Fiat or Ford? (4 Viewers)

[Clemmo]

As the post below says we are looking for a new Motorhome.
Both have Fiat Cabs.
All my previous Mohos have been Fiat so I guess I feel an affinity to them.
It would broaden my choice if I brought Ford into the mix..
Anyone have thoughts on Ford or Fiat?
( I have sat in one..just feels different, maybe not so airy or spacious?)
Clemmo

 

[Phill D]

Personally I choose layout and payload first then see what chassis it is available on.

If what I want is on more than one chassis then it’s down to cost , reliability and personal choice for me.
I don’t think there is a lot between Fiat and Ford in either case so it’s your personal choice I guess.

 

[Guigsy]

Ford is nicer to drive and you can get the auto box for a hell of a lot less than the 9 speed on the Fiat. Fiat is generally reliable with airbags and under filled autos hitting a minority of vehicles. Ford had injector issues (is this now resolved?) and the wet belt is a potential concern.

As already mentioned, I think layout and availability are probably more important.

 

[David and Sally]

Ford is nicer to drive and you can get the auto box for a hell of a lot less than the 9 speed on the Fiat. Fiat is generally reliable with airbags and under filled autos hitting a minority of vehicles. Ford had injector issues (is this now resolved?) and the wet belt is a potential concern.

As already mentioned, I think layout and availability are probably more important.

Ditto.

 

[enark]

Ford cab layout looks very sterile imo.

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[The Wino]

Both of ours were fords but the next one could be fiat or ford. It probably won't be a mercedes as I can't see the advantage for the price difference

 

[Bognor Saint]

Our previous motorhomes have been fiats. Current one is a Ford. The Ford cab is less like a van than the fiat and has a modern layout. The auto box is also a plus. But as has been said it will be the layout of the motorhome that needs to be considered first.

 

[Pausim]

Not driven the latest Ford but the new Fiat 2.2l engine and 9 speed automatic are very much better than previous incarnations. The dash and steering are also much nicer on my Series 9, even has a readable Speedo.

 

[Jonno1103]

Pro's for the Ford... Better engines, modern widetrack moho specific chassis, higher up plate capacity without any modification, comfier driving position, decent cab equipment inc heated screen. 3 year warranty, Transit Centre service plans available. less Adblu thirst.

Cons for the Ford. Moho specific risk of internal condensation irrigating into the BCM - Ford have a fix. Condensation caused by an engine air valve can damage injector heads if the moho is used infrequently - there's a software upgrade to close said valve. towing capacity not so good, max is around 1500kg on a Roller Team. Not yet bolted to an ALKo chassis, Hymer will do this next year with Fords 10 speed auto RWD.

Pro's for the Fiat... it's more readily available due to historical popularity.

Con's for the Fiat... weak engines - the need the expensive 9 speed auto. Aged design. Aged heavy standard Fiat chassis. Possibly cost prohibitive to up plate greater than 3850kg due to the removal of a rear leaf spring replaced with an anti roll bar. 2 year warranty.

Fiat are better heavier, 180 auto on an ALKo chassis.

 

[Pocket Rocket]

Found Ford much more comfortable to drive, and driving position more adjustable compared to Fiat. We had no problems with Ford injectors, but the wet belt seems have potential for significant problems in the future (lots of makes have a wet belt, not just Ford)

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[Jonno1103]

Found Ford much more comfortable to drive, and driving position more adjustable compared to Fiat. We had no problems with Ford injectors, but the wet belt seems have potential for significant problems in the future (lots of makes have a wet belt, not just Ford)

The wet belt lifespan very much depends on who services it. Far too many independants are putting the wrong oil in them and giving them an engine flush as Ford, like most of them nowadays won't share the service data in order to keep the business 'in house'. They're also stopping recognition of engine services invoiced on paper too. Oil life is becoming a thing now too, again with many manufacturers unwilling to release how to reset it.

The auto industry is getting it's elbows out.

 

[Hettie's Crew]

Wet belt issue puts me off the Ford regardless of any other potential benefits.

 

[Brains]

If you intend on fitting a tow bar, take a close look at the Fords, as the newer ones have tiny tow capacities (750kg max, which rules out anything bigger than a motorbike )

 

[maison]

The injector problems on the Ford, experienced by my neighbour, means I would never buy one. His motorhome, at 4.5 years old and 12,500 miles, requires a new engine at approx. £10k as a result.

Despite the fact that it has been diagnosed as a result of the faulty injectors Ford will not contribute to the cost.

 

[CazPaul]

The injector problems on the Ford, experienced by my neighbour, means I would never buy one. His motorhome, at 4.5 years old and 12,500 miles, requires a new engine at approx. £10k as a result.

Despite the fact that it has been diagnosed as a result of the faulty injectors Ford will not contribute to the cost.

Wow that must be sickening for him.

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[PeterCarole29]

Aren,t the fords the ones that are easily stolen by professional

 

[WASPES]

I have had fiat's and peugeot on my last vans this is my sixth van, and hopefully my last it's a Ford 170hp auto and its got to be the most comfiest van to drive, the auto is excellent you can tow a ton with it it has bags of power and so far it returning 29 to the gallon with 6000 on the clock.

 

[dunnah01]

Can't get over the fugly Ford front end made to accommodate some 1950's American small block cast iron longitudinal lump or something so Fiat for me

 

[maison]

Wow that must be sickening for him.

He is having the engine rebuilt, at a cost of just over £3k, then he intends to sell it and give up motorhoming.

 

[Steve N Tracy]

Is the not a chassis recall on Fords due to faulty welds?
https://car-recalls.eu/ford-transit-defective-weld-seams-frame-kba/

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[Garfields]

Wet belt issue puts me off the Ford regardless of any other potential benefits.

I think the belt issues is the big one. I know Fiats have there own issues as well.
Have a look on the Transit forums.

 

[Derbyshire wanderer]

They are both lovely to drive in auto form (Ford 6 speed and Fiat 9 speed) but the Ford can be more expensive to insure as it’s security isn’t ideal and the spares market for stolen parts is thriving.
As for engine issues, there isn’t really a lot between them. My 68 plate Ford Custom auto work van has done 68k trouble free miles except a yearly service and a few sets of brake pads. Saying that I won’t have one as a motorhome as the worry of theft is higher than Fiat for me.

 

[pappajohn]

Ford has the dubious honour of having THE most stolen van ever and are doing very little about it.
You can buy the kit on ebay to plug into the OBD socket and start the van.

 

[Saucer]

Somewhat relatedly I had a problem with an SMAX just out of warranty (some years ago). It needed a new dual mass fly wheel which was an expensive job, and a know issue in fords at that time. Ford were completely unsympathetic and I had it done independently. Having said the car was fine for years after

 

[Stoosal]

according to fleet news the most stolen van last year was the Merc sprinter with 7.62 per 1000 compared to 5.2 for transit.

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[Soycd]

I know at least one insurance company who as if the base vehicle is Ford. Maybe something to do with being easier to steal. We've had one Ford, five Fiat, so sort of got used the the Fiat.

 

[SVMC15]

Not experienced ford MHs. I do have the pleasure of driving a minibus occasionally. I'm not overly impressed with the engine capability, compared to my fiat 3.5t MH (2.3l 96kw) the ford minibus carrying 6 adults was poor (2.0l 96kw).

Also 22 plate ford vans had issues with adblue. I believe it is sorted now. I have heard of the theft issues but this was a while ago.

 

[Pausim]

The new 2.2l Fiat engine has only been appearing in motorhomes for about 2 years. It is a lot nicer to drive than the older 2.3l. The 9 speed auto appeared before the new engine.

 

[Old Gibber]

Not sure the wet belt is really an issue with Fords, after all Fiats need the timing belt changing too, and at the same age.
The Ford issue with injectors seems to have been solved with a software update and a change of make of injectors.
The Ford is far quieter to drive, the Fiat sounds like an old tractor.
On my Fiat, the cruise control is awful, it will allow the speed to drift by as much as 5mph.
The Ford can be uprated to 4200kg without any modifications, whereas the standard Fiat chassis can only be uprated to 3850kg unless suspension and tyres are uprated.
For some reason the Ford auto is not suitable for towing anything above 750kg.
The Ford steering wheel has a tilt function, the Fiat does not.
The theft issue was sorted years ago with a change of door locks, Fiats are just as likely to be stolen these days.

 

[Guigsy]

Not sure the wet belt is really an issue with Fords, after all Fiats need the timing belt changing too, and at the same age.
The Ford issue with injectors seems to have been solved with a software update and a change of make of injectors.
The Ford is far quieter to drive, the Fiat sounds like an old tractor.
On my Fiat, the cruise control is awful, it will allow the speed to drift by as much as 5mph.
The Ford can be uprated to 4200kg without any modifications, whereas the standard Fiat chassis can only be uprated to 3850kg unless suspension and tyres are uprated.
For some reason the Ford auto is not suitable for towing anything above 750kg.
The Ford steering wheel has a tilt function, the Fiat does not.
The theft issue was sorted years ago with a change of door locks, Fiats are just as likely to be stolen these days.

The issue is that wet belts have been failing far earlier than their recommended change mileage/age. They shed bits into the oil and clog the pickup, starving the engine. There are class suits for the smaller engines that use the same technology. And changing a wet belt it is far harder than an external belt.