Beschreibung
Welcome to the sale of my Hymer B654 'Blue Line' motorhome known affectionately as ‘Heinrich’ and owned by me since 2009. This is a reluctant sale due to the purchase of a newer Hymer fitted with air conditioning.
OVERVIEW
European toll friendly at 3, 500kg (GVW) & can be driven on a standard UK driving licence
Proven reliability (currently 202, 350km / 125, 683 miles)
Simple mechanicals (no ECU or DPF, manual fuel pump)
26. 61 mpg over past 80, 000km (recorded on - details above)
135 litre long-range fuel tank & cruise control
Impeccable service history
89% MoT pass rate
HISTORY & PAPERWORK
Two A4 ring binders of documented history
Fiat service history - 15 stamps
V5 present
3 Sets of keys (ignition & habitation)
MoT expires 21st July 2024 (new MoT booked for 23rd May 2024)
Hymer 1995 original brochures & price lists, one in English & the other in German
This left-hand drive, Hymer B654 spent its first 15 years in Germany with three different owners, before being imported into the UK by Peter Hambilton of Preston based Hambilton Engineering Ltd. Until his retirement in 2019, Peter Hambilton was a Hymer specialist with a wealth of experience. Peter first sold the vehicle to a London based Kiwi who then undertook an extended tour of Europe before selling the vehicle back to Peter before I became the fifth owner in June 2009.
Apart from the stamped Fiat service book, there are two 50mm A4 ring binders containing invoices for servicing, repairs and upgrades.
For interest, the price of a new UK supplied B654 in May 1995 was £45, 079, before the addition of extras such as the drop-down bed, awning, bike rack, and reversing camera, while the price in Germany was 94, 484 Deutschmarks.
All of the original appliance manuals for the hob, refrigerator, and combi boiler are present, as well as the original German language Hymer owner's manual and a translated English version.
INTERIOR
Generous internal storage
6 berth (French double bed, central double & drop-down double over cab with timber ladder)
Double dinette with two inertia and two static seat belts
Large dinette table, converts to make up double bed
Hob, fridge, twin sinks
125 litre freshwater & 100 litre waste water tanks
Thetford bench cassette toilet, shower, mains electric
Schaudt Elektroblock battery charger, habitation battery, blown heating
Reflective roller blinds & integral fly screens
Reupholstered in 2009 in hardwearing 'Rutland Wine' fabric
Custom memory foam mattress topper for French bed
At the rear, the French bed provides accommodation, next to which is the WC/ shower cubicle with a wall mounted storage cabinet. Next to the WC is the open wash basin with large mirror, a wall cabinet and under sink storage, beside which is the full height wardrobe with hanging rail and three adjustable and removable shelves.
Centrally, the side kitchen features twin sinks and covers, Smev stainless steel 3 burner hob with cover, Electrolux fridge with small freezer compartment. The Truma C6002 combi boiler is located in a cupboard, at one end of the kitchen. The pullman dinette has a large table which allows conversion into a double bed with long extension which is stored down one side of the French bed. The freshwater tank is underneath one of the bench seats, with the other bench providing additional storage.
The habitation door is a two part stable type and benefits from a Abus security deadlock. The cab area has two Isringhausen seats with adjustable armrests; with the passengers seats capable of being rotated. Further storage lockers are present below each front side window, with the drivers side having a small safe concealed under a carpeted plywood panel which also contains the jack and brace.
In my opinion, the 654 layout is one of the best for extended journeys in that the French bed is available for immediate use, while the over cab drop-down bed takes little time to lower, leaving the dinette free for eating and socialising, or if required, can be converted into a further double bed. I'm 6ft 1 inch tall and have plenty of headroom without the need to stoop.
The lengthways kitchen has generous workspace, while the open washbasin is less restrictive that an enclosed washroom. The separate toilet cubicle has a bench WC with ample legroom, as well as serving as the shower room.
Storage is exceptional, not just in the overheard double lockers, but underneath the French bed, either side of the drivers and passengers seats, and in the rearwards facing bench seat base.
The original carpets are present, but have for a long time been stored our house loft so I can’t vouch for their current condition, although, they will still be useful as templates for carpets. The carpets are in three sections in the same pale blue which adorns the top of the dashboard. EXTERIOR
6. 80m long (22 feet), 2. 27m wide and 2. 90m high
Roof mounted Kathrein satellite dish with crank handle operable from inside the wardrobe
Waeco RV20 infra-red reversing camera and black & white CRT monitor
Omnistor 5. 5m awning
Omnibike lift rear rack for 3 bicycles
3 roof vents and central double glazed rooflight
Alugas 11kg refillable LPG bottle with external flush filler point
Linnepe QuickTop rear steadies corner
The vehicle is fitted with truck type mirrors with lower wide angle mirror and when used in conjunction with the reversing camera ensures excellent visibility.
Bodywork is in very good overall condition, although, there are minor imperfections due to age and mileage. During the winter months, the vehicle has been covered and the batteries connected to a CTEK charger.
Access to the large storage area underneath the French bed is via a locker on the offside. This area is perfect for storing jerrycans, folding chairs, hook-up cable, front screen cover, tools and bulky items. On the nearside is located the WC cassette access door and the the gas locker.
The left and right-hand rear plyboard floor suffered from damp due to the skirts seal allowing water penetration. This restoration works was undertaken by North Cotswold Motorhome Services, a local Hymer specialist in 2020 at a cost of £1, 166. 22. This work included replacement of the floor covering with heavy duty rubber, and re-sealing of the left and right side skirts. Incidentally, every year a habitation service has been undertaken to check on the electrical, gas and water systems. The last habitation service was in June 2023.
MECHANICALS & UPGRADES
Airride air assist installed in 2009
Cruise control installed in 2009
Kuhn Auto Technik 135 litre 'Jumbo' long-range fuel tank fitted in 2016
Jones Springs heavy duty twin leaf springs & genuine Fiat struts fitted in 2017
Goldschmidt uprated front coil springs and Bilstein B4 struts fitted in 2019
Gearbox overhauled in 2019
Timing belt replaced in 2013, 2018 & 2023
Engine & gearbox mounts and front anti-roll bar bushes replaced in 2023
Starter & habitation batteries replaced with two Yuasa L36-EFB 100Ah batteries in 2022
Service history is as follows:
1, 159km, 13. 02. 1995, Auto Martin GmbH
13, 382km, 05. 09. 2000, Auto Martin GmbH
28, 965km, 13. 11. 2001, Auto Martin GmbH
72, 000km, 21. 06. 2004, Auto Martin GmbH
79, 553km, 17. 10. 2005, Auto Martin GmbH
85, 943km, 29. 08. 2007, Hambilton Engineering - full service
97, 745km, 03. 06. 2008, Dillon's Garage - full service including timing belt
102, 096km, 19. 06. 2009, Hambilton Engineering - full service
111, 108km, 19. 07. 2000, CNH Autos Ltd - full service including front lower suspension arms, ball joints & handbrake cable
118, 330km, 30. 0. 2011, CNH Autos Ltd - full service
125, 038km, 24. 07. 2012, CNH Autos Ltd - full service
130, 952km, 05. 07. 2013, CNH Autos Ltd - full service, timing belt & replacement clutch
137, 625km, 31. 05. 2014, CNH Autos Ltd - full service
144, 656 km, 07. 06. 2015, CNH Autos Ltd - full service including replacement heater switch, and front cross member
153, 181km, 30. 06. 2016, CNH Autos Ltd - full service including gearbox oil & fit rear leaf springs
164, 751km, 20. 05. 2017, CNH autos Ltd - full service including fitting replacement offside headlight
171, 610km, 19. 05. 2018, CNH Autos Ltd - full service including timing belt & fifth gear kit
177, 000km, 21. 06. 2019, CNH autos Ltd - full service, specialist gearbox repair & replacement clutch kit
184, 731km, 20. 07. 2020, J Gisbourne Commercials Ltd - full service
189, 008km, 04. 07. 2022, J Gisbournes Commercials Ltd - full service including brake & gearbox fluid
195, 347km, 09. 07. 2023, J Gisbournes Commercials Ltd - full service including timing belt, front crank seal & washer pump
SUMMARY
Heinrich has proven to be a dependable workhorse, carrying four persons and their luggage to the Black Sea every year since 2009, with the exception of 2020 when Covid meant we spent an enjoyable two weeks the less frequented parts of France. Highlights during my ownership include traversing the Grossglockner high alpine Road in Austria, climbing Mont Ventoux in Southern France, and multiple crossings of Romania's Transfagarasan Highway. Countries visited include France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Romania & Bulgaria.
Hymer B-class Blue-Line models from the 1990s, particularly Heinrich with his 'stucco' dimpled aluminium external panels are becoming harder to find, especially in their original condition. They have started to acquire classis status are slowing rising in value, unlike modern motorhomes. My example has an impeccable history and documented expenditure exceeding £22, 000 in the last fifteen years alone.
The vehicle will be sold with a new MoT and an oil and filter service.
