Fiat Demo

Getting a Ducato 180hp automatic L3H2 for a week long demo, should be very interesting.

Check it doesn't have a speed limiter on it.

Good point, though its very rare that I am over 70 if its restricted to less then the figures wont be any good. It does have cruise control though.

Keep us updated Andy thinking at looking at them next year.

Automatic? My last Jaguar was an automatic and brilliant, cant imagine doing this job in an automatic. Maybe thats what we all need to ease the stress.

PHAX said:

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Automatic? My last Jaguar was an automatic and brilliant, cant imagine doing this job in an automatic. Maybe thats what we all need to ease the stress.

Its a standard gearbox with a robot gear change so there is supposed to be no fuel penalty with it. I love autos had them for years in cars. I'm hoping this auto van proves itself a stress buster in London traffic and roadworks.

Andy McTighe said:

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PHAX said:

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Automatic? My last Jaguar was an automatic and brilliant, cant imagine doing this job in an automatic. Maybe thats what we all need to ease the stress.

Its a standard gearbox with a robot gear change so there is supposed to be no fuel penalty with it. I love autos had them for years in cars. I'm hoping this auto van proves itself a stress buster in London traffic and roadworks.

But it's a Fiat automatic, Fiat do things slightly different than anybody else, I can speak from experience I have had 2 new ones from new, they also have the worst dealerships and customer service nothing comes close.

Your ok your in Cheshire best Fiat dealers in the UK Is Mangalotsi

Surely cant be worse than mercedes

Well guys that's all went t*ts up in a hurry, can't get temp cover on H&R insurance so now I will just be driving the van round Wrexham on Saturday what a let down.

Coalville Courier said:

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Check it doesn't have a speed limiter on it.

I'll second that - Peugeot arranged for us to have a sister vehicle for a 7 day demo a few months ago. Our driver got onto the A1, 10 minutes after leaving home and floored it up the slip road, as you do, pulled out behind a line of trucks doing 56 mph with the intention of overtaking and staying in front of the cars approaching in his mirror doing 75mph( ? ). The limiter kicked in at 62 mph nearly causing an accident. There were no indications anywhere in the cab or on the paperwork that the van was speed limited. It was a good job that the day's job consisted of less than 300 miles and not a more usual 400 mile + day. Fuel consumption was excellent, but then it should be at those sedate speeds.

For 021 couriers i would have the delight of driving sitroen C15`s ( its was 1992 or so ) with a firm governed speed of 56. To manage this they wound out the throttle cable. This ment the first 10 inch was play and the last 2 was go, the acceleration was something else, cyclists would beat you to 30, never ever again in my book

Lucky escape then Andy, never been a Fiat fan since I once drove a Ducato, thats a Ducato not a Ducati all together a more exciting tool.

PHAX said:

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Lucky escape then Andy, never been a Fiat fan since I once drove a Ducato, thats a Ducato not a Ducati all together a more exciting tool.

I like the X250 vans, I have a Boxer now and will probably replace with the same but I'd really like an automatic, having said that I am struggling to trust the Fiat gearbox.

Andy McTighe said:

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PHAX said:

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Lucky escape then Andy, never been a Fiat fan since I once drove a Ducato, thats a Ducato not a Ducati all together a more exciting tool.

I like the X250 vans, I have a Boxer now and will probably replace with the same but I'd really like an automatic, having said that I am struggling to trust the Fiat gearbox.

3 years unlimited mileage warranty, what's the problem?
Fiat is a no brainer right now. 3 years 'worry' free driving, the van about knackered then with normal courier mileage. Then buy another

RAPID LIGHT TRANSPORT LTD. said:

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Andy McTighe said:

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PHAX said:

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Lucky escape then Andy, never been a Fiat fan since I once drove a Ducato, thats a Ducato not a Ducati all together a more exciting tool.

I like the X250 vans, I have a Boxer now and will probably replace with the same but I'd really like an automatic, having said that I am struggling to trust the Fiat gearbox.

3 years unlimited mileage warranty, what's the problem?
Fiat is a no brainer right now. 3 years 'worry' free driving, the van about knackered then with normal courier mileage. Then buy another

Only fear I have with it is some camper van owners have had problems with the auto box and they are so rare here that nobody knows how to fix them, I'll have a talk to the service manager and see what he says. You are right, 3 years and get a new one.

If you really want an auto 3.5T, then the IVECO Daily offers an auto box

Just back from a test drive, found the robot gearbox a bit odd but effective. Strangely there is no hill holder so as you come off the brake it rolls back which I am not used to in an automatic, you'd just have to remember to use the handbrake more than in a manual. Otherwise the 3 litre has a big fuel penalty so I have ruled that out.

Warranty is 100,000 miles or 3 years so about 15-18 months of courier work.

Quick Step Couriers said:

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If you really want an auto 3.5T, then the IVECO Daily offers an auto box

Probably wants to carry the extra 500 kgs legally...

Iveco is a good 200kgs heavier than an X250 van and uses about 10% more fuel