- Joined
- Jun 10, 2007
- Messages
- 195
- Points
- 75
Ok, before more established members get huffy `what's this newbie owner on about?' First Impressions are just that; once you get used to a car, they're not possible. So; previous car was a Citroen 3 litre petrol engined V6 `Exclusive' Auto Estate which I'd owned for 3 years and used as my regular car. Last drive in it was from Kirriemuir to Chester, where I left it for its new owner and picked up the Multipla. This I drove from Chester to just outside Stoke, then two days later after a little local driving, back to Kirriemuir. Total distance driven in the Multipla; just over 533 miles.
First impressions are that these are excellent cars. Their width is nothing like the problem some people claim; in fact the reletivly short wheelbase means you can turn in closer on left hand bends than on longer `standard width' cars. The 105 JTD* engine is maybe a tad underpowered, but I've a feeling that new air and fuel filters could help this. As it is, motorway cruising at an indicated 80 mph is fine. With 3 adults plus luggage, indicated 90 seems about it's maximum in 5th. Maybe possible to go faster in 4th, but I'm not used to the engine and without a rev counter**, don't want to push it. It's a VERY quiet running diesel; once cruising there's not enough engine noise to hear what it's doing. It's very comfortable; good precise steering and lots of space and storage cubyholes. Aircon, switchable from Auto to Manual is about as good as it gets
. Build quality is fine, but the plastic used for the doorpulls seems porous, it's quite grubby and pockmarked on mine; I'm not sure yet how well it will clean up. Sound system; very good indeed. You can even alter the loudness control `roll off' frequency; a facility usually only found on top quality home Hi-Fi . As sold originally it had a radio/cassette player plus a CD multichanger under the front LH passenger seat, but some hound has taken the CD player out***. Lights are incredible; the high level `high beams' are very bright; forgetting to dip them really will cause problems for oncoming drivers trying to see where they're going! I could go on about general ease of use and quick familiarity, but for first impressions, this really is a well designed MPV that's easy to use and fun to drive. Well Done Fiat.
*As far as I know, the JTD engines used on the Multipla are all 1910cc but vary on power depending on designation; 105, 110 or 115. Does anyone know how this is achieved, and whether it's possible to increase the power of the 105 without overloading anything? Do the tuning chips sold on Ebay offer any real advantages?
**Did the later models (110 and 115) have rev counters fitted in the speedometer housing? If so, can the whole unit be swopped over to a 105 model like mine? Are the necessary engine hookups for rev counter etc. there? It would be nice to have a temperature guage as well as a warning light (which by definition only comes on when the engine is already too hot)
***What are the chances of obtaining, and how much would I have to pay for, a replacement CD changer?
First impressions are that these are excellent cars. Their width is nothing like the problem some people claim; in fact the reletivly short wheelbase means you can turn in closer on left hand bends than on longer `standard width' cars. The 105 JTD* engine is maybe a tad underpowered, but I've a feeling that new air and fuel filters could help this. As it is, motorway cruising at an indicated 80 mph is fine. With 3 adults plus luggage, indicated 90 seems about it's maximum in 5th. Maybe possible to go faster in 4th, but I'm not used to the engine and without a rev counter**, don't want to push it. It's a VERY quiet running diesel; once cruising there's not enough engine noise to hear what it's doing. It's very comfortable; good precise steering and lots of space and storage cubyholes. Aircon, switchable from Auto to Manual is about as good as it gets
. Build quality is fine, but the plastic used for the doorpulls seems porous, it's quite grubby and pockmarked on mine; I'm not sure yet how well it will clean up. Sound system; very good indeed. You can even alter the loudness control `roll off' frequency; a facility usually only found on top quality home Hi-Fi . As sold originally it had a radio/cassette player plus a CD multichanger under the front LH passenger seat, but some hound has taken the CD player out***. Lights are incredible; the high level `high beams' are very bright; forgetting to dip them really will cause problems for oncoming drivers trying to see where they're going! I could go on about general ease of use and quick familiarity, but for first impressions, this really is a well designed MPV that's easy to use and fun to drive. Well Done Fiat.*As far as I know, the JTD engines used on the Multipla are all 1910cc but vary on power depending on designation; 105, 110 or 115. Does anyone know how this is achieved, and whether it's possible to increase the power of the 105 without overloading anything? Do the tuning chips sold on Ebay offer any real advantages?
**Did the later models (110 and 115) have rev counters fitted in the speedometer housing? If so, can the whole unit be swopped over to a 105 model like mine? Are the necessary engine hookups for rev counter etc. there? It would be nice to have a temperature guage as well as a warning light (which by definition only comes on when the engine is already too hot)
***What are the chances of obtaining, and how much would I have to pay for, a replacement CD changer?
