Which of these engines are the most reliable?

[Phooey]

I asked this question in another forum but got no response but thought that seeing as most of these engines are also found in Motorhomes it might fit in here..

I've been looking at horse boxes for a while but all that are within budget seem to be relatively high milage. If we're looking at approx 2018 onwards they seem to either be built upon a Renault, Fiat, Citroen, Vauxhall, or Peugeot chassis. Does anyone have any recommendations, advice, or preference on which engine / gearboxes to buy or avoid? Thanks

[RedWhiteMonkey]

Phooey said:

I asked this question in another forum but got no response but thought that seeing as most of these engines are also found in Motorhomes it might fit in here..

I've been looking at horse boxes for a while but all that are within budget seem to be relatively high milage. If we're looking at approx 2018 onwards they seem to either be built upon a Renault, Fiat, Citroen, Vauxhall, or Peugeot chassis. Does anyone have any recommendations, advice, or preference on which engine / gearboxes to buy or avoid? Thanks

You don't actually tell us which engines you are specifically interested in, but setting that aside a lot the vans from those brands are basically identical under their skin. They are all commercial vehicles designed to cover 100,000 of miles, I really wouldn't worry toom much about them.

[Phooey]

RedWhiteMonkey said:

You don't actually tell us which engines you are specifically interested in, but setting that aside a lot the vans from those brands are basically identical under their skin. They are all commercial vehicles designed to cover 100,000 of miles, I really wouldn't worry toom much about them.

Thanks for reply. Good point re engines - not too sure I'll have to have a look. For example the Renault is based on the Master Platform Cab - I imagine the 2018 engine would only differentiate in power outputs? I've had vans for work before and mainly Mercedes Sprinters - these were trouble free but I remember in the olden days (back around 2000?) the Renaults were quite troublesome once they got some miles under the hood

[dundarach]

Which sells well in developing countries, those are the ones I'd pick.

[Phooey]

dundarach said:

Which sells well in developing countries, those are the ones I'd pick.

Merc, Ford and VW generally but they’re rarely used for horse boxes

[Johnnybee]

We owned a Ducato motorhome with the 2.3 engine for almost eight years with zero issues and have just replaced it with a newer version of the same model.

[poo at Paul's]

I have had ‘Seville’ vans (all made in same factory) for c.12 years and always go with the fiat option, as in my experience the engines are more straightforward and the multi jet is a fine performer, power and economy wise. I ‘ think” it’s an iveco developed unit, but seems bullet proof whatever, so far

One good tip, get a coloured van, not a white one. Silver, grey, black etc all have far better primers used in paint process and you’ll be hard pushed to find any rot on anything even 15 years old, unless a repairs been bodged. White ones, not the case.

But for the money, a Ducato is an absolute steal compare to a merc or crafter or t5 etc. they’re also wonder higher up in the back, like 6ft in eternally so allows for transverse beds of a decent size.

[nagsheadwarrior]

I'm a motorhome dealer , don't tend to get many mechanical issues due to the lack of miles.

Only troublesome one around those ages was the Transit 2.0 which was a shame as its a lovely engine, weirdly same engine used in the Peugeot and Citroen of the same era but no issues in them.

Personally that Fiat Ducsto x7 with the Iveco 2.3 is pretty bombproof

[Phooey]

Johnnybee said:

We owned a Ducato motorhome with the 2.3 engine for almost eight years with zero issues and have just replaced it with a newer version of the same model.

Good to hear - thanks for reply

poo at Paul's said:

I have had ‘Seville’ vans (all made in same factory) for c.12 years and always go with the fiat option, as in my experience the engines are more straightforward and the multi jet is a fine performer, power and economy wise. I ‘ think” it’s an iveco developed unit, but seems bullet proof whatever, so far

One good tip, get a coloured van, not a white one. Silver, grey, black etc all have far better primers used in paint process and you’ll be hard pushed to find any rot on anything even 15 years old, unless a repairs been bodged. White ones, not the case.

But for the money, a Ducato is an absolute steal compare to a merc or crafter or t5 etc. they’re also wonder higher up in the back, like 6ft in eternally so allows for transverse beds of a decent size.

Brilliant thanks for reply. Good tip re the paint!

nagsheadwarrior said:

I'm a motorhome dealer , don't tend to get many mechanical issues due to the lack of miles.

Only troublesome one around those ages was the Transit 2.0 which was a shame as its a lovely engine, weirdly same engine used in the Peugeot and Citroen of the same era but no issues in them.

Personally that Fiat Ducsto x7 with the Iveco 2.3 is pretty bombproof

Thanks nagsheadwarrior. I'll bear the Fiat in mind then! Out of interest do you know if it's the same engine (Iveco 2.3) in all circa 2018 models onwards? Thanks

[nagsheadwarrior]

Yeah the Fiat/Iveco engine was tweaked and made it though to when the Ducato X8 came out last year when they switched to the 2.2 Pug/Citoreb were using but with their own jtd heads