Mercedes or Fiat?

Folkranger

Folkranger

Joined
May 2, 2014
Posts
2,429
Likes collected
5,016
Location
Washington
Funster No
31,281
MH
Hymer B 584DL
Exp
17 years + 35 tugging
Probably an age old topic but.........
 
Fiat 130 on AL-KO and Comfortmatic and have no complaints on the way it drives or handles. Merc definitely has a far prettier dash but costs a significant amount more. My dash will easily hold a 10” tablet, which is spot on for using co-pilot.
 
Oldchappers said:
Fiat 130 on AL-KO and Comfortmatic and have no complaints on the way it drives or handles. Merc definitely has a far prettier dash but costs a significant amount more. My dash will easily hold a 10” tablet, which is spot on for using co-pilot.
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Good combination but RWD and a 3 litre with conventional auto does it for me. I mounted an iPad for using co-pilot but now never bother with it. I simply use Google maps and the phone, as I know where I am going anyway and always check the route first.
 
As a lucky owner of a new Sprinter PVC RWD i could not be happier.
Having spent my career in the motor trade you soon realise the power of branding, reputation and perceived value.
On the whole its totally justified and the so called 'bargain' is very rarely that, just another piece of metal that's been price reduced for a reason. That's not to say there's not a market for them, some buyers are happy with an old model yr vehicle in an unpopular colour and missing certain additions. With more high end models missing certain upgrades seriously effect resale values.
Is the Mercedes better than a Fiat, my opinion would be yes, but the question should be are you prepared to spend the additional monies required, only a question you can answer?
Yesterday on site i spend half an hour underneath the van, my wife said ' what on earth are you doing?'
The engineer in me was quite honestly just checking out the German engineering, sometimes it handy to know what's under there,
I must say the alloy sump (not rusting tin in a few years) could do with a little protection.
One thing to be aware of in the new Mercedes and its high tech dash and 10 inch screen, it never actually shuts down and as a result battery drain can be an issue.
The vehicle is constantly checking items such as the electric handbrake security, two steps forward, one step back !
Battery life when parked and not in use is three weeks.
Warning lights on the dash when you open the door in either yellow or red notify battery condition, to make life easier i fitted a simple Bluetooth battery monitor it keep me informed on state of charge.

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MAN panel van identical to VW Crafter. MAN is a commercial partner to VW.
The advantage of MAN product for commercial users is that service and repairs can be undertaken at a MAN commercial workshop open 24 hrs a day, similar to Mercedes commercial dealers.
Doesn't normally give much benefit to privately owned Campervan owners but to a business user is a significant advantage.
 
Wondering star said:
MAN panel van identical to VW Crafter. MAN is a commercial partner to VW.
The advantage of MAN product for commercial users is that service and repairs can be undertaken at a MAN commercial workshop open 24 hrs a day, similar to Mercedes commercial dealers.
Doesn't normally give much benefit to privately owned Campervan owners but to a business user is a significant advantage.
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No. proper MAN look at the avatar mate :LOL:
 
Nobody has raised the matter of space. I might be wrong because I didnt take a measure to it, but I sensed the Mercedes was more crampt (width ways) in the cab. When seated I found myself squeezed up against the side window. Remis blinds compounded the problem. Conversely, in the Fiat I have far more elbow/shoulder room.

Maybe I dreamt it or perhaps it's am issue with seat positioning but that sensation of being squashed steered me to the Fiat.

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As a builder who has ran transits and sprinters for 30 years I did not rate the fiat until I got one as a motorhome and I can honestly say I’d now take the fiat as i like the engine so much a wee workhorse. Only downside the plasticky dash and cab fittings let it down. The new merks are just glorified Renaults.
 
DuxDeluxe said:
Mercedes every time if you want RWD. Fiat if you want an Al-Ko chassis. Horses for courses - very happy with the twin RWD on mine
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Interesting question, when first looking into a MoHo in my head it has to be a Mercedes, have worked on and owned Fiat cars in the past I was not keen on the idea of a Fiat based MoHo. We also wanted a PVC looking further in to it and placing my bias to one side we decided to go for a Fiat, an example is it is slightly wide if you look at the Hymer Grand Canyon the merc has Pods added to the sleeping area to make it wide enough to sleep where the Fiat is wide enough without adding pods (I am over 6ft) then when reviewing running costs and reliability Fiat is more than good enough and happy that I had placed my biases to one side and probably saved £10K in the process.

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Someday is correct Renault does have an association with Daimler AG, 1.5 %.
May come to a close as Mercedes less reliant on small 1.5l engines fitted to A class.
However, loss making Renault looking to forge closer association to develop future electric van?
Would suggest a Nissan collaboration much more likely.
 
DuxDeluxe said:
Good combination but RWD and a 3 litre with conventional auto does it for me. I mounted an iPad for using co-pilot but now never bother with it. I simply use Google maps and the phone, as I know where I am going anyway and always check the route first.
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Always taking new roads and copilot parameters mean I’m not getting stuck. Unfortunately Google maps doesn’t provide vehicle dimensions. I was dubious about Fiat Auto but having driven it and knowing little about the difference between the Fiat box and other autos. Seems absolutely fine to me.
 
When I bought our first MH I was was determined it would be on a Mercedes base, having been lucky enough to have a couple of Merc cars and was impressed by them.

We bought a Hymer MLI with the auto gearbox. The traditional torque converter auto box was excellent, the engine was the 165 BHP 4 cylinder and was smooth but noisier than I’d expected. The ride was quite soft and wallowy, and the van was a bit of a handful in winds or when being passed by or passing trucks. This was due to the soft suspension. We toured UK, France, Belgium and Italy in it and had a great time but always commented on what a pig it was from a handling perspective.

We changed the unit for another Hymer, this time on a Fiat base with the Comfortmatic gearbox and the 180 BHP engine.

This was a gamechanger....the engine was smoother, quieter and definitely more powerful. The Comfortmatic gearbox took a bit of getting used to but once you recognised it as an automated manual shift box, and drive accordingly, it was no problem. The gearbox improved with use. But more importantly was that the van was better sprung, no more wallowing and pretty much unaffected by wind and trucks. Driving overall was far more relaxing and although the dashboard instrumentation was several leagues below the Mercedes, we both very much preferred the Fi at base.

We took that one round U.K., Holland, Germany, Poland, and France and continually commented how much nicer it was to drive.

We did 10,000 odd miles in each, and had no mechanical issues in either. Economy was around 30 mpg in both so much of a muchness there.

Overall I’d stick with Seval base now, in fact latest is a Peugeot base - but choose van based on layout and payload ahead of chassis. Initially we bought based on chassis with layout and payload being secondary considerations.
 
Lucky said:
Nobody has raised the matter of space. I might be wrong because I didnt take a measure to it, but I sensed the Mercedes was more crampt (width ways) in the cab. When seated I found myself squeezed up against the side window. Remis blinds compounded the problem. Conversely, in the Fiat I have far more elbow/shoulder room.

Maybe I dreamt it or perhaps it's am issue with seat positioning but that sensation of being squashed steered me to the Fiat.
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The Hymer B series on a merc is 70mm ish narrower than the fiat, not much but it is internally, it made a big difference when we were looking.
Plus the Fiat dealership is far greater in the EU and less expensive repairs than the merc. Thought the latest Hymer on a merc were more about the merc aspect than the Motorhome overall.
 
Stealaway said:
There's nowt wrong wi Fiat.
Super reliable - super engine and far cheaper to repair should they need it.
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No nowt wrong with Fiat, I only went Merc as at the time didn't like the Fiat auto (?) box, never driven the new one so can't comment.
Merc is great to drive and the rumour they cost more to repair is just that, our Merc has been excellent and service costs cheaper than the previous Peugeot.

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I prefer driving my current Fiat to my previous Mercedes. However since Fiat are doing such an appalling job of repairing recalled defective steering knuckles I seriously doubt I will buy Fiat again, even though our van passed the inspection. There are several Funsters who are waiting months for replacement parts and meanwhile they are not allowed to use their motorhomes.
 
I’m on my 2nd Sprinter based Hymer 1st RWD current FWD, would only consider an auto but when the Seval vans get updated I’d consider one with the auto box
 
The facelifted Ducato X290 is getting a bit overdue for replacement, due in 2024 (allegedly).

It remains to be seen what effect the merger between FCA and PSA into Stellantis will have. Hopefully the next generation Ducato will get better electrics generally and a much better cab with at least 9" digital screens so you can actually read your speed in bright sunlight. Who knows, something better than cart springs suspending the back axle? A hybrid base vehicle? I can barely contain my excitement! :rolleyes:

I know almost nothing about Mercs except I keep getting overtaken by white Sprinter vans doing warp factor 9.
 
Pausim said:
I prefer driving my current Fiat to my previous Mercedes. However since Fiat are doing such an appalling job of repairing recalled defective steering knuckles I seriously doubt I will buy Fiat again, even though our van passed the inspection. There are several Funsters who are waiting months for replacement parts and meanwhile they are not allowed to use their motorhomes.
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Could be part of the Global supply issues, just so much 'stuff' is out of stock, wiring, long lead times for materials its not just Fiat and suspect this is part of the problem.
 
We’ve had 5 vans altogether. Merc and Fiat engines. Never had problems with either. The 5cyl merc went “limp” a couple of times when in slow traffic, but I guess we’ve all been there ;)
Phil

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