My New(ish) Bourton, Snagging List

change the battery on the fob, its worth a cheap punt ?

The fob appears to work OK. From others it seems that it is a factory setting which is supposed to do.

Re the step sticking. I find I have to give the step linkages a good clean and a dosing of a good penetrant lubricant every month or so especially in the winter with all the road crud. I use ACF-50 as it lasts longer then WD40.

The Lockout "feature" is a real pain. It caught us out once. we were lucky to get back in without damaging the motorhome. It is common to sprinters. The rationale is that it benefits a delivery driver who may leave his van unattended while he makes a delivery. With a van, it will lock the rear doors, also to leave the van secure. Of course that does not compute on a motorhome, especially now that Auto-Sleepers are not connecting the MB central locking to the Habitation door for the present time. Like others, I had a spare key cut, removed the plastic moulded top to it, stuck a small neodymium magnet on it and sealed it in a small food saver vacuum bag. This now is hidden under the motorhome, held by the magnet and protected by the bag. I also bought an aftermarket central locking system from Amazon and use it just for the habitation door. It works very well.

The step is in the direct line of the rear wheel and can get sprayed with road "muck". There should be a rear mud flap to protect it but not always and not 100% effective. The step needs care from a safety perspective. I have a friend who started his engine just as his wife was stepping out. The step retracted automatically as her foot approached it and she measured her length on the ground outside with a massive "face plant". Personally, I find that stepping out onto the step is not as secure as using a two step aluminium caravan step. We never use the fitted step.

My take on the oil level issue is that when the van goes in for a service, the mechanic drains the oil, but it will be a cold engine as it has just been brought in to the workshop. The oil is cold. The mechanic then does not allow enough time for the oil to drain and when it is filled up again, the mechanic uses the prescribed volume of oil in the service schedule. It has happened to me more than once and it grieves me to see good, expensive oil poured away. On one occasion, the mechanic told me he drained almost a litre to get the level right! I didn't get a refund on the wasted oil. At about £16/litre I wasn't amused. Next service, I will check the dipstick before I start the engine when I pick it up as it will have had time to drain back into the engine and will show if it is overfull. It may save a return trip to get it drained.

Anyway, Enjoy your Bourton.

Dennis