Hello

by treynolds Wed 24 Jul 2013 - 12:18

I have owned 5 Autosleepers. The Gatcombe I have, was registered in 2005, - probably one of the last ones made. I bought it 5 years ago (low mileage around 10,000 one previous owner).
Previous models: Flair, Rambler, Clubman, Ravenna. I bought both the Rambler and Clubman from new. Clubman was a great van, but at around 70,000 miles started to cost me money in repairs, traded the van in for a Ravenna (Peugeot base van), - big mistake. Engine OK but suspension very stiff compared with the Clubman. Poor heater, very draughty. Though low mileage, gear shift went and had to be replaced. Also main rooflight blew open and had to be replaced. Fitted with "Motorhome" tyres, had strange habit of gripping the white lines in the road especially when going round corners!! Also had a poor L Shape bed arrangement at the back, made life a bit awkward when getting up in the middle of the night...Managed to spot the Gatcombe on line at a dealer in Teeside. Agreed a trade in, and drove down to Teeside to collect. A few teething problems were sorted (mainly due to lack of use by the previous owner). Plan to hang on to the van for the forseeable future, only downside, being a VW, parts are expensive. Replacement exhaust from local VW dealer over £1000! Thus far I've had the timing belt changed (at around 16K miles, due to age of van rather than mileage), brake disks front and back, new exhaust, new set of tyres - though still plenty tread, sidewalls cracking were advisory at last MOT, old tyres were 10years old which sounded right as being a VWT4, this model was replaced by the T5 in 2003. Still low mileage for it's age, 24,000. Still drives like new, wife won't let me part with it.....