lushusness Posted December 5, 2017 Share Posted December 5, 2017 We've recently bought Mirage registered in 2000 and are having a real jigsaw puzzle time trying to sort out how everything works. A small example- the cab bed has a separate additional pull-out extension and we have no idea how to support it. Maybe we have parts missing? We've worked out the air conditioning and a few other items but the old girl has been standing idle for four years so lots of things are 'sticky'. (And there are so many switches!) It has a generator and solar panel. We'd love to hear from anyone who has experience of this model- rear bathroom. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted December 5, 2017 Share Posted December 5, 2017 Welcome to the Out&AboutLive forums, Vanessa. Mirage motorhomes (especially the Mercedes-based ones) were expensive and relatively few would have been sold in the UK. Auto-Sleepers marketed a version under the “Luxor” model-name. There used to be a UK club for Mirage and A-S Luxor owners, but I’m not sure if the club still exists. Details are here http://worldofcaravans.com/mirage-owners-club and it might be worth you trying to make contact. I was going to suggest getting in touch with the previous owner for information, but as the motorhome has been unused for 4 years I assume that would not be practicable. (Years ago I looked at a motorhome at the NEC that had an extension on the pull-down over-cab bed that increased the bed’s area and I think the vehicle was a Mirage. I know that the system involved a long extra piece of mattress and that this needed to be removed before the bed could be lifted back to ceiling height. I remember asking the salesman where one was supposed to store the bulky extra mattress piece and he said “In the rear garage”.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidmac Posted December 5, 2017 Share Posted December 5, 2017 Hi I have sent you a P.M Regards David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 David Do you know if the Mirage Owners Club still exists? I notice that you referred to it here http://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/1999-Mirage-5000/38419/ when you owned an Auto-Sleepers Luxor, but that was over two years ago. This 2011 forum posting may be of interest http://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/2004-AutoSleepers-Mirage-5000-Luxor-EK/22305/ but, if there’s no longer a UK Mirage club, the Auto-Sleepers Owners Club http://www.asoc.uk.com/ and Auto-Sleepers Owners Forum http://www.autosleeper-ownersforum.com/login?redirect=%2Ft6585-topic could provide useful information. There’s an owner review of a Luxor/Mirage here http://www.motorhomefacts.com/reviews-show-200.html No details are provided of the model, age of vehicle or whether it is Fiat or Mercedes based, but the ‘rubberised’ roof is mentioned. This feature is common on American RVs, but very rarely seen on European-built motorhomes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidmac Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Hi I think the Mirage Owners Club has closed down. I don't think it was a particularly active club as far as meets but members exchanged solutions to problems they had encountered. I was a member for a while but visits to their website by members were few and far between ,the website finally closing down a couple of years ago. Only went to one club rally. I think there were about 12/13 outfits there none Mercedes based, and none of the documents that I saw had any references to Mercedes or extending drop down beds. Mirage were a solid, well equipped, well built high end motorhome in their time with only the electrics being their weak point. Regards David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted December 7, 2017 Share Posted December 7, 2017 Thanks for the information about the Mirage Owners Club. There’s an advert for a 1999 Mercedes-based Mirage 6000 here https://www.gumtree.com/p/campervans-motorhomes/1999-marquis-mirage-6000-a-class-4-5-berth-motorhome-mercedes-2.9-diesel/1271723596 The advert has a photo (attached) of the pull-down over-cab bed and I believe the bed’s front-rail could be pulled rearwards and a full-length additional cushion slotted in to substantially extend the bed’s width, but I don’t know if this feature was standard at the time or an option. I do remember the car seat-belt buckle arrangement that secured the bed in its raised position and that the buckle could not be used when the bed had been extended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulmold Posted December 7, 2017 Share Posted December 7, 2017 As a regular on ASOF I know there are less than half a dozen members with Mirages/Luxor's. All are registered as being 2003 to 2005 ,so I wasn't even aware that they were produced as early as 2000. There is one for sale on eBay at the moment https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F272949617503 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted December 7, 2017 Share Posted December 7, 2017 It may well be the case that A-S Luxor models (Fiat based) were not marketed before 2003, but Mirage-branded A-class motorhomes were being made in the early-1990s and Mercedes-based versions equivalent to Vanessa’s 6000 model were being manufactured as early as 1995. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wints Posted December 8, 2017 Share Posted December 8, 2017 Hi Vanessa...I did own a 6000 aire auto several vans ago. I still have a digital copy of the original review as published in Practical Motorhome. Mine was a 98 reg on a merc 412 d. I think I've seen it up for sale on ebay twice since I sold it. Great van, but not a lot of storage. Hope this helps. regards Allen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted December 8, 2017 Share Posted December 8, 2017 MMM magazine reviewed a Mirage 5000 in 2004. This was Fiat Ducato-based, but the article may still be of interest to Vanessa https://tinyurl.com/y7doqq7x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lushusness Posted December 13, 2017 Author Share Posted December 13, 2017 A big thank you to everyone who has responded to date. We are slowly beginning to get to grips with her, now named Lagatha! Still trying to work out how this bed goes. The extra piece of mattress actually sits on top of the main mattress at the windscreen end, so that's quite straightforward. I am convinced it is factory fitted and the slide out has not been added, as the folding frame and the slide out supports etc. are all identically powder coated and there are no signs of any previous screw holes etc. where another support would have been. My instinct is I am missing two supports, which may have been a ladder, although the two holes in the slide out are quite wide apart so the ladder would have been wider than usual, probably twice the width of the one in the photograph. I know I can make something up that will provide support so it's not a major issue. My next question is does anyone know where I might be able to purchase a pair of new headlights? I thought they were the Mercedes Sprinter headlights of that era (2000) as they are an identical shape, but having bought them the Mercedes ones are that bit larger. The ones on her are called Carello (Italian and used for Alfas etc.) and have the numbers 0149980 and 0149979 offside and nearside respectively. I know I can have them rechromed (and if anyone has a particular recommendation I would be grateful) but it would be good to fit new ones. With huge thanks Richard (Vanessa's husband) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 Based on the photo here https://www.gumtree.com/p/campervans-motorhomes/1999-marquis-mirage-6000-a-class-4-5-berth-motorhome-mercedes-2.9-diesel/1271723596 the headlamps look very like the ones fitted to Fiat Ducatos around that time. (See following advert and attached photo) https://www.megaparts.eu/en/product/1754246283 As Fiat-based Mirages were also produced, this might not be too surprising as the Ducato light-units would have been readily available in Italy and not expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recumbent Ian Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 Hi all, New to the forum hoping i am posting this in the right place - so apologies if not i am currently looking at the 1999 Marquis Mirage merc chassis and 2.9td engine any further info on things to look out for would be appreciated - its the one currently advertised and posted about above http://www.btacarsales.co.uk/used-motorhomes/marquis/mirage-6000/ thank you Ian :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 Welcome to the Out&AboutLive forums, Ian. The Mirage 6000 is also advertised here (same photosbut bigger) https://www.gumtree.com/p/campervans-motorhomes/1999-marquis-mirage-6000-a-class-4-5-berth-motorhome-mercedes-2.9-diesel/1271723596 I don’t think I can add further ‘technical’ comments to those that have been mentioned above, but you might want to browse through the vehicle’s MOT history using its registration number T304FBK https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/ The most recent MOT test was carried out on 21 August 2017 and two advisory notices were issued. However the advised ball-joint “slight play” seems to have been present since 2008. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 Derek Uzzell - 2018-01-04 5:35 PM Welcome to the Out&AboutLive forums, Ian. The Mirage 6000 is also advertised here (same photosbut bigger) https://www.gumtree.com/p/campervans-motorhomes/1999-marquis-mirage-6000-a-class-4-5-berth-motorhome-mercedes-2.9-diesel/1271723596 I don’t think I can add further ‘technical’ comments to those that have been mentioned above, but you might want to browse through the vehicle’s MOT history using its registration number T304FBK https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/ The most recent MOT test was carried out on 21 August 2017 and two advisory notices were issued. However the advised ball-joint “slight play” seems to have been present since 2008. Ian, Brian, The subject of MOT tests and Sprinter ball joints comes up quite regularly on the Sprinter Source forum. Basically if a garage which is unaccustomed with Sprinters tests them by their 'usual' method with a big tyre lever they will almost certainly detect 'Slight play'. If they tested them according to the MB specification sheet then they would not detect play. One year my Sprinter was tested by a 'new' tester and he gave me a similar advisory, my usual tester has never even commented on them! I'll attach the MB sheet detailing the test procedure but here are the relevant exracts... "Checking for wear: Raise the vehicle at the front axle at the center of the crossmember at the level of the leaf spring using a pit lift until the wheels are no longer in contact with the ground. When raising the vehicle, monitor whether there is lateral misalignment (radial play) in the supporting ball joint. Misalignment of more than 3 mm is rated as a considerable defect by the technical inspection associations." "Note: Checking for wear by means of an assembly lever or comparable tool is not envisaged by the manufacturer. If this is performed there is a risk of the ball joint bearing shell being damaged due to excessive test forces and / or the rubber boot being damaged as a result of being trapped." Keith.Ball Joint GI33.00-N-039932_Ver_3.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recumbent Ian Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 thanks for the info - seems like the joints will continue to be advised on, for many yr to come :) - so far i have come across 3 diff recommendations for oil changes at 2k, 3k and 6k miles all suggest OEM replacement filters but just wondering if there is a workshop manual or similar available for the 6000.? with m Appreciate your support and hope to have a cuppa on the side of a road, or in a field one day with you all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 Ian, I have a scanned copy of the Peter Russek manual which covers the 2.9 litre engine but it is far too large to post on here (36 Mb). But you can download a copy from this excellent Sprinter resource repository... http://diysprinter.co.uk/reference/Mercedes_207_208_210_307_308_310_408_410D_service_manual_EN.pdf Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recumbent Ian Posted January 5, 2018 Share Posted January 5, 2018 Thank you Keith - great source of information :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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