Benimar Perseo 680CM

Benimar Perseo 680CM

Our first motorhome was a Compass Avantgarde 200. Over cab bed, kitchen nearside, bathroom offside and large rear ‘U’ lounge. We enjoyed the freedom of a motor home and decided the lifestyle was for us but just felt things could be a little better.

So after a year we decided that we would replace ‘LEXIE’ with exactly want we wanted in another year. So the search began. The over cab bed had been largely unused except as a big cupboard so a low profile looked promising. The full cooker was great so that would be a must and the bathroom was good but a bit cramped when having a shower so a bigger bathroom was on the cards. Bed was very big and comfortably but on the longer trips a bit of a pain converting the lounge every night. Therefore a fixed bed or twin lounge layout would suit.

We did not want to go over 7 meters in length as this would just fit on the drive and coincidently the threshold for increasing ferry prices. Right hand caravan door was preferred but only as this would face the house when parked outside, so UK ‘vans would be at the top of the list. Right hand drive for convenience and future resale. Plenty of storage, only two of us, no weight issues so a decent payload and the facility to tow a car.

Occasionally we would carry a passenger or two so forward facing seats with three point belts were also important. Started trawling through the magazines, getting lots of brochures and visiting dealers from time to time on our weekends away. Stumbled across Motorhomefacts.com in its early days and started to feel that this was going to be impossible and several compromises would have to be made.

We turned our attention to the continent and things started looking up but an oven was not available, in a ridiculous location or in lieu of a decent sized fridge. The left hand caravan door was still preferred but becoming elusive with the right layout.

I tried to read as much as possible and I can remember reading about a Benimar whose layout was totally unsuitable but the article said they would build either left hand or right hand caravan door. I’d never heard of them, couldn’t remember seeing any on the road and thought nothing more of it.

Weeks later I found RDH on the internet. Some layouts might be promising so duly requested the brochures and indeed a new model the Perseo had a lot going for it. Nottingham was a bit of a trek away (from Essex) but there was another dealer BCS that was almost local, 50 miles away in Herne Bay, Kent. More digging and it turns out that Benimar are part of the Trigano group (Auto Trail & Chausson amongst others).

So sent BCS an E Mail asking if they had a Perseo 680CD in or would have soon as this was one to look at. They had a 680CM so the following weekend we had a look. BCS is a small dealership, a bit scruffy (in a nice way) and very friendly. This ‘van looked good and ticked all the right boxes. Not one to rush we did lots more research about Benimar and BCS.

To cut a long story short we heard a lot of good stuff about both and a few months later ordered one. The business end, or cab, is Right hand drive Fiat Ducatto 2.8JTD Turbo Diesel with air conditioning, additional rear heating (under drivers seat blowing heat backwards), traction control, anti lock brakes, adjustable air suspension (chassis up rated to 4100kg), electric windows and mirrors, lowered swivel seats, remote control CD/Radio and in place of the rear view mirror a 7 inch LCD monitor for the reversing camera. We have added another 7 inch LCD on the passenger side screen connected to the video in the back for watching tapes on the move.

Four useful good sized cupboards above the cab and then to the lounge immediately behind the cab. Two forward facing seats with 3 point belts behind the driver (125ltr Fresh water tank below) with additional removable side facing seat. Behind the front seat passenger a side facing two person bench seat with storage below. In the centre a really cleaver multi directional table, it moves in any direction as well as swivelling. Four large storage cupboards above as well as a TV/Video cupboard and large Heki3 sunlight in the roof.

Caravan door on the left with electric step opposite the kitchen which includes full cooker, five storage cupboards, good sized sink and extractor fan. Opposite the cooker is a large 145ltr fridge with separate freezer with automatic energy selection. Above this is a mains microwave oven. To the left of this is a large wardrobe that holds the mast for the (fantastic) status 530/10 directional aerial.

At the rear on the offside is the very comfortable longitudinal fixed bed with large storage below (accessible from inside, outside and above). The nearside has a large shower cubicle at the rear with the electric flush, swivel toilet and sink to the front part. Smaller roof lights in the bathroom and above the bed.

Overall 15 internal lights, power comes from two 110amp batteries topped up by an 80watt solar panel when not on hook up. Control panel covers all the usual as well as a button for opening the waste tank valve. Removable carpets fitted throughout, these were tailor made and delivered a few weeks after the motorhome.

Outside along the drivers’ side you have water filler, gas locker (2x13kg Propane) and large door for access to under bed storage. At the rear corner steadies and an up rated tow bar with a capacity of 2000kg which we use to tow our Smart car on a trailer.

Nearside, Diesel filler (80ltr), caravan door with awning light above, outside shower, external gas/barbeque point, access for toilet cassette. All covered by a 4 meter Omnistore awning.

Security is covered by a Strikeback alarm, Fiamme security handle, Clutch claw, driveway post and a few other things I won’t mention here.

We had the Avantgarde 2 years and covered 24,000 miles. We’ve had the Perseo ‘Buzzy’s Bus’ a few months and have notched up 4,000 trouble free miles visiting Denmark, 1 week and Scotland, 2 weeks.

BCS (Owner Paul Glicksman) are an excellent dealership and I can’t recommend them highly enough. I believe our ‘van got caught up in some confusion with the RDH problems, causing a slight delay, not to mention the pile of extras and unique specification we asked for.

Overall, excellent build quality. One cupboard hinge has worked slightly loose as well as a small piece of trim. Both easily fixed by myself.

We intend to keep Buzzy’s Bus for a long time and I’m sure it will get plenty of use in the mean time. Benimar have a fantastic product in my opinion and we are very, very pleased with our motorhome. We have stopped at a few dealers in the last month or two and looking around it only confirms that we made the right choice.

If anyone has any questions feel free to ask at racope@tinyworld.co.uk - Happy Motorhoming – Richard Cope – September 2005

Title: Benimar Perseo 680CM
Category: Low Profile
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Reviewer: Richard Cope
Added: September 18th 2005
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