2024 Bürstner Playa C530 Limited campervan

Few manufacturers offer a portfolio as comprehensive as Bürstners, spanning van conversions, coachbuilts and A-class motorhome. It’s nevertheless stretched its spectrum with a series of compact campervans (it prefers the term urban campers) called Playa, based on Renault’s Trafic.

An intelligent choice?

There are two models initially, 500 and the slightly longer (by around half a metre) 530. And it’s the Limited version of the latter that grabs the headlines here.

In this video we take a walkthrough the 2024 Bürstner Playa C530 Limited campervan:

Contrary to what its name suggests, the Bürstner Playa C530 Limited boasts a significantly enhanced standard specification, with upgrades including 17in Bürstner-branded black alloy wheels, wind-out awning, Webasto 2kW diesel heater, hot water system, blackout blinds for the side and rear windows, Isofix points in the rear seat, plus the Bürstner Comfort Pack (9in screen multimedia system with sat-nav, reversing camera, DAB etc; plus extra USB and 230V sockets).

There are still plenty of attractive optional extras (the Bürstner website has a very useful configurator) – the red paintwork you can see here, for example. That includes engine and automatic transmission upgrades over the standard 130bhp, manual transmission offering. UK models will be right hand drive, of course.

As ever with campervans using base vehicles with twin sliding side doors, there’s an opportunity to be more innovative, but the possibility of too much compromise.

In this respect, Bürstner has proved more than up to the challenge, coming up with a clever floorplan that includes a kitchen along the offside, rear travel seat for two, as well as a proper toilet, in a layout that allows for a full walk-through from the cab to the very back.

Bürstner hasn’t been afraid to use specialist suppliers from its native Germany for key appliances, either. The elevating roof in the Bürstner Playa C530 Limited campervan is from SCA and includes a particularly comfortable 2.27m x 1.10m double bed, thanks to Froli plastic springing. The roof itself is hinged at the front, so optimal standing room is at the back.

And the double rear seat is made by Shnierle. Key to the flexibility of the interior is this seat is on rails and can be moved to suit whether you want to optimise daytime living space or luggage carrying when travelling.

At night, it converts into a 1.88m x 0.90m bed. Bürstner also supplies extra bedding in terms of a mattress topper and a fold-up ladder, both stored behind the back seat.

Tucked along the offside of the Bürstner Playa C530 Limited campervan, the kitchen includes a typical campervan two-ring hob and sink combination, plus there’s a Dometic 47-litre compressor fridge with freezer section.

You wouldn’t expect a washroom in a campervan like this, but Bürstner again springs surprises, providing a plumbed-in swivel-bowl toilet and a flip-down handbasin in the back offside corner. You can even shower here – there’s a removable shower tray and a curtain.

Storage, so crucial in a campervan, is again very good considering the space limitations. Highlights include drawers and lockers for the kitchen and a large locker next to the back seat

Elsewhere, details range from clever touches like the Home-Light – a free-standing, portable dimmable, multi-function lamp – to a couple of scatter cushion, to 45-litre water tanks, to strip lighting on the underside of the roof bed that also incorporates movable USB portals, to a folding table that can also be used outside.

Very automotive in its styling – there are lots of greys in the interior – the Bürstner Playa C530 Limited campervan very intelligently squeezes a lot into what is a rather little base vehicle.

To find out more about insuring a Bürstner Playa C530 Limited campervan or your current motorhome visit our campervan insurance page.

Verdict: A different style of campervan from a manufacturer that isn’t afraid to push the boundaries

Plus: Brilliant use of space, top specification/value in Limited trim

Minus: Narrow lower bed

In-a-nutshell: Clever camper

Alternatives: Adria Active Duo