Auto-Sleeper M-Star high-top campervan

Auto-Sleepers’ biggest and most expensive campervan ever even comes with Alde heating

Words and photos: Peter Vaughan

The Auto-Sleeper M-Star

You could see the Mercedes M-Star as a significant departure from Auto-Sleepers’ usual fare, at over three-quarters of a metre longer than its largest current campervans and around £40k more expensive (comparing base prices). It even eschews the marque’s traditional Cotswold village names. But, in many ways, it is also a logical extension of the range – a range that already includes a quintet of Merc-based coachbuilts but has never previously included a Sprinter van conversion.

The M-Star is over 7m long, so it’s a significantly larger vehicle than not only Auto-Sleepers’ Peugeot-based campervans but most other mainstream van-based models, too. It also has to come with a 3,880kg maximum gross weight (requiring a C1 category on your licence) to achieve a practical payload. 

The options

Its £125,000 price tag might herald a sharp intake of breath but it reflects the prestige of the three-pointed star and, perhaps more importantly, the fully loaded specification here. 

For once, this is a test vehicle where what you see is what you get – as standard. There simply isn’t an options list, although you can select the external colour (metallic paint, of course). The standard upholstery fabric is leather, though you can choose fabric upholstery as a no-cost option.

And, while the M-Star takes up station as the company’s new flagship, it also adopts some key Auto-Sleeper themes, such as the automotive-style glazing (seen on all its Peugeot campervans), and the rear lounge layout (like an XXL version of the Warwick XL).

The exterior

It’s rare for a test campervan to attract as much attention – and positive comment – on site as this, but there’s no denying that the M-Star is a handsome bit of kit. 

With its Mercedes-Benz alloy wheels, dark blue paint and privacy glass – plus graphics that are not overdone – it has a suitably premium appearance. There are other upmarket touches, too, such as the chrome bars on the grille and the illuminated step at the sliding door, which has a soft-close function. I’m not so sure about the shiny door handles, though!

You certainly won’t be disappointed with a spec list that includes an external barbecue point, a Thule roll-out awning, TV aerial and 120W solar panel. Even the Truma Aventa habitation air-con is standard, as is a 30-litre underslung LPG tank.

Also under the campervan are a full-sized spare wheel and the fresh and waste water tanks. Both tanks are heated but the former is a tad smaller than we’d have hoped (70 litres), and the latter hangs quite low and has a fiddly drain tap.

Perhaps the most important external feature, however, is the heavily tinted glazing. Single-skin glass, rather than the typical double-glazed plastic, it is probably better for security and plays a key role in the styling, so, although all of it is fixed, the campervan has full climate control throughout so you can set the Alde system to adjust accordingly to your desired temperature – if it gets too hot the air-con will kick in and if it gets too cold the heating will kick in, so you’ll be comfortable whatever the weather. Also there are the back doors and sliding door which you can obviously open if you prefer natural air for ventilation.

The drive

If the windows endow the M-Star with a more automotive appearance, there’s also less of a van vibe to the drive. Our prototype test vehicle had the outgoing 2.1-litre 163bhp motor, which will be replaced in production M-Stars by the new 2-litre, 170bhp engine, which is lighter and more efficient, as well as being more refined. 

Not that this example seemed lacking in that department, still boasting the smoothness and sophistication you’d expect from Mercedes-Benz. Driver appeal will be a big factor in this Auto-Sleeper because it feels like a much more expensive vehicle than a Peugeot Boxer from behind its (multi-adjustable, leather-trimmed) wheel. 

That starts with the heated leather cab seats with tilt and height adjustment and even extendable squabs for those with long legs (pity there’s just a single armrest apiece, though). 

Then there’s the MBUX display (just the 7in version here), which will include sat-nav and the reversing camera display on production models. But it’s the combination of a smooth ride, effortless performance and slick automatic gearbox that’s the winner.

Except when parking or manoeuvring, you don’t notice the extra length – in fact, the long wheelbase (in combination with Crosswind Assist) helps with stability. But you do notice the reduced width compared with 7m coachbuilts – a real boon. And very few motorhomes of this size come close in respect of on-road noise – the Merc cab is quiet and Auto-Sleepers has done a decent job in restricting rattles from the rear. 

The interior 

You can easily walk through from the cab to the living area as there’s full headroom throughout. Auto-Sleepers has aesthetically integrated the cab, too, with added storage above the windscreen (the side pockets could do with retaining nets). 

Alternatively, you can enter the habitation area from the side or rear doors. Open the supersized side slider and you’re not faced by the back of the kitchen, as you might have expected, but a generous open floor area with the washroom beyond (and a large wall mirror to check your attire). 

Dog owners, in particular, will appreciate the extra floor space, while humans will find that the auto-retract step, plus a further inboard step, makes access easy.

It’s a bit more of a climb if you go around to the back but the full-height doors swing right around to create a wonderfully open feeling in the end lounge on a fine day – just be ready to catch the armrest cushions as they inevitably make a bid for freedom! 

The lounge

Once inside with the doors closed, the M-Star’s lounge didn’t seem as dark as I’d feared and it obviously avoids any goldfish bowl feeling – some will like the added privacy. The large Heki rooflight (the cheaper push-up type) helps with daylight, of course, and the ambient strip lights over the top lockers are a must to brighten the interior. The test was carried out in bright spring weather, too.

Another issue inherent with the Mercedes base vehicle is its narrowness at roof level (the Boxer and Ducato have much squarer sides), but Auto-Sleepers seems to have cleverly overcome this with the concave shape of the top lockers.

That’s just one aspect of a lounge that is at the heart of the M-Star’s appeal and builds on Auto-Sleepers’ expertise in traditional two-berth layouts.

The sofas are finished in leather (cloth can be ordered if you prefer), the blinds are the pleated type, the walls are panelled to feel more like a coachbuilt motorhome, there are curtains for a homely feel and a quartet of  mini reading lights can be repositioned at will. 

There’s a plethora of USB ports (A and C), too, and a 19.5in Avtex TV that comes with a soundbar and can be pushed up into its own hidey-hole cupboard. 

What matters most is that this is a very comfortable – and spacious – place to relax, whether you’re sitting upright or sprawling. I can’t help feeling that you don’t need four scatter cushions and four armrests – I’d probably leave two of each at home – but they’re probably there for showroom appeal.

What you do need is the option to use both of the small island-leg tables simultaneously in the stern. Currently, there are sockets for just one table leg in the cab and one at the rear, and the tables’ 41cm by 55cm size isn’t sufficient for two diners without deploying both.

Alde heating

That should be easily resolved with the second rear table leg slot that is being considered for production models and, crucially, the M-Star also has a real USP – Alde heating. 

Rare, except in the most expensive motorhomes, this is a unique find in a British campervan. It gives a more domestic feel, thanks to its radiator-based system, while switchable fans can be used to boost heat at the (cooler) front of the campervan. 

Here, it also comes with the Alde Flow boiler that provides constant hot water at a rate of up to 3.5 litres per minute.

Above the Alde controls in the lounge, you’ll also find Auto-Sleepers’ new touchscreen for lights, water levels, battery condition, solar input, internal and external temperatures, etc – all very clearly displayed.

The beds

At night you can use the settees as single beds or pull out their slatted bases to form a double (with the two thin backrest cushions one atop t’other in the centre). 

Because of the knee rolls, and the fact that you’ll probably want to sleep on cloth rather than leather, it’s best to turn the settee cushions over at night.

Whether you snooze together or apart, mattress lengths are 1.86m (increasing to 1.94m if you measure across the gap to the back doors). Bedding storage is catered for in the offside sofa (alongside the Alde unit), while the large nearside settee base is completely free for outdoor gear.

The kitchen

If the rear lounge is as British as a Sunday lunch, then the kitchen provides the wherewithal to create such a meal. 

The Thetford cooker is the type infrequently seen outside of upmarket UK coachbuilts and comes with a mains hotplate, three gas rings and a separate oven and grill. There’s an extractor hood above and, as if that’s not enough, you get a fitted microwave opposite (over the fridge).

The latter sometimes plays second fiddle in British campervans but not here – this compressor model has a 154-litre capacity and can be opened from either side.

At first, you might think that it’s worktop space that’s lacking but that, too, comes in spades. Alongside the hob, a panel folds down from the wall, while, at the forward end of the galley, an even larger worktop hinges  up with a neat one-handed operation.

Storage for food and utensils is hardly parsimonious, either, and includes plate racks and a set of crystal wine glasses – very Auto-Sleepers. 

Our only gripe is the lack of drawers – the small plastic cutlery holder is not befitting a vehicle of this price and the low-level storage would be much easier to reach if drawers replaced cupboards.

The washroom

Storage is more of an issue in the washroom, because there’s just one small top-level cupboard. However, you’ll live with that because the rest of the ablutions zone is spot on. Open the door and you’re faced by a swivel cassette loo and a window that will, surely, always have its blind closed. 

There’s a towel rail above the Alde radiator, a robe hook on the door, a loo roll holder and even a toilet brush, but do note that you step up into this area, so headroom reduces to 1.80m (it’s up to 1.88m elsewhere).

To the left is the separate wet zone, with the basin and shower – and a bit more headroom as the shower tray is lower than the toilet area floor. The basin isn’t terribly big but the shower is as good as in any comparably priced bigger motorhome. 

The sliding bifold door closes off the compartment and the Alde Flow system works really well to give a steady flow of hot water. There’s a holder for your gel and a roof vent to let out the steam, so just don’t stay in here too long as those water tank capacities aren’t huge! 

Then, when you’re getting dressed, you’ll find a generous wardrobe alongside the fridge. Hanging height is 1.23m but tables and legs also store here, so the latter may be awkward to reach if you’ve filled the space with your finest attire.

Motorhome supplied by Auto-Sleepers Ltd
auto-sleepers.com

Insurance: £848.60
Tel: 0800 975 1307
shieldtotalinsurance.co.uk
For quote details: motorhome.ma/QuoteInfo

Where to buy

The Auto-Sleepers M-Star is available from Marquis’ 13 dealers and selected Auto-Sleepers dealers – please check with your local Auto-Sleepers dealer for stock.

<p>Fellow campers who saw the M-Star didn&rsquo;t seem surprised by its cost &ndash; perhaps that&rsquo;s the Merc factor, or the fact that this new model simply looks like a truly premium-priced campervan. It certainly has the kit &ndash; and the driver appeal &ndash; to go with the substantial price tag. The lounge, kitchen and washroom all score well here, but be sure you can live with the fixed windows throughout.</p>