Guest Foxy Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 Right lets set the ball rolling. I am thinking of purchasing a Auto-trail cheyenne and can`t make my mind up whether to go for Mercedes Chassis or Fiat. I have a 2003 Fiat at the moment and have to admit the pulling power of the 2.8 coupled with the ride is V good, but getting stuck on the least bit of wet field is making me think of the sprinter 316 but I have heard the ride is not as good as Fiat. Thoughts would be appreciated. Foxy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Clive Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 Hi Foxy, I must admit I am besotted with our Autotrail Scout on a MERC 312. Its quiet, smooth, comfortable, made with quality components and has never (touch wood) let us down. It (like all new Mercs) has a chain driven camshaft, no belt to go wrong with massive costs. There is no history of 5th gear problems unlike Fiat. 5 cylinders as well. The latest common rain Sprinter 316 will eat a 2.8 JTD for smooth performance. If you are power mad then Van Aaken will make both of them even more powerfull! Yes the Merc based motorhomes cost more but for us its well worth the money. Just think, if you had been logical and saved your dosh and got the Fiat version because you don,t do many miles you would always be thinking afterwards "but I really wanted the Merc". Its up to you, its your money! Come to the York show and talk it over with us. Good luck C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Norma Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 We have a Fiat MH and have had Merc vans since 1980 for the business. The Fiat has cost us more and is less sophisticated than the Merc. Mercedes backup is superb too. When we have needed support in Europe, we just called the Merc helpline and were put in touch with the nearest agent and the bill sent home to our local Merc agent. As for Fiat ... first find a van agent! I would love to try a Merc MH - when our Sprinters are fully loaded they can feel a little soft and spongy, though at high (70+) speeds we have never come unstuck. It's just a different feeling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Foxy Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 Where will I find you clive? Thanks for your input Norma. Foxy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Clive Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 Hi Foxy, In the press area - wherever that end us as being! Normally well placed for close access to the main events. The marshals should know where we are by Friday morning! There will be nearly two dozen PRESS vans and several signs that say "PRESS MMM TEAM". Number IS R4 MOT. Regards cLIVE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bill Ord Posted September 2, 2005 Share Posted September 2, 2005 Hi, Apart from the extra cost of the Merc the only down side I can see is the much narrower track which can make for a lot more roll than on a Fiat. Have a look at both vans side by side, Brownhills at Newark make this easy and decide if first of all it looks right then take both for a test drive. I had a Cheyenne 635 on a Fiat; 48,00 trouble free miles from the chassis. I test drove both chassis and for me it was no contest, the Fiat was a much better drive, much less roll on roundabouts etc. I now have a Rapido 924 again on a Fiat with an Alco chassis, tested both Fiat and Merc again no contest and the Merc looks overbodied as the narrow track just looks wrong. You pays your money and makes your choice but check that the rear wheel drive doesn't steal tank capacity with the prop shaft reducing the size of the tanks as it does on the Rapido 924. Bill Ord Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bill Ord Posted September 2, 2005 Share Posted September 2, 2005 Hi, Apart from the extra cost of the Merc the only down side I can see is the much narrower track which can make for a lot more roll than on a Fiat. Have a look at both vans side by side, Brownhills at Newark make this easy and decide if first of all it looks right then take both for a test drive. I had a Cheyenne 635 on a Fiat; 48,00 trouble free miles from the chassis. I test drove both chassis and for me it was no contest, the Fiat was a much better drive, much less roll on roundabouts etc. I now have a Rapido 924 again on a Fiat with an Alco chassis, tested both Fiat and Merc again no contest and the Merc looks overbodied as the narrow track just looks wrong. You pays your money and makes your choice but check that the rear wheel drive doesn't steal tank capacity with the prop shaft reducing the size of the tanks as it does on the Rapido 924. Bill Ord Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Clive Posted September 2, 2005 Share Posted September 2, 2005 The Mercs do have a slightly narrower track that the Fiats but any recent motorhome will be built on the motorhome variant of the Merc chassis that has extra strong anti-roll bars. Ours is 8 years old now and had stronger springs fitted at the back from new. Handling has never been a problem. I understand that if you can wait long enough that the next generation of Sprinters will have a wider track. Yes the Fiats do go round corners like on rails but if you use this feature you will soon find that cupboard doors open and contents spread around the van! I do enjoy a softer ride. (Not quite sure what to say after that!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Docted Posted September 3, 2005 Share Posted September 3, 2005 Clive If in doubt say nowt! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Andy H Posted September 6, 2005 Share Posted September 6, 2005 We've had both and our next van (collecting it next week) will be a Fiat - just because that was what the base vehicle of the layout we wanted happened to be. One observation though - Merc service is superb. We lived in France for a few years and servicing of our Merc there, at a main dealer who specialised in trucks, cost about half what it would in the UK. Parts availability (we have a "K" reg) was excellent too. We have found Fiat servicing less impressive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peter Wade Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 Mercedes Mercedes Mercedes Forget the Fiat.Since retiring from a lifetime in European Road Haulage I can assure you that you are compairing the likes of the old Lada to a BM. the dodgy bit is putting a brit made plastic caravan on it's back when for the same brass you could have quality German manufacture motorhome total. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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