Exporting 2007 James Cook to Canada

[lunatic]

We are planning to buy a 2007 James Cook in Europe in April to ship back to Canada.

We have confirmed that the local Mercedes garage can service the Sprinter parts. I need help finding spares for the Westfalia James Cook parts. I am planning to buy parts and ship them with the camper when it goes to Canada.

Which spare parts would you recommend I buy to ship back? I am thinking of the control panel and water pump. What else will likely break?

Can you let me know of any campervan shops that can supply me with the parts in Germany.

Thank you for your help,

Ian
Ontario, Canada

[rainerd]

Please consider that lots of Westfalia spare parts are not available anymore (like roof windows for instance). Mine is from 2007 and I had the whole plastic frames (behind the windows) on the driver side to be replaced with the newer stable fibreglass version because of cracks and water flooding (4.000€ with mounting). If your JC has still the plastic version, that needs def. to be replaced at some point. Also get some gas springs for the cabinets (if thats a problem in CAN).

[Vtxbe]

Same as Rainerd.

more : the panoramic sunroof is always a source of problem; be care to "re"glu the acrylic outside panel against the glass inside pannel ( if not done by the precedent owner )
check some posts over this subject in this forum.

have a good trip.

[lunatic]

Thanks for the good advice. I will check both those items before we buy.

What about the overhead display. Is that liable to fail?

[rainerd]

I don't think so and thats an item which can be easily shipped overseas for 20 bucks if it really breaks at some point.
Another idea would be also to get some new or spare carpets. There is a german manufacturer offering them for the JC, probably harder to get in Can.

[lunatic]

Here are some other issues.

We are looking at 2 James Cook models. One has 70,000 kms on and the other 143,000 kms. Both have had regular maintenance. The one with lower kms is EUR 10,000 more.

I have attached a few images of potential issues. Please let me know if these are of real concern.

1. Crack at side of utility centre. See at bottom left corner of image. Can this be easily fixed?
2. Rusty exhaust and maybe underside? Have not seen the rest of the underside.

Thanks!

[rainerd]

1. Crack at side of utility centre. See at bottom left corner of image. Can this be easily fixed?

No! That is exactly what I described. There will be more cracks. Everything on that side is made of plastik, also the frame behind the window of the passenger seats. There are probably also cracks. All windows on the driver side need to be removed and newer version fibreglass frames needs to be glued in (the newer james cook have this by default because it quickly became an issue and they switched from plastic to fibreglass). I payed 4000-5000€ for the whole procedure, the parts at MB are about 2.000€. This is a serious issue of quality (I mean they changed the production because of this issue) and should be part of negotiation at least.

[rainerd]

Problem with these plastik frames is not only water flooding but also the hinges of the windows and the utility centre will break. The glass of the utility centre is not available anymore. It could at some point fly away when the hinges don't last anymore, Nearly happened to me.

Here a picture were you will probably also find cracks.

[rainerd]

I can send you the invoice of my repair for negotiation. I wouldn't buy it because of that issue honestly.

[lunatic]

Good advice thanks!

I will check all the windows and frames.

What about the rusty exhaust and underneath. Any real concerns? It looks like the muffle to me and not the Mercedes body.

What are the other big items to look at on a 2007 / 2008 James Cook?

Ian

[rainerd]

What about the rusty exhaust and underneath. Any real concerns? It looks like the muffle to me and not the Mercedes body.

Exhaust is cheap and needs to be replaced anyway at some point. Hard to tell from the pictures if the body is ok. What can be seen on the pics looks good to me.

Heater is also often an issue, check if it runs frequently and over a longer time. It might run a few minutes when testing but interrupt. Check the sealing of the roof, not only the one where the roof is attached to the body but also the one in the middle of the roof. That is rotting easily, but also easy to repair. Check if the gas spring to release the bed is still working (the bed in the passenger cell, not in the top roof).

[rainerd]

Check if the floor in the shower/wc has cracks. Had to repair mine after purchase. Did it myself with fibreglass. Typical thing for any campervan after a certain age.

[lunatic]

Excellent items to check. Thanks.

Ian

[Vtxbe]

and more :

keep the following in your mind when visiting both vehicule :

all parts of the standard Mercedes could be repaired ( motor, exhaust, brakes, wheel, electronic devices )
all parts coming from Westfalia equipment are no more available ,
I would prefer a James Cook 1400.000km with working fridge than a James Cook 70.000km with a fridge out of use.

The heater could be repaired by a lot of workshop; you can buy a new one in worth case.
Plastics cracks, broken windows, broken fridge , are very bad signals; really not easy to fix.
Electric components ( battery, charger, coupler water pump, lighting , heater ) could be replaced or repaired by a medium qualified engineering
Electronic central unit and display requires a superior engineer to be repaired or to be removed and replaced by switches and relays.

This is my feeling.


PS I'm living in Belgium, I don't know how is it in Germany but in my country all M1 ( car, minibuses, vans) vehicles equal or worse than Euro4 will be forbidden on 01st Jan 2026 ; certainly some very good vehicles will be displayed on the 2nd hand market. My self, I'm very sade and anxious, I like my JC with the large bed ans so easy to drive.

[lunatic]

What year is your James Cook?

Ian