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al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10361
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Folks
I've ben trying to decide on a new caravan, and initialy wanted a twin dinette layout, as thats what we've had in the last 3 'vans, and liked this layout, so it was either a new Coachman Amara 655, a 12month old Coachman Laser 655, or now, a new bailey Olympus 620-6.
I know the bailey is a lower spec than the coachman (well the Laser), but we have rather taken to its layout, with both a fixed bed and front and side dinnete.
Can I get some constructive opinion of the new baileys please (and yes, its not going to win any fshion shows with its rather blunt front end)
Cheers guys
PS - Abbey Spectrum still for sale (see for sale section), as I was going to trade it, but got beaten to a Laser two weeks ago.
Cheers
Al Volvo XC90 B5 Plus Dark
Gone - MY18 D5 HSE - Corris on 22's with Black Pack
Now gone - MY16 D4 SE Tech, Loire Blue, Almond Leather, Privacy, plus some other goodies.
Old - MY12 D4 SDV6 XS Auto - Ipanema Sand with Almond Leather - Plus other niceties, and D4.com sticker
Older - D3 TDV6 XS Auto - Lugano Teal with Almond Leather, 20" Stormers, Shiny Tailpipes, DVD/TV - and obligatory D3 sticker
Ancient - D3 TDV6 S - Tonga with Ebony, 20" Stormers, satnav & DVD
Last edited by al cope on 28th Jan 2012 6:17 pm. Edited 1 time in total
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 28th Jan 2012 5:45 pm |
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NicSymonds
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 519
  
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Al,
I have a 2011 Bailey Unicorn Barcelona. It's a similar layout to the Olympus, without the side dinette. This is our third Bailey, and by far the best we have had. The wife moans a bit if I have to clamber out of bed in the night as it means climbing over her, but apart from that it's comfortable, the Alde heating system is excellent, there's loads of cupboard space and it's easy to tow.
Hope this helps, Nic
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| 28th Jan 2012 6:04 pm |
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al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10361
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Cheers Nic
I would prefer a slightly higher spec than the Olympus, but Bailey dont do it in any other of their ranges.
I've just found a sterling eccles amethyst in the same layout though, so might take a look at one of those as well.
Al Volvo XC90 B5 Plus Dark
Gone - MY18 D5 HSE - Corris on 22's with Black Pack
Now gone - MY16 D4 SE Tech, Loire Blue, Almond Leather, Privacy, plus some other goodies.
Old - MY12 D4 SDV6 XS Auto - Ipanema Sand with Almond Leather - Plus other niceties, and D4.com sticker
Older - D3 TDV6 XS Auto - Lugano Teal with Almond Leather, 20" Stormers, Shiny Tailpipes, DVD/TV - and obligatory D3 sticker
Ancient - D3 TDV6 S - Tonga with Ebony, 20" Stormers, satnav & DVD
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| 28th Jan 2012 6:15 pm |
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rnlisg
Member Since: 07 Aug 2010
Location: kent
Posts: 209
 
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hi al
ref the olympus,personally i would go for the bailey.it will have a full man warranty and 10 years on the body.i had a senator louisiana t/a for 2 years which was a very good van,due to house move it was too long for my drive so as i was happy with the brand pxd it for a senator indiana fixed bed a love it,loads of room for swmbo me and dog and cat we use it for 4 months a year,another good thing with bailey,s,when the roof needs a clean and polish you can walk around up there no problem.
good luck
sandy s/steel side tubes,door trims with bright inlay,front and rear light guards,half chrome mirror caps,mud flaps,chrome finishers on boot and rear bumper step,chrome finishers round gear shift and cup holders,chrome door handle covers.d/4 grille conversion,chrome foglamp bezzells,parrot bluetooth.***sadly missed**********
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| 29th Jan 2012 5:21 pm |
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Russell
Member Since: 23 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
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Al we have a 2011 Unicorn Barcelona 12 months old next month and we love it very very happy with it so far. MY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
MY15 D4 HSE Kaikoura Stone
MY12 D4 HSE Nara Bronze Sold and gone
MY11 D4 HSE Stornaway Grey Sold and gone
D3 S spec Silver Sold and gone
Tow bar, full length roof bars, side steps, tow bar storage unit, surround camers.
D4 camera club
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| 29th Jan 2012 5:24 pm |
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al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10361
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cheers guys
for the money, although a lower spec than we've been used to, the Bailey is very good - just wish it wasnt pig ugly 
Al Volvo XC90 B5 Plus Dark
Gone - MY18 D5 HSE - Corris on 22's with Black Pack
Now gone - MY16 D4 SE Tech, Loire Blue, Almond Leather, Privacy, plus some other goodies.
Old - MY12 D4 SDV6 XS Auto - Ipanema Sand with Almond Leather - Plus other niceties, and D4.com sticker
Older - D3 TDV6 XS Auto - Lugano Teal with Almond Leather, 20" Stormers, Shiny Tailpipes, DVD/TV - and obligatory D3 sticker
Ancient - D3 TDV6 S - Tonga with Ebony, 20" Stormers, satnav & DVD
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| 29th Jan 2012 6:21 pm |
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mzplcg
Member Since: 23 Jun 2009
Location: Gone
Posts: 1087
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Al, SWMBO and me went through the exact same dilemna last year. We had to get rid of the Elddis 'cos it was falling apart and we were down to Bailey or Coachman.
Anyway, ended up with a different layout but it was the Coachman all the way. There was just this feeling that the Bailey is kind of the Model-T Ford. Not a lot of choices and every one built to the same spec. Nothing wrong per se, just a feeling that it wasn't quite enough. Very much a case of pile 'em high......
The Coachman was just a more homely experience and whilst I was going to have the twin dinette 655/6 Laser, I ended up with the Olympia (Amara) 640/6 (Olympia 640/6 is a Raymond James dealer special) which is perfect for our needs. Properly put together as well which is a really nice change after the Elddis.
I do like the idea of the Alu-Tech construction though. Seems like some proper progress and Bailey do seem to be pushing the boundaries a bit more. Mind you, they really do need to shoot their upholstery stylist. 
Dom.
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| 29th Jan 2012 6:40 pm |
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Chippy
Member Since: 05 Jan 2012
Location: Surrey
Posts: 520
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Hi Al
We have a bailey 646 pegasus and it great, tows good and the build quality is about the same as the other makes out there. There is how ever a couple of problem to consider DENTS. The ali body dents really easy you only need a stone to flick up and hay presto you have a 50 pence size dent. We brought a towing bib and that solved the problem cost £100, money well spent.
The only other issue we have found is when we go away in the winter the ali window frames suffer with condensation, Bailey were not exactly helpful when I emailed them, just telling me to increase the air flow through the van. We had already tried this but it didn't stop it completely, but there are 6 of us in it.
Even though we have those two niggles it's a lovely van and I would not think twice about having another one.
Hope this helps
Chippy 
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| 29th Jan 2012 7:38 pm |
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al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10361
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well head ruled heart - gone for the Bailey 620-6. not quite the looker that the swift or sterling are from the outside, but much as I tried, I couldnt justify 4 grand more for some toys and slighty better external looks.
must say, with the alutec body and squarer front and rear ends, it does look a bit of a beast, even though its not any longer than our current Abbey.
also, as a nice aside, its colour graphics matched the Disco's teal colour as well
(just showing my feminine side by colour coding the 'van to the car - the Abbey's green graphics matched with the D2 and 1st D3 in Tonga, now this matched the latest D3 - scatter cushions anybody??)
Al Volvo XC90 B5 Plus Dark
Gone - MY18 D5 HSE - Corris on 22's with Black Pack
Now gone - MY16 D4 SE Tech, Loire Blue, Almond Leather, Privacy, plus some other goodies.
Old - MY12 D4 SDV6 XS Auto - Ipanema Sand with Almond Leather - Plus other niceties, and D4.com sticker
Older - D3 TDV6 XS Auto - Lugano Teal with Almond Leather, 20" Stormers, Shiny Tailpipes, DVD/TV - and obligatory D3 sticker
Ancient - D3 TDV6 S - Tonga with Ebony, 20" Stormers, satnav & DVD
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| 30th Jan 2012 4:33 pm |
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Madrunner
Member Since: 23 Oct 2011
Location: Dorset
Posts: 391
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Good shout on the bailey.
We changed from a swift to a bailey unicorn. The entire van feels so more solid and I am a huge fan of the alu tech construction. Anything that removes wood from the van is a good thing.
Had the van for 6 months now and not had one problem in around 4000 miles of towing.
It tows beautifully in fact far more stable than the swift ever was .
Good luck with the new van !!!
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| 5th Feb 2012 6:12 pm |
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al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10361
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well, picked it up today - just need to put the 2 ton of stuff we took out of the old one back in - where did this lot come from 
how soon can we get awy and try it - feel like a kid in a candy shop (like I was when buying the car)
Al Volvo XC90 B5 Plus Dark
Gone - MY18 D5 HSE - Corris on 22's with Black Pack
Now gone - MY16 D4 SE Tech, Loire Blue, Almond Leather, Privacy, plus some other goodies.
Old - MY12 D4 SDV6 XS Auto - Ipanema Sand with Almond Leather - Plus other niceties, and D4.com sticker
Older - D3 TDV6 XS Auto - Lugano Teal with Almond Leather, 20" Stormers, Shiny Tailpipes, DVD/TV - and obligatory D3 sticker
Ancient - D3 TDV6 S - Tonga with Ebony, 20" Stormers, satnav & DVD
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| 7th Feb 2012 7:49 pm |
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Madrunner
Member Since: 23 Oct 2011
Location: Dorset
Posts: 391
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Hi Al
Congrats on the new van . Great choice on the bailey.
Lol know what you mean about stuff, we filled our navara to the brim when we changed vans, not sure where it was all hidden lol
You got some trips planned yet ?
How was the tow ?
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| 7th Feb 2012 8:01 pm |
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al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10361
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it was only 1/ mile from the dealers, so couldnt tell - felt lighter (but it would without all the junk in it )
Given its on the same Alko chassis (size) as the Abbey, it seem bigger overall, I guess mainly due to its very upright front and back ends.
try and organise an outing as soon as I can.
Al Volvo XC90 B5 Plus Dark
Gone - MY18 D5 HSE - Corris on 22's with Black Pack
Now gone - MY16 D4 SE Tech, Loire Blue, Almond Leather, Privacy, plus some other goodies.
Old - MY12 D4 SDV6 XS Auto - Ipanema Sand with Almond Leather - Plus other niceties, and D4.com sticker
Older - D3 TDV6 XS Auto - Lugano Teal with Almond Leather, 20" Stormers, Shiny Tailpipes, DVD/TV - and obligatory D3 sticker
Ancient - D3 TDV6 S - Tonga with Ebony, 20" Stormers, satnav & DVD
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| 9th Feb 2012 8:11 am |
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Frapp
Member Since: 19 Dec 2008
Location: Norff Zummerzet
Posts: 1655
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al cope wrote: just need to put the 2 ton of stuff we took out of the old one back in - where did this lot come from :shock:Al
Tell me about it  Member of the carrot crank club
Embarrassingly in for the 2nd round, bought another two
D3 Jack Russell carrier
D4 Landmark for towing duties
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| 9th Feb 2012 8:44 am |
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Pelyma
Member Since: 06 Jan 2005
Location: Patching, Sussex
Posts: 15496
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How do you get on with all the bolts that need tightening on the body for each year? Are people having this done or just ignoring the fact? DS3 TDV6 HSE - Silver with Alpaca (old one) Gone
DS3 TDV6 HSE- Silver with Alpaca (new one) Gone
D4 HSE Lux - Montalcino Red Gone
Porsche Cayenne V8 Diesel S
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| 9th Feb 2012 10:34 am |
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