Coachbuilt to Van Conversion

many on 'other' forums speak well of the Comfortmatic box...

the smaller/slimmer van i test drove recently was thus equipped.

the teach-in from the salesman 'seemed' quite complicated as there are many modes to the box, including slow/faster shifting, holding gears on decending hills, limiting the range of gears to be used etc, etc...

as it transpired, i just stuck it in 'drive' and it was fine.....

one thing ive read is that the change from first to second can be a bit tardy, which might be a bit disconcerting when pulling out on a roundabout for example.

to me, its a pretty good effort, reasonable smooth....[Deleted User User]'s van has one and was paying close attention to the driving progress when we were in his van recently...

just one thing to consider.....you guessed it....weight...

if running at 3.5t it may be a kg too far, but obviously depends on the van and the available (real) payload. 

David

We too drive an Auto Car (VW with DSG box) but also have the Fiat Conformatic on the MH.  The VW is smooth as silk and fast however the Fiat is a robotised affair so the change from 1st to 2nd is a bit "lumpy" but once it is going it is fine and the changes between the higher gears is fairly smooth and un-noticable.  MPG seems fine and it is much easier to drive without worrying about gear changes so you can concentrate on the road etc.

Dropping gears to overtake/go up hills is very good and even in manual it will  not stall and drop down to first if you forget.  The uphill button keeps it in lower gears for longer (a boon on Porlock Hill!!)

Main reason we chose it is so Mrs T could drive the MH and she too likes it.

Obviously there is a weight difference so has to be taken into account but we love it and would not have a manual.

from the Fiat press release...

Uphill-Downhill Mode: gearshift logic managed by software to ensure the best ratio depending on road gradient;

Warm Up Mode: emission reduction strategy during cold starts;

Brake Assistance Mode: ratio reduction to support vehicle deceleration;

Kick Down Mode: reduction in the ratio following abrupt action on the accelerator pedal (for example, during overtaking);

Fast Off Detection: gearshift inhibition if the accelerator is released quickly.

ps, the weight penalty is 25kg over the manual version...

DK, perhaps now is the time for a test drive of a 6.36m PVC to see if the slimmer feel actually makes a difference to you when driving.

showrooms are quiet now and you should be able to try one without too much hassle...the actual conversion shouldnt matter as you can have a considered look at layouts at the NEC.

my 40 min drive was a real eye opener. once this part of the 'change' is sold to you, its just a question of the layout.....and there are loads out there...and youll be able to browse at the NEC knowing this type of vehicle is (might be) for you.

however, if youre not convinced by the advantages on the road, its likely you wont be going to the NEC to look at smaller vans, so you might save yourself a trip....or not

good lick.

I'd consider a short A-class, second hand. I'm on my third; two including the current one at 6m, the other at 6.3m. Get a double floor one and you have increased storage space although weight restrictions need to be considered. If you think second hand, then Peterborough's National Motorhome Show might be a better option than the NEC. There are pros and cons of A-class ownership so do your research if you want to consider one. For example, drop down beds can save you 1m in length but are not suitable for every couple.

I've a 2013 130bhp with Comfort-matic that's done just over 22,000 miles without a problem. It's slow off the mark in first gear which can make entering fast, busy roundabouts from a standing start an interesting and possibly frightening experience if you are nervous. It can get confused in the Pennines when the roads have sharp downhill and uphill stretches mixed with sharp bends. It sometimes chooses the right gear just too late and so it becomes the wrong gear. Fortunately, the Comfort-matic has a manual setting so I sometimes switch to manual. For routine UK driving, there are no other problems. It's a relaxing drive. Reversing on to our drive or driving on is much easier with the Comfort-matic. Around towns, the Comfort-matic chooses the gears well and makes it less stressful. Mine has an 'Up button' to help with hills and also Hill Start which is brilliant.
Two of my friends have the 150bhp engine with Comfort-matic and have similar experiences to me. They tour on the continent and report no issues.

The only reason I wouldn't recommend the Comfort-matic is the cost. I'm not convinced it is worth it although if you have limited capability to change gear with a clutch, then it would be good value.

We solved the problem of the door being on the wrong side by enduring it was in the right place - twice at the rear side, one just behind the driver. We then reorganised around the door.

i agree with Aspenshaw in that an A-class can give you a full sized double bed right up front over the cab seats and still leave access to the (front) lounge, with the kitchen and washroom in the rear....

ive long been a fan of the Hymer B544 @ 6.50m it has possibly the roomiest lounge around, plus great kitchen and washroom....

.as said, the bed in the cab isnt for everyone..but roomy lounging in a small van is certainly possible once the bed is out of the way.

of course the same applies to rear lounge vans, but not many have the ease of bed making of the drop down, where the bedding can also stay in place, freeing up storage for other things.....prehaps significant if coming down in size...

Pilote have their own (even smaller) take on the same layout with the G600L @ 5.99m, again a roomy one-box design...

A class beds are also really roomy, ours is 1.5m (almost 5') wide..

a used example of Frankia's version of the same design is at SMC and looks terrific value...and has the added advantage of a drop down ned that can be used longitudinally as singles by using pull out extensions..

all clever stuff, this space saving....

Oh David - come back from the Dark Side ......

Remember those days of a well equipped 2 berth with a spacious bathroom and a luxurious shower, an awning to double the living space or zip out the sides for a sun awning, a motormover to pitch in exactly the right place - and best of all, a 2 litre Auto mid-sized 4x4 for all the sightseeing......

Was it really so bad?

Pabst

I thought David had already said he was thinking of a PVC, AND wanted a habitation door on the UK kerb side ?  I dont know of any A-class  6 metre or so vans, with a UK kerbside door (apart from a cab door) do You ?

If i am wrong I stand corrected? 

If staying with a coachbuilt, he cant go far wrong with what he has already, a Bailey.