150hp Fiat Ducato v 160hp Mercedes 2568cc Turbo Diesel???

[In the Pink]

Good afternoon Funsters,

Your thoughts/views/experience on the pros and cons on above engines.

Looking at two very similar motorhomes, one has a Fiat engine and one a Mercedes.
No experience of either manufacturers, so any advice or guidance appreciated and experience of
service/maintenance costs. I am guessing servicing and parts will be more expensive on a Mercedes.

 

[DuxDeluxe]

I think a bigger concern is deciding between two different chassis types; one FWD and one RWD. The ride is completely different as is the traction. Just a thought

 

[In the Pink]

DuxDeluxe,

More to consider !
Can you enlighten me further re ride and traction??

 

[ambulancekidd]

I always plump for the Mercedes option. That's based on a huge amount of experience with Mercedes vehicles & my limited knowledge of Fiat.

The thing is that most of the problems that appear on these hallowed pages are about these Fiats giving up the ghost, gearboxes made of chocolate, lack of traction, dodgy dashboards, electrical maladies etc.
However, having said all of that the Fiat Ducato base is by far the most numerous supplier of base vehicles, so perhaps its unfair to judge them in this light?

 

[DuxDeluxe]

DuxDeluxe,

More to consider !
Can you enlighten me further re ride and traction??

Better traction with RWD Mercedes and the Merc has a softer ride but can wallow a bit around the bends (fixed by spending £500+/- on air assist on rear). I would go for the Merc.

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[Terry242]

I've had both and would have either again.

The Merc usually comes with an auto box which may sway you one way or other, but if looking for an 'auto' option I would pick the Merc.

As said above, the ride is markedly different. The Merc has the softer settings which gives a more cosseted ride but more wallow and sway particularly on rough ground. The Fiat has the firmer setting but can lead to a more stable feel but this can feel harsher with maybe more rattles.

As I've said, I would have either so for me its more about other factors - layout, condition, price etc.

Terry

 

[MikeD]

DuxDeluxe,

More to consider !
Can you enlighten me further re ride and traction??

We have 150bhp Fiat now and previously the 130 bhp version.

They both get stuck on damp grass with amazing regularity.

At a Funster meet the 130bhp version would not pull off on wet grass and it was pointing downhill.

 

[Flatlander]

Assuming two identical motorhomes, without question, I'd go for the Fiat. I'll explain my reasoning.

A while ago, if I remember correctly, I read that something like 85%(?) of all motorhomes were Fiat based. In turn that means every motorhome dealer anywhere has experience of them. As a bonus, there are plenty Fiat dealers about. Not only in the UK, but all over Europe. Any motorhome, no matter who manufactures it will, sooner or later, break. When that happens, it could very well be far from home. The probability of being near somewhere that can help is much greater with Fiat than others, such as Mercedes.

I do agree with what was said above. There are known faults on Fiats. If the figure of 85% is correct, then its plainly obvious that more vehicles are likely to be reported as being faulty. To put this in perspective. I have a long term friend that has a Mercedes dealership. He will not even take a Merc diesel in p/x if it has over 100k miles on it. Maybe motorhomes dont often get to this mileage, but it does bear thinking about. Or?

 

[CazPaul]

Which year are they, is the Merc an older 2.7 156bhp which were made upto 2006 and after that the new ones came out.

I thought the newer Merc from 2007 onwards were all 3 litre and 2.2 litre, now the 3 litre has been dropped too.

 

[In the Pink]

Thanks everyone for your replies so far...

CazPaul,
Its a 2006 Mercedes Sprinter 316 turbo diesel. Engine size 2568 and 160Hp

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[CazPaul]

Thanks everyone for your replies so far...

CazPaul,
Its a 2006 Mercedes Sprinter 316 turbo diesel. Engine size 2568 and 160Hp

Yes the 2.7 cdi 156 bhp one then that I mentioned, its a good engine that provided it has good history, chain driven cam. I would go for the merc any day engine wise.

 

[Speve]

Yes the 2.7 cdi 156 bhp one then that I mentioned, its a good engine that provided it has good history, chain driven cam. I would go for the merc any day engine wise.

Good engine but on the one we used to have was a bit thirsty @23 mpg.

 

[sonny]

Never mind the quality feel the width.
Very important for sleeping possibly and a firmer ride.
Sounds rude but not meant to be.

 

[CazPaul]

Good engine but on the one we used to have was a bit thirsty @23 mpg.

Not much difference really with average mileage of motorhomes.

 

[DuxDeluxe]

Good engine but on the one we used to have was a bit thirsty @23 mpg.

Not much difference really with average mileage of motorhomes.

I'd love to get that in mine but it is the 3 litre V6 pulling 5 1/2 tonnes and anyway, with the mileage covered it doesn't make a huge difference in the grand scheme of things.

The 2.7 5 cylinder motor is well proven and you don't have to worry about cam belts either. If an auto, then the sprint shift is a good system