BM Automotive, Saltash….anyone used them?

[Sladie07]

Hi all, I’m currently looking for a Transporter for myself and the family (3 kids) and reckon a Caravelle set up would be ideal for the next few years. I’ve stumbled across BM Automotive in Saltash, Cornwall that has a pretty decent stock of both Kombi’s and Caravelle at, what I think are ok prices. Has anyone used them recently? Online reviews look mixed to say the least, and they are a good 2.5 hrs from me here in Wiltshire so would be interested in any first hand knowledge/ experience. Showroom looks nice at least!

Used cars for sale in Saltash & Cornwall: BM Automotive

Used Cars for sale in Saltash & Cornwall - Quality stock at BM Automotive. Great selection of used Cars for sale, competitive finance available!

www.bm-automotive.co.uk

Ta in advance!

 

[Rico26]

Morning, might be also worth taking a look at Broadway Van Centre in South Wales, we had 2 from them now. Similar ages to the ones in your link with less miles about the same price or for a bit more new with less miles

 

[Sladie07]

Funnily enough, I was also keeping an eye on them too as they are closer and until a week or so ago, had 4 Caravelle’s in stock. Alas, they all seemed to sell rather quickly! But great to hear of an actually reccomendation so perhaps I’ll just keep looking there for a bit

 

[Rico26]

I woulndt be too set on a Caravelle, we have a long wheelbase version we got from Broadway having previously having had an 8 seat shuttle, we have 4 grown up kids who arent smurfs so need the extra seats. I would possibly look at going back to a shuttle if we were to ever change again. As odd as it may sound I found the shuttle is a little more flexible when it comes to taking seats out if you need to. Fook me the Caravelle seats are heavy.

They do have Kombis on there as well so worth looking at those. They do have quite a quick turner over in stock and get more vans in all the time. They do deliver as well which is handy as were up in Cheshire and both times theyve done it for free as theyve been coming up this way to collect another van on the wayback down.

 

[Sladie07]

A Kombi is my second option I think. I previously showed the other half a Shuttle but she just said it was a minibus and there’s no way she’s having one! Delivery is definitely a handy option to have…will probably go for a browse one weekend and see what we can see!

 

[Rico26]

My wife said the same thing. If your of a certain age you'll get this. She said she didnt want to be driven round in a "Sunshine Coach" but once she'd seen the ones at Broadway with the windows all dark tinted she changed her mind as you cant actually tell they aren't anything other than a van or combi and too be fair the Caravelle is nothing other than a posh minibus.

 

[MarkS25]

How have Broadway avoided VW getting upset with them appearing to look like an official VW Van Centre? I'm 99% certain they're not (so apologies if I'm wrong with it), but feels a little misleading.
Reason I ask is that I purchased a T5.1 from them years ago and it seems they've revamped their premises somewhat since then, so may have been taken under the 'official' VW wing!

*edit to add: I'm not meaning to bad mouth them at all, I was very happy with the T5.1 and enjoyed a few problem free years with it. I found them fine to deal with

 

[Rico26]

Hi Mark,

They've moved in to a brand new purpose built place so they can have everything in a inside show room pretty much. Not sure about being an official VW place but they pretty much only sell vw's so maybe they are taking a chance by having the logo on the wall.

 

[MarkS25]

Hi Mark,

They've moved in to a brand new purpose built place so they can have everything in a inside show room pretty much. Not sure about being an official VW place but they pretty much only sell vw's so maybe they are taking a chance by having the logo on the wall.

I thought it looked like they'd moved (I had a quickie look on google to see if they were the same Broadway in Pontypridd!). As I said, I was happy with how I was dealt with and the van was great. A genuine question as I know other brands (BMW in particular) get VERY upset with people using their imagery/logos etc without being 'official'.
Loads of stock still though and seem to be doing well! Good on them.

 

[Sladie07]

Just a quick follow up on this…still looking! 2 Caravelles have come into Broadway Van Centre…the first is only a 6 seater and we’re after a 7, the second looked nice but probably slightly above our budget. However, this second one, after a quick google of the number plate, brought up an auction site where I assume Broadway bought it from. Pictures there show it’s an ex-mobility van so I was wondering what the implications of this are. It looks like (from the limited pictures) there was at least one side ramp/ step so I guess this has been removed but would there be some modifications to the underside that could cause an issue down the line, or perhaps some interior changes that have needed to be rectified? The Broadway van advert now shows it with side skirts and full 7 seats etc so I’m not sure if these are absolutely fine, or perhaps just cover previous modifications. There is no mention of it being a previous mobility van, just the very low mileage made me wonder…

 

[Rico26]

Just a quick follow up on this…still looking! 2 Caravelles have come into Broadway Van Centre…the first is only a 6 seater and we’re after a 7, the second looked nice but probably slightly above our budget. However, this second one, after a quick google of the number plate, brought up an auction site where I assume Broadway bought it from. Pictures there show it’s an ex-mobility van so I was wondering what the implications of this are. It looks like (from the limited pictures) there was at least one side ramp/ step so I guess this has been removed but would there be some modifications to the underside that could cause an issue down the line, or perhaps some interior changes that have needed to be rectified? The Broadway van advert now shows it with side skirts and full 7 seats etc so I’m not sure if these are absolutely fine, or perhaps just cover previous modifications. There is no mention of it being a previous mobility van, just the very low mileage made me wonder…

I think they must get most of their vans from Motobility auctions, I remember now ours was down as disabled use on the V5 which was a bit of a faff getting it taxed as had to go old school and get down to the post office. Wasnt any structural changes on ours and the one in those pics you mentioned just looks like its bolted on underneath with no changed made to the body of the van. If youve got any questions give the guy there Myles a call. He was super helpful with ours.

 

[Sladie07]

I had a quick search through some older threads and it does seem indeed they do get a lot from Motability. Probably not an issue in a lot of instances, and maybe it doesn’t matter, though I wonder if they should declare them as such. But…as you’ve had a decent experience and as you say, that one probably just had a step bolted underneath, I’ll give them a call to see if I can get a bit more info. That one only has something like 9000 miles on it!

 

[Jessfowler26]

Morning, might be also worth taking a look at Broadway Van Centre in South Wales, we had 2 from them now. Similar ages to the ones in your link with less miles about the same price or for a bit more new with less miles

Hi all, I’m currently looking for a Transporter for myself and the family (3 kids) and reckon a Caravelle set up would be ideal for the next few years. I’ve stumbled across BM Automotive in Saltash, Cornwall that has a pretty decent stock of both Kombi’s and Caravelle at, what I think are ok prices. Has anyone used them recently? Online reviews look mixed to say the least, and they are a good 2.5 hrs from me here in Wiltshire so would be interested in any first hand knowledge/ experience. Showroom looks nice at least!

Used cars for sale in Saltash & Cornwall: BM Automotive

Used Cars for sale in Saltash & Cornwall - Quality stock at BM Automotive. Great selection of used Cars for sale, competitive finance available!

www.bm-automotive.co.uk

Ta in advance!

hey,
I bought a Mercedes from them last October, notified them of a fault the day after collecting. Have had nothing but trouble since, currently for solicitors involved and the finance company, and finance ombudsman too. Please please avoid them with all costs!! They are the worst car dealership down here in Cornwall!!!!

 

[Sladie07]

Wow! Dodged a bullet then as thankfully bought elsewhere! Will not bother looking in the future either!