Fiat Ducato automatics

Neil S

Neil S

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2014
I considering a new 2018 Ducato Coachbuilt Carado motorhome the nearest dealer to me has the model I'm looking for but only with an automatic gearbox , I would prefer a manual .
Are the Ducato automatic's reliable and are they any good for towing
 
I also have a 3 litre comfortmatic 2008. I believe the new models are not the same and should be more reliable even with a smaller engine.
I too would not go back to a manual and despite lots of clutch failures on old models I'm blessed with reaching almost 55 thousand miles on original clutch and flywheel.

I would certainly not be put off!! buy it!


Re towing. These are not a torque converter auto but a robotised manual so towing should not be an issue. You can switch to manual mode if you prefer but the robot has always been good enough
 
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I have the automatic and now would not ever go back to the manual version. its a 3 litre comformatic

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I have a Hymer/Fiat ducato 150 with comfortmatic and tow a Kia Rio , no problem at all , other than my camera screen wouldn’t know it’s on the back.
 
Test drive it. We are collecting a new motorhome on Saturday with a comfortmatic gearbox, as like you, the one in stock had it. I was dubious as I had previously driven robotised manuals (BMW SMG and Audi R-Tronic) a few years ago and found them rather clunky when driving gently, although sharp when "making progress".
We had a test drive, which I went to with the expectation of being disappointed, as our current cars have a torque-converter and twin-clutch automatic respectively. I was pleasantly surprised - take-up when pulling away and manoeuvring/reversing was very smooth as were gearchanges in normal driving. If I hadn't known I would have assumed I was driving a torque-converter automatic. The only real difference to the driver is there is no "Park" setting, and I think, the need to pop it into neutral if waiting at traffic lights or stationary in a queue.
 
I have the comformatic 2.3 2016 I think it’s great but that’s my opinion. I was told they can be quite expensive when they go wrong. But everything is expensive now a days :sick:

Ian
 
hill starts are interesting with the comfortmatic
 
I use it the same as a clutch handbrake on until it starts to bite , no problem at all it’s a dream to drive when you get used to it .


Never used neutral
Ian

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As others have said, it’s more of a robotised manual than a true (torque converter) type automatic.

I have it with the 180 engine and was very apprehensive before I bought it. But it does work very well and I don’t know what I was worrying about!

It’s not as seamless as true auto and can be worrying at first as it changes 1-2 when pulling onto busy roundabouts or at junctions cos there’s a kind of pause as it changes up earlier and slower than you would normally do. By using the “up” button before you pull away it holds 1st longer, and seems to pause less as it changes into 2nd.

I don’t know how good it is towing but I wouldn’t go back to manual.
 
On our second van with a Comformatic both with the 150 engine, the latest one is defiantly better but they do need 4000 - 5000 miles on them before they start driving well. The software is set up for a fully run in engine (15000 miles). This one started getting better around 4000 last one it was about 10,000.
Hill starts not a problem just a bit bum clenching as there is a bit of a delay with the hill holder releasing, never use the handbrake. You can't left foot brake on a hill because as soon at you touch the throttle with a foot on the brake the revs drop.
As others have said wouldn't go back to a manual.
 
I think you are sensible preferring a manual gearbox, especially against the one you are considering(Not a proper auto)

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TheBig1 said:
hill starts are interesting with the comfortmatic
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I have never found a problem starting on hills, what is so interesting? Foot down with handbrake release no problem ever. I don't have assist nor need it.
 
Bear in mind that the comfortmatic adds to the cost unless there is a deal. It is a luxury extra and if the price is depressed due to difficulty convincing buyers GRAB it.

You will learn to smile approaching a traffic jam
 
Stephen Franklin said:
Test drive it. We are collecting a new motorhome on Saturday with a comfortmatic gearbox, as like you, the one in stock had it. I was dubious as I had previously driven robotised manuals (BMW SMG and Audi R-Tronic) a few years ago and found them rather clunky when driving gently, although sharp when "making progress".
We had a test drive, which I went to with the expectation of being disappointed, as our current cars have a torque-converter and twin-clutch automatic respectively. I was pleasantly surprised - take-up when pulling away and manoeuvring/reversing was very smooth as were gearchanges in normal driving. If I hadn't known I would have assumed I was driving a torque-converter automatic. The only real difference to the driver is there is no "Park" setting, and I think, the need to pop it into neutral if waiting at traffic lights or stationary in a queue.
Click to expand...
Good experience and the technology has moved on by 10 yrs from mine (y)
 
At the moment with mine I am in a quandary as I don't know and cannot predict when my dual mass flywheel and clutch might fail. I started with some slippage nearly two years ago but now always drive it in hill/heavy load mode. Why ever would you not drive in hill mode? A motorhome is equivalent to a fully loaded delivery van from day one so use it!! Still going well and rarely slips but I think I may be setting a record on mileage so far, not sure. The newer engines and comfortmatic are quite different as I understand it having learned from the years of lesser reliability.

Only one thing might hold me back on buying another van if we wanted a change. The 3 litre is now defunct so I would most likely buy an older used model.

I would add that if the van I wanted was available in a manual only I would keep looking for an auto
 
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On my second with 150BHP, 2015 and now 2018. Works really well, hill starts are so easy, it's unbelievable. I also drive a so called "proper" automatic and from a driving perspective, it is an automatic. I don't have to change the gears and I have no clutch to operate. Doubt you will not like it, good luck :cool:(y)
 
I have a 2017, 2.3, 180bhp comformatic on our Rapido tag (6t inc towing) and tow all the time, we dont have hill assist and never had an issue pulling away on a hill. I had 2 previous manual MH's, 130 and 150bhps and would now never go back to a manual. So much easier with the auto, just less to worry about. It is an expensive extra (3k on ours) but if already there then its a bonus :)
 
I was looking at one at Malvern; a new version of our current van, but was a bit put off at the thought of driving up onto ramps (Milenco Quatros). I am used to juggling throttle & clutch, not sure about just going up using throttle then hitting the brakes at the top! FWIW, I drive a Volvo auto car, so am used to autos, just not on a big, heavy van!
 
Ninovan said:
I was looking at one at Malvern; a new version of our current van, but was a bit put off at the thought of driving up onto ramps (Milenco Quatros). I am used to juggling throttle & clutch, not sure about just going up using throttle then hitting the brakes! FWIW, I drive a Volvo auto car
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Easy

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I have just bought a tag axle 3 litre with the confirmatic gearbox and taken it from 2k to 3k miles in a few weeks and just love it. My original fears totally unfounded!
 
Ninovan said:
,


Just wondering about going up the ramps trying to control the speed with the brakes. (Perhaps I'm being an old man :D)
Click to expand...
You can select manual if you prefer but rest assured it will control the clutch better than you think you can. Just stop when you're high enough but as with a real manual don't run out of ramp LOL
 
It’s easy, just cover brake pedal with left foot

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