The ULTIMATE luxury British campervan? Mercedes M-Star from Auto-Sleepers with rear lounge

Рет қаралды 83,719

11 ай бұрын

Peter Vaughan gets an exclusive first test of Auto-Sleepers first Mercedes Sprinter campervan, the M-Star. With leather upholstery, Alde radiator heating and a separate shower, this £125,000 premium camper takes on the best in its class.
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◼️ REVIEWED BY: Peter Vaughan, Group Motorhome Road Test Editor for MMM magazine and What Motorhome magazine Editor. Peter has been writing about motorhomes since the age of 14, has a love of touring France and is mad about old Italian sports cars.
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Пікірлер: 114

@chrisonYTtour 11 ай бұрын

Definitely a lot to love but I’d prefer to see a drop down bed in the back (my days of setting up the bed every night are over) and would like at least 2 of the windows to be openable 👍

@tonysutton6559 11 ай бұрын

I don't think that I would bother with cushion juggling at bed time. I'd just put a blanket over the seat and get my sleeping bag out. It would give both people easy access to the bathroom in the night without disturbing the other one.

@iiiiiiiiii6655 10 ай бұрын

🎉

@iiiiiiiiii6655 10 ай бұрын

@@tonysutton6559😂

@iiiiiiiiii6655 10 ай бұрын

😢

@iiiiiiiiii6655 10 ай бұрын

@@tonysutton6559and

@37216580 11 ай бұрын

Would have liked to have seen fly screens for that one sunny day of the year, glad I have a C1 licence too.

@CampervanTime 11 ай бұрын

Thanks for the review, nicely done. Although not the Alde system the Westfalia Columbus and Sven Hedin (plus others in Europe) have had wet heating/radiators of their own design for many years, plus under floor heating throughout too and it's one of the main reasons we have gone for the Sven over any other MAN TGE / Sprinter option.

@davidclinch1358 11 ай бұрын

Imagine taking this van (in a very dark colour and non-opening windows) to the Med in Summer !!!!! Yes, I know it has air con but that's not the real answer in my opinion; this van will bake. It would possibly be a slightly different story in a much lighter colour but as shown it would definitely be a no from me, thank you very much. Excellent review again Peter.

@MotorhomeCampervan 10 ай бұрын

Other exterior colours are available, but I agree re trips to the Med

@andyG779 11 ай бұрын

Great review! Nice van! Lots of positives however, Forward thinking with some ideas and backward thinking in others! Sorry AS but We will stick with our Warwick XL thanks!!! 🤔😙

@carolynandcocohaywood2638 11 ай бұрын

It’s ok but for the price I think the kitchen and bathroom storage should be much better, a cheap plastic cutlery tray too, that should be a wooden one. I wouldn’t pay £115,000 for this without some of these things up graded.

@melcragg7814 11 ай бұрын

The prices are all getting out of reach for even moderately successful people.

@tokyobutakun 11 ай бұрын

However good the design is Auto sleepers do have issues with build quality control, and currently very serious issues with warranty administration.

@paulasmith7256 8 ай бұрын

Good video thank you, and a good review. Yes some tweaks needed, and agree with the cutlery drawer and others required. I wonder what the living area head height is? If you’re over 6’ tall it may be a squeeze, helped by the concave overhead lockers. Opening windows - definately required and dark tint - a less dark tint and privacy blinds for decent natural light in the living area would be good.

@MotorhomeCampervan 8 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@An.Individual 11 ай бұрын

I'm not 100% convinced on the Sprinter as a base for a PVC, they need to make it wider.

@presterjohn71 11 ай бұрын

I don't think I have ever seen so much wasted space. It does not help that the layout is my most loathed. I just don't get it and yet I know it is popular with a lot of people.

@mw0jze 11 ай бұрын

Agree, that's pants, sorry but not the best use of a large van!

@MotorhomeCampervan 10 ай бұрын

Not my favourite layout but lots of Brits love it!

@philkirk5970 11 ай бұрын

Peter, Love your reviews. This is a very desirable UK design. I’d love to so a 3 way head to head review between this, the RP Explorer 2 and the WildAx Altair, to see which you think is best value for money. I think it’s the RP but I’d love to hear what you think. Regards.

@MotorhomeCampervan 10 ай бұрын

I love the more bespoke build of the RP, too, but their lead times are long, so don't delay on ordering if that's what you want

@karlospappy8908 11 ай бұрын

Good review Peter but too many compromises for me, needs a fixed bed and front dinette. Auto-Sleepers look great from the outside but the lack of opening windows is what has always put me off them. Cheers K.

@MotorhomeCampervan 10 ай бұрын

Look out for my review of the Adria Twin Max, coming soon!

@slfbs 10 ай бұрын

Hi Peter just thinking of what sort of coach built you could get for that amount of money. Over priced IMO for a panel van, although nice autosleeper finish

@chrisloake1421 11 ай бұрын

nice fan but could see the water tank being ripped off by a high british speed up.

@jeffshaw4553 10 ай бұрын

Brilliant review just not sure weather could go down to van after us having motor home just all feels bit cramped already thinking of upgrading to A class in next couple of years when last 2 kids don’t want to come away with us anymore

@MotorhomeCampervan 10 ай бұрын

We've reviewed quite a few A-classes recently, so keep watching! And check out windscreen wipers, driver visibility, rattles, etc, on any A-class before buying

@jeffshaw4553 10 ай бұрын

@@MotorhomeCampervan thanks for that will have a watch of them ain’t all motor homes noisy when loaded?? Ours is we new to it only been owners few weeks bought our first one in June so very new to it thanks for reply Jeff 👍🏽👍🏽

@snapdragon2441 11 ай бұрын

Haha, I have two little dogs, woof, woof indeed. But they would sleep on the bed with me xx. I do like a proper wine glass, we camp in a tent but I always take a proper glass for evening (u’hum, daytime) drinks.

@anewiss 11 ай бұрын

That water tank is going to get bashed and that black flexi connector and 2 wires looked very vulnerable 😮

@_bav 10 ай бұрын

Peter, in your considered opinion - this Auto-Sleeper M-Star or the MAN TGE-based Dormobile Ballintraea - which represents better VFM and which is better to drive? (btw, loving the humour in your reviews👍)

@MotorhomeCampervan 10 ай бұрын

They are VERY different beasts, so hard to compare. However, the MAN (or VW Crafter) remains my favourite large van to drive

@darrenjones3681 9 ай бұрын

Great but I’d prefer to see a rear travel seat/ rock and roll front bed or travel seat with a front drop down bed like la Strada in such a long van, the fairford layout even in this longer van would be great

@MotorhomeCampervan 9 ай бұрын

Hopefully, Auto-Sleepers will offer alternative layouts in the future. A drop-down bed would be difficult in a Merc as it's so narrow at roof level compared with the Fiat/Peugeot

@MrBerry67 11 ай бұрын

that dining table is a shocker - what were they thinking ?

@tteric67 11 ай бұрын

With that price tag i guess owners go out dining and only use it to put their cappuccino or G&T on…

@camper9356 4 ай бұрын

Auto sleeper always gives me 5 things I love and 5 things I hate. This van is no exception and wouldn't be for me.

@williamfence566 11 ай бұрын

A couple of compromises for a premium price. If it's what you want I'm sure it makes a good buy. The lack of space between the seating areas to be able to eat comfortably is a big negative.

@tonysutton6559 11 ай бұрын

With the dark windows and the cupboards that seem to exacerbate the look of the way that the van body narrows the camper looks quite claustrophobic and the fact that the windows don't open doesn't help. The opening back doors do make up for some of that on nice days but I think that they have missed a trick by not having a small rear awning that might allow you to keep the doors 1/2 open in a light shower or give a bit of shade on sunny days. Our smaller dog would turn his nose up at that space and just get up on the seat/bed.

@MotorhomeCampervan 10 ай бұрын

Hope your dog likes the leather then! My dog wouldn't stay on the floor, either.

@LoekterLaak 11 ай бұрын

Can we buy this Van in Europe (Netherland) left hand drive?

@MotorhomeCampervan 10 ай бұрын

I'm not sure if a LHD version is planned - suggest you talk to your nearest A-S dealer or to the factory

@Vica366 11 ай бұрын

A perfect van for one person if they sacked the nearside bench seat and extended the kitchen top the full length of the van with storage drawers underneath.

@MotorhomeCampervan 10 ай бұрын

I don't think that would have enough sales to warrant a production model but could work as a one-off or self-build

@Karen-bm3rj 11 ай бұрын

Great review Peter. Nice van, but too expensive for the numerous compromises and changes I would need. RP Rebellion gets my vote every time.

@annieluctor7524 11 ай бұрын

115 grand? Hmm, some of the A/S detail on the woodwork, back door liners, side door, cupboards and drawers looks very cottage-industry and amateurish to me. The choice of materials, the two silly tables, all look typical of where A/S is now and I think that they really need to take a hard look at that and start thinking in a more automotive way. The narrowness of the Sprinter does compromise the spaces between the beds and the kitchen/shower areas and I think the whole thing might be better offered without air-con, solar panels etc. The ground clearance of the underside fittings also looks dubious to me. No longer an owner, but I think a well specced Pimento XL is a far better bet.

@MotorhomeCampervan 10 ай бұрын

Love the Pimento XL - see kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mMx4daZ83M2toqc.html It was one of our Campervan Awards winners last year - www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/motorhomes/information/campervan-awards-official-homepage

@user-hu8uk5ht5v 3 ай бұрын

Non opening windows total lack of thinking with the layout it could have so much better they will sell some and I bet you within in a year the customer will be changing but as always a great review

@MotorhomeCampervan 3 ай бұрын

Thanks for your comments

@williamhurley8407 11 ай бұрын

Why not put this on a larger 4.25 T chassis. I mean you would still need the same licence and you would get a much better payload. For an extra 350kg you have a lot of hassle retaining your C1 licence. As for a 70L water tank on a van like this, they’re having a laugh. For £115,000 I would be looking for something a lot better than this. I don’t even like the rear lounge layout, much prefer proper beds at the back. To be honest this van looks like auto sleeper just have not done their homework. The wildax Elara is the better option, but only if it was available with a larger payload. Thanks for the excellent review as usual Peter, but no thanks. I will be sticking with my new Rapido V68 when it arrives, and it’s £35,000 lighter on the savings. I was really looking forward to seeing this review, but it looks like back to the drawing board for auto sleepers.

@MotorhomeCampervan 10 ай бұрын

I'm sure you'll enjoy your V68 - hope the wait hasn't been too long. You'll probably prefer the Adria Twin Max - video coming soon!

@williamhurley8407 10 ай бұрын

@@MotorhomeCampervan Many thanks Peter, much appreciated. I looked at various vans and the Adria was favourite for a while. But the Rapido V68 won it on price (£8000 cheaper), larger gas provision, Auto gas change over, and Air suspension. But I do like the Adria with its neater blinds, larger garage due to bed being higher, and available orange coloured van. Look forward to your review.

@melcragg7814 11 ай бұрын

Its just a Warwick XL. Which is a wonderful thing. Not sure what this adds. AS need some imagination.

@paulnevins5936 10 ай бұрын

The extra width of a Warwick XL makes that van much more useable.

@philipellis7039 11 ай бұрын

I’m not keen on that twin bench layout, I’d want fixed beds with external storage for this money. I don’t really want a huge gas oven in a van conversion especially as storage is a bit limited here. Not being able to open the windows is weird and that table is a bit pathetic. The new Wildax Altairs seem to be doing a better job of being a large van conversion (although Wildax can’t do a decent bathroom). The Auto Sleeper seems to fall between two stools - those who want a comfy motorhome with home comforts for wet weekends in Wales and those who want a van with air con and off grid capacity for hitting the road across Europe - so I wonder who AutoSleeper are targeting this at. There are some nice features but it’s not for me.

@gasgas2689 11 ай бұрын

Trouble is that Sprinters aren't very wide across the rear so only 'short' people could sleep in an end fixed bed.

@philipellis7039 11 ай бұрын

@@gasgas2689 it’s a long wheel based van so ‘German style’ fixed beds (like in our Malibu) could go in and this would create under bed storage accessible from outside for things like chairs and hook up cables. Admittedly it would lose any kind of lounge area (and there’s no half dinette in this van either) but I can’t say that two opposing benches really make the comfiest looking place to sit. Even a classic U shaped lounge would seem cosier. The Wildax Altair comes either German style or with a U lounge in a long wheel based (MAN) van with lots of extras, looks great and still under £100k. The Auto Sleeper is a nice looking vehicle and extras like the air con seem impressive but that layout seems neither one thing or another. Maybe that’s fine in a relatively low budget vehicle but at £115k this is, well, meh.

@gasgas2689 11 ай бұрын

@@philipellis7039 yes, when Peter was sitting on one side, his knees were more than half way across the centre aisle, so two people couldn't sit opposite each other without clashing knees. I have looked at the A/S kingham with what we call a French bed plus a washroom by its side. Going into the washroom means your elbows and shoulders are rubbing against the side walls, which is why I didn't buy one. Panel vans, all of them, are just too narrow for my liking. And the Alde heating is something I wouldn't want, more potential trouble with fluid leakage and annual maintenance costs.

@MotorhomeCampervan 10 ай бұрын

Look out for my review of the Adria Twin Max, coming soon. Similar size, fixed beds, MAN chassis

@philipellis7039 10 ай бұрын

@@MotorhomeCampervan I saw your short video on that, looks amazing. I’ve seen the Knaus equivalent which is great but maybe doesn’t have the wow factor that the Adria seems to have. I like quite a functional motorhome but at £100k (and more for the Adria at a guess) you want a bit of wow.

@stevenhammond4121 11 ай бұрын

Doesn’t seem to be much space inside given the length of it.

@scoutfinch47 2 ай бұрын

My only worry is the water tank under the van, it's extremely low and I'd have great concerns of damaging it. I know for a fact there are better places for it to be fixed, a longer and slimmer tank would be better and very possible.

@MotorhomeCampervan 2 ай бұрын

An inboard tank is always better for winter camping, too

@scoutfinch47 Ай бұрын

@@MotorhomeCampervan Keep bringing these great videos and reviews, I love them.

@MotorhomeCampervan Ай бұрын

@@scoutfinch47 Thank you - we will!

@fredflintstone1428 11 ай бұрын

I just saw the price in the description. I take it the customers for this van are minted retirees? I can't imagine a seasoned motorhomer would even think of spending this kind of money on what is essentially a converted van. The conversion looks like every other conversion so why the hefty price tag. I don't see anything premium on this van.

@blairsomers5511 11 ай бұрын

Far too many compromises for a 100k+ van. Can't rotate drivers seat with the table up, can't open windows, faffing around with cushions to make a bed, looks like very compromised storage too with that daft big oven unit and microwave... Great review though Peter!

@celtic-audiophile 11 ай бұрын

To many compromises for me, and AS haven’t got a great reputation for build quality, think I would have the Grand California first

@tokyobutakun 8 ай бұрын

With you all the way on build quality (from personal experience). Also a really shameful guarantee. The electrical components are only covered for one year... definitely a cause for concern with the notorious Sargent electrics.

@An.Individual 11 ай бұрын

the way the underslung tanks empty look like a self build, not £115K

@Bikeaddict4235 10 ай бұрын

Making up the bed every night and sitting in the dark nit being able to open a window 😮 what are they thinking

@sccobyste 11 ай бұрын

Surely to be a motorhome or camper would it need opening windows

@daverman68 11 ай бұрын

I think it’s a nice van…But the usual Auto Sleeper layout will never be for me….as in rear lounge and no fixed bed option. This 7 meter + van would be perfect for a transverse bed option.🤷🏻‍♂️👍

@MotorhomeCampervan 10 ай бұрын

Sadly, the Merc is too narrow for a transverse bed

@dnguyen9747 11 ай бұрын

Why would AC be standard on European RVs? The approaching Ice Age will render AC obsolete in northern climates. I can imagine people in the equatorial zones needing to use AC during the warmer months but we won't be needing AC for a long time.

@gasgas2689 10 ай бұрын

"The approaching Ice Age" will be preceeded by the world catching fire. Don't hold your breath.

@cedricthorn3975 11 ай бұрын

One word sums it up for me on a van costing £115,000….Disappointing

@charlevoix418 11 ай бұрын

I hope that this silly concept of non-opening windows is also, like the TV bracket, part of the "prototyping stage" of this costly van...

@F4Insight-uq6nt 11 ай бұрын

MMM = 333 & CCC = 333

@IN_THIS_DAY_AND_AGE 11 ай бұрын

£115k for that. AS have lost the plot.

@MOB34M 9 ай бұрын

No way in hell that’s worth 120k, we get completely ripped off in Europe and in particular England on all camper vans, the American spec campers make our campers look like Poundland campers

@MotorhomeCampervan 9 ай бұрын

I'm sorry, but this channel is full of American viewers saying how much better European 'vans are. Campervans in the USA cannot generally match the build quality over here.

@teaforthree1 9 ай бұрын

Too long and they haven’t used that length well. I mean 7+ metres and you have to make the bed up at night.

@MotorhomeCampervan 9 ай бұрын

Some buyers still want the BIG lounge, though

@omega19uk 11 ай бұрын

Nice Van revue Peter, but in your honest opinion how would this model compare to the RP motorhome Explorer model, seeing that they are based on the same MB chassis.

@freeley34 11 ай бұрын

The Explorer would be much more expensive, I specced one earlier this year and it was £180000!

@omega19uk 11 ай бұрын

@@freeley34 But the Auto sleeper will be up there in that region when finally specs on options are priced in...my query wasn't on price but on quality of fitments and standard kit.

@MotorhomeCampervan 10 ай бұрын

Love the RP, but I'd go for the Rebellion for extra storage (if I could afford one!)

@omega19uk 10 ай бұрын

@@MotorhomeCampervan They now do that rear-end storage on the Explorer range now.

@rogerjob2780 11 ай бұрын

😎🍷🚍⚓️🇬🇧👍

@michaelcarpenter1121 9 ай бұрын

I WAS LOOKING AT A NEW MOTORHOME FOR NEXT SEASON BUT THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY I WOULD BUY THIS. THE FRONT SEATS ARE NOT USABLE AND ARE A WASTE OF SPACE. BURFORD THE MOST LIKELY STILL. WHY DON'T AUTOSLEEPERS USE A DROP DOWN BED IN THAT ONE RATHER THAN WASTE TIME AND MONEY ON THIS??

@MotorhomeCampervan 9 ай бұрын

You need the front seats for driving!? You'd have to ask Auto-Sleepers why they still don't have a model with a drop-down bed but if that's what you want there is plenty of choice in the market. For similar money, how about this, also Merc-based and from a top-notch premium brand - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/f7CoobKTmeCVZ2Q.html

@chrisstockman9128 11 ай бұрын

That table size is ridiculous.

@fredflintstone1428 11 ай бұрын

Those waste fittings look cheap as chips.

@dansmith540 11 ай бұрын

Come on at around £115,000 with no opening windows and a waste tank to damage u must be Joking.

@stanby2712 10 ай бұрын

Not a very good layout, no opening windows, terrible positioning of the waste tank. Not very impressive! Plenty of better options at a much better price.

@bleakyfinder2692 11 ай бұрын

Not for me. Make bed at night no thanks.

@chrismajor2501 11 ай бұрын

Sorry but you talk to slow, even on 1.5 speed you pauses are to large. Great review thanks

@gordonlennox4501 11 ай бұрын

Peter please do not change your style because of this comment.

@melcragg7814 11 ай бұрын

He's not an auctioneer.

@czondag 2 ай бұрын

That bed sucks… a no go for 98% of the people

@MotorhomeCampervan 2 ай бұрын

Use the singles then? - no work at all

@graemeday4195 11 ай бұрын

Not too impressed. Van life builds do a much better vehicle for a lot less.

@iansimpson6300 11 ай бұрын

Hopeless design appalling 😢

@kevinsmith2994 11 ай бұрын

Very poor effort from Auto-Sleepers and ridiculously over priced at that.

@thebear11 11 ай бұрын

Where do you keep an outside table and chairs, bbq, muddy boots etc. 4 burner hob, ha! Cook a feast and eat off your knee. Want to take a couple of bikes? How exactly. Two people cant sit facing each other in bench seat unless you interlock all legs together. Extortionate money for an extremely unpractical layout, badly designed van.

@MotorhomeCampervan 10 ай бұрын

Outside gear would need to go under the rear seat, bikes on a rack at the back