Mercedes v Fiat

[Tjn300]

Looking at two new vans with Fiat 180 Auto and Mercedes 170 auto, has anyone driving both if so which felt smoother better drive.

Have a fiat on conformatic box at present but not tried the new fiat box, price wise is very similar looks like preference to layout as different models Twin beds v Island, feels more room in island bed what’s peoples opinions moving from Island to singles.

Trevor

 

[eurajohn]

Island or singles is a matter of personal preference, we've had both and for convenience as we get older prefer the singles.
Merc of Fiat, try to get an honest idea of cost of ownership, normally suggested that Mercedes are more expensive to own and maintain, they both have their problems both with failures and supply of parts.
Some think the Mercedes badge is worth the hassle.

 

[WESTY66]

Can’t speak for the Mercedes, never driven one, although the cockpit area looks better IMO. As for beds it’s all about preference but we have twin singles and would never have an island bed, but that’s us. I do know of two Carthago C Tourer owners that are presently looking for twin singles from their present island bed, but that will be for their own reasons, not because they’re no good. Also there are more island beds for sale than twin singles in the second hand market, don’t know why but the twin beds layout gets snapped up really quick, that could be a sign
I think If I could comfortably afford to buy a new one, I think I’d try the merc, just my opinion.
Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[pagey]

Had singles now got an island bed which I prefer

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

have twin singles and would never have an island bed, but that’s us.

I suppose it depends on how much you partner likes you

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[Minxy]

Or have 2 doubles, hubby has the front drop down one and I have the rear transverse one ... Pure bliss!

 

[cyberyacht]

Perhaps the criteria should be 'how easy is it to make the bed'. My transverse Compactline is a real wrestling match to get the sheets tucked in neatly.

 

[WESTY66]

I suppose it depends on how much you partner likes you

We just find them the easiest layout to get in and out of bed for either of us!!
Crikey I’ve seen some Hymer island beds you would have to run from front of cab to jump on them!
I’m NOT the athletic type

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

I’m NOT the athletic type

Thought that

Yes some of the beds you need oxygen to get up to and then there isn’t any headroom


We have a bed in ours that goes right across the whole width and is about 2m long so plenty of room

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

Perhaps the criteria should be 'how easy is it to make the bed'. My transverse Compactline is a real wrestling match to get the sheets tucked in neatly.

As ours goes the full width you have to make the top bit first then work your way back to the end, ok once you have done it a few times

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[Minxy]

Perhaps the criteria should be 'how easy is it to make the bed'. My transverse Compactline is a real wrestling match to get the sheets tucked in neatly.

Use fully fitted bottom sheets and make your top sheets half fitted by sewing the bottom corners to make them like the fitted ones, much easier to keep in place then.

 

[Lenny HB]

Big advantage of twin singles is you get a full height garage, island beds compromise the garage unless they are in a big van like a Concorde or Morelo.
As for Fiat or Merc layout is probably more important than the cab, they all have their problems. You hear about more problems with Fiat but not surprising as a there are a lot more motorhomes on Fiat.

 

[Pausim]

Previous motorhome was a Mercedes Hymer and current one is a Fiat Carthago, both auto/comfortmatic. On balance I prefer driving the Fiat BUT the important bit is the Fiat has an Al-Ko rear chassis not a Fiat one. I am pretty sure it is the Al-Ko chassis that makes a difference and that is something that not all manufacturers use.

 

[MichaelT]

Yes some of the beds you need oxygen to get up to and then there isn’t any headroom

Why do you need headroom? Don't you lay down in bed like the rest of us?

Advantage of higher beds is big garage to store bikes (and other essential man cave stuff) but they are harder to make up.

 

[Minxy]

Why do you need headroom? Don't you lay down in bed like the rest of us?

There are some things you just shouldn't ask about... Perhaps he doesn't like putting dints in the ceiling!

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[EuroTrotters]

i ha e had three Mercedes motorhome and our current old Fiat.

The Mercedes are much better to drive in RWD form. Though the chassis can be quite narrow track. This makes them feel a bit sloppy and can be unnerving.

I also used to buy and run small fleets of Mercedes vans and light trucks.

Great when they are running, but a real PIA when they are not. Mercedes dealers are the worst I have ever had to deal with.

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

Why do you need headroom?

You know when you see a van rocking? It’s not a windy day causing it

 

[MichaelT]

You know when you see a van rocking? It’s not a windy day causing it

Thats why we fitted E&P levelling

 

[Jackd]

There are some things you just shouldn't ask about... Perhaps he doesn't like putting dints in the ceiling!

It’s nothing like that Mel.
It’s to stop him banging his head when the butler delivers his breakfast in bed.

 

[Jackd]

You know when you see a van rocking? It’s not a windy day causing it

Probably the E&P playing up

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[bladerunner]

I've had fiat tag axel FWD and Mercedes RWD.
I much prefer the Mercedes - real auto box rather than comformatic, more powerful, and RWD a boon especially as I ski from MH.
Tag more planted and secure, merc bit wobbly until semi air fitted.
FWD tag axel can struggle on wet hill starts

 

[Tjn300]

Thanks for all suggestion, we decided on Mercedes Singles looking forward to collection Mid June.

 

[Neilh]

Hi 18 months on, same question as anyone driven the Fiat 9 speed and the Merc 9 speed in similar vans. Merc charge a premium, whilst I believe the cab better, does this translate to the driving experience.

Neil

 

[Pausim]

Hi 18 months on, same question as anyone driven the Fiat 9 speed and the Merc 9 speed in similar vans. Merc charge a premium, whilst I believe the cab better, does this translate to the driving experience.

Neil

I can now update my experience having bought a 9 speed Series 9 Fiat Van Conversion. The 2015 Mercedes was good but was less stable than the 2019 Fiat/Alko and on balance I preferred the Fiat with Comfortmatic. However the 2024 Series 9 Fiat we now have is much nicer to drive than either of the previous ones. It is a bit shorter so that might make a small difference but there are 2 game changers, the 9 speed auto lives up to it’s great reputation but there is also a new 2.2l engine and this is also much nicer to drive. There have been changes to the dash board as well again a big improvement including a readable speedo and digital speed. The cruise control and digital information has also been improved with steering wheel controls. I really enjoy driving my latest van.

 

[Neilh]

Thanks Pausism that's interesting to hear.
I was thinking that the new Fiat 2.2 180hp engine has significantly more torque than the Mercedes 2.0 170 hp engine which should show when climbing, it's difficult to get a test drive in both!

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[Wanders from Glos]

I have had three Mercedes cars, and our emergency ambulances are on Mercedes sprinters base. The cars have never gone wrong, at all in any way. The ambulances have typically done 200,000 to 400,000 miles and take a beating, however, they are very regularly maintained. They provide breakdown cover free with the cars for I think 20 years, certainly 10 which tells you something.

We have had two motorhomes on a Fiat base, and have had only one problem, with the ECU. Getting parts was tricky and it was expensive but I expect an ECU on a Merc would be horrendous.

Recently the ambulance service has bought a load of Fiats and had no end of problems they just can’t cope with the demands we place on them. To the point they won’t be buying anymore. Part of the problem is the ride is no where near as good, also bits are for ever falling off in the can! To be fair a motorhome won’t be driven the same.

So I feel in a good position to compare. The Mercedes seem better built and are a lot smoother. However the cost is a lot more and also they cost more to service. The Fiat is definitely noisier and less smooth, but we have only had one issue. Therefore, I would say it boils down to “you get what you pay for”.

It’s a personal decision I think. Personally I would buy another motorhome on a Fiat base, but if the budget was there would upgrade to Mercedes. I would prefer the next one to be Mercedes. For our cars I wouldn’t dream of buying a Fiat.

 

[Wh05apk]

We changed from a 5t tag with a 180 comfortmatic box, and now have a 170hp merc with 9 speed auto weighing 4.5t, and although only 2,000miles the Merc German horses feel stronger than the fiat Italian ones, the 9 speed box is superb, although I am not sure if it has ever gone into 9th.
The ride and refinement is in a different league, and apart from to increase payload can not see a reason for air, the fiat ride was always crashy.
Mpg seems a lot better, and contact with mb dealers seems better, they are geared up for volume and large vehicles, fiat always felt like small car dealers trying to cram in a large m/h and getting booked in was always difficult.
I think comparisons are always difficult, as vehicles are improved over time, so unless we change vehicles very quickly a new vehicle will always drive better than an older one.

 

[Sunlovers]

We changed from a 5t tag with a 180 comfortmatic box, and now have a 170hp merc with 9 speed auto weighing 4.5t, and although only 2,000miles the Merc German horses feel stronger than the fiat Italian ones, the 9 speed box is superb, although I am not sure if it has ever gone into 9th.
The ride and refinement is in a different league, and apart from to increase payload can not see a reason for air, the fiat ride was always crashy.
Mpg seems a lot better, and contact with mb dealers seems better, they are geared up for volume and large vehicles, fiat always felt like small car dealers trying to cram in a large m/h and getting booked in was always difficult.
I think comparisons are always difficult, as vehicles are improved over time, so unless we change vehicles very quickly a new vehicle will always drive better than an older one.

Can't help but agree with your thinking re the Fiat/small car dealers cramming in a large motorhome .... certainly that's the case at our local FIAT Thames Group dealer in Slough. Nightmare getting a booking, and then when you do get there, the car park is always rammed and there's nowhere to park up except the main approach-way to the garage door itself which then just invites problems as you are in the way Tried a larger DAF / FIAT specialist, and whilst they had plenty of room to park up in their yard, you were amongst the huge tractors which drag 60' trailers, and it just felt like that they weren't going to be taking the level of care expected when working on your beloved moho .... not quite sure what the answer is for us living where we do.