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 Topic: Coachman amara 530/4 2004
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19/3/2017 at 11:12am
Location: East Midlands
Outfit: Coachman VIP 575.Santa Fe
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I have just bought a new Coachman after 6 years of hell from Bailey and supplying dealer.I researched pretty extensively and their reputation from owners appeared to be consistently good.In the last few days I bought a spare water pump from someone who had a Coachman and that was his third . He said he has had no problems with any of them. Sorry it's not direct personal experience but hope you may get more replies.
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Mister G
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19/3/2017 at 5:58pm
Location: East Midlands
Outfit: Coachman VIP 575.Santa Fe
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I would advise anyone buying a caravanto from anyone to get a damp check.
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Mister G
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19/3/2017 at 6:18pm
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450
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We purchased a Coachman Amara 2004 last year except ours is the 2 berth 450 model which is our third Coachman. However, all used caravans can have problems whatever make they are and quite often people will sell up but damp is the worst enemy you have to avoid. Before we bought this caravan I did a visual inspection on site at the dealers and detected 4 problems that needed rectifying. a) There was no spare wheel carrier but the dealer agreed to swap them over from our previous Coachman. b) One of the rear light clusters had a round hole in it the size of a pencil which he agreed to replace. c) Both tyres had bulges in them and requested that both were replaced before collection which they did.
The important thing to do though is to take the caravan out for about 3 days and check everything is working properly which we found other problems too. a) the fridge didn't operate by gas b) the stereo CD player didn't function. c) one of the 240 volt lights didn't work due to a defective on/off switch. d) there was a gas leak at the cylinder so had to take a temporary measure by the use of PTFE tape.
All the defects were reported to the dealer and rectified under the warranty except for the radio/CD player which I bought a used one (that had no cage) for a bargain price from an online auction site and got them to fit it for me.
Even though the caravan came with all the paperwork I found at least 7 underlying faults but that's where buying a caravan from a dealer has it's merits because buying second hand would have cost me a lot more.
I'm sure you won't be disappointed with your new Coachman just like us but just trying to advise respectively that you need to check absolutely everything and get any faults rectified within the 6 month warranty.
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19/3/2017 at 10:48pm
Location: East Midlands
Outfit: Coachman VIP 575.Santa Fe
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If I were you I would pay part by credit card. This makes the card co equally responsible as the dealer. I have just had 6 years or dispute with Bailey and the dealer and got no where . However the credit card co paid £1500 compensation. It's called s75 of a finance act.
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Mister G
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19/3/2017 at 10:53pm
Location: East Midlands
Outfit: Coachman VIP 575.Santa Fe
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Damp is a regular issue with caravans. The trouble is it is hard to track where it is coming from. It can be awning rails but check if it near a window or any other place where there is a joint.Keep an eye on it to make sure it clears up fully.
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Mister G
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19/3/2017 at 11:12pm
Location: Mid Wales
Outfit: Coachman Vip 520
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Hi Lasty,
we bought a coachman last year, also did a lot of research like yourself. Ours is a vip 520 2007. When you pick up the caravan try and havd a few days away in it. We found a couple of niggles with ours, which we probably wouldn't of noticed if we hadn't of spent time in it.
Apart from the few minor faults, we have been more than happy with ours. We just phoned the dealer, and faults were put right straight away. Any make of caravan can have problems, but do think Coachman are a good build quality!
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20/3/2017 at 1:09pm
Location: Royal Forest of Dean
Outfit: Motorhome
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I would use the caravan for the summer and get it serviced and damp checked by an independent engineer before the 6 month warranty expires. If the damp has got worse in 6 months then I would take it back for repair under warranty.
Rob
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20/3/2017 at 2:14pm
Location: sunny south east!
Outfit: Coachman
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Good luck, well happy with our 535/4 - great layout for a van and front seats long enough for older kids or even shorter adults to use as beds. Perfect family layout for us.
Yours is slightly different with more storage but less counter space - hope you enjoy as much as we do :)
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20/3/2017 at 6:31pm
Location: East Midlands
Outfit: Coachman VIP 575.Santa Fe
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Good luck.I am sure you will enjoy the van once you are sorted.You never know how good your dealer is until he has had to deal with a problem.Looks good if he offered a deposit refund. Best wishes and happy caravanning.
Post last edited on 20/03/2017 18:39:13
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Mister G
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10/8/2017 at 9:30am
Location: Derby
Outfit: Coachman Amara 530 4
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Hi Lasty ...
How are you getting on with your coachman ?
We bought the same van at the end of last year but the 2003 model.
We have used ours around 4 times since buying it an very impressed with the build quality, I have a cheap dampmeter and do regular checks, not found much to worry about when checking.
Only thing I have found is the noseweight of the van is heavy, I tow with a mondeo which has a 75kg max towball weight and to achieve this I have to load the awning under the fixed bed and put the poles for awning to the rear of the axle... it tows great but I was dubious to begin with.
I have just bought a duvalay mattress topper as I find the fixed bed a bit to hard to sleep on.
Overall I couldn't ask for a better van for the money and I'm very happy with it...
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