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We are currently thinking of purchasing our first motorhome and like the Autotrail range, we are a little confused which engine size to go for. Can anyone give us some feed back on 2.3 or 2.8 pros and cons? Is the 2.3 130 under powered?
I can only comment on my own 2.3 130 multijet. It's by no means underpowered and will cruise a 70mph no probs. Left on cruise control on the motorway it runs up and down hill all day without any change in speed.
Hi tatsy
You do not say which Autotrail model you are considering.
Is it a pre 2007 or post 2007
If it is something like a Tracker, then 2.3 is perfect. If it is a Mohican or bigger then the 2.8 would be best choice (assuming it is pre 2007 as after 2007 it would be a 3.0 ltr)
Come back with more info and we will come back with more answers.
Dennis
______________________________________________________________ Be seeing you! No. 6
WE have a 2.3litre 130 multijet on an Auto Trail Cheyenne 660SE and find it more than adequate and our is a 4.05 ton.
We previously had the same model mh on a 2.8 jtd and also found that good. The 130 multijet has slightly more horsepower than the 2.8 jtd.
The only major issue with the new 2.3 130 is THE REVERSE JUDDER as the water ingress into the engine bay should be sorted on new mh's now. However the judder issue when reversing on even slight inclines remains a major issue so you would be well advised to drive a mh on a test ride first and make sure you reverse it up a slope.
We are waiting for Fiat to do a fix for this.
Last edited by zulurita on Mon Jan 05, 2009 7:09 pm; edited 1 time in total ______________________________________________________________ RITA
We have an Apache 634U with 2.3 130bhp multijet. The performance is fine - I can't see why there would be any reason to go for the larger engine on a motorhome that size. We went over several passes in the Alps this year (not the motorways) including lots of 1 in 5s and we never went into first gear unless to keep a very low speed as we went round a hairpin at the same time as another motorhome.
Ours is a year old (tomorrow!) and it came without the scuttle leak. The only issue is the reversing issue. It ought to be possible to get any fix done on it before accepting it, now they have the means to cure it; If it were I would make it a condition of the purchase contract from the outset - making sure I had it in writing.
If price is not an issue, go for the bigger engine especially if your GVW is >3.5tons. My thinking is it is less strain on the engine and you should get a longer life and better economy.
peedee
______________________________________________________________ The best journeys are not always in straight lines
For an account of our journeys click >here< (Last updated 1st March 2012)
I have the big Chieftain with the 160hp engine. It'll give the boy racers a run for their money even fully ladel but I guess the downside is the fuel economy if you choose to drive it that hard. Driven normally it goes like a dream. Once in the cruise at 60-65 I select cruise control and sit back; even up the hills.
As Peedee says, if you have the money go for the 160.
I have the 2.8lt on an Autotrail Cheyenne 634L and it just goes on and on.
I love the power it makes it so easy to drive and you can overtake etc without hesitation. It drives more like a car with the extra power.
My previous M/H had a Merc 208 engine and it was definitely underpowered, but that was a 1992 engine and in fairness they have improved enormously.
______________________________________________________________ Barry
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