I have one a 2003 medium wheel base and like it very much can fit into most car parks without a height barrier, use it as an everyday vehicle. Not really clocked the mpg but I reckon about 30 mpg
Quote: Originally posted by davelympo on 28/6/2014
do you know who the manufacturer is who builds the motorhome for the relay?
I believe there are various builders mine was done by an individual for himself who worked in the trade.
This is one company and no I am not on commission or have any connection.
hi
you never know which review to believe these days.
have a look at this below ....... 134 reviews. the vans score pretty low to me yet people on here saying different. if anything it will provide you with a checklist to take with you.
http://www.roadtestreports.co.uk/vans/fiat/ducato/
Sponsors of 'official' surveys on many subjects often have a vested interest in the outcome so will tend to aim questions to satisfy that interest! So I tend to trust my personal experience as well as those of others I actually meet on site!
E.g. :-
1. Have had 4 Fiats including 3 Ducatos over the last 13 years - all have been reliable as well as very good value and enjoyable to drive! (hope I don't regret saying that!)
2. In almost 50 years and 1 million miles of driving have only *broken down 6 times on the road. Four with Fords, and once each VW and Volvo!( *E.g. breakdowns caused by bad design or poor dealer maintenance rather than being 'my fault')
3. Have spoken to probably hundreds of others on campsites over the years - problems with the conversion companies are commonly mentioned but rarely any with the base vehicle.
As Fiat, Peugeot and Citroen (vans) all made in same Sevel factory can only assume all would be similar in terms of reliability.
All that said these vans are relatively cheap and are designed primarily for 'white van man' to use and abuse, covering say 50 to 100K miles in 3 years or so before being cremated!
It seems likely that most Motorhome users would take much more care of their 'home-on-wheels' - the latter very important to check - especially as van you are considering is 11 years old.
We had a test drive on a Motorhome based on a Mercedes base vehicle a few years ago - just to see what we might buy with a small lottery win. Quite noisy and not as 'nice to drive' as the Ducato!
Hope this helps - I make no apologies for my subjective opinions and very unscientific survey! Please laugh and destroy as required!
Iggy
Post last edited on 04/07/2014 12:48:25
------------- The older I get the better I used to be.
Agree that some forum entries as mentioned in 'roadtestreports' above can make depressing reading and would probably have put me off buying any Sevel vehicles!
However bear in mind folks rarely write about their particular vehicle if satisfied with same, so such forums are almost always slanted to the negatives. However it is fairly well known that front wheel bearings on 02 to 04 vans can be a problem. Also the reverse juddering that occurred on 06 to 09 vans is very well known ... eventually agreed and corrected by 'Sevel after much denial!
All makes are subject to human error - especially on Friday afternoons.
The Practical Motorhome advice from 'lockpicker' is excellent -suggest you follow their advice - especially regarding looking at the van's bottom!. However also bear in mind that it is also not in PM or MMM magazine's interest to really slang-off any van!
I admit my positive views are influenced by the fact that faults were corrected under warranty by a very good local Fiat dealer. (Yes, thin on the ground but they do exist!)
Iggy out!
------------- The older I get the better I used to be.