Broadpete said:

Hi T14086, can you tell us anymore about the update, so we can see if it may help the rest of us? Do you know when it was issued, and perhaps from which date 'new' cars would have been supplied with it already installed? Many thanks.

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if a ecu flash update is available for the 120bhp with dpf it would appear that there may have been an issue resulting in poor mpg as i am amazed there should be such a difference compared to the 105bhp.

Why don't one of you 120 guys get your doblo remapped complete new fuel map etc would prove if the original is at fault. could pay for its self in no time if raises mpg to the quoted 46mpg combined figure

Worth a thought

T14086 said:

...anyway Rich considering the weight in that doblo at that speed it aint that bad.

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That's what I thought in the first place, although when it's empty I still can only get low 40's mpg at best. Even then it's still pretty good compared to some of the large MPV's like the Citroen C8 or Ford Galaxy. They will only do mid 30's mpg in 'real world' driving, meaning not at the factory test track.

RichDoblo120 said:

It does pull really well with a heavy load. We cruised down to the Med at 80 nearly all the way with all that load on board and if I needed to I could still accelerate if I wanted to make a quick overtake.
I suppose poor mpg is the price you pay for more power.

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I used to have a vacuum guage which you tapped into the inlet manifold & it really helped me keep my foot up as you could keep a constant speed over a wide range of rpm. You can use the computer to achieve similar results - as you are hurtling along the motorway in 5th, see what the mpg is as you move your foot up & down on the accellerator then try to keep your foot in the same place for optimal consumption at same speed.
I was driving a coach over the weekend & this had a green area marked out on the rev counter. Keeping the needle in the green achieved maximum economy.
I agree that the dobby still has heaps of poke left in it when hurtling along in 5th gear - but that will come at a price on fuel consumption, it can be better to drop down to 4th to get the extra power.
Have you checked your fuel consumption on a fill to fill / mileage basis rather than average on the trip computer?

When comparing the 120 to other motors with similar engines, how does the weight of the vehicle compare? (bearing in mind the engine has to get upwards of 1500kg of metal away from a standing start (and that's before you add people & luggage).

sludgeguts said:

Have you checked your fuel consumption on a fill to fill / mileage basis rather than average on the trip computer?

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I've never done this as I never completely fill the tank or let it run almost dry, except when we were on holiday. I should have done it then but I didn't really think about it, I only checked the mpg when we got back.

sludgeguts said:

When comparing the 120 to other motors with similar engines, how does the weight of the vehicle compare? (bearing in mind the engine has to get upwards of 1500kg of metal away from a standing start (and that's before you add people & luggage).

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I must admit that most other 7 seaters are probably a lot heavier as they are mostly much bigger than a Doblo (Chrysler Grand Voyager...that's a biggun ) but the 7 seat 1.9 Doblo is the heaviest in the range fully loaded at just over 2 tonnes, about the same as a fully loaded Doblo Cargo.

RichDoblo120 said:

I've never done this as I never completely fill the tank or let it run almost dry, except when we were on holiday. I should have done it then but I didn't really think about it, I only checked the mpg when we got back.



I must admit that most other 7 seaters are probably a lot heavier as they are mostly much bigger than a Doblo (Chrysler Grand Voyager...that's a biggun ) but the 7 seat 1.9 Doblo is the heaviest in the range fully loaded at just over 2 tonnes, about the same as a fully loaded Doblo Cargo.

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I got a couple of grand for it if you want a different one.

hiccup said:

I got a couple of grand for it if you want a different one.

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What...you'd give me £2,000 for my Doblo?

Hmmm...

Call it £7,000 and it's yours

I posted the following on another string, but this is more appropriate. I reckon my fuel consumption was very good, although I was one up and the weather was fine - no headwinds.
The consumption is computer based: allow 10% for optimism and I still got something like 50mpg, which isn't bad for an oldish car. I've never done the trip on one tank before either, so the consumption must have improved. I reckon that if the Doblo had the new 1.6 Diesel it would give near 60mpg for the same performance.

"I've just got back to Norwich from a 503 mile round trip to Southampton. This includes thirty or so miles driven locally while in Hampshire. The outward journey was 235 miles and took 3.75 hours. Similar for the return, although I went down on the A3 and returned on the M3. Fuel consumption was 53-58mpg at an average of 58mph, according to the computer. This is in a '53 JTD 101bhp 1.9. I travelled alone with only one bag in the back and some crud in the boot. We were three up while I was there, but short journeys. The whole trip was done on one tank of fuel - I refilled when I got home. Brilliant I reckon, as I was fairly moving for most of the journey. Great weather though, and very little use of the A/C or lights. Just had a new exhaust fitted and a service. This is the best economy the thing has given - at 53000 miles. Great car. Quiet too.

There was a Belgian Multijet van going like the clappers on the M25, and he was certainly doing 90+...Belgians!"

I thought the 1.9 jtd I had was a little thirsty and that was before the fuel hikes. Still think Doblo,s are reasonable for the price but thinking of buying a smaller one. How good is the petrol one or 1.3. Going cheap on supersaver and so is the rest of the range. Maybe fiat know more than we do.

hiccup said:

I thought the 1.9 jtd I had was a little thirsty and that was before the fuel hikes. Still think Doblo,s are reasonable for the price but thinking of buying a smaller one. How good is the petrol one or 1.3. Going cheap on supersaver and so is the rest of the range. Maybe fiat know more than we do.

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I can't see how a smaller engine would give better economy.
Remember the story a few weeks ago about the car that gave 2000 miles per tank of fuel?
That was a 6 litre diesel engine - waaay overpowered for a car but the fact that the engine isn't labouring gives the economy. At work, I drive a 2.8 litre diesel pulling 4500kg empty and I average 23 - 25 around town. The other buses we use are Mercs with a 3.8 litre diesel engine and an auto box but they only weigh in at 3700kg empty & they return mid 30s mpg.

My 1.9jtd 105hp returns 40mpg around town - as long as I don't start trying to race the chavs away from the lights, economy can drop to mid 30s when I start revving.

Well after a couple of hundred miles after re-setting the trip I'm still averaging 41mpg. This is about the same as when the car was new and I think this is about what you can expect from the 120.
It sounds terrible compared with the 105 but the 120 Family is the heaviest in the range coupled with the most powerful engine so maybe it's to be expected :shrug:
If you need a 7 seater and you're only concerned with economy go for the 1.3 Family, but if you're more concerned with towing a big caravan (weighing in at over 2 tonnes, it will tow a sizable van) or cruising across Europe, 7 up, at 80 to 90 mph with plenty of power left for overtaking, go for the 120 Family.

RichDoblo120 said:

Well after a couple of hundred miles after re-setting the trip I'm still averaging 41mpg. This is about the same as when the car was new and I think this is about what you can expect from the 120.
It sounds terrible compared with the 105 but the 120 Family is the heaviest in the range coupled with the most powerful engine so maybe it's to be expected :shrug:
If you need a 7 seater and you're only concerned with economy go for the 1.3 Family, but if you're more concerned with towing a big caravan (weighing in at over 2 tonnes, it will tow a sizable van) or cruising across Europe, 7 up, at 80 to 90 mph with plenty of power left for overtaking, go for the 120 Family.

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I can't really see how a 1.3 can be more economical in the dobbin as it will have to work far harder than the 1.9.
IMO, a 1.3 engine is only suited to small cars where they don;t have as much weight to lug around.
The dobbin makes a great towcar because of its size. It is naturally deflecting most of the air up and over the high roof - which would be in line with the sloped front of the caravan roof. Also, the higher position of the towball should offer a more level ride with weight evenly distributed inside the caravan.
For best economy, I would lower the cruising speed to around 60mph

I've got a 5 seater, 08 plate, 120bhp doblo and admittedly I tend to cruise on the motorways at about 75 - 80 but I usually get about 37mpg doing so. Driving very carefully to and from work on A roads I can get up to 44mpg. All of this is according to the onboard computer and sounds about right compared to everyone else out there with the same car.

DoubleO said:

I've got a 5 seater, 08 plate, 120bhp doblo and admittedly I tend to cruise on the motorways at about 75 - 80 but I usually get about 37mpg doing so. Driving very carefully to and from work on A roads I can get up to 44mpg. All of this is according to the onboard computer and sounds about right compared to everyone else out there with the same car.

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Check out what Fiat say the 120 will do. It's wildly optimistic.

RichDoblo120 said:

Check out what Fiat say the 120 will do. It's wildly optimistic.

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Yeah 46.3mpg combined... might be driving downhill with a tailwind.

Doblo Cargo SX with a full load and we're getting around 30mpg at 130kph, so I really can't see a loaded 120 Family being much different to be honest.

The real savings come in if you drop the speed to around 70mph. Then you really can start pushing for the low 40s.

As for the idea that in France and doing anything less than 130kph puts you in the way of other traffic - I would have to disagree. We cruise (3rd party cruise fitted to the Doblo) at 120kph all the time and its never been an issue. You just make your way a bit slower.

Cruise also takes the strain off the driving as well when you are cruising at 120kph as well. Well worth £500.

tinman said:

Doblo Cargo SX with a full load and we're getting around 30mpg at 130kph, so I really can't see a loaded 120 Family being much different to be honest.

The real savings come in if you drop the speed to around 70mph. Then you really can start pushing for the low 40s.

As for the idea that in France and doing anything less than 130kph puts you in the way of other traffic - I would have to disagree. We cruise (3rd party cruise fitted to the Doblo) at 120kph all the time and its never been an issue. You just make your way a bit slower.

Cruise also takes the strain off the driving as well when you are cruising at 120kph as well. Well worth £500.

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I would really like cruise control for long trips but it sounds expensive to have it retro-fitted.

RichDoblo120 said:

I would really like cruise control for long trips but it sounds expensive to have it retro-fitted.

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Me too, can anyone recommend one?

Hi folks,
I came to this thread cos I have a new 1.3? (1248cc) turbo diesel family (7 seats) which I was sold by Fiat on the understanding that I would get approx 52mpg, well; full load or empty the trip gives me 42.3 to 42.6!! The car was bought new in July and has about 3K on the clock. The sales guy assured me, it should be doing at least 50mpg and to bring it back for investigation. Guess what? The service guy said nothing wrong with it, and I'm unlikely to get much more than 42mpg even when the engine has loosened up a bit. So I am going back to the sales guy Monday a bit cheesed off. I don't like having the wool pulled over. However, I'd be interested in anybody else's experience with this version. Do they invent these figures?

kevingrove said:

I'd be interested in anybody else's experience with this version. Do they invent these figures?

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It's nice to hear that it's not just the 120 that has 'made up' fuel consumption figures.
I think you're supposed to drive like a sloth on mogadon to achieve the sort of figures they publish.
Maybe those rear seats in the 7 seater are just so heavy that they push your mpg right up (or down ). They are very heavy and awkward to remove.
On a dead flat test track in Italy at a constant 50mph maybe you can get 60mpg, but in the real world where there are hills and sharp bends and other traffic the mpg we get is about right.

RichDoblo120 said:

It's nice to hear that it's not just the 120 that has 'made up' fuel consumption figures.
I think you're supposed to drive like a sloth on mogadon to achieve the sort of figures they publish.
Maybe those rear seats in the 7 seater are just so heavy that they push your mpg right up (or down ). They are very heavy and awkward to remove.
On a dead flat test track in Italy at a constant 50mph maybe you can get 60mpg, but in the real world where there are hills and sharp bends and other traffic the mpg we get is about right.

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I've often wondered how companies come by their figures for fuel consumption, especially when members are reporting better economy once the engine has loosened up.
anyhoo. If you think your fuel consumption is bad, have a look at the 500 forum. They are talking about consumption around 41mpg - there has to be something seriously wrong with a small car that can only get 41 around town.