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We have also been looking at the Sterling 495 as well. Managed to get a sneak preview at our local dealer about a week ago. If we buy one it will be our third Sterling van. I don't think I could live with the Bailey teak, I hope they have not made a mistake using such a dark wood although I think a few continental vans are also using now as well.

Re the car a good place to get an impression of performance with that outfit is www.whattocar.com

David

We like the Europa 495 too - and it will probably be our next van.  Our local dealership has just sold a bargain 2008 model, and we're now waiting to see the replacement 2009 which he doesn't yet have in stock, haven't filled the forecourt with the new Baileys (which he says are not selling terribly well????).  Unfortunately we won't be able to see it before we go away on holiday.

We tow our Swift (similar size and weight) with a Ford Mondeo Turbo Diesel (54 reg) and it tows like a dream.  We would be very likely to add shock-absorbers if the Europa doesn't have them, as our current Swift does and David (Mr Val A) is convinced it makes a huge difference to towability.

The only real way to find the true kerbweight of your particular model is to take it to a weighbridge - I'm sure you'll find one locally, there are certainly plenty around Leeds and Bradford, so Manchester must be the same.

Our 2008 Europa 520 is going back into the dealership AGAIN, this time for the last time. The noisy pump is getting worse, and we've had enough. On top of the faulty gas fridge when on holiday when it was being used for the first time, the faulty brakes binding on (3 attempts by the dealers, sorted myself), a sliding shower door which wouldn't (1 attempt by dealer, repaired myself), wardrobe and toilet doors which wouldn't close (done myself), the sliding table held by one screw instead of three and the glue fixed over the protective film (ditto), spurting hot water which makes the taps and shower unusable (2 attempts - still unresolved) pipes which freeze at any sign of frost as they are placed directly over gas drop-out vents, the pump is so noisy we're reluctant to use it at night.

All in all the 'van is rarely used as we've lost faith in it, and spend the time we do use it wondering what'll break next. Sterling don't want to know, the dealers are stalling, probably until the warranty runs out, and if we could sell it and buy our old Ace back we would.

Sterling? Rubbish. 

we bought a new 2008 model 495 europa and love it. Ithink the only difference against newer 2009 models is shock absorbers and an extra heki roof light but i could be corrected on that one.

I find it to be a very well balanced van that tows very well with my peugeot 407 which is towing at around 90 %.

The van has all the extras that we wanted as standard  and we find it very comfortable with plenty of storage.

We looked at a few vans before this one and found that we were not impressed but as soon as we saw this van we knew it was the right one and have not regretted that decision since.

All in all very happy.

Quote: Originally posted by Rizzo on 03/8/2008

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We love our Sterling!

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So do we!

Anne

The first year service (£180) on the 'van has just been completed by our local dealer from where we bought it and the noisy pump issue is still unresolved.

It's likely been made worse by the fact that the pump was left switched on with no water connected after the service, then parked up in their yard and only discovered when I walked into the van this afternoon with the service mechanic. How long it's been running is anyone's guess, but it was red hot, though I'm assured that "it'll be OK, they can run without water"!

As usual no-one was available to take note of this as the salesman was away as was the manager, but the ever helpful shop lass did what she could to assure me she'd pass on my comments. 

The noisy pump has been explained though, "they all do that, and Sterling changed pump suppliers to another, quieter, pump"  according to the engineers, which will be news to the owner of the almost identical Europa we met in April, who has an identical pump without noise we're stuck with. Another KCC engineer had previously blamed the Alko chassis for the overheating hubs, ("they've had issues with the brakes") which was news to the less-than-happy Alko man I spoke to, so I'm reluctant to take any of their comments at face value, so I'll be checking that out.

I suppose the real issue may be seen to be with the poor after sales service from Kirkcaldy Caravans, who happily accepted full payment in cash for the caravan with no trade in to worry about, but Sterling's lack of interest is not good. Teething troubles are to be expected with any new caravan, but we've lost all faith in it and are spending more time waiting to see what'll go wrong next than actually enjoying our purchase.

The Europa is well appointed, is good to tow, was well priced and we can't fault the bits that work, when they work. We're not being picky, as it's embarrasing to have to admit that we've bought a pig in a poke, we're just looking to have value for the money we spent and service when things go wrong.

We hear that manufacturers and dealers are struggling to survive in the economic downturn so are offering better service and deals, but this seems to have gone unnoticed at Kirkcaldy Caravan Centre and at Sterling. 

We'll not be back to either the dealer or the manufacturer unless we can resolve the issue amicably and if that's the case as soon as we can find a buyer or a trade in somewhere else it'll be someone else's noisy pump.

Jake,Sorry to hear of all your problems with your Sterling, we were going to buy a dealer special Europa from Duncans of wishaw but decided to go with a lunar from our local dealer (guess who!). We're picking it up on Friday so to hear that the after sales leaves a lot to be desired is a bit sickening, fingers crossed we don't have too much trouble. Good luck in getting your problems sorted out, there's nothing worse than feeling you're being fobbed off with excuses.

Nicky

Aye Nicky, sickening is putting things mildly!

I'm in a less black mood than yesterday after having spoken to the MD of Cookstown Caravans (the company which owns KCC) today. He's up to speed with the situation, having heard of the problems with the caravan before I alerted him to my posting of yesterday at 6.40pm on the site here.   

How he got wind of the problems so quickly I don't know as yet, but I'm sure he'll not object to my using part of the text of the email he sent me at 9pm last night. This might put your mind at rest that it is intended that things may be improved as regards the after sales service.

I quote the relevent parts of Mr Sempey's email;

" ...........I am sorry you have had such a bad experience in relation to the aftersales provided at Kirkcaldy. Earlier today I was contacted and made aware of the pump issue by Kirkcaldy and to say I was furious would be an understatement............ I will personally be investigating first thing tomorrow morning as to why we are unable to resolve such elementary issues speedily and to your satisfaction........I find this situation wholly unacceptable and please be assured that I will deal with the matter. In the meantime please accept my apology and I know we have a long way to go before your faith is restored in us............... At Kirkcaldy we place a high importance on aftersales although your experience seem to be the exception rather than the norm.........."

I've abreviated the email somewhat, but you'll no doubt get the jist of the gravity Mr Sempey places on the matter of resolving issues without recourse to public postings. He's not unduly concerned that I posted here (other than the fact that things should have gone this far) which as you'll see is an honest appraisal of my concerns with the build quality of Sterling caravans and service from my dealer, and understands that my reply was in response to Janbo25's requests for opinions as to the quality of the product in question; namely Europa caravans. He's concerned that issues should be resolved quickly, not over a protracted period, and without fuss, and that his company should retain, or regain, it's good name.  

Anyway, I spoke with Mr Sempey today by telephone and we've agreed that I should use the caravan as it is for the weekend and see if the lowered pump pressure (to stop the water surging) also cures the pump noise. I really hope it does, as we're on the verge of selling the caravan as we've lost all confidence in it, and our much needed weekends away are becoming a bit less enjoyable. The thought of our August fortnight in the south with caravan problems so far away from home does not bear thinking about. I'm slightly concerned for the long term health of the pump which was left running continuously for possibly 5 or 6 hours without water being connected. If you think about it, if you run the pump for 30 second bursts a dozen times in a normal a day that works out at around six minutes a day, so my pump has done 50 days work in one continuous run! No wonder it was hot!  

We discussed the other issues with the caravan and I take on board his comments that some of the troubles could be laid at the feet of the manufacturer. (faulty/ badly adjusted sliding/hinged doors, screws missing from components, weak clips on the fire front which falls off during travel, the fridge which failed to operate properly due to circuit board problems, water pipes directly above gas dropout vents which freeze easily where an extra foot of piping would re-reoute them...... and such like), but as Mr Sempey correctly pointed out, these are issues which the dealer should identify and address, where possible, as they arise.  

We have our fingers crossed that the pump is as quiet as a moose and all is well this coming weekend, and we can, at last, use the shower!!!  If not Mr Sempey assures me that the pump will be changed.

What a shame that such trivial matters should sour the relationship between dealer and customer and neccesitate the MD of the company having to intervene. I somehow think he'll not be one to fob off customers with excuses.

If the owner of the Europa who was at Glenmore in April and who I spoke to regarding his/my water pump is reading this please get in touch. I think he drove either a Kia 4x4 or a Mondeo, and has an Aberdeen area accent.

His wife's name might have been Margaret/Marge/Mary?