Which is the best engine for a largish motorhome?
Discussion
After some advice from people with experience guys.
Looking to update my motorhome to a newer model - I currently have a 1988 Pilote R850 A class based on the Talbot Express 2.5TD.
Looking at buying something same sort of size 5/6 berth; ~7 metre long; 3500kg+
The size/price range I'm looking at will come with basically 1 of a few engines - Fiat 2.8jtd; Mercedes 2.7cdi; Ford 2.4; Fiat 2.3 multijet.
Now I've read the relative power/torque outputs etc, but we all know figures only tell part of the story.
They are all slightly more powerful than my current 2.5td, but how do they drive on the road? How quiet are they? How economical (or otherwise)are they?
What are your experience of them?
Thanks in advance.
BB
Looking to update my motorhome to a newer model - I currently have a 1988 Pilote R850 A class based on the Talbot Express 2.5TD.
Looking at buying something same sort of size 5/6 berth; ~7 metre long; 3500kg+
The size/price range I'm looking at will come with basically 1 of a few engines - Fiat 2.8jtd; Mercedes 2.7cdi; Ford 2.4; Fiat 2.3 multijet.
Now I've read the relative power/torque outputs etc, but we all know figures only tell part of the story.
They are all slightly more powerful than my current 2.5td, but how do they drive on the road? How quiet are they? How economical (or otherwise)are they?
What are your experience of them?
Thanks in advance.
BB
Edited by BigBob on Saturday 13th December 10:01
Edited by BigBob on Saturday 13th December 10:02
Ford's 2.4 comes in four different power outputs, 100, 115, 125, 140 in the rear wheel drive format. The 115 and 125 are the pick of the bunch in my opinion.
Fiats 2.8 is a nice unit, quite smooth.
The others I haven't had that much experience of Im affraid, the parents motorhome at 3.5t gross, running around 3.3 is the 2.2 136 Peugeot lump, and its a corker. No issues anywhere
Fiats 2.8 is a nice unit, quite smooth.
The others I haven't had that much experience of Im affraid, the parents motorhome at 3.5t gross, running around 3.3 is the 2.2 136 Peugeot lump, and its a corker. No issues anywhere
Mercedes 2.7 cdi is a good lump, sounds good too!
The Fiat 2.8 is solid as well but the merc lump usually comes with the meatier chassis / makes more sense with a larger van especially if you want an auto (I'm not keen on the sprint shift but they did do a proper auto which carries a premium).
The Fiat 2.8 is solid as well but the merc lump usually comes with the meatier chassis / makes more sense with a larger van especially if you want an auto (I'm not keen on the sprint shift but they did do a proper auto which carries a premium).
I am tending towards the mercedes and would love an auto but they tend to be outside my price range so will have to settle for a manual.
Have no doubts about the Fiat 2.8 either - it's basically the same as my current 2.5.
Can't get my head around the Fiat 2.3 multijet - on paper it seems in the ball park but perhaps I'm old fashioned and still think more cc's is better
BB
Have no doubts about the Fiat 2.8 either - it's basically the same as my current 2.5.
Can't get my head around the Fiat 2.3 multijet - on paper it seems in the ball park but perhaps I'm old fashioned and still think more cc's is better
BB
The vast majority of English built motorhomes tend to run the Fiat 2.3 MultiJet with 130 bhp. There are plenty more continental builts which run that unit too. It's under mine, which is 3.5t and it'll cruise at 65/70 all day and give me 30mpg.
Think it's the same engine in the same class for the Citroen and Peugeot too
Think it's the same engine in the same class for the Citroen and Peugeot too
I am on my second motorhome with the Fiat 2.3, the current one is a 2007 3,500kg and the engine will return close to 30mpg and has enough power, although it has been chipped. Mpg is very dependant on speed and when I went to the south of France doing 80 all the way it dropped down to the low twenties. One thing to watch out for on these engines is the throttle body fails and it costs about £600 to replace with an aftermarket one. Mine failed with 36,000 miles on the clock, the replacements are an improved design and easy to visually tell the difference.
chopper602 said:
The vast majority of English built motorhomes tend to run the Fiat 2.3 MultiJet with 130 bhp. There are plenty more continental builts which run that unit too. It's under mine, which is 3.5t and it'll cruise at 65/70 all day and give me 30mpg.
Think it's the same engine in the same class for the Citroen and Peugeot too
The Pug and Citroen use the 2.2 lump, which is fairly good - although probably a bit more agricultural - has a bit of a bark when started!Think it's the same engine in the same class for the Citroen and Peugeot too
martin01 said:
I am on my second motorhome with the Fiat 2.3, the current one is a 2007 3,500kg and the engine will return close to 30mpg and has enough power, although it has been chipped. Mpg is very dependant on speed and when I went to the south of France doing 80 all the way it dropped down to the low twenties. One thing to watch out for on these engines is the throttle body fails and it costs about £600 to replace with an aftermarket one. Mine failed with 36,000 miles on the clock, the replacements are an improved design and easy to visually tell the difference.
I think Bill and I might be a bit more lead-footed in our MHs than some others I have got the 2.3 multijet, unchipped, in a 3.5T Adria and see mid-20s on the motorway.The other thing to bear in mind with the later version of these engines is that the DPFs and associated sensors are fragile. Mine has already had a new sensor under warranty and a whole DPF is over a grand before fitting.
My van is out on rental for most of the year (doing over 20000 miles/year) and I am still getting problems with it... My dealer is quite forthright about the issue - and not in a good way! His view was also stay away from the 3.0 multijet at all costs - heavy and unreliable.
Comparing MH mpg numbers is pretty much the same as asking how long a piece of string is.
To many variables, type of van, Low line, high top, A class, how's it loaded, driving style, weather conditions even tyre pressure can be a big factor.
My opinion of the Ducato 3.0ltr is its a great engine, smooth, quiet and plenty of pulling power.
For reference only, I averaged 23mpg in 4.25t overcab auto trail worst 18mpg best 25mpg
To many variables, type of van, Low line, high top, A class, how's it loaded, driving style, weather conditions even tyre pressure can be a big factor.
My opinion of the Ducato 3.0ltr is its a great engine, smooth, quiet and plenty of pulling power.
For reference only, I averaged 23mpg in 4.25t overcab auto trail worst 18mpg best 25mpg
I had a Superbrig on Sprinter Chassis with 2.7l, 5 cylinder, 160bhp lump in it and it was fantastic. Loads of torque and could've taken me well in excess of the speed limit even when ladened around 4t. A very impressively smooth, powerful and torquey engine. Averaged 22mpg in my ownership and allegedly pretty bullet-proof, aside from a requirement for very regular fuel filter changes.
I have had 3 Motorhomes in the last 5 years and (unsurprisingly) all very different, as regards to engines and mpg. Over 12,000 kms done in each around Europe.
Fiat 1.9td (95) Rivera - under-powered, if lucky 22 mpg, unable to go up hill, Just rubbish.
Fiat 2.3 jtd (03) Bessacar- great, especially after the 1.9, drove well but still lucky to get 25 mpg
Merc 2.7 (05) Chausson 35 mpg,(less on non motorway but way better than the above). Awesome in every way.
All same(ish) size approx 6.5 meters long 2.5 high.
Fiat 1.9td (95) Rivera - under-powered, if lucky 22 mpg, unable to go up hill, Just rubbish.
Fiat 2.3 jtd (03) Bessacar- great, especially after the 1.9, drove well but still lucky to get 25 mpg
Merc 2.7 (05) Chausson 35 mpg,(less on non motorway but way better than the above). Awesome in every way.
All same(ish) size approx 6.5 meters long 2.5 high.
Edited by rsole on Friday 19th December 19:40
Edited by rsole on Friday 19th December 19:43
Edited by rsole on Friday 19th December 19:46
3.0 ltr Fiat Ducato in my Bessacarr e795 (160bhp I think). She weighs 3.85t dry and considerably more when loaded. Pulls like a train and I can get 25 mpg when using the cruise set to 50mph. Above that on 60mph Im down to around 23mpg
I may get her retuned to see if we can free up some extra mpg for the longer hauls
Great engine though
I may get her retuned to see if we can free up some extra mpg for the longer hauls
Great engine though
nagsheadwarrior said:
Spuffington may be along with a better level of Sprinter pitfall knowledge but from my time in the trade it seems to be annoying electrical faults and dodgy Sprintshift semi auto boxes which have been the main problems.
Thanks for that. It's a manual so that's one less problem ;-)BB
ive a 2.4 transit twin wheel 8 metre + trailer race car and stuff weight over 6 ton pulls really well up hills is easy to drive and easy to break the speed limit if not watching . but not ecconomical about 18 mpg really strong engine feels far more powerfull than some other vans that quote more
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