Message Forums

Hi.

We are considering changing our petrol/LPG powered Pilote motorhome for a diesel Hymer 544/555, up to 10yrs old. Can anyone advise as to the merits or otherwise of the Fiat/Mercedes power units, which seem to be 2.5 or 2.9 litres, turbo  or not?

Many thanks,

Peterpat

hello peterpat, from experiance of driving both the fiat 2.5 normaly asperated and the mercedes 2.9 turbo engined vans, i would deffinatly go for the merc every time. the power out put of that 5 cylinder is awsome, it will pull all day long and with a lot of weight on board as well. from memory, most of the motorhome chassis are based on the 311 model, this will give you 110 BHP in a very econimcal package. Plus you dont get the engine cover in side the drivers foot well. but to be honest its not in the fiat either. but like i said. i have driven both models and the merc has it every time....

                     Richard :)

      ps... the merc is much quieter as well ...

Hi Richard-

Many thanks for taking the time to advise me; I'll certainly bear that in mind.

Peter

I would suggest you compare the Fiat 2.8JTD engine with the 2.9 Mercedes as to compare a 2.5 is not a direct comparisson,  I have had Mercedes cars for the last 20 year and would generally say that the mercedes is very reliable, the only down side is that once they are out of warranty the servicing costs are very very high. Its the old adage if you can't afford it new then you certainly can't afford it when it gets old ??  so unless you can repair it yourself i would seriously look at the maintenance costs on the different makes ?

Hope this helps

Brian

Hi, Just another point if you are going for over 6 years old you will proberbly not get the Mercedes CDI diesel engine,  which is fitted to the sprinter,  this engine is proberbly the best diesel engine ever made.  The engines prior were OK but really not a patch on the CDI which gives the diesel, a petrol like performance. 

I am not sure if Mercedes were the first to introduce the Diesel Common Rail Injection system (CDI) but they were certainly near the first,  However nearly all Diesel manufactures have now got the Common Rail system albeit they use a different name Fords TDCI,  Fiat JTD etc.

I would recomend that you try to stretch your buget to go for a Common Rail Engine if you can,  as the performance of even the turbo diesel engines prior are certainly no match for them ? and the fuel consumption is also improved.

if you require any more info, i will try to help

Brian

Brian-

Many thanks for this excellent advice.Looks like a common rail 2.8 Fiat then, bearing in mind maintenance costs!

All the best,

Peter