famcunni Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 Have spent the last year weighing up the pro's and con's of Motorhome vs Caravan and have finally decided that Motorhome is the way to go. Have decided that we will probably order a Bessacarr E435 for next year. I am a sucker for big diesels and the 130hp varient is tempting but I notice from Fiat's own blurb that the camshaft drive is via a belt, whilst the 100hp model is chain drive which I like the sound of because they are less likely to break. On paper the 100hp seems to have the low revs / high torque output that I also like. Until I get to test drive one I am interested in hearing any thoughts on the subject and if anyone has had the cambelt break on the 130hp engine. Many thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armstrongpiper Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 I have used a 100bhp Peugeot 2.2 Turbo Diesel (2006 model) for 2 summers now, in a Motorhome of Max Gross weight 3400Kg. I fancy we were about 100Kg under max weight in touring trim. The engine performed extremely well on trips along the Spanish side of the Pyrenees with lots of climbing, and over some high passes in the Alps and never has it felt as though it was running out of steam. I know there is always the temptation to go for a bigger engine, but they do cost a paket of money extra, and maybe it is not really necessary. However, Fiat/Peugeot have some strange ideas regarding specifications they will provide - for example you cannot have Cab Aircon with the 100bhp engine, only the 130 and above. Yet you can have aircon retro fitted by TG Turbo eg. Also, 100bhp comes with 5 speed gearbox only, you cannot have 6 speed. These spec barriers are a bit frustrating I think. As for timing belt vs chain, I have never heard of anyone having a belt break within the specified life of the belt (I'm sure this will be contradicted!!). Get it changed when Fiat says it shopuld be and stop worrying about it. I had a Nissan car with a cam chain, which was always noisy and Nissan had a lot of problems with chain tensiioners before it was sorted. It caused me a bit of worry on long trips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowley Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 It is adequate with the 100bhp multijet, but at 60mph the revs seem to be high compared with the 6 gear multijets. The new 100's can be supplied with air con. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 The 100hp engine will do the job, question is will it be adaquate for your driving style? only you will know, also it depends how you will use van, my personal view is, if I where to only drive van for a few weeks holiday traveling to and from one site, 100hp would be ok, but if I where to drive van on regular weekends and long tours I would be tempted by 130hp engine, as I drive van(s) on a daily basis 130hp or 160hp is a must for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thai Bry Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 My opinion-for what it's worth - is like Colin has said.You don't say whether you may have any other passengers with you, so it would be down to the loads that you'd be carrying. If your going to be doing a lot of touring and week ends away, then if not too high a price to pay, I'd also go for the 130BHP engine,I would always go for the more powerful option myself.Thai Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
famcunni Posted September 7, 2007 Author Share Posted September 7, 2007 Thanks for all of the responses. I was thinking that the 130hp motor was a bit expensive at £1400 but there is the cost of extra gear ratio to be considered too. My driving style is getting more relaxed by the day and as I intend to be using this vehicle for pleasure, I will not be tearing around like a lunatic with a frustrated desire to be a racing driver so I think the 100 hp motor will suit. Apart from the occaisional chase for a ferry, I envisage myself bimbling around trying to keep out of everyones way and getting as many miles to the gallon as possible. Sounds boring I know. On the timing belt issue I once sold Ford and Iveco Commercials and can recall several cases of cambelt failure destroying engines. On second hand Escorts and Fiestas we routinely changed cambelts when they were sold as a precaution. I also once had a Lada that ate chain tensioners so can sympathise with the chap and his Nissan. It never broke the chain though! Am going to badger the dealer to drive both variants and see which one I prefer just to be sure Graeme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 I have the new Ford 130bhp 2.2litre. my van is a hightop 6.8m long and 3500kg. it cruises effortlessly and is not at all tiring to drive. it has traction control and cruise control as standard as well. I am unfamiliar with your choice but if a hightop and 3500kg I would say you would be happier with the larger engine. if a low roof model and only two of you you may be OK with the 100bhp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 The base vehicle manufacturers charge a retail customer £960+vat for the engine upgrade, bear that in mind when negotiating price Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flicka Posted September 8, 2007 Share Posted September 8, 2007 Hi Graeme I'll try to give you a comparison I have the previous( 2006) 2.0litre JTD engine 5 speed @ 84bhp on a Bessacarr E410 low profile with a 3000kg MAM , So I think it should give a reasonable comparison against the new 100bhp unit on a 3500kg MAM Bessacarr E435 Coachbuilt. Has the new model got the 6 speed box? My initial consumption was a low of around 22mpg, now with 3000 miles our last trip to the Yorkshire Dales returned 27.2 mpg. So I suppose it is still running in and I hope to be able to improve on the 27mpg, as the Yorkshire Dales trip included a blast on the Motorways there & back and a lot of low gear working whilst there. (My wife still does not believe some of the roads we managed to get on.) If you look at the routes not suitable for Caravans, well we did a good % of them without difficulties. As an "A" road example the long drag from Pately Bridge to Grassington was taken without the need to drop into 2nd gear. The lack of poke is when having slowed for a sharp bend on a minor road & then faced with a steep hill. I have to admit 2nd gear must then come into play. But considering the bulk, I think the size can be considered as adequate and not going to cause you any embaressment holding up faster traffic. having said all of the above, obviously the 130bhp if going to perform better in these circumstances. What, if any, the fuel penalty would be, I don't know. Other my be able to give you some facts on that aspect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Git Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 famcunni - 2007-09-07 5:38 PM Apart from the occaisional chase for a ferry, I envisage myself bimbling around trying to keep out of everyones way and getting as many miles to the gallon as possible. Sounds boring I know. Hi Graeme The higher rated engine will probably help you get more mpg as it will have an extra gear and will not have to work quite so hard to keep you bimbling - lovely word that! (I think Flicka's "if any" comment w.r.t. a fuel penalty with the slightly bigger engine is accurate, though the experts here may correct me.) I'm not sure if I also "bimble" but I drive close to the speed limits (where safe of course!!) on most roads and very rarely grow a tail of impatient motorists. I stay with the lorries at 60mph on motorways however, as I find it both irritating and quite tiring to play leapfrog with them all the time. (I know somebody will argue that staying permanently in the middle lane at 70mph is perfectly legal and therefore acceptable, but I don't share that opinion.) The point of all this rambling is that we just got back from a 260 mile round trip and the indicated fuel consumption was 38.1mpg. This is with the new Nuevo, 2.2 litre 120 bhp multijet engine which has done only 3500 miles as yet, and is probably still a bit tight. This totally non-scientific evidence would suggest that the more powerful engine might be a better option, albeit at a price. It's certainly a joy to drive, and goes like faeces off a fork (!) if necessary. Hope this helps Dave P.S. Where did that emoticon come from? I didn't put it there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest starspirit Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 Of far grater significance is the torque the engine delivers and at what rpm. You want lots of torques at lower revs and then you will have the ideal engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Git Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 See post above. Maximum torque at 1500rpm. Maximum power at 2000rpm. Cheers Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
famcunni Posted September 10, 2007 Author Share Posted September 10, 2007 Hi all, Have read and digested all your comments and have decided not to go for 130hp engine as I think its too expensive to buy in the first place and I have a nasty feeling that if I had the extra horses I would probably employ them all the time and turn into BP's best customer. To some extent this has happened at work because we run 440hp trucks at 44 tonnes and they are crying that we are only getting 7.5 to 8mpg on average. The man from Volvo told them they would get 9 plus. I'm not surprised though because they pull like trains and I like to use the power and acceleration all the time. To pick up on Daves comment about leapfrogging trucks I agree with those sentiments, but I honestly cannot recall a time when I've played this game with a motorhomer. They normally fly by or stay behind. Its normally white van man who gets under your feet, and it wears you out having to overtake the same vehicle a dozen times or more. Why not stay behind I hear you cry! Simple really, they do go quite slow on long inclines at times and If I loose momentum I am left diving into the basement of the gearbox and it takes forever and a day to come back up to the speed limiter at 55mph, even with 440hp. My truck only does 60 mph when going downhill and out of cog. I drive close to, or sometimes a little beyond the speed limits wherever I deem it prudent, appropriate and above all safe to do so. Not proud of that but I think many of us are a little Cavalier with speed at times. The HGV driving test can be failed if you are too cautious under the excuse of 'failing to make progress'. Its seen to be a weakness. Its important to be able to go with the flow as too greater speed differentials cause accidents (sorry collisions) and a great deal of road rage. I reckon 100hp and a wide torque band will enable me to keep up with the flow most of the time which should keep me happy enough. Went and had a look at the ACE Milano on Saturday which has the same layout as the vehicle I am thinking of getting at a caravan dealership. I think the layout suits but the brand new stock vehicle looked really dirty and shabby inside and out. I looked but walked straight out without talking to them as I felt if a Dealer couldn't present a show vehicle well, what hope have you got of getting a properly prepared vehicle at purchase. Will be going to a dedicated Motohome dealer when when its time to put my deposit down. Regards Graeme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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