I've trawled through this forum and searched it as well, but I've found very little about the ownership experience of a Dualogic 500L.
I currently run a 500L MPW PopStar 1.3 MultiJet 5-speed (actually the wife's car, leased from Motability.)
Now, we like our 500L, it gives us 55mpg overall (over 15,000miles!), and apart from feeling it's a wee bit underpowered, we're very happy, so much so that when replacement time comes, we want another. Here's where it gets complicated- my arthritic knees are deteriorating to the point where the next car HAS to be automatic, so we need to know about the Dualogic 500L. When we first got ours, we considered a Dualogic, but I was deterred by scare stories of poor economy and rough, jerky gearshifts. So, is a Dualogic a worthwhile choice (tell us about yours!) or should we abandon Fiat next time around to get a better auto transmission?

Hi OldhamDoblo,
I'm jumping from the Qubo Section here, so expect to be shot down in flames......haha.
I have a 2009 Qubo Dualogic 1.3 Diesel. My problem is Rheumatoid Arthritis, and being limited to autos by the DVLA.
Apart from being 'strange' to get used to I find them great, fuel economy is better with the auto box as you have to be in the right gear. Mine has now done 30000 odd mile with no problems. The worst part is the change from 1st to 2nd, which always seems to take forever, especially when pulling away in traffic. Though its really down to practice and technique..........apart from that all the gear changes up and down are smooth. You do have with the Fiat system the option to manually change gear, providing the computer agrees. Plus you can like a manual change down on long downhill runs for braking effect. You will also have two pre installed options, either normal or economy, which alter the point at which the gear changes operate, hence improving economy if required, or giving you a more sporty drive if that's wanted.

Bear in mind that the Fiat system is a normal gearbox and normal clutch, its just that the clutch and gear change are controlled by computer and operated by hydraulics, as opposed to the other type of auto boxes where they are fluid drive through a torque converter.

Cheers Qube O.

Qube O said:

as opposed to the other type of auto boxes where they are fluid drive through a torque converter.

Cheers Qube O.

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Actually, most systems are like Fiats now, they have to be for economy and emissions reasons. Very few conventional torque converter autos available on the market in the UK new currently.

OP, I like them and find them ok, however have a good test drive in one, as they're not to everyone liking

OldhamDoblo said:

I've trawled through this forum and searched it as well, but I've found very little about the ownership experience of a Dualogic 500L.
I currently run a 500L MPW PopStar 1.3 MultiJet 5-speed (actually the wife's car, leased from Motability.)
Now, we like our 500L, it gives us 55mpg overall (over 15,000miles!), and apart from feeling it's a wee bit underpowered, we're very happy, so much so that when replacement time comes, we want another. Here's where it gets complicated- my arthritic knees are deteriorating to the point where the next car HAS to be automatic, so we need to know about the Dualogic 500L. When we first got ours, we considered a Dualogic, but I was deterred by scare stories of poor economy and rough, jerky gearshifts. So, is a Dualogic a worthwhile choice (tell us about yours!) or should we abandon Fiat next time around to get a better auto transmission?

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Most people get along with it would seem. As for reliability they are far better than the dogs breakfast of an auto box they fitted in the US market the result of which was to tarnish FIATs reputation in the states.

We possibly would have had one but my wife is not a fan of auto transmissions.

I've not driven a Dualogic except in a regular 500, and it was a TwinAir, so i'm not going to comment on driving one. However, about a third of the 500Ls i've seen on the road have been Dualogic's, so I assume it's fairly safe to say they're pretty decent.

I have driven the 500L 1.3 Multijet diesel manual & found that to be more capable than you'd imagine for an engine with only 85bhp. It's also less tractor-like than the bigger 1.6 diesel. I have the same 1.3 85bhp engine in my (albeit smaller) Alfa MiTo and find it can actually go pretty well once you're on the move. Obviously expect a bit less pace in the bigger 500L, but it's certainly not a bad engine. I get mid 50's to the gallon, so expect about 50mpg in the 500L, maybe more with the Dualogic box.

I have a 500L Duologic and after the first week or so of getting used to it I've found it to be very good, the changes are smooth enough, while the paddles on the wheel give you an excellent and slick manual over-ride if you need it, which I do when hustling through city traffic.

However, one little irritating quirk is that when sitting in the car with the engine running for a while the car puts itself into neutral, and then sets off a beeper, another is I have to take it through car washes myself as I had an experience when one of the workers couldn't figure it out and ended up getting the interior wet when he called for help. but in all honesty, neither is reason enough to knock it.

Blue2U said:

However, one little irritating quirk is that when sitting in the car with the engine running for a while the car puts itself into neutral, and then sets off a beeper,

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Thats to stop you knackering the clutch. If its doing it to often then you're neglecting the fact that you should put it into neutral if parked up waiting for someone

I've only had a DL do this once in my ownerships of them personally, and think it has to be let in gear for about 10min before it does this

Most Easterly Pandas said:

Thats to stop you knackering the clutch. If its doing it to often then you're neglecting the fact that you should put it into neutral if parked up waiting for someone

I've only had a DL do this once in my ownerships of them personally, and think it has to be let in gear for about 10min before it does this

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I see the point, but this is nothing lke 10 minutes, more like 3 minutes, it can happen in bad traffic, but as I said irritating, not a major issue.

Yept, its three mins on my Qubo, all you need to do is slip it into neutral if it looks like a longish wait, then into drive and off you go................no probs.

Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread. You have provided exactly the information I was after! When the time comes to replace our current 500L, I think that, pending a test drive in a DuaLogic, we'll probably go for it!

(Ooh, I fancy a paddle gearshift . . . )

Mines 500 L Trekking auto I keep the eco on all the time as the gear changes in normal take to long, plus helps with economy. Only issue is you find yourself pulling away in 2nd because when you come to a junction if you can go without stopping the only changes down to 2nd. Does not engage 1st untill full stop. I've had one before on a Fiat Idea, this time I've covered myself with warranty after manufacturers runs out as after about 30k something on the system fails and costs £1000 to replace!

manxman020 said:

this time I've covered myself with warranty after manufacturers runs out as after about 30k something on the system fails and costs £1000 to replace!

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Not guaranteed to happen, but as with anything mechanical it is a possibility.