Unreliable Motorhome. Forums

roblockey

Hi All.Ive been Fulltiming in the UK for 8 weeks and intended going to Europe when the 6 Months waiting period is up for my dogs passport.
I have a new Lunar Roadstar 786 with a 160 Fiat Base.My daughter lives in Gloucester and that is where my "base" is.I have had problems with the MH from the start, partly poor design partly poor quality.The final straw came yesterday when the Turbo blew going up a dangerous 3 lane hill.I just managed to limp into a laybay having to cross 3 fast lanes to get to it.I called Fiat assistance who sent out a loader to pick it up.When the loader arrived it was to small even though i had told them the dimensions of the MH and the driver before he came to pick me up.I was expecting to go with the MH but was told by the driver that i couldnt because it was to go to a secure compound and then on to Fiat in Swindon.When i asked what i was supposed to do i was told it wasnt his problem i'm just here to pick it up.I then had to phone my daughter to come and pick me up and arrange accomodation.The whole incident has left me really angry but relieved that i found out how bad Fiat are before going to Europe.I have decided to sell the MH and look into buying a Mobile home in Spain,i just want out of this shitty country(apologise for language)If anyone has had experience of this could they let me know before wasting anymore money.

Regards Rob.

Broom

Hi Rob

I know just how you feel, I could go on but too fed up and it would be boring.

Hope things get better.

Best Regards
Broom

cabby

That seems to me just pettyness on the part of the driver.however I would not let this put you off having a motorhome, we all can tell stories some quite nerve racking. many of us have made our first choice of home the wrong one. If you are now not keen on Fiat then look at another marque, go for something that would suit you better in the leisure section now that you have tried.Buying over in germany or France might be a better option for you if you intend to spend a long time there.

cabby

Mikemoss

No wonder you're feeling glum, and the fact that the motorhome is both your motor and your home must make things seem ten times worse. Let's hope the turbo problem is no more than the pipe between the turbo and the engine coming off - I've had this happen to me on a Saab, and I've heard of it happening on the Ducato several times.

I also side with Cabby on this one in terms of not giving up on motorhoming just yet. A reliable motorhome will probably give you more pleasure - and certainly more freedom - than a static. Finding one seems to be pretty much a case of luck though, which it certainly should not be, given the amount these things cost.

Good luck anyway, whatever your decision.

bouncer

I am so sorry to hear of your troubles, and I think you have every reason to take issue with Fiat over the recovery of your vehicle and leaving you effectively stranded....what would someone do that was

a) disabled or infirm
b) had children or pets with them
c) had a lot of 'luggage' to sort out.

I think the way you were treated is deplorable.

As for the turbo going, well I'm no mechanic, but if this happened on a new vehicle, I would certainly have a lot to say about that too. I have to date owned 4 motorhomes all of which have been Fiat based 2.8Td and not had problems, so it could be that you were just very unlucky.

I do hope that you will consider another marque as Cabby & Mikemoss have discussed, or at the very least getting all of your money back plus expenses for the money you will have to fork out for alternatives....

Best of luck, I hope you get a good solution.

jonnyro

hi rob , we were going to buy a static van or cassa as they call them down in los gallardos ( costa almeria ) its near mojacar and its a great place not to commercialised and brilliant weather there are loads of statics down there , my advice for whats its worth is jump on a plane and go and rent for 6 month before buying , we live in a static here in the uk and when you buy one , here , you dont get many rights you are at the mercy of the park owners , so check to see what spanish rules are like......we too had a roadstar 620 and didnt like it so bought a hymer , now we have our home in spain anytime we like..

roblockey

Thanks everyone for the replies and support.Looking at the other posts on the forum regarding Fiat i think i have a hope in hell of getting my money back, i expect i will have to sell it and take the hit.I dont want to keep it now as what happens when the warranty runs out, its bad enough with something reliable let alone a dog.

Regards Rob.

roblockey

bigfoot

FIAT assistance has changed to the RAC. TheAA who operated it in the UK used a lot of contract garages.

gelathae

This is probably controversial. But it defies my belief how anyone could spend their hard earned cash on a motorhome based on a Fiat. You only have to read posts on this site and various magazines to understand that Fiat vehicles (and mainly the Company themselves) are totally inept at producing a vehicle and service standards that are acceptable.

Fiat have failed to recognise that there was a major 5th gear problem on their older vehicles and this latest version even though it looks fantastic has problems with the scuttle and reverse gear judder. As mileages increase I would'nt mind betting that several other problems will arise as well. A turbo blowing on a new vehicle should not happen.

My worst experience with Fiat is when I bought a brand new car some years ago. When I got the vehicle home I noticed that it was painted in 3 shades of green , the doors woul'nt lock and the carpets did'nt fit. Within a couple of months the engine rattled like crazy. I got an independent inspection which indicated that the vehicle had a damaged camshaft and that certain panels had been resprayed. I had so much hassle from the Fiat dealer over the next few months. They stated that the rattle was within acceptable limits and the colour issue was also acceptable. At this time my wife was ill and I got so fed up with the car and Fiat that I sold it and vowed never to buy Fiat again.

So to the original poster I would say don't let your bad experience put you off motorhoming. It should just put you off Fiat.

Sorry to the owners of Fiat but if we keep buying Fiats then we only have ourselves to blame.