Thoughts welcomed.

As BB says, there are so many models these days it can be difficult to choose. There is only so much you can fit into 6 - 6.5 meters length. Best to decide what features are essential e.g. continental style garage, drop down bed etc. You WILL have to take it back to the dealers for warranty work at some point, however good the quality, so dealer location is very important.

We are very pleased with our Autosleepers Broadway and at 6.3m it is comfortable to drive and has enough space for touring, however, some people want the fixed bed or a garage so this would not suit. Quality though is excellent.

its been mentioned before, but as a 'do it all' small van.....

a-class, double floor, large drop down transverse/singles, garage for bikes, biggest kitchen (incl 'cooker') on the market, large fridge freezer, spacious front lounge, terrific build, among the best for insulation, only 5.99m long and 2.12m wide, easy to run at 3.5t.....

downside.....cost (possibly when 'loaded'), continental style lounge, not much else.....

oh what is it....?

hymer B Dynamicl Line 444......total marvel

if i could have done a deal at Highbridge, id have had one....

It’s an impressive Motorhome. We thought that the payload was limited to keep within 3500kg. and not that keen on the sleeping arrangements but it is amazing what they have fitted in.

Is that the one pictured on the website with a price tag in the window saying £87,056 ? I knew there was a reason I didn't buy it. This really is a rich man's Club.

Interesting! We have a VW AS monocoque and use it all seasons, including down to -5c. Can't say I have found it cold. Our understanding is more that they stopped making them because they were a lot more expensive to produce than the more conventional MHs produced nowadays (UK types). I could be wrong of course, but we love our monocoque, it doesn't appear to have some of the damp issues that so bedevil other types, and it seems to be holding its price well, they go like a flash if advertised second hand and in good condition. The Wingamm looks very similar externally, but internally rather different. Can't fault the VW as a base! 

i mentioned the new VW Crafter base upthread, which has reminded me of another brand we looked hard at when 'downsizing' ourselves, and that is Westfalia.

Along with Hymer (as you mentioned, which you can have as two wheel drive, and is MUCH cheaper.....) Id put Westfalia up alongside Carthago and La Strada for quality small panel vans. they all make the 'standard' continental 'adria twin' layout but execute it very well...

there are even vans from these suppliers and others which have roof beds (similar in concept to older VWs but miles better in quality, execution, insulation etc) and one total 'wild card' is the Westfalia Club Joker....

also not mentioned yet, but another of our 'investigations', is IH.

Well built panel vans with their own particular style, but 'everything' was a cost extra (worse than the Germans!) and the one i looked at was nearly £80k for a panel van!!

again, some more info on preferred layout might allow more refinement of the latest 'must haves'....

good luck.

If Downsizing,  May I suggest you have a look at the products supplied by Wellhouse Leisure. They build excellent products based on Mercedes / Ford / Toyota and Hyundai vehicles.  ( no Fiat, I'm pleased to say ). 

They are a bit pricey but quality always is. 

K, yes they are well reviewed, but they are 'small'....these are 'day vans' IMHO and i wouldnt be looking at one for (what i would call) 'proper' motorhoming...ie weeks away....

yes, there are vans this small (VW conversions) that do have full facilities but, we are getting into the 'tiny' range...

Danbury (and of course VW itself) do top line conversions on the T6, but for someone like Micky (OP) coming from a 7.5m coachbuilt, i would imagine his opening post suggesting 'close to 6m' would see the ubiquitous Ducato right in the wheelhouse and most of the smaller vans a step too far?

hopefully M can give a bit more info on layout etc....

As far as I am concerned the problem with most models mentioned is the fixed seating which our European neighbours like but do not suit our personal needs at all.

as you say, Q, folk get to be polarised in their opinions of 'euro lounges'.

IMHO, the 'german' way is often 'function over form' whereas the uk lounges can be the reverse.

what do you mean by fixed seating? dont all vans have fixed seating or do you mean you want your seats to become beds?

the Euros dont generally go for this approach as they have realised that you often get the worst of both worlds....poor usupportive seating (lounging) because it has to become a bed, and jigsaw style lumpy beds because theyre made from seat....and theres the hassle of storing bedding.

however, if you mean 'fixed tables' we have one but only the base pedestal is fixed....the table moves fore and aft, even pivoting on its axis to present the longer side rather than the shorter side, which is a very useful 'trick' as the number of diners change.

when we sit at our table to eat, its like the table at home, our legs actually go underneath with the plate 'where it should be'...

lower slung UK type tables are smaller and lower, so legs dont actually fit underneath, and the plates are too low and too far away... certainly in the ones we had in our Boleros.

the 'fixed' table provide a decent stable surface for writing, typing, reading, eating etc...

i was a bit sceptical when we got our first Carthago but it has proved to be a great feature, causing no problems but curing many.

of course, if we really wanted to 'lie down' we have two huge beds to choose from, but relaxed 'resting' is (again IMHO from three years of this type of lounge) far more comfortable in a reclining, swivelling, height adjustable armchair with feet on the side sofa, than trying to get comfy in a low backed caravan style sofa with little or no decent back support...

again, just my opinion, but my back needs full support and a recliner with feet raised gives me this.

i guess if one is used to twin sofas (folk often cite advantages like 'my van can seat 8' when only two ever are in it....) then a Euro lounge will feel different....it is.....because it focusses as much on dining as it does for lounging.....but not for sleeping, which is where the twin lounge 'format' shows its weakness.

IMHO, of course....