Benimar Primero 283 motorhome

Berths: 2+1 Travel seats: 4 Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato Gross weight: 3,500kg Payload: 870kg

Coming in at a smidge under the magic six-metre mark, this new Benimar Primero 283 looks every centimetre the typical continental low-profile from the outside. But one important feature starts the story of a surprisingly non-continental interior. And that feature is the habitation door, which is on the UK nearside.

The Primero is new to Benimar for the coming season and aimed at the value end of the market. Significantly cheaper than the existing Mileo range, it should compete directly with similar models from the likes of Bailey (Advance), Elddis (Autoquest and Accordo), Lunar (Cassini) and Swift (Escape) as well as budget-priced imports from the likes of Chausson, Rimor and Roller Team.

The Primero is underpinned by Fiat’s lower Camper chassis, so the rear axle has a wider track than the bog-standard Ducato item. Meanwhile, up front, it’s the 130bhp engine that provides motivation. And this is the only engine option, although Fiat’s Comfort-Matic robotised gearbox is available (a £2,100 option). But this 2.3-litre Multijet diesel engine is more than capable, though, of pushing the ’van along at all legal road speeds and in a relaxed fashion.

The good news continues, too, as, although there are deliberately few optional extras (in typical Marquis fashion), the 283 comes equipped with most of the items owners might choose from a longer list. The driving department includes a DAB radio, air-con, cruise control and the essential passenger airbag as standard. Another bonus is the addition of Traction+ to the ASR system, which should make it easier to get the ’van off a muddy pitch and keep going.

With cab seats swivelled, the front seating area has an excellent feeling of light and space. The former is thanks to the large sunroof above the cab, the latter is most likely due, in part, to the lack of a full-sized dining table. The overcab also includes some useful shelving, suitable for stowing loose items on site, and is home to reading lamps that serve each cab seat. 

The dinette also makes into a single bed, with the driver’s seat positioned facing towards the centre of the cab, a bridging section slid out from beneath the rear bench and the addition of an infill cushion completing the berth. Maximum length is achieved by removing the rear seat’s backrest but, even then, this bed is only 5ft 1in long. And owing to the bumpy nature of the cab seat base (where the sleeper’s feet rest), it is really best considered to be an occasional berth, perhaps for a grandchild.

As a lounge/diner, I found little to criticise here and much to like. The beds made from twin sofas are often some of the easiest to construct, using a simple system that sees sofa bases slide together and backrests dropped in behind to complete. The same is true here, but with minor differences. The nearside seat base is equipped with sprung slats, as you might expect, but the offside slides out to reveal a less comfy solid base. And there is just one backrest used to help make the bed, the other space being filled by the supplied pair of soft armrests. All that said, the bed is plenty long enough and wide enough to accommodate all but the largest of frame.

There is plenty of kit available to whip up a comprehensive dinner party menu. As is often the case, work surface is in short supply, although there’s a useful and strong panel that lifts up at the forward end of the unit. The three-burner hob is partnered with a circular sink that’s a good size, and, while it lacks a fixed drainer, I found a removable unit in one of the kitchen cupboards. The oven/grill is Thetford’s Duplex unit – commendably compact and yet still big enough to tackle most roasting and baking jobs. The fridge itself is a modest unit and with less capacity than you might expect in a new model. Storage provision is finished off well with two large top lockers, one of which is shelved. 

Inside the washroom, the majority of the little room is in easy-to-clean plastic. Large mirrors, good lighting, a roof vent, an opening window and nice accessories partner the practical design with semi-integral shower. The latest-model Thetford loo is a stylish beast, and here it’s mounted on a plinth that may make it a bit high for those who are short in the leg. The shower features two drains and a semi-circular rigid screen that encloses a good area, which includes the washbasin, while the tap becomes a shower head thanks to a pull-out hose fitting. All-in-all, it is a decent and practical washroom installed in a small space.

If you enjoyed this review, you can read the full version and more in the November 2018 issue of MMM magazine. You can get a digital version of this latest issue of MMM magazine here.

Compared with Benimar’s more expensive Mileo, the new Primero range is aimed at the budget end of the market. Although the specification is less comprehensive, shortcomings are few and shouldn’t compromise a comfortable motorhoming life. The 283 layout (also now available as a Mileo) is spacious and appealing but the rear storage area concept needs more work.