Fiat Ducato Base 2.3 130bhp vs 150bhp (1 Viewer)

[Jill]

Hello, Mr Jill here....

I'm about to part with a lot of money to buy my third motorhome, considering a 130 or 150 bhp Fiat engine in a low profile. I'm curious as to whether these engines are fuel efficient and what mpg average am I likely to return on a long run.

My previous vehicles have been Fords with overhead cabs and have been very torque'y (140bhp) and have been pleased with the performance but not mpg!

In your opinion (Fiat owners) will I happy with the new 2.3 130bhp or should I go 150?

TIA, Paul

 

[Clarky]

All depends on the size and weight of the vehicle surely, plus how you drive.
Under 3.5t and the 130 might be enough, anything over then I would go for the 150bhp.

I've had 3 vans all with 150bhp Fiat engines and have always got 25-26mpg. Present van is an A Class 4.5t and it is on 25.5mpg (accurate measurement by logging every fill on a phone app) over the last 12k miles or so. Also, I don't do dawdling.

Richard.

 

[Jill]

Thanks Clarky.

It's a Burstner 3850kg and we mostly tootle 50-60mph unless in a hurry.

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[Terry]

Hi expect 26/29 mpg on either engine.I would always go for the bigger BHP but either has plenty of power and you will only have to change down on the longest/steepest of hills

 

[Clarky]

Thanks Clarky.

It's a Burstner 3850kg and we mostly tootle 50-60mph unless in a hurry.

That would mean 150bhp for me I think. That extra grunt for pulling away and in hilly terrain would be useful.
Also worth considering Comfortmatic auto gearbox too. Essential if you spend a lot of time in France, the world champions at building roundabouts.

Richard.

 

[mikebeaches]

I guess this is one of those questions the response to which will depend entirely on each person's choice of engine and view on the matter.

We have a pvc and travel at close to maximum weight of 3,500kg. The van has got the 2.3 litre, 130 hp engine and comfortmatic gearbox. It's our third Ducato with the same engine and output, but first with the semi-auto gearbox - the previous two vans were coachbuilts.

130 hp has proved adequate for us and performs well, with plenty of pulling power. Last summer, took us fully loaded over Austria's highest mountain pass - Grossglockner - at about 8, 250 feet above sea level without drama.

Fuel consumption is between 29 and 31 mpg, depending on conditions and how heavy the right foot is pressing on the loud pedal - we normally cruise at close to 70 mph on the motorway.

I guess the 150 hp would provide a bit of extra oomph, but we're comfortable with the 130 hp.

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[Hettie's Crew]

Our previous Euro 4 130 was on average 2-3mpg worse than our current Euro 5 150, though our current one is heavier and less aerodynamic. We average 29/30mpg.

 

[WillH]

Another vote for the 2.3/130, I have more than adequate power loaded to 3500kg max and still achieve 30-31 mpg.

 

[Larrynwin]

Our Fiat150 auto a class Hymer tankful to tankful returns 27mpg at 55/60 mph.

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[ABZSteve]

First Moho 2015 Ducato, 3500kg, uplated to 3650kg. I selected 150BHP and comfortmatic, averaged 25.5 (computer) over 9,000 miles; mostly short distances
Second Moho 2018 Ducato, 3500kg, uplated to 3850kg. I again selected 150BHP and comfortmatic, only done about 450 miles so far so not enough to provide a good average mpg.
I would think the extra bhp and comfortmatic would be an advantage to you and the cost upgrade is negligible compared to the overall cost.

 

[Addie]

I can't comment on fuel as I have always been of the mindset 'it does what it does' however having bought a Multijet2 130bhp on a panel van conversion I wouldn't dream of having anything less than the 150bhp on a coachbuilt. This is coming from having both the first 2.3 120bhp engine in a panel van and a 2.3 130bhp Euro 4 engine in a 7m coachbuilt both of which were fine.

The power band on the 130bhp Euro 6 vs the Euro 5 is very narrow peak torque is between 1750 and 2250rpm vs 1500-2750 on the Euro 5 150bhp or 1500-2250rpm on the current Euro 6 150bhp.
Don't get me wrong, on the flat it's a very capable engine, however, pulling ~ 3.3ton in my case up an incline (eg Sutton Bank!) or tackling parts of the M62 can be a bit frustrating in the 7,000 miles I've done in the last 12 months.

The Euro 6 engine has been mapped for emissions, to meet the Euro 6 standard without the addition of Adblue. A remapped 130bhp would be a different beast, but something to consider after the warranty has expired. The biggest loss to the Ducato range was the 3.0 180bhp Euro 5 engine.

 

[Driventemple]

Recently taken delivery of a PVC 150 engine. Only covered 2500 miles (in France) so far but consumption has averaged 30mpg (brim to brim, recorded in Excel)!
The 150 is a joy to drive, very flexible and in albeit a short ownership, I am delighted.

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[Blue Knight]

Paul,

We went from a 130 E5 coachbuilt weighing 3.5T (26mpg) to a 150 E6 (29mpg) running the same weight and there is quite an improvemet in performance.

It's not an exact comparison (i.e. E5 to E6) but we are certainly happy with the 150BHP lump.

Cheers,

Andrew

 

[Christoph]

The 150 is what we have on a 3.5t Chausson. Very good power and around 27 - 30 mpg

 

[Camdoon]

150 - you know it will make you happier .

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[soreeyes]

I went for the upgrade to 150 hp and comfortmatic and glad I did .

At 3500 kg it can climb Sutton bank happily .

 

[Minxy]

We had a 3500kg 6.0m PVC with the 2.3 130bhp engine and it was good, we then got a 3500kg 6.36 PVC with the 2.3 150bhp (Euro 5) engine which we uprated to 4250kg and even when no more 'kit' taken we certainly noticed the difference, out new one is a 2.30 150bhp (Euro 6) and we haven't really used it yet (still fettling!), but expect that to be even better. Certainly wouldn't go for anything less that 150bhp now.

As you've been used to a 140bhp Ford which is a good engine I think you'll notice the difference if you got for the lower powered 130bhp engine.

 

[Just smiffy]

We have 2.3 150bhp comformatic euro5 4.25t .... I would recommend more power. We’ve had it 15mths now and just coming up to putting 20k on the 35k when bought s/h and we get a steady 30mpg at 50-60 as we enjoy the scenery..

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[Wh05apk]

We have an a class with 130, about 3500kg laden, and I wouldn't go near 130 again, any headwind or gradient and it struggles. Despite being new, we have had a tuning box fitted, it helps but is still no sports car.

 

[Larby]

All depends on the size and weight of the vehicle surely, plus how you drive.
Under 3.5t and the 130 might be enough, anything over then I would go for the 150bhp.

I've had 3 vans all with 150bhp Fiat engines and have always got 25-26mpg. Present van is an A Class 4.5t and it is on 25.5mpg (accurate measurement by logging every fill on a phone app) over the last 12k miles or so. Also, I don't do dawdling.

Richard.

He is light on the brakes though.
I happened to buy his previous Autotrail Delaware from a dealer.
Having now had the MH for 3 years and toured Brittany and recently winding lanes in Devon last week, I thought it best to check brake pads before next trip to France. Got son to get some new ones. Now over 40k on clock, wheels off, pads (Brembo) showed no signs of wear so wheels back on, pads returned.

 

[MikeD]

We have had a Autotrail at around 4 tonnes with a 130hp engine and now a IH PVC with the 150 hp engine. The IH is probably a bit over weight at around 3600kg.

For me the 130 hp engine was geared to how I like to drive. Happy at around 55 mph and would dig in and drag it self up most hills.

Our 150hp seems to want to be above 2000rpm so it wants to cruise at around 60 plus mph. If your below that the computer says change down a gear.

Much more speed than I want to do. Winding motorways with a few hills mean 5th gear - hate that!

Mountains in Spain may mean third or fourth all day and for me lots of un necessary gear changing.

I appreciate the torque figures do not support this but it is how I feel about how they drive in real world situations.

I would be happy to go back to 130hp. But I have not driven the 3 litre. - lol

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[Clarky]

He is light on the brakes though.
I happened to buy his previous Autotrail Delaware from a dealer.
Having now had the MH for 3 years and toured Brittany and recently winding lanes in Devon last week, I thought it best to check brake pads before next trip to France. Got son to get some new ones. Now over 40k on clock, wheels off, pads (Brembo) showed no signs of wear so wheels back on, pads returned.

So glad to hear that you are still enjoying the 'old girl'.
I have always been light on the brakes as every time you hit the brake pedal you have wasted fuel IMHO. Don't think there is anyone called Hymie in my family but I don't like wasting money on expensive fuel.
Still only 40k on the clock????? What are you waiting for? Our new van has almost that in 3 years.

Richard.

 

[Chockswahay]

We had a 130 HP Globecar PVC for 3years and averaged 38 MPG over nearly 40000 miles.

On a long run we usually expected to see 40 to 45 MPG

All driving gently and cruising at around 55 MPH (where’s the fire?)

 

[jezport]

We have an extra high top PVC at 4500kg and get 27 to 32MPG out of the 150BHP

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[gerry mcg]

I have the 150hp Euro6 engine with comformatic gearbox in our 2017 H3 (extra high) 5.99m 3500kg PVC chassis Globecar 600L revolution. We have 10K miles on it now and find it excellent, but it is the first van i have owned, so can't really compare. fuel is about 26mpg which is a bit disappointing, but i suspect some of that is due to aerodynamic drag from the high van roof .

our dealer in Germany (Duemo in Dulmen) recommended the 150hp upgrade from the 130Hp engine.

 

[jezport]

I have the 150hp Euro6 engine with comformatic gearbox in our 2017 H3 (extra high) 5.99m 3500kg PVC chassis Globecar 600L revolution. We have 10K miles on it now and find it excellent, but it is the first van i have owned, so can't really compare. fuel is about 26mpg which is a bit disappointing, but i suspect some of that is due to aerodynamic drag from the high van roof .

our dealer in Germany (Duemo in Dulmen) recommended the 150hp upgrade from the 130Hp engine.

Is it the comfortmatic is less economical than a manual, or is it the euro 6 that's less economical than the euro5? The only time we average near 26MPG is when all 4 of us plus loads of gear is onboard and we are doing steep hills.

 

[Jill]

We have had a Autotrail at around 4 tonnes with a 130hp engine and now a IH PVC with the 150 hp engine. The IH is probably a bit over weight at around 3600kg.

For me the 130 hp engine was geared to how I like to drive. Happy at around 55 mph and would dig in and drag it self up most hills.

Our 150hp seems to want to be above 2000rpm so it wants to cruise at around 60 plus mph. If your below that the computer says change down a gear.

Much more speed than I want to do. Winding motorways with a few hills mean 5th gear - hate that!

Mountains in Spain may mean third or fourth all day and for me lots of un necessary gear changing.

I appreciate the torque figures do not support this but it is how I feel about how they drive in real world situations.

I would be happy to go back to 130hp. But I have not driven the 3 litre. - lol

Now I'm in a quandary! What you've said makes perfect sense. I've just purchased a new Ford Transit custom and its got very high gearing and to make the fuel figures I guess it relies on 6th gear at over 55 mph to obtain these. But unlike the mh I don't mind hoofing it up to speed locally.
I'm hopefully going to test drive a 130, but struggling to be able to test a 150 - the dealers are a bit reluctant to put trade plates on it for 10 miles! Parting with over 60k you'd think they'd show a bit of sympathy.

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[Deneb]

Our 150hp seems to want to be above 2000rpm so it wants to cruise at around 60 plus mph. If your below that the computer says change down a gear.

Much more speed than I want to do. Winding motorways with a few hills mean 5th gear - hate that!

Is that a Euro 5 or 6?

We have a Euro 5+ PVC with the 150 engine and it pulls like a train (after the first few thousand miles, during which it seemed gutless, but as it was run it in really came on song).

I normally trundle around in 6th at just over 2000 rpm, to ensure that DPF regens will complete as much as I can, but as I say it pulls like a train, very rarely have to change down on motorway trips - pulls quite happily up and over Shap summit on the M6 for example in 6th at around 60-65mph. And I get 32-36 mpg, quite happy.

 

[gerry mcg]

Is it the comfortmatic is less economical than a manual, or is it the euro 6 that's less economical than the euro5? The only time we average near 26MPG is when all 4 of us plus loads of gear is onboard and we are doing steep hills.

Comformatic gearbox should make no difference as it is just a robotised manual.
Maybe a Euro6 issue or how (I drive it)

 

[MikeD]

Is that a Euro 5 or 6?

We have a Euro 5 PVC. 14000miles on the clock.

And I agree over 2000rpm it pulls really well.

But I am a bit of a old plodder now and don't really want to drive over 60mph in the motorhome. Hardly do in a car nowadays.

My days of having to be at the other side of the country by 10 o'clock and eating breakfast/lunch in the fast lane of the motorway are long gone.

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