One of the many reasons I like pre-owned Coachmans is that few of them are in poor condition – they tend to be owned by careful users, which is great news if you’re planning on buying a secondhand caravan.

Quality is also second to none in these supremely well built caravans. This does mean they aren’t lightweights, so you need a hefty car to tow them.

Here, I’m taking a look at an excellent example from the 2016 season, the Coachman Pastiche 520/4, when this hugely successful range was a few years away from being replaced by the Acadia, which is still about today, through tourers such as the Coachman Acadia 460.

The 2016 Pastiche came with new exterior graphics and soft furnishings, but the big news was the arrival of Alde heating. A new wood finish also gave the range a fresher look.

Daylight streaming into the lounge area
Lounge is bright and airy thanks to large sunroof and windows

The 520/4 end-washroom four-berth was a popular layout for those who were looking for a caravan for couples. This model has a large lounge and side kitchen, with a single dinette opposite.

Model history

The Pastiche appeared in 2000 and soon became a bestseller, a top choice for caravanners seeking a well-planned tourer with a good spec. The range had a good choice of caravan layouts, with more added over the years.

The 520/4, launched in 2000, remained part of the line-up until the Pastiche was replaced by the Acadia in 2019.

The kitchen in the 2016 Pastiche 520/4
Generous worktop above the 113-litre Thetford fridge

The six layouts for the 2016 season included the 470/4, with a front lounge, side dinette and end washroom. Two other models, the 560 and the 575, had fixed beds, while the 565 had twin single beds and an end washroom.

The 520/4 came with good spec, including Alde heating, an alarm, ATC, a gas barbecue point, an exterior mains socket, a Vision TV aerial, a radio, an 800W microwave, a 113-litre Thetford fridge and a dual-fuel hob and full oven, features which could be a popular choice for those on the hunt for the best 4 berth caravan.

The toilet, chrome radiator and handbasin in the washroom
For 2016, the end washroom had a chrome radiator fitted with the Alde heating system

What to pay for a 2016 Coachman Pastiche

The price of this 520/4 had been dropped to £15,249, but checking around the dealers, I found prices ranging from £14,495 to £16,995.

So it’s definitely worthwhile to shop around, but make sure you are not too far away from your chosen dealer, otherwise if any problems were to arise, you could be facing long trips to get warranty work done.

For the rest of the range, you can expect to pay:

  • 460/2: £14,950-£15,295
  • 470/4: £16,995-£17,295
  • 560/4: £15,995-£17,595
  • 565/4: £17,495-£17,995
  • 575/4: £17,995-£18,495

Alternative models to the 2016 Coachman Pastiche 520/4

For couples who are looking for a four berth tourer with fixed beds instead, the 2016 Bailey Pegasus Modena could be an attractive choice, coming with a thoughtful design and providing plenty of comfort.

Alternatively, if you’d be happy with two berths instead, the 2014 Swift Challenger 480 SE could tick the box, offering caravanners an excellent spec that includes Alde heating.

What to look out for in a 2016 Coachman Pastiche 520/4

  • Fridge operating as it should (there have been some issues with circuit boards)
  • Problems with 12V electrics
  • Water ingress on side wall (potential leaks via awning rail)
  • Wallboard tape coming away
  • Good support in mattresses on fixed-bed models
  • Scuffs on alloys and tyres
  • Damage to kitchen sink
Checking the wallboard tape
Wallboard tape can come away, so inspect it carefully; it can be repaired if needed

Verdict on the 2016 Coachman Pastiche 520/4

The Pastiche remains popular among caravanners, as a quality tourer that’s practical and well equipped. Coachman vans tend to be well looked after, and this 520/4 was no exception.

The layout would be ideal for couples, providing a spacious end washroom and side dinette, a superb kitchen and excellent storage. The 520/4 would make a very attractive pre-owned buy, especially as this one was in such good condition. All in all, just what you would expect from an upmarket brand.

Technical spec

  • Berths: 4
  • MiRO: 1316kg
  • Payload: 149kg
  • MTPLM: 1465kg
  • Internal length: 5.29m
  • Width: 2.26m

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