Merc or Fiat

bigmeeky

Guest
Right then....

We have decided to upgrade the old girl (well we think) nothing to radiacl just a shift from the 80s to the 90s.

I am a fan of the hymer s700 660 etc being a bit of a merc fan. Cant help but notice that the vast majority of the Hymers are built on a fiat chassis.

Seems from floor plans I can see that a 644 is pretty much a 660 but on a Fiat chassis likewise the B684 being a smilar floor plan to the S700 (tag axle aside).

I am asking the question although the answer might be obvious in that there are a lot of vans that seemed to have lasted the test of time however what is the concensus of opinion of the fiat chassied Hymer??

You help is as always valued....
 
For me it is,​

IMG_1892.jpg

But others will differ.​
 
From what I have read about the Fiat problems, I would stay well away from anything Fiat produced on the new shape Fiat cab in the 2.3 litre engine. The clutch and gearbox problems started with these models and I have read elsewhere that the Fiats built after April 2009 will be defect free. :rolleyes:

It is too early to tell yet whether the Fiat fix on these will stand the test of time and a lot of them make funny noises from the gearbox when travelling. Fiat have refused to recognise any problem on the 3.0 litre models despite many complaints.

The Merc engines were not perfect a few years ago but seem to have been sorted out OK now.

I have the 2.8 JTD engine pulling a 4.5 tonne tag axle. It is doing alright but the 3.0 is a newer and better engine to go for.

Brand new models with the dual mass flywheel (of all makes) seems to becoming the next problem. Even cars are having problems with them.
 
Hi pal, it's personal preference :eek::eek:
although I have a fIAT. Perhaps check running cost etc, also Fiat
peugeot share many parts could be handy when you get part problems.
 
Hi,
I had a new Murvi on the old Fiat 2.8 T diesel. 116.000 miles in 10 years no problems. Now have a new Murvi [Jan 2009] on a Fiat 2,3 T diesel wonderful machine runs perfectly - but I did have a slight reverse judder once when fully laden, Fiat fixed it straight away, so no complaints. The Merc is simply not worth the extra £000,00 in my opinion. Others WILL differ. The above comments can be read in previous threads in more detail.

Dezi
 
Sorry bigmeeky,

I jumped in too fast and have just noticed you are looking for a 90`s model. You never know, if you win the lottery, my posting might be more useful.

There are plenty Hymer owners on here so I will clear off and leave it to the experts. :eek:
 
Hymer Merc more reliable and less prone to rust in the engine bay (engine add ons) but Fiat more economical, I've had both under Hymer bodies.
 
Hi,

If you are looking for a van around 15 -20 years old my preference would be a Merc to be honest.

Peter
 
bigmeeky said:
Right then....
just a shift from the 80s to the 90s
Click to expand...
Just my tuppence worth but Mercs of that age are considered bullet proof, by many people as you no doubt know. And will go on for ever! So they say.
 
renault4mad said:
hi all,
i have to do some work on a 1994 Hymer A class with tag back axle. I have to do a rear wheel bearin and a front wheel bearing. Can anyone tell me if they are the same as Fiat/peugot or even merc. There is one identical on ebay at the moment.
HYMER 694 TAG AXLE 5/6 BERTH TURBO DIESEL MOTORHOME on eBay (end time 07-Feb-10 18:49:39 GMT)
this is exactly like it
hope someone can help.

cheers
andrew
Click to expand...

go to a dealer or car shop give them your reg. no. and they will give you the part no. and ask to cross ref. with other manufacturers
 
Mercs of that age are a much better bet than Fiats.

Find a good Merc mechanic to come with you to have a look and listen to the mechanics though. They can be expensive to fix if something has eventually worn out.

Hallii
 
hi bigmeeky
you`v already said it the s700 93/94 merc engine chassis and backend double wheels no trailing axels and rear wheel drive. a 1 piece fiberglass roof (no leaks)
i`v had 3 in my time.
good luk
willis
 
renault4mad said:
hi all,
i have to do some work on a 1994 Hymer A class with tag back axle. I have to do a rear wheel bearin and a front wheel bearing. Can anyone tell me if they are the same as Fiat/peugot or even merc. There is one identical on ebay at the moment.
HYMER 694 TAG AXLE 5/6 BERTH TURBO DIESEL MOTORHOME on eBay (end time 07-Feb-10 18:49:39 GMT)
this is exactly like it
hope someone can help.

cheers
andrew
Click to expand...

hi andrew strip out your old bearings wash them with petrol and take them to
you`r local bearing distribuator eg HAYLEY BEARINGS i don`t know who`s near you.
but any good supplier will be able to match them up for you
good luk
 
We have a trouble free (so far) 2006 Fiat 2.8jdi, however the biggest difference is a Fiat will be front wheel drive and Mercs will be a more tractable rear wheel drive, especially if you go for a twin wheel model.

Regarding bearing suppliers - also search for Premier Bearings, VERY helpfull when I was trying to replace bearings on two boat trailers, they replaced them with Astra fronts and Cavalier rears!!! (And MUCH cheaper than the boat trailer supplier).
 
For what its worth BM, I have a 01, Hobby 750 running the Fiat JTD 2.8 motor, and it has been faultless. [Touch wood!!] Maybe before all the trouble with Fiat. Still, at least you don't have a Toyota on recall.....
I got it remapped couple of years ago, and that transformed it, pulls really well low down and 5th gear easily and turns back another 5-8 mpg. I was really impressed with the results. Also, I noticed the motor runs easier, seems less stressed. Allows me a larger payload so the wife can take more handbags and shoes....
I think Fiat motors are like any other, you get good and bad. Our Merc Sprinter has been a van from hell. Cost a fortune and stupid things [but always expensive...]keep going wrong, so I wouldn't have a Merc again, but that's only my opinion..for what its worth..probably not a lot..just trying to help..rambling again..but. whatever you get, I recommend a remap..Cheers

 
PaulC said:
Just my tuppence worth but Mercs of that age are considered bullet proof, by many people as you no doubt know. And will go on for ever! So they say.
Click to expand...

I run a 1992 Merc 410D Transporter. The Model before the Sprinter. It is bullet proof. Hymer S700 as has been said with one piece fibreglass roof.

Had to replace heater matrix due to a leak in the core. New one not much better than the old one for heat though. Replaced the glow plug control box. and a fan belt. Had it since November 2006. Been regularly serviced before and after I bought it in Germany.

Replaced the step for a two step version. Had to replace front Truma Heater as water had got in through the exhaust on the side of the van and caused corrosion, an expensive job at over £2000 due to Brownhills spending £1000 labour on trying to make old one work.
 
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