Peugeot or Mercedes

[CazPaul]

my battery was dying. Otherwise I might have elaborated.

TheFiat chassis feels more stable than the Mercedes of the same era. The Mercedes have a narrower track and have a tendency to wobble and sway.

Also, the FWD Fiat we have has much more traction than I would of expected. I think this is because on our version, a lot of the weight is up front. Water, gas and diesel tankS along with engine and gearbox.
I know a lot of people struggle on wet grass with newer front wheel drive. But those I have seen have standard supper tyres.

I was also alluding to the fact that you said Mercedes were plagued with problems, the newer ones maybe but that's the same for any newer vehicle, EGR, fancy electronics etc

The older Mercedes were reliable apart from the Sprintshift

 

[EuroTrotters]

I was also alluding to the fact that you said Mercedes were plagued with problems, the newer ones maybe but that's the same for any newer vehicle, EGR, fancy electronics etc

The older Mercedes were reliable apart from the Sprintshift

And rust.

I would of never considered anything other than Mercedes. Until now, especially with the new 9 speed Fiat auto.

I hate that Binatone Ghetto blaster they have fitted to the new Sprinter too

 

[bobnick]

i am scratching my head now. Over the few short months i have been on here i read how crap Autotrail are, how crap Frog vehicles are, how crap Kraut vehicles are. Both engines and build.
Maybe next year i should look at Winnibago.......or import a Jayco from Aussie (oh no they are crap also).
It's all opinions and the occasional fact's and much appreciated.

 

[Augusta08]

Has our Gleneagle got the same Iveco engine? (he asks not knowing).

If it's the 3 litre I would guess so, if you pop the bonnet and look its moulded into the casting on the top,
I think all three (Augusta, Gleneagle and Oakmont) had the same engine options.

I've had mine from new 2008 and never had a problem, which is just as well because I fell out with the dealer about 2 weeks after taking delivery. But I'm now planning on 300,000 miles maybe a new clutch and flywheel will be needed sometime, but I tow 1800Kgs quite a lot so 6000Kg GTW.

 

[63720]

I don't own either but imo Mercedes is regarded as a premium brand but I hear stories from owners complaining about service costs and even trying to get work done on the cheap. Perhaps someone should only buy premium if they're prepared to accept the ownership expenses. I own Fiat and have major services at main dealers while accepting that nothing is cheap.

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[Pausim]

I have had both, the Mercedes auto gearbox oil change was expensive and has to be done even if the mileage is low. The Mercedes was 2015, the auto was good but driving was less pleasurable, too hard and a tendency to wander at the slightest excuse. My 2019 Fiat/Alko is much nicer to drive and the Comformatic just as good as Merc auto.

 

[Tykatem]

I find that our Mercedes is an absolute joy to drive, the auto box gives an imperceptible and seamless shift between gears. Like a lot of motorhomes the ride is made awhole lot better with the addition of air ride.
I leave the servicing and repairs to a local independent Mercedes specialist who is both reliable and reaonably priced.

Main reasons we went for a Mercedes:-

1. Rear wheel drive which gives better weight balance improves a number of driving characteristics including handling, stopping and accelerating. This is because the front wheels are left solely to concentrate on the important work of steering while the rear ones do the accelerating.

2. Timing chain these are more durable and less likely to fail.

3. Automatic gearbox. Mercedes is one of the few van manufacturers to offer a "full" automatic. This was the main reason for choosing, as my wife would also/does drive it

The 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel provides adequate grunt for hauling loads around at motorway speeds. You sit as high in a Mercedes and get a good view of the road. Plus, as I said earlier, it rides well, whether it’s empty or fully loaded especially with the rear air ride.

Pete

 

[Westbarn1]

Pete, who is your local MB specialist?

 

[Pausim]

Mercedes is one of the few van manufacturers to offer a "full" automatic.

In my opinion the Comformatic is just as full as the Mercedes. It has 2 pedals, changes gear automatically and does everything the the Merc did. What is missing? OK one has a torque converter and the other has a clutch but they are both controlled by a computer and do the same job. Fiat also now use a traditional automatic with a torque converter and from the reports on MHFUN it sounds better than either the Merc or the Comformatic.

 

[Tykatem]

In my opinion the Comformatic is just as full as the Mercedes. It has 2 pedals, changes gear automatically and does everything the the Merc did.

Except the comfortmatic will roll back when on a hill (without using hillstart assist) The Mercedes will hold it self.

Pete

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[Hirsch]

If it's the 3 litre I would guess so, if you pop the bonnet and look its moulded into the casting on the top,
I think all three (Augusta, Gleneagle and Oakmont) had the same engine options.

I've had mine from new 2008 and never had a problem, which is just as well because I fell out with the dealer about 2 weeks after taking delivery. But I'm now planning on 300,000 miles maybe a new clutch and flywheel will be needed sometime, but I tow 1800Kgs quite a lot so 6000Kg GTW.

Yes it is the 3 litre. I will have a look. Thanks.

 

[Tony50]

Mercedes every time, recently purchased Hymer PVC.
Having worked in the motor trade most of my life I wouldn't dream of buying a Peugeot, Fiat or Citroen over a Mercedes. Its not just the engine and transmission but little thing like switch gear and seat comfort. New Mercedes interiors especially MBUX system with 10.25 screen is taken from car range and is superb.
Dont just look at the immediately visable, look at the underside, the quality of anti corrosion and fittings.
Having said that, for me it's about payload and how easy it is to increase if required.
Sometimes payload increase is only a paper exercise and cheap to do without modifications.View attachment 435303

We loved our Rapido Merc ,and the auto gearbox ,but, Mercs. used to galvanized all their bodies my son worked for a Dealer for years about 5 years ago and he said they stopped galvanizing and they started getting rust problems, whether that's still the same I don't know, ask the Dealer and get a proper answer , if they are not galvanized I would still have a Merc. ,and perhaps have it undersealed and doors , insede bonnet and internal of chassis wax injected I assume it's a new van.

 

[CazPaul]

Yes it is the 3 litre. I will have a look. Thanks.

It is the 3 litre Iveco unit but still FWD as opposed to the Iveco chassis which is RWD.

 

[Hirsch]

It is the 3 litre Iveco unit but still FWD as opposed to the Iveco chassis which is RWD.

Thanks

 

[69473]

From what I've read rwd gives better traction, has anyone experience of rwd Mercedes in snow?
Thinking of winter skiing, initially ruled it out but after reading posts is it possible, and if so any tips?
Many thanks

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[CazPaul]

From what I've read rwd gives better traction, has anyone experience of rwd Mercedes in snow?
Thinking of winter skiing, initially ruled it out but after reading posts is it possible, and if so any tips?
Many thanks

Excellent choice BUT only if you have the correct tyres.

 

[poppycamper]

Agree 100% CazPaul ... lots of folk think a tyre is a tyre is a tyre and as long as it is round it will do.
Correct tyres really really do make all the difference. A 4x4 with wrong tyres has no better traction than a non 4x4 on correct tyres.

 

[69473]

Are we talking about a set of normal winter tyres?, I have used these before on a car and agree the difference is quite amazing