Ford V Fiat vulnerabilities. What are they (1 Viewer)

[DL42846]

I have learned the hard way the vulnerabilities of the Fiat MH's. mainly gear box problems.
At 23,500 miles the syncro has gone between 1st and 2nd gear on my 2009 Fiat 130 Multyjet.
My brother in-law is looking to buy a new to him MH and has been put off by my Fiat and the negative comments we have found. However what are the negatives with a Ford MH. What is the general consensus between the two.

 

[Mikeco]

I prefer the Peugeot Boxer as it has the Ford Puma engine, had trouble with Fiat in the past.

 

[Boringfrog]

Fiat - Gearbox goes.

Ford - everything goes.

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[MC 55 FUN]

Another vote for the Ford Puma powered Peugeot cab

 

[injebreck99]

Another vote for the Ford Puma powered Peugeot cab

I'm not so happy with mine, it's underpowered IMO, and because of the hybrid ECU cannot be remapped.

 

[tonka]

Just read up on Ford transit thefts.... !!
It's almost a daily event now on Facebook of a Ford based motorhome being stolen

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[MC 55 FUN]

I'm not so happy with mine, it's underpowered IMO, and because of the hybrid ECU cannot be remapped.

I've driven vehicles with the Puma engine in 110 bhp & 155 bhp guise since 2006 & never had an issue with power delivery, depends on the vehicle it's in I guess.

 

[The Wino]

I think the Transit thefts are not almost daily if they were the insurers would be cranking up the premiums.

 

[injebreck99]

I've driven vehicles with the Puma engine in 110 bhp & 155 bhp guise since 2006 & never had an issue with power delivery, depends on the vehicle it's in I guess.

Ours is the 130 bhp Peugeot Boxer, but because it is 200KG heavier than our previous remapped Bolero, I guess that's why it feels lethargic, it's only covered 1500 miles so hopefully should get livlier when loosened up.

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[MC 55 FUN]

Ours is the 130 bhp Peugeot Boxer, but because it is 200KG heavier than our previous remapped Bolero, I guess that's why it feels lethargic, it's only covered 1500 miles so hopefully should get livlier when loosened up.

Which Euro rating is it / what year is it ?

 

[Sandancers]

Just read up on Ford transit thefts.... !!
It's almost a daily event now on Facebook of a Ford based motorhome being stolen

But on the other hand, it's easy to get parts for if you "know someone"

 

[tonka]

I think the Transit thefts are not almost daily if they were the insurers would be cranking up the premiums.

SORRY... No. it's not 1 a day...

It was 15 back in 2015 !!!!!!


https://www.motoringresearch.com/car-news/ford-transit-van-stolen-vehicle-uk

just that on various facebook groups it does "seem" to be like every day.. But then again a lot of "sharing" goes on... Either way, still bad

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[jonandshell]

Just renewed our insurance on our Transit mk7 based moho.
No rise in premium.

 

[Just smiffy]

Neither..... I want my merc back...

 

[injebreck99]

Which Euro rating is it / what year is it ?

I guess it's Euro 5, 2015 model, last of the X250's.

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[Abacist]

Fix or repair daily
or
Failed Italian attempt at transportation

I'll take the Fiat any time!

 

[gus-lopez]

I think the Transit thefts are not almost daily if they were the insurers would be cranking up the premiums.

Yes as @tonka said it was 15/day transits in 2015.Of which 30% are never recovered ! Worst rate for any vehicle
https://www.businessvans.co.uk/van-news/tighten-security-call-as-ford-transits-top-uk-theft-list/

Tranist make up 6% of the total UK daily theft rate. ( around 246)

 

[MC 55 FUN]

I guess it's Euro 5, 2015 model, last of the X250's.

No doubt a combination of a tight low mileage engine & the D.P.F. & of course the comparison with your previous remapped Moho !

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[abforfun]

We had a Citroen it was based on a ford the camshaft pulley went which broke the camshaft seal oil all over the aire BIG puddles that was at 24000 miles. So what do you buy don't say merc as a friend of ours as broke down twice under 50,000 .Make your choice hope for the best

 

[Lenny HB]

On our 3rd Fiat love them, great drive roomy cab.
Reliability wise probably not much in it basicly a commercial vehicle designed to do 30-50,000 miles a year, if you leave them sitting around most of the year and only do a few thousand miles in them you are likely to get more problems than white van man.

 

[emjaiuk]

A major issue in our Transit based Hymer A class is the front seats very close together, which makes access from hab area and swivelling seats difficult.

Malcolm

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[Lenny HB]

A major issue in our Transit based Hymer A class is the front seats very close together, which makes access from hab area and swivelling seats difficult.

Malcolm

That would apply to any Trani as the base chassis is narrower than a Fiat. Our last van an Exsis on a Fiat had the passenger seat offset by two inches made it really roomy in the front really notice the difference in the new van with standard spacing Hymer have dropped the offset on all models now, shame it was a good feature.

 

[bellabee]

We had to have a new gearbox on our Transit, after 8,000. We wouldn't go back to the Transit, now we've experienced the Ducato. Even my Hubby, who has a lifetime's prejudice against Fiat finds it a better drive!

 

[Steve N Tracy]

The biggest problem with any short shift gearbox like the Fiat is people driving with their hand on the gear lever to long, wears out the shift fork then you have syncro problems.

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[bob cottam]

I have a new Fiat, I also have a friend who re-cons gearboxes for a living and there is always a Fiat box or two in his shop for repair- (as fitted to the 2.3L versions). He says the boxes are bad, but its because they suffer water ingress which degrades the oil and the inevitable soon follows. He regularly opens up the boxes to find a rusty mess..... If the oil is good they will probably hold up as well as any. Given the appalling way that water cascades into the Ducato engine bay through the jokey scuttle, (scandalous-but IMHO Fiat know the damage caused will generally appear post guarantee so they say it does not matter) So the perfect storm is there. I am currently testing Gorilla Tape as a seal around the scuttle,(on a 2017 vehicle....) with some success, and will check/change the gearbox oil yearly if I keep the van, which I hope to.

 

[Burgo]

Fix or repair daily
or
Failed Italian attempt at transportation

I believe it actually stands for Fix It Again Tomorrow.

 

[Abacist]

I believe it actually stands for Fix It Again Tomorrow.

Your does have a better ring to it!

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[Just smiffy]

I have a new Fiat, I also have a friend who re-cons gearboxes for a living and there is always a Fiat box or two in his shop for repair- (as fitted to the 2.3L versions). He says the boxes are bad, but its because they suffer water ingress which degrades the oil and the inevitable soon follows. He regularly opens up the boxes to find a rusty mess..... If the oil is good they will probably hold up as well as any. Given the appalling way that water cascades into the Ducato engine bay through the jokey scuttle, (scandalous-but IMHO Fiat know the damage caused will generally appear post guarantee so they say it does not matter) So the perfect storm is there. I am currently testing Gorilla Tape as a seal around the scuttle,(on a 2017 vehicle....) with some success, and will check/change the gearbox oil yearly if I keep the van, which I hope to.

So an Aclass with no scuttle would fair better...?

 

[Lenny HB]

So an Aclass with no scuttle would fair better...?

Yep
Don't get any water at all on top of the engine or electrics on ours.

 

[DL42846]

The Fiat Achilles heal is the gearbox. The Ford Achilles heal is everything else. The Fiat is a very nice drive.

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