unless u know different (1 Viewer)

[lugnutt]

I am in the process of buying a Fiat Apache 2.8 700 se,.I have experience with RVS but not with Fiat so decided to look at the Fiat base forum upon reading lots of threads it seems to me to be a horror story from start to finish ie juddergate,fifth gear probs,clutch probs,front cross members,alco suspension greasing,water ingress,jumping out of gear,to name but a few.This goes on for page after page,Iam now wondering am I doing the right thing.Has anyone any good things to say about Fiat base vehicles?there must be some good ones as they sell so many,am i being to paranoid:Sad:?

 

[Phill D]

i like our Fiat based motorhome, have had one now for past 6 years. first a euro 4 emissions now a euro 5. in my experience they drive like a car, have reasonable fuel economy ( getting 26.6 mpg at moment, thats with cruise control at 69mph on motorway ) i have a problem with an oil seal leak on first motorhome fixed quickly and efficiently under warranty, and the dreaded judder on the euro 4 which was again fixed under warranty no quibble. i know lots of others went through pain before Fiat agreed there was an issue.

i would recommend a reasonable test drive including reversing up a reasonable gradient if you are looking second hand to ensure one of the recommended mods have been carried out to the gearbox / mountings.

it certainly did not stop me buying our latest euro 5, which i think is excellent.

 

[Peter JohnsCross MH]

I wuld say that 90% of the vans I sell are Fiat based and have been for many years.

They are based on a commercial cab who do many 1000's of miles every year

Peter

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[Vlad The Impaler]

I've a 2004 apache 2.8 jtd,had it just over a year and so far its all good:thumb:


Vlad

 

[lugnutt]

Phil this is an 03 model so no warranty with Fiat it has only done 29000 miles not had proper test drive yet as it is on a farm with its own country lane full of stones not the ideal place for a test drive.The person i'm buying from is selling it for his friend,and does'nt know a great deal about them although he owns the aston martin garage in birmingham he says his friend is a builder and to busy to use it and he has'nt used for 18 months ,the day before i veiwed it it was serviced new cam belt fitted and mot'd

 

[johnp10]

We are on our second Fiat.
The current one is 2000 Reg, has 67000 miles on it and is as sweet as a nut.
Italy last year and back the pretty way, South of France the year before, out and about in between.
Never murmured.
I'll have another when the time comes.
Don't forget Ducato, Relay and Boxer are more or less the same base vehicle.

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[Phill D]

29k miles seems about average i am told the average motorhome does around 3000 miles a year.

my brother in law has an 04 only issue he has had has been recently with his main exhaust box developing a hole or 2.

i would be more concerned over the condition of the habitation ( water ingress etc ) than the chassis assuming the chassis ( fiat bit )has been regularly and properly serviced.

 

[haganap]

Third fiat motorhome, 80000 miles of trouble free motoring.

Personally wouldn't have anything else.:Cool:

 

[busby]

I had a 1998 with 140000 miles on the clock, no problems. Travelled all over Europe with it. BUSBY

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[stcyr]

1991 Fiat, one battery, one drive-shaft gaiter, one headlight bulb in 3 years .... ruddy unreliable ... :Sad:

but reverses up the steepest Derbyshire hills when faced with a clueless car driver unable to reverse in a straight line ...

 

[Ed Excel]

I'd be more worried about the seller not being the owner!

 

[capinpugwash]

Model specific forums are a great place to put the fear of G up anyone thinking of buying that vehicle

If you believe all that is written you would never buy any car/van/Motorhome etc.

Treat them with caution. In anything you buy there are always ones in the batch that may have problems and these are the ones that get written about.

Look around you and see how many of the model/make you want are on the roads and draw your own conclusions.

Advice on MHF is better than most, and you will get good opinions from people with long term experience.:thumb:

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[Reallyretired]

I've had Fiats in the past, no problem.

I think if you go on a forum for any vehicle you will find they are packed with problems that people have had, as those who have no problems do not post.

 

[tonka]

Dave I had my previous 700 se (2005 model) for 5 years.. Great van and loved it..
2.8JTD with a remap was a great ride.. Only mechanical issues I had was wheel bearing and loose fuel fliter and that was fauly of garage after a service...

You saw my new 2012 apache 700 at Marjal and so far done 13,000 miles in the inc Morocco trip... I love layout... Get any questions let me know and I'll be at my mom's up the road on Tuesday if you wanna chat...