Which engine size do I go for?

carollesleyclb

carollesleyclb

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I'm a newbie
We are buying a new Motorhome with an engine size of 160hp Fiat automatic. We are told it should have lots of power, for the new Burstner Lyseo 680g!
I am also told that another van the same weight etc. a Bailey Peugeot Autograph 165 hp, doesn't seem to have much power going up a hill.
Should I be looking to go for a 180hp even though the salesman assures me it is not necessary.. any comments would really be appreciated as I have no idea what I should do.

Many thanks
 
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The 180 has a much wider band of revs it pushes out maximum torque. This means you won't have to change gear so often in hilly country but as its an automatic this may not be an issue.

Check what sort of automatic it has as there are two types now. If it's a new vehicle it should have the nine speed box which seems very good. If an older vehicle it will have the Comfortmatic. This is what mine has and it does the job and is very relaxing to drive.
 
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Hi,
We have the new 160 2.3 using adblue and the 9 speed auto.

Seems fine, the box is very good much smoother than comfortmatic.

Has enough go for the tracker journey score to comment on occasions and deduct points for acceleration (always roundabouts or road junctions).

It's a motorhome to be driven in relaxed style otherwise it's a waste of some of the benefits.
 
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W have the 150 with Comformatic box on a 4500kg A Class no problems with power once we had done over 10,000 miles is was a bit sluggish at first.
Go for the biggest engine you can afford is the best rule to follow.

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We have Had 3 Mercedes, Two of them torque converter autos. All drove very well (when they were running). All had big engines. A 2.7 5 cylinder and two 3 litre V6’s.

My van is a sprinter 2.2 4 cylinder 7 Speed auto. But it has been completely remapped as it was only 95bhp. It was so slow, even with just 1/2 load. It’s now 160 Far better.

As far as motorhomes go. We now run an old Hymer on a fiat (Iveco engine). 2.8 4 cylinder that’s only around 128hp. And it drives really well considering.

If your budget or options are limited, 160 is ample for the motorhome you are looking at.
 
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Stick with the 160bhp it will be more than sufficient for your needs unless you're gonna tow anything heavy.

We have the 150bhp with a Comformatic 6 speed gearbox and it's brilliant.
 
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Fiat 180 bhp on a 2.3 Comformatic Hymer 4.500t - like it a lot and don't miss my 3 l 16 bhp manual when I thought I would.
 
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I have a 150hp Fiat and wish I'd gone for more. Too late now, still hoping that it may improve with time but I think that's unlikely. Low power will get you there, you just need to be patient. More power will make life so much more comfortable.
 
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two said:
I have a 150hp Fiat and wish I'd gone for more. Too late now, still hoping that it may improve with time but I think that's unlikely. Low power will get you there, you just need to be patient. More power will make life so much more comfortable.
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They do improve, we've had 3 of them and the first 2 certainly got better the more miles they got under the belt, due to CV etc our current only has only got 5,000 on so barely run in.
 
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We have a 2019 130hp with a 7.4m/3850kg MoHo and a tow car. No problems for me. (y)

BigDean

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Minxy Girl said:
They do improve, we've had 3 of them and the first 2 certainly got better the more miles they got under the belt, due to CV etc our current only has only got 5,000 on so barely run in.
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Oh, I thought you might have been referring to your current one. Mine's done about 11,000miles and still without any "Go". My first (and last) Fiat, so I'm not sure what to expect. Apart from being cheap, I don't know why they are so popular.
 
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07 Ducato 2.3 multijet manual with 130 bhp pulling 3850 kg. Generally I have no complaints, after all as others have said, we're in no rush, but occasionally it would be nice to have some extra oomph for hills to reduce the amount of gearchanging (which is why I've considered remapping - but that's another thread).

Couple of years ago we were touring with friends in a 3l 180hp with Comfortmatic, again on 3850kg, and we found fuel consumption was pretty well identical. What I have noticed is if I push it above 60mph the fuel consumption quickly suffers whereas the bigger engine was a better.

I always used to say there's nothing to beat extra cubic capacity but the modern Fiat engines all seem to be based on the same 2.3l but with different power outputs. And other improvements of course, brakes etc.

I'd guess that the 160hp auto should be perfectly adequate, but they do take time to get properly "run-in". Mine's now got 118,000 on the clock and IMO it's now run-in (but seriously, it'll be 10,000 of properly driven miles until you notice an improvement).
 
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Lenny HB said:
W have the 150 with Comformatic box on a 4500kg A Class no problems with power once we had done over 10,000 miles is was a bit sluggish at first.
Go for the biggest engine you can afford is the best rule to follow.
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That's the rule I have always followed, not going to change now :giggle: (y)
Bigger the better, less electrics, better still.
 
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