Sometimes, you’ve just got to get away for a couple days. I had the chance last month to test out a 2021 Kea Discovery M660 cab-chassis motorhome as part of Apollo’s pre-owned certified used RV program, and quickly pointed the bonnet of the Mercedes Sprinter base vehicle east towards Victoria’s Gippsland region. The mozzies aren’t much fun, but the scenery is magical and insect repellent was invented for a reason.
Apollo RV has a fleet of pre-owned Kea motorhomes for sale. It’s an intriguing proposition. No wait times for a new build. Each vehicle has been serviced on schedule, with safety checks conducted between services. They’ve been refurbished and are sold with a warranty. Sure, there are some kilometres on the clock and some signs of wear and tear, but let’s be honest: there’s a heck of a lot more confidence that comes from buying a certified used vehicle from a large company and the legal protections that affords than buying one on the private market.
DRIVING THE KEA DISCOVERY
I’m a big fan of the Sprinter as a base vehicle for motorhome conversions. That said, I don’t have a great deal of experience at the wheel of its competitors, but the Sprinter offers a pleasant driving experience for long hauls, the cab comforts are what you’d expect, and the turning circle is tight. The Discovery has a rear window which, from a driving perspective, I liked, though the two side mirrors do an excellent job. A reversing camera is provided too. Features such as keyless start, Crosswind Assist, anti-lock braking, a large multimedia touchscreen system and all the other Mercedes gear are very welcome.
The 2L four-cylinder turbodiesel gets the van going surprisingly quickly off the mark – you won’t be slowing down traffic. The dinette behind the cab includes two seats, each with a seatbelt, meaning the Discovery is licensed to carry up to four passengers. This same dinette can convert into a small second bed. And of course, both cab chairs swivel to form a four-seater dining space.
I don’t mind admitting that the layout of the Discovery M660 took me by surprise. I didn’t expect to step in to find a rear club lounge with a bed above that lowers electrically at the push of a button – such a good idea. The alternative, which I’ve seen in many motorhome layouts, is for the club lounge to convert into a bed, but a proper bed with a proper mattress is far superior. A great setup.
The bathroom is a combo unit between the club lounge and the forward dinette. It’s small but functional. While using the shower, I was reminded of why it’s so important to ensure a van is level first as water pooled away from the drain. Mid-shower, I had to dress and move the vehicle. My own silly fault.
Actually, it all worked very well. I was impressed with the simplicity of everything. There is a bank of clearly-labelled switches above the dinette. Want to turn on the 20L gas hot water service? Flick that switch. The water pump or the TV? Same again.
The fridge on this van is a 130L under-bench compressor unit. There’s a 3.4kW reverse-cycle air-conditioner, a 20L microwave, a four-burner cooktop with griller, an 18.5in TV/DVD combo, a monitor for the 92L fresh water and 92L grey water tanks, and numerous storage options throughout, including in the Luton peak. Now, this Luton peak isn’t designed as a bed; rather, it’s for general storage. Small side benefit: no fear of accidentally banging your head as you move from the driver’s cab to the living quarters, as I’ve done many times in the past in motorhomes.
With a relatively low fresh water capacity, and a single 100Ah AGM deep-cycle battery plus a 190W solar panel, these vehicles are designed primarily for caravan park stays, though a night or two off-grid would be perfectly fine.
The interior construction was described to me by Apollo as ‘rental grade’. That’s not a criticism – actually, in this context, it’s the opposite. It means it was built to withstand a few knocks, and I think that’s a fair statement. Given the vehicle had done about 120,000km by the time I climbed aboard, a hardy interior is exactly what you’d want in a pre-owned vehicle.
PAYLOAD AND PRICE
As I barrelled along the freeway out of town, sitting on a comfortable 110km/h, I couldn’t help but reflect on the beauty of motorhome travel. No need to worry about caravan sway, or negotiating tight turns at the servo pump. The Discovery was loaded up with some cutlery and plates, but the rattles and bangs from the living quarters as I drove was minimal.
The Tare of the Discovery is 2954kg (with empty reservoirs and 10L of diesel), while the GVM is 3550kg. That puts it well within spec of a standard driver’s licence, but it does limit payload – which includes the body weight of passengers – to slightly less than 500kg. Much depends on how you travel, the number of passengers, etc.
Externally, the Discovery M660 comes with a 3.6m wind-out awning, a pull-out entry step, one 9kg gas cylinder in an offside locker, and a slide-out stainless steel barbecue on the nearside. Just connect it to the nearby bayonet coupling to use the onboard gas supply.
We should also consider the financial proposition at play here. This pre-owned and certified Kea Discovery M660 had an asking price of $129,490. Sure, that’s still a good chunk of money, but a brand new Sprinter-based four-berth motorhome of similar dimensions and spec would easily run you close to $170,000 and beyond. If you can accept some mileage on the odometer (and 120,000km on a diesel engine that’s been routinely services and maintained isn’t particularly worrisome, in my opinion) along with a few scuff marks here and there from previous usage, the Discovery M660 becomes an attractive option. The fact that these vehicles are ready to roll, with no lengthy build times involved, is another tick in their favour.
There are numerous models and layouts within the Kea pre-owned certified RV program, so if the idea appeals but the Discovery isn’t for you, I’d encourage you to investigate further nonetheless.
SUMMING UP
There is a great deal of food for thought here. As someone who has been burned buying privately before – as I’m sure most of us have at some point – I definitely see the value in opting instead for a certified vehicle from a dealer. I know that the private market will almost always yield a better upfront cost, but the seller also has every legal right to laugh in your face if you ask for a refund after the vehicle he sold you turned out to be a lemon. Once bitten, twice shy.
Beyond the confidence factor, the vehicles have been refurbished by professionals rather than by Joe Blow who’s trying to offload his problem onto an unsuspecting buyer. I had a great long weekend with the Kea Discovery M660. It did everything I wanted it to… I’ll just remember to park up level next time!
KEA DISCOVERY M660 QUICK SPECS
Length: 6.6m
Height: 3.4m
Internal height: 2.05m
Width: 2.2m
Base vehicle: Mercedes Benz Sprinter
Engine: 2L four-cylinder turbodiesel
Transmission: Automatic
Driven wheels: Rear
Berths: Four
Shower: Yes
Toilet: Cassette
Microwave: 20L
TV: Yes
Hot water: 20L gas HWS
Cooking: Four-burner gas cooktop
Gas: 1x9kg
Fresh water: 92L
Grey water: 92L
Power supply: Mains and 100Ah house battery with 190W solar panel and 20A regulator, and 25A mains charger
Price as shown: $129,490
More info: www.keamotorhomes.com
