



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mpbarrett wrote:went down to Somerset to look at a couple of Autocruise Jazz's and a Symbol.
The Jazz was quite nice, good price for the year and plenty of toys but seemed very poor quality with badley fitted trim and bits hanging off. The bed was neat and easy to put up but we missed the open feel of the corridor to the rear doors.
The Symbol was very nice but only had 3 belted seats...
We were going to head north to see a Symbol ES but ended up on the side of the M5 waiting to be recovered by the RAC. We were in my wifes Jag XK8 lost all power so have got it recovered to a Jag specialist near Cambridge. Its a Jag so will be expensive...
But the trip was useful as we are certain we want a Symbol and not a Jazz!
BTW thanks for all the comments very helpful.
mike

Think the quality of Autocruise nose dived when Swift bought the name...Not very well finished,,,BUSBY65.

Hi
we are going to see one at Peakmotorhomes. Previously owned by someone on the forum.
Its a 2011 and has done a very low mileage but is 5 years old. Whats the recommendation for the cambelt. I found a suggestion on the web  that it should be changed at 5 years old.
Is that correct?
cheers
mike

matchlessman wrote:Our 61 plate ES Symbol is for sale at Peak Motorhomes (Chesterfield). It has all the toys. http://peakmotorhomes.co.uk/home/autosleeper-symbol-es-2011/search/vehicle-details/?vin=T383LZLMTK59TWQQ622D  Bargain of the year??

Loved it, except the bed. Making it up was a bit of a pain but the main thing was the mass of cushions which didn't give a level surface. Ended up using memory foam mattress toppers which helped. - I still have them if anybody is interested.

We have now moved onto an Adria Twin with a fixed bed.

going to look at your previous camper on Thursday! I am a bit surprised its still for sale, the tax history states it ran out on the 17 Sept, is that when you traded it in? If we buy it might be interested in your memory foam....

regards
mike

Yes it was around then. I assume sales slow down at the end of the season as most people want a camper for the summer and don't want to sleep in a field when the weather gets cold. Best time to buy!!

Memory foam toppers still taking up space in our dining room.. 

Happy to run through anything about our old van you want to know. PM me your details.

mpbarrett wrote:Hi
we are going to see one at Peakmotorhomes. Previously owned by someone on the forum.
Its a 2011 and has done a very low mileage but is 5 years old. Whats the recommendation for the cambelt. I found a suggestion on the web  that it should be changed at 5 years old.
Is that correct?
cheers
mike

The Peugeot has a Ford diesel engine that is chain driven, good news no cam belt.

so we are very close to being Symbol owners, have paid a deposit and will pick it up next week. Very very nice Symbol ES van in as new condition (apart from the perished tyres that are being replaced...).

Next question where is the best place for van insurance?
And is it worth joining the Caravan club?

cheers
mike

Congratulations. Enjoy it.

Try Camping & Caravan Club for insurance (and reduced cost RAC membership).

matchlessman wrote:Congratulations. Enjoy it.

Try Camping & Caravan Club for insurance (and reduced cost RAC membership).

Ditto. that's what we did. Have fun and enjoy.

regards. Mike  

Recommendations in this recent thread. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

I have driven past Peak Motor Homes several times during the past few weeks and noticed the 2011 ES Symbol for sale.  Looked very impressive from inside and outside. We "toyed" with the idea of  purchasing this vehicle as eventually we will upgrade from our 2000 Symbol which we have just had MOTD which it passed.  Earlier this year we had the drivers side sill replaced, (common rust problem with the Peugeot base vehicles around 2000). The MOT  inspector stated overall the Symbol is in very good condition, (55,000 miles) hence our decision to keep "Koni" for the next 12 months.  I noticed when driving past Peak Motorhomes to golf on Tuesday 8th November the vehicle had been removed from the front display and had a "Sold" sign on the windscreen.