Pros & Cons of Having a Mercedes 508D as a Home on Wheels? Q/A.
Vložit
- čas přidán 9. 09. 2024
- Hi guys! In this video we talk about Pros & Cons of restoring and converting an old-timer - Merceds 508D fr. 1984 into a home on wheels.
This is our personal opinion. But if you are interested in turning an older vehicle into a home on wheels, in this video we explain why we chose an older bus and particularly this model and why we like it so much.
A COUPLE OF PROS WE MENTION IN THE VIDEO:
- Retro look
- Size
- Purchase price
- Taxes and insurance costs
.....
A COUPLE OF CONS:
- It's a lot of work to restore such an old vehicle
- Slow uphill
.....
Watch the video for the whole list of Pros & Cons and in-depth answers. :)
We also answer a couple of questions we received on Instagram like:
milage, convertion cost, why van life etc.
And if you have any other questions, you can leave them in the comments below.
⌨ English subs are available. To activate a translation, click the “CC” button along the bottom of the CZcams video player and select the desired language. Press "auto-translate". Then you'll have to click the button again to toggle on the translated captions. And it's done!😊
✔ If you enjoyed the video, please like & subscribe! It really helps us a lot! And don't forget to hit the bell button to get notifications of our video uploads! 😊
THANK YOU FOR WATCHING!
🤩 Want to get in touch? You can always find us here:
Instagram: / beelzebus
Pinterest: www.pinterest....
And check our new website: www.beelzebus.eu/
I have seen many RV Camping Vehicles, but regardless of the Model, find your vehicle the best all rounder. Very Happy to watch such nice places you visit.
Thank you so so much! We are so happy to hear that you like our bus! And thank you so much for watching our videos! 🤗🤗🤗
I encourage you guys! you're great in what you're doing and what you're standing for as well. So cheers for that ;-)
Thanks so much! That´s very nice to hear! =) =) Cheers
Very informative…Kudos to you both for going minimalist and stepping out of your comfort zone to free yourselves from the things that bog most folks down-me included. Enjoy 😊
Thank you so much for you kind words and for watching! 🤗 We are still working on becoming completely free to be honest. It takes a long time "to get out of the system", at least for us.
Hej, såg er senaste video igår, jag har en MB 608D från 1969, som jag köpte 1978 som gått 28000mil, byggde om den från Orkesterbuss till Husbil, 1987 så byggde jag om hela den yttre karossen, men ni klagar på högt motorljud och klen motor, det sitter samma motor som ni har OM314, jag har monterat Turbo på den och bytt bakaxeldrev för att få ner motorvarvet, vid 90 km varvar motorn ca 2300v/min tidigare var varvet 2800, jag har modifierat motorfästena, då jag fick ett oljud vid ca 80 km, det visade sig att inuti motorfästena fanns det en stor bricka ca 12cm i diameter som gick emot metallen på sidorna, jag tog helt enkelt bort dessa brickor, och det blev som en helt ny upplevelse. Nu vet jag inte om era motorfästen ser lika dana ut som mina från 1969. Har nu kört 68000mil med de mesta milen körda i Norge.
Hej Per-Gunnar! tack för att du tittade på vår video =). Oj ja det måste ha varit väldigt mycket jobb?
Ok är du nöjd med turbo och nya bakaxeldrev? det låter ju jättebra! vi skall byta ut våra motor fästen oxå är planen.
Kan du vänligen tipsa oss var du fick tag i turbo och bakaxel delarna? Förstår att det mesta blir i Norge eftersom det är ju så vackert där =). Ha de ;)
@@Beelzebus Hej, Turbon och instalationsritning kom från www.gikturbo.se och bakaxeldreven från en firma som hette Husbilar i Bro AB Dalagatan 42 Stockholm. Det krävdes också en oljekylare 19 R och de rekommenderade en större ljuddämpare som jag lät tillverkas av Hanses Lastbilsutrustningar i Partille. När man monterar Turbo på en sugmotor får man höja Dieselpumpens matning något, och jag rekommenderar en Turbotrycksmätare för Trycket får ej överstiga 0,6 kg, om motorn skall hålla. Jag är mycket nöjd med funktionen av Turbon, den ökar ej hästkrafterna så mycket men den ökar Vridmomentet så de backarna som förr var helt omöjliga att öka farten i går mycket bättre och man känner sig inte som man är en bromskloss. PG.
@@per-gunnarmahrle4234 OJ! Tack så mycket det skall vi kolla upp det låter ju fantastiskt =). Tusen tack då blir det nog turbo för oss oxå =)
I love what you are both doing. I'm also thinking of getting the same model 508d
Greetings from Baltazars ancestral home. Currently we are stripping out and converting a 609d here in Ireland and have really enjoyed your content. Still waiting to see that shower video!
Hello! Awesome we still want to go to Ireland! Thank you so much =), we will finish it for you guy´s =), we just got a bit overwhelmed with a lot of things after we finished the shower build. But it is coming! =)
Hi I just subscribed after watching the winter videos at the waterfalls, and tour of finished buuild, and Pros & Cons video. You are very fun and nice pleasant people to watch, also like your dog too! Now I can catch up and watch past videos. Thanks for sharing your adventures, Happy & Safe Travels! 😀 💛
Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for your support! feel free to ask if you have any questions 🤗
Stay happy and safe!
Very informative video..love your rig !
Thanks so much! thanks for watching =)
Liked your choice of this vehicle, Great !
Glad you like it! Thank you for watching! 😀
Love your van and great incisors dude. :)
Thank you so much! =)
Hi. Great informative video. Your home looks wonderfully Great.
Thank you so much! glad you enjoyed it 😃😀
Hello from the U.K. I am just going over some older CZcams video's and saw this. Thank you for being so helpful to everyone wanting to do the same project. I did however contact you before when you did the "van tour" episode,and you were very kind and polite then also. I will be getting a bus towards the end of this year,2024.Hopefully we can communicate later this year if need possible? P.S Did you get a bigger engine? Best wishes, David from Wales.
Guys I cant agree more with all the things you covered in this video. Hallelujah. Seems like yuo have it all thought through. Im so excited to remodel my Karmann 309D as well... starting as we speak, even the budget got smaller thnx to COVID crap, the idea and dreams...stayed the same... be free, and to enjoy the life, mortgage free. And have fun. Ciao and thank You. M.
Thank you Mike! That sound great! Hope the remodeling goes great! we´re excited to see the result =) The same to you we wish you all the best! =) Ciao
Thank you for the list! good to know 👍😃
Any time!😃
I have a very noisy 508d. I've heard from others that adjusting injection timings can affect noise on engines that have a high amount of "clatter" / "chatter" sound.
Nice! Ok that´s a nice tip! thank you!👍😀
Do not change the engine… It might be slow but it will never let you down!
yes we know that´s why we choose it and are having a hard time figuring out how to improve it 😄
Beelzebus I know so many people who have fast vehicles but they have many more mechanical problems… you’ve got the best all-round deal for long term travel. We took our old 508 to South America… There are some seriously big mountains in the Andes… It was slow going but we got to every destination 😊
@@NorthernMigrationTravel That´s great to hear! we´re not in a hurry anyway so it will do for now =)
Beelzebus Stay safe guys and enjoy everyone precious moment x
@@Beelzebus I suggest to install a turbo, it´s really cool to drive 80 uphill
@30:35 "Feels more annoying to me... that cabin... than the bus somehow"
I think it's because you know you have the variety of nature right outside your door at any time, and the freedom to JUST GO ;)
That´s probably it! It´s very nice we love it! 😀😉
Ģreat video great couple love the bus and watt Hou have done to it
Thank you very much!
It looks amazing.
Thank you so much! 😀
subscribed, very good video! I hope there is more on the way!
Thanks for the sub! 😃 we´re working on more 😉👍
Love ur interior layout I am going to do the same, was so so looking forward for this video to get exact dimensions , good job 👏 u guys rock! unbelievably!? ergonomic! cheap, cozy, leaves room for a big bathroom or more !? it's a humble masterpiece! seriously wise and just right size 👌
Love ur table and bed and sitting space , u guys have nailed it In every way 😁
God bless u 😇🙏
Glad it was helpful! Thank you so much for all the kind words =).
Stay safe and healthy! =)
Appreciate itt, U too guys
Great video folks!
P.S. I love the hoodie with the raven 🙌 ... i need one :-)
Thanks! Yes you do! 😉😉😉🤘
Turbo ska enligt de som installerat den både göra motorn starkare men även minska motorljudet något. Jag har dock inte provat det själv eftersom jag inte kör så mycket men har läst det på diverse forum genom åren.
Tack för infon :)
Great video, thanks for sharing. We had the same thought process and start our 608d restoration this summer. Will you guys be doing any videos of the restoration/repair work?
Thank you! 608d Nice =) We are working on it but we missed a lot of our material since we we´re very stressed while doing our renovating =( but we will be posting more of the renovation in the future! but if you have any questions don´t hesitate to ask! or send us an e-mail and we will try to help out as much as we can =)
Lovely insights. Alcazar is really big and a handsome boy. Love him.
I'm from India, love travelling on the road and have been travelling like you guys for over 2 decades on the roads and have decided to get myself a retro van like yours. Here we get the Indian version of the old Mercedes like yours. I'm currently trying to figure the right size for my needs. I hope to have the project ready in 6 months once I get the van.
Thank you for sharing your insights.
Our pleasure! That´s great! how is it travelling in India? Isn´t it SUPER manny vehicles everywhere? must be hectic? If i remember correct you also have the OM314 engine in the Mercedes there? Keep up the good work! If you´d like please send us the pictures of your rigg on our instagram we would love to see them =)
@@Beelzebus Greetings. Yes India does have a lot of crazy traffic compared to Europe. We do have a lot of everything to see and a lot to explore where you will find nobody. It will take atleast 1 year or more if you plan to explore all of India, not because of the traffic but because it's a very big country and too much to see.
A company in India Force Motors builds engines and transmission for Mercedes and BMW, which are exported to Europe and elsewhere. They also have a van which was originally a mercedes van and now called the tempo traveller. Currently using a version of the OM 611 spec engine. Mercedes also sells the entire range of its cars in India with many engine options.
I am currently planning my van build on a very similar platform to yours, which will be completed by next year (due to Covid).
Hey guys, big up for sharing your trips and all the tips :) I have a 508 too! the best ever! what was the part that you needed to be shipped from America? cheers
Hey! Thank you! Coolers =) they´re the best =). I think it was a repair kit for the power steering ;)
very nice video tack sa mycket and hej fran tyskland
Thank you! and hej hej 😃😉
Nice to see you both again and interesting to see your Q&A.
Can I ask, is it a struggle to earn enough to be able to travel so much?
Or do work half a year and travel half a year?
Take care, stay healthy and safe. You know what's next-
Give Balthazar a fuss for me. Cheers
Nice to see you! Thank you! We´re working on it but it is a bit of a struggle since Björn is a handyman and not a digitalman ;) we don´t really know what he should focus on to actually make some money online for example.
So far he has taken on local jobs as we travel, we only got to travel for about 8 moths before returning to gotland to take care of Björns father but during that time we managed quite ok =). Any suggestions on online remote income? =).
Take care you to! we will! he sends his regards ;)
Awesome content guys. Couldn't help but notice the Katatonia hoodie too 🚐🤘🏻
Thank you! Yes! Katatonia is awesome! Have you checked out their new album City Burials?
Hi guys! What is code for the paint on your bus and where did you get your decal designs from? It looks really nice 👌
Hello! Thank you so much! We are happy to hear that you like our design. 😀 Everything is custom made. We actually mixed black and silver metallic colors to get this tone. So we don’t really have the exact code for it. Our friend who works with car paint mixed it for us, so it’s kind of one of a kind. Our wrapping we also made ourselves, you can check out highlights on our Instagram page @Beelzebus to see how we made it. We’ll be selling similar designs with mountains and forests in our webshop that you’ll be able to download and take to your local wrapping firm. We are currently working on the designs and our webshop, but it will take a couple of more weeks until everything is ready. 😀
Great conversion! How did you lower the floor? I'd love to do the same as we just bought our 508 yesterday. so our journey of rebuilding is going to start in about two weeks 😊
Thank you! Congratulations! That´s great! If you DM us on Instagram Björn can walk you through how we did it 😄
Hi from Rome nice nice but one question: the wc?
Hi! 😀 yes we use a mobile porti potti as our toilet 👍 and right now we´re building a indoor hidden shower also 😉👌
I understand your frustration with the motor, many years ago we had one of those vehicles but in a truck format and it was used on the farm to move cattle to the abattoir, was a challenge. It is however suprisingly lighter on fuel than my current BMW 740i so if you fancy a v8 motor in there you are welcome to make me an offer :)
Aha ok =)
yes we´re quite happy about the consumption since we used to have a Lincoln Navigator that drank allot =)
We haven´t decided what we´re doing yet but maybe in the future we will ;)
Btw, it’s a beautiful van
Thank you! 😀
Hi. Or have the fuel pump re set ! If no cpu !
ok yes we will check if it´s possible 😉😀 thanks!
You do not drive Trollstegen in Norway
Ha ha ha probably at night with this beast! 😅. But we actually went there with our Lincoln navigator once 👍👌
@@Beelzebus I have not been there just senit on video scary I don't lik that cain off road
Hi. Engine. If it has a CPU. Have it reprogrammed ! Not much ! Just a little, just enough to help up the big helps ! 😂
Hi! aha ok we will look into it if we can do it on our engine 👍 thanks for the tip! 👌
That engine has No CPU ist's all mecanical. You can tune them by turning up the injectionpump but dont expect to much. Also milage will be worse and if you turn it up to much it will smoke under full load
One of the few things I don't like in my 508D is the headroom.. It's 190cm.. and I'm 194cm 🙈, and the length of the bed, which is 188cm 🙈.. Why am I so damn tall...
About road tax;
Here in NL, until 2014 you did not have to pay road tax for vehicles older than 25 years old.
I both my 1981 bus in 2011, so it was tax free.
Did a lot of work (partly a restoration and complete inside camper build) and then in 2014 the government decided to change the 25 year to 40 year 😣
So, all of a sudden I had to start paying road tax. Good thing is that by then my camper build was ready, so when you can prove it's a camper (sending photographs with both license plate and camper interior visibe, good thing the back doors can still be opened..) you pay just 25% road tax.
But that still is 600 euros per year..
In december 2021 finally my bus was 40 years old, and don't have to pay road tax now.
So between 2014 and 2021 I payed almost 5000 euros on road tax that I wasn't expecting..
Oh, yeah, I understand how 190cm headroom and a 188cm bed can be uncomfortable for you! We are not as tall and it also took some time to get used to a bed where you can't stretch out your arms.😁
We have a similar law here in Sweden, but I think it is 30 years for a vehicle to be tax free, and if it is 50 years old you don't need to pass vehicle inspection anymore! Oh, when you look back at all those years, 5000 euro sounds very expensive! But what can you do.. I guess a newer camper would have been even more expensive? So lucky, that your bus is 42 years old now!🚌 But if it wasn't a camper you would end up paying even more than 25%?
@@Beelzebus If it wasn't a camper AND not 40 years old, then I'd pay four times as much yeah..
Cheers!
@@winandd8649 😨😨😨 Wow! That sounds like aaaa lot! Probably because it would count as a truck because we have newer vehicles too, but none of them cost that much, pobably because they are under 3,5t then..
Hi! I have a 1975 O309D . Have you thought about gear changing as opposed to engine changing? I don't know much about it but a little more on the top end might be nice. I feel you on the weakness. Like a turtle!
O309D Coolers! Okay we didn´t think of that, we will definitely look into it =) Thank you for the tip =)
@@Beelzebus Yeah you need to look into it. You can fit a V6 on it and it won't help you with max speed, because of the gearing and diferential are set up for 90kph. Wheel and tyre size also can make a difference. Turbos on these engines are popular in brazil. You have to run very low boost to keep the reliability. You'll get improved acceleration, but not top speed.
Love the bus, I'm restoring my own, safe travels!
Could you replace the engine with a Mercedes 814 model engine? I’m not an expert but those engines are very reliable too
Honestly have no idea 🤔 going to have to check that out 😃 Thanks for the tip!
What would you sell the camper for now?
Hi! Wow we haven´t even thought of that 😅 We´ll have to think about it 😉
Did yours van still using original engine?
Anyway I have plan to build also 508d for motor home
Sounds like a good plan! 👍 This model is quite comfortable to drive and it's pretty easy to find good parking spots for this size, at the same time it is big enough for building nice interior with a proper kitchen etc. Regarding your question, yes, we've decided to keep the original engine for now. I think we talked about that in this video. The engine was one of the reasons why we decided to buy this model. It is even called a "million miles motor", since it is supposed to be indestructible. But it is a pretty weak engine, and we have hard time driving uphill, so we are considering changing it one day in the future, but it's not our priority right now. :)
@@Beelzebus thanks for the reply Usually what the problem coming from the engine?
@@dedysudarwanto We haven't had any problems with the engine yet. The only thing I can think of s oil consumption. It's about 2 liters oil for 200 liters diesel approx for our bus. But as long as you check the oil level regularly, it's no problem!
Hej
Jag bor också i Stockholm och har en liknande bil och undrar hur / vart du har fått tag på din takkorg.
Mvh
Hej! Björn designade och svetsade tackräcket själv. Om du kollar våra Highlights på vår Instagram konto så hittar du en en highlight som heter ”The Roof Rack” där hittar du några bilder på hur han gjorde.😀
About your problem with the engine: Try to get a 407 or even a 406 and drive some hundreds of kilometers with it. Afterwards you`ll love your big OM314 again! There is no better engine! The change to the 6 cylinder OM352 would be far to much work, I think.
Ok thank you for the tip 😁 sofar we are very happy with it! 😁 we didn´t mean to sound negavtive 😁
Love you guys but looking at the camera instead of yourself in the display would make it look like you are talking to us rather than yourselves.
Thanks for the tip! We'll try to think about it in the future 🤗
Hi guyz very informative vid need sum assistance on a 508 mesage if u hV time 2 help 😉
Absolutely! What seems to be the problem?
Thanx 4 reply I got my problem sorted wasn't building air pressure but it's fixed now
Don't change it for anything!
Hi guys, hope you are all keeping well. Really interesting and detailed video. I've always liked the older Vario models and i really like what you have done with your van. It would be interesting to know what Mercedes would advise re. fitting a turbo to your engine as they are very experienced in turbo truck engines. As for the engine noise inside the van, check out Gadget John to see the acoustic panels which he fitted to his old van (czcams.com/video/TVFjoDuzqrU/video.html ) which he reckons made a big improvement. Thanks for sharing guys. Stay safe and keep up the good work. 👍🖖😎🐶🦴
Hi! We are keeping well, thanks for asking hope you are too. Thank you! yes that would be interesting! I´ll see if i get the time next week I´ll stop by Mercedes and check. ok great idea! Thanks for the tip! that´s probably a great way of getting rid of some noise =) Stay safe! you too =)
she looks very pretty honey
She sure is! Love of my life! 🤗👍
@@Beelzebus I wich a good life for you two 🌻
I com to think you Scot meet a Finnish couple called wantastic you would like them
That would be awesome! =)
Merci beaucoup pour les informations utile qui pourraient me servir, vous êtes une famille tres sympas mais malheureusement je continuerai a boycotter la Suède pour avoir atteint l'injustice a la liberté de culte de l autrui!
Not seeing anything remotely the price you paid for yours.
These models vary a lot in price depending on condition and market. in which country are you looking? 😀