Power

[BusyBuilder]

Is there much difference between a Fiat 130 and 150bhp ? assuming motorhome of similar weight.

 

[Gellyneck]

Don't know but we've got a 4,250kg motorhome with a 130bhp and it's OK for us.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Ours is 130bhp and it's plenty for 3.5t

 

[Podney]

20?!?!?! Sorry

 

[Lenny HB]

Having had both I can say the 150 is well worth the extra cost. We had the 130 on a 3.5t van OK on normal roads but on mountain roads it was a nightmare. The 130 does not have the variable vane turbo that the one 150 has so the turbo boost does not have the boost available are the lower revs the 150 does. With the 130 going around hairpin bends on mountain roads if it goes off turbo boost it practically stalls.
Current van is 4.5t with a 150 its OK but wish we had gone for the 180., our previous van was 3.5t with the 150.
Also with the 150 you get better brakes which is noticeable.

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[Roger S]

We had a 150bhp on a 4250kilo van and that used to fly along, we now have a 130bhp on a 3850 van ( both manual ) I was expecting to uprate it to 150bhp but I am happy with it. I havnt tried any mountain roads yet to be fair. In terseting Lenny you say about the brakes, It has taken me a while to used to the brakes on the second van nowere near as good !

 

[DBK]

Look at the torque curves. The 150 has a wider maximum torque range, the 130 is narrower. This means less gear changing with a 150 when you are in a hilly place. The 180 has a massively wider range of maximum torque.

Of course if you choose the new torque converter auto you won't have to worry about gear changes.

 

[camoyboy]

Also with the 150 you get better brakes which is noticeable.

The brakes are related to the chassis, not the engine capacity. You can have a 3.5 tonne standard chassis with the 150 engine. The Maxi chassis at 4250 tonne has the bigger brakes, which can also have the 150 engine.

 

[Lenny HB]

The brakes are related to the chassis, not the engine capacity. You can have a 3.5 tonne standard chassis with the 150 engine. The Maxi chassis at 4250 tonne has the bigger brakes, which can also have the 150 engine.

I'm fairly certain the 150 option has upgraded brakes.

Also see post #6

 

[BusyBuilder]

Having the B544 130bhp on 4250kg maxi chassis, it has the bigger brakes.

As Lenny says, the hills are the problem, and living in the Highlands we do encounter the odd hill, problem really is the hills with a bend at the bottom meaning you can't get a run up to them, so on some we end up in 2nd gear.

2 years ago we went up to the Eagles Nest at Berchtesgaden, now that is a hill, we did it mostly 2nd gear and 1st on the bends, didn't doubt we'd get there but thought a bit better spread of power would have helped. When the revs drop all the umph goes too.

I have had a look at a Frankia 640, being very similar layout to the Hymer, but don't really relish losing £20k and having to find another £40k. I'm working on having 62 plate Hymer B544, very well spec'ed and going to 2017 Frankia 640 at asking price of £80k.

We aren't rich but have no debt and would want to stay that way, and £40k is a huge chunk out of our savings.

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[Gellyneck]

Having the B544 130bhp on 4250kg maxi chassis, it has the bigger brakes.

As Lenny says, the hills are the problem, and living in the Highlands we do encounter the odd hill, problem really is the hills with a bend at the bottom meaning you can't get a run up to them, so on some we end up in 2nd gear.

2 years ago we went up to the Eagles Nest at Berchtesgaden, now that is a hill, we did it mostly 2nd gear and 1st on the bends, didn't doubt we'd get there but thought a bit better spread of power would have helped. When the revs drop all the umph goes too.

I have had a look at a Frankia 640, being very similar layout to the Hymer, but don't really relish losing £20k and having to find another £40k. I'm working on having 62 plate Hymer B544, very well spec'ed and going to 2017 Frankia 640 at asking price of £80k.

We aren't rich but have no debt and would want to stay that way, and £40k is a huge chunk out of our savings.

Can't deny it but I did have to change down gear on Berriedale

 

[Richard n Ann]

Anybody would think we're talking about racing cars

 

[mitzimad]

Anybody would think we're talking about racing cars

My thoughts exactly if your using your brakes to the limit
Slow down

 

[Wikky]

You could consider remapping the 130 to about 150ish. Most of the benefit would come from the associated increase in torque which would make driving easier at the engine would pull a higher gear.

 

[Lenny HB]

My thoughts exactly if your using your brakes to the limit
Slow down

If I went any slower down a mountain road I'd be stationary.
Difficult to be stationary on a 130 with the the brakes fading.

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[Lenny HB]

You could consider remapping the 130 to about 150ish. Most of the benefit would come from the associated increase in torque which would make driving easier at the engine would pull a higher gear.

Won't solve the lack of a varible vane turbo which gives you the power at low revs.

 

[2657]

I have a 3.5t camper with a 120 engine, been up and down several mountain passes with severe hairpins, including the Stelvio.
1st gear going round hairpins would be my choice in any van from a speed and controllability point of view, 2nd or occasionally 3rd gives me the speed on the straights that I would deem safe.

Long steep drags on autoroutes are a different matter but I am used to driving heavy vehicles and use of the gearbox, keep the revs on or about the peak torque and take my time.

 

[BusyBuilder]

Have Fiat changed the power ratings on the 2.3 engine as I see some are showing 140bhp rather than 130bhp ?

So is it like the older 130 or the better 150 with the variable vane ?

 

[Lenny HB]

Have Fiat changed the power ratings on the 2.3 engine as I see some are showing 140bhp rather than 130bhp ?

Yes & what was the 150 is now 160.

So is it like the older 130 or the better 150 with the variable vane ?

150 Far better particularly on hills & mountains.

 

[Rob Turner]

My van is 4250 and I’ve got the 130 with comfortmatic box and I’ll be honest, it’s absolutely fine. It’s no slouch and I personally wouldn’t spend the extra on either a 150 or 180.

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