Bessacarr 495E

[Aljen30]

Looking at Bessacarr 495E and as it is our first motorhome, what would be best engine size vehicle.

Also any preferred type. Fiat maybe?

[Derek Uzzell]

Welcome to the Out&AboutLive forums.

 

The E495 model-reference was employed by Bessacarr for a long period (at least from 2005 to 2012) using two different Fiat chassis versions, so it would be helpful if you said how old the motorhome you are looking at is.

 

Whatever its age, an E495 is a big (6-berth) vehicle - well over 7 metres in length. Based on on-line adverts, it always seems to have been built on an over-3500kg 'overall weight' chassis, which may have driving-licence implications for you.

 

I don't know what motor options were available for an E495 but, because of the vehicle's size/weight, if you are considering a pre-2006 model on the 'old' Fiat Ducato chassis, you'd be well-advised to choose one with a 2.8litre motor. For post-2006 E495s on the current Fiat Ducato X250 chassis the 2.3litre motor should be adequate, though the 3.0litre motor would probably be preferable.

 

There's an owner review of a 2007 E495 here:

 

https://motorhomefacts.com/modules.php?name=MReviews&op=show&rid=102

 

Regarding your "preferred type" question, you might find the "Motorhome Advice Features" here

helpful:

 

http://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/Motorhomes/Buyers-Guide/Motorhomes/_vt13

 

Also these:

 

http://motorhomes.autotrader.co.uk/motorhome-buyers-guide

 

http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/media/22439/thinking%20of%20buying%20a%20motor%20caravan.pdf

 

[AliB]

Welcome,

 

We have a Swift 630L which is the same basic layout as the Bessacar 495E. The trim levels are supposedly better on the Bessacar version, you have to look hard to spot the differences. Both the Swift and Bessie models have gradually crept up in length over the years. A bit like cars getting bigger. Ours is on the Fiat Maxi chassis with a 2.3 litre engine. I have always found the 2.3 litre perfectly adequate but that depends on your driving style.

 

We have always liked the rear U-shaped lounge which gives the motorhome a separate area away from the kitchen.

 

As in the review on Derek's posting the middle beds are on the short side and no way as comfortable as the other beds. Although, I guess most 6 berth van have a lower standard for beds 5 & 6.

 

We've had the vehicle 6 years now so we must like it.

 

[Derek Uzzell]

This is a link to the September 2004 publication of the Bessacarr Warranty/Service handbook

 

http://tinyurl.com/qzwvrhy

 

It includes specification details of the E495 model that would have been marketed until the X250 Ducato chassis became available in 2006.

 

It appears that the only motor offered for a 2004-2006 E495 was the 2.8litre JTD 127bhp powerplant (with 5-speed manual gearbox) and the chassis was a Ducato 18 'maxi' XLWB (eXtra Long WheelBase) with a MTPLM (Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass) of 3850kg.

 

A June-2008 Bessacarr handbook can be found here

 

http://tinyurl.com/ndvnbor

 

This indicates that a 2.3litre (130bhp) motor was standard then for an E495, with a 3.0litre (157bhp) motor as an option.

 

(The later E495 was a bit shorter than the earlier one, but heavier.)