90% certain that I'm buying a Qubo, to replace my 02 Jazz (owned it for 13 years), so hope this forum will be as helpful and useful as clubjazz was.

At my price point it looks like there is a crossover between the earlier Euro IV engine and the Euro V spec Multijet.

#1 Does anyone know if the earlier engine has a DPF? My limited research leads me to believe it doesn't, but a check on the oil type for a 2011 Euro IV gives 'low Saps C2' which hints at a DPF. This is likely to be owned for many years so DPF maintenance could become an issue. Apart from £20/£30 tax, any benefits to the later spec (apart from the environment that is)?

#2 Will ECU service interval reset be via OBDN/CanBus rather than secret button sequence? This will have a majority of private maintenance, so looks like diagnostic software may be needed.

#3 Is 75hp mechanically identical to 95hp, same stroke/bore/compression/turbo/CO2 etc. so could a Bluespark box can upgrade a 75hp to a 95hp? Although would prefer to buy a 95 rather than mess about, helps with insurance honesty etc.

Many thanks, for this is probably the first of many questions; real answers appreciated over 'this has been asked before / google it' replies. I've read back the last four pages and built an appreciation for top strut mount & heater issues, but all seems reasonable and manageable and the Qubo a good all round choice.

Qbert

And why does Qube O like every post?

Welcome Qbert - wasn't that a ZX Spectrum game? Anyway a few comments that may be of help

I changed from an 06 Honda Civic to a Qubo in the past month due to needing a more utility-based car. While not disappointed with my Qubo I would say you shouldn't expect Honda quality nor Honda standards of logical design with the Qubo switchgear or build quality. The Qubo switchgear and interior and the Qubo in general is all perfectly serviceable but just doesn't have the same air of quality or ergonomics as the Honda. You will certainly miss the cinema back seats and the slick way they fold into the floor. After this the weight of handling and removing the Qubo back seats comes as a bit of a shock.

I had major problems ascertaining which versions of the Qubo did and didn't have a DPF. One thing is for certain from this forum and talking to mechanics, the DPF is worth avoiding. From my reading, if it doesn't have the opportunity to complete its cleaning cycle it will ultimately dump diesel into the oil sump which sounds great for engine longevity! This would be forgiveable if there was some warning light system to indicate it was in in need of a cleaning cycle, then you could simply take a 20 min blast up the nearest motorway, but there is not. By the time the DPF warning light comes on there has already been failed cleaning cycles as I understand it, and consequentially diesel may have already been dumped in the oil sump. I'm no expert so stand to be corrected on this, but it was enough to make the presence of a DPF a deal breaker for me.

As far as I could find out all EuroV engines have the DPF fitted but on the Euro IV engine it was initially an option though it may have been fitted automatically towards the end. Having said that I found and bought a 60plate Euro IV engine registered Jan 2011 which didn't have a DPF....although my FIAT dealer was 99% sure it did. It wasn't listed anywhere on the V5 or any paperwork and being a weekend they couldn't process the registration plate on their database, but come Monday when they did, they ascertained that it didn't have a DPF fitted. The only indication I could find of whether or not a car has the DPF fitted was to look for the DPF warning light when the ignition is initially switched on and all the warning lights are illuminated. If you look in the downloads section at a Qubo handbook it will show you exactly where this warning light should be on the dash.
NB as far as I could tell, whether the tax band was £20 or £30 is no indication of whether a DPF is fitted either. Since my Euro IV engine is in the £30 tax band and has no DPF, I think it is the engine version that indicates the band. Thus a Euro IV with a DPF would still be £30?

The 95hp engine has several differences to the 75hp engine; it is not simply a remap of the latter. I read that the turbo vanes are different for one and also that all 95hp engines, including for instance early Trekking models, have DPF's fitted. This may be the deciding factor between the two different engines.

Hope this is of help and I am sure others will correct me should I have got hold of the wrong end of the stick anywhere. Personally if I had to make my purchase again I would still seek out a Qubo without the DPF even though it means excluding the desireable 95hp engine. I would rather a remap (within Fiat parameters - see the celtic tuning post) than a DPF, even though like you I dislike misleading insurance etc. A remap is something I may yet do because the 75hp although manageable, can be a touch more tiring on long motorway journeys. As for the the Honda/Fiat quality differences, that is something to beware of so make sure you have a test drive. I do not regret changing brands myself but if there was a Honda Qubo, that's the carl I'd have bought lol.

Porretta said:

Welcome Qbert - wasn't that a ZX Spectrum game? Anyway a few comments that may be of help...
but if there was a Honda Qubo, that's the car I'd have bought lol.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the comprehensive notes, on reflection the DPF is not a deal breaker for me as I do a regular London <> York trip every month, but I'd prefer to live without one, although I would not be surprised to see tax (and city surcharges) based on combined CO2 & Euro spec sometime.
So Euro 5, 2011+ Euro 4 and 95hp are definite DPF units, earlier Euro 4 probably not; can't see anyone picking it as an option. I guess for owners it comes down to whether it will meet MoT test limits for the age of vehicle, which for diesel seems to be pre/post 2008.

Think I prefer the idea of a 95hp for the acceleration from 60 to 75, although I see the new model is 80hp with reasonable performance figures.

Never had a diesel before, but do need greater utility; the absence of a loading lip will help me, but it's quite a stretch to put bikes on the roof.

Found some general notes about DPF refill/replacement and seems that it's not difficult (either canister swap, or insert new pouch of the correct stuff) and can be done for < £100 and will only need doing once in the likely lifespan of the vehicle.

Thought a diesel Qubo would be a better tow car than the Jazz but the weight limits are surprisingly less.
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References:
Pages 7,8,9 & table 3
www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/348035/18th-edition-emissions-book-complete.pdf

Hi. Took the 75 for a test drive and liked the car. Then noticed a 95 was available and chose that one. We do a lot of dual carriagway driving find the extra power helps. The dpf was a worry not any more. My drive to work is about 20 mins 5 of which is below 20 in a town the rest a 45 to 55 run. Then a long dual run every week end at least. About 12000 a year. The dpf regens every 250 to 300 miles on average never an issue with the oil. I can service reset using kit less than £70 including the software. Think the ergonomics and so on are good. Handling and road manners are excellent. So up to you.