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Hi

Does anyone know of an adria dealer in the north of england or Scotland as I would like to look for one of these. Also any Adria Altea owners with good/bad experiences please tell.

ta

Sorry don't know about dealers or the Altea 542 but we have had a Altea 432 (2007)for 3 years which we love. 

The only real problem we have had is with the water tank splitting, but aparently it is a common problem with the thuma tanks and we probably hadn't dained it properly over the winter.  Lucky they aren't too expensive too replace.

If you have any specific questions, that we can help with let me know. 

Hi try these:

http://www.callendercaravans.co.uk/

We have 542 DK 2010 model, and love it. We had a 2008 Adria beforehand (which also had the water tank go this winter, I think it must have been the cold weather because we didn't have a problem the previous year!). We also loved that, but the new one just lured us in to buying it, and it did have an oven the other one didn't!

The new adrias have a better water heater this year that works on both gas and electric but they still fitted a gas only heater this year, although apparently it's not that much to upgrade to Gas and Electric. We never bother with the heater, we use oil filled radiators to keep the van nice and warm, just use the heater to warm it up to start with!

Only thing is that's a pain is obtaining spares, we were waiting for new window stays on our 2008 model and they still hadn't come in when we decided to upgrade to the newer model. Adria are notoriously slow at supplying stuff, I've seen threads on other forums about it, not sure if it's still a problem.

I bought a new Adria Altea 542 DT from Kingsmill in Mansfield (which might count as North depending on where you live!) and I love it to bits. 

The dealer was excellent (this is my first ever van and they were very patient with me and did me a good deal - talk to Carol if you plan to go there, it's a small dealership so they might not have what you are looking for in stock).  I can see why some people wouldn't like Adria's but they work for me - I don't want a microwave or a television in the van and would resent paying for them.  The DT has a great layout - three bunks at the back which are actually a decent width (look out for this on other vans) and a huge shower/toilet room.  The interior is a matter of taste - some people find the Adria "cold" but I see it as light and airy (and I share mine with the wife, three kids and three big dogs!).

The final factors in favour of the Adria were the price - as a new van mine was £4000 to £5000 cheaper than anything I could compare it with - and the weight (they are relatively light vans which suited me as I have never towed before so I now have a van which is well within the limits of my car and towing is a dream).

Regards,

    Derek

We have the 542UK and love it to bits. Yes, not as well kitted out as some others but that's fine by us. The fixed bunks are great with 2 kids (5 & 7) and it'll be a while before they outgrow them. The large single (converted from dinette) is great for their Granny (but only for weekend - that's about as long as I can manage!!).

Might be too Ikeaish for some but that makes it light & airy inside.

There is a dealer in Monifieth, just outside Dundee if that helps. (Top Road Tourers)

Just noticed I'm a whole year behind!

Still, it's good to go on about how good the Adria's are

Cheers

Richard