General Multipla Buyers Guide ?

[barachello2000]

Did a quick search, but nothing really showed up.

I am going to look at a 2000 1.9JTD tomorrow evening, and wondered if anyone could give me some advice on what to look out for ?

I have had a couple of Fiats before (Punto's and Brava's) and also an Alfa 156, so am aware of the timing belt frailties and the HG's.

Was there still a master key produced for the multiplas ?

Any help appreciated.

Thanks

 

[TinyUK]

The big one is probably making sure 1st and reverse engage smoothly from stationary (a potential clutch and dual mass fly wheel may be on the horizon if it does not).

Timing belts are not a problem if they've been changed (IIRC 50 k/5yrs)

Front suspension knocks are very common, either link arms at less than £20 per pair, roll bar bushes between £15-25 (not available from fiat though, they just do roll bars at £135), or worst case senario front wishbones up to £50 each for pattern ones plus fitting.

The other is injection system problems, if the inj' system dash light comes on (looks like a torch) then i'd walk away.

Not sure about red master keys on early multi's, I know the latter ones dont have them. I believe that if there is a symbol like a triangle pointing into two concentric circles on the metal part of the key it is the later system with no master key.

Dont let the above scare you though, the multi is a great car in general!


EDIT, Just did a quick forum search, I ont think any multipla had a red key, they were all fitted with code 2 systems and no master key is required.

 

[umberto]

As a new multi owner myself i waited until i had enough to purchase a mk2.
I don't know what your budget is but if you can stretch up to £5000 you'll get a superb car, probably an 05/55 plate with all the usual extras.
I did a lot of shopping around and it's definately a buyers market. To be honest, the mk1 was too problematic and the majority of the known faults were rectified with the mk2.
In the long term i think you will be better off with the mk2, this is of course only my opinion and you must go with your wallet.

Hope that helps

Umberto

 

[TinyUK]

Totally disagree with you there, the Mk1 was NOT too problematic!

All cars have their faults and the multipla is no exception. However the car is no more or less problematic than a large proportion of cars on the road today.

Go to any owners forum and you will be able to pick up a list of potential faults the same as you can for the multipla, I frequent various Galaxy forums and Mondeo forums, I bet I can give you a similar list for either of those two.

The only good thing about the Mk2 IMO is the multijet engine, but you cant critcise the JTD despite the injection system fault I mentioned, its fitted to many different vehcles accross the Fiat and Alfa ranges, as well as being the basis for other manufacturers too (GM use it IIRC).

Looking at ePER the original and facelift use the same clutch and same suspension so that alone kind of blows your "majority of the known faults were rectified with the mk2" argument out of the water! (with the greatest respect)

A lot of reports on here indicate that the sliding front centre seat has been omitted from many of the MK2's.

Go for a Mk1, they are great cars and sound economic sense too if you need 6 seats.
Not that i'm slating the Mk2 by any way or means, but to be fair, they are no better or worse than the mk1.

 

[umberto]

I wasn't criticising the JTD because our one is a JTD not the multijet. But what i was saying was that with the mk2 a lot of the original problems were resolved, it's fact.
You only have to look at the forum to know that the majority of problems refer to older models, ie the mk1 and in any case you are assuming that people who buy older multipla's are going to be "hands on" and spend a lot of their spare time replacing all the bits & pieces that are constantly refered to in the forum.
I actually like the mk1 because of it's originallity but let's be honest, we are not going to agree on this, the mk2 is much improved on the mk1 and only time will tell if more mk2 forum members report as many faults as the mk1 members.

Umberto

 

[TinyUK]

we are not going to agree on this, the mk2 is much improved on the mk1 and only time will tell if more mk2 forum members report as many faults as the mk1 members.

Umberto

There lieth the problem, no we are not going to agree, but the Mk2 is not much improved on the mk1. The major differences are cosmetic, the fundamental parts of the car that are known to be problematic are exactly the same, just look on eper.

It is that part of your statement that I disagree with. You are wrong to say that most faults with the mk1 are resolved in the mk2 if you can not back that up with hard facts.

Is it unreasonable to suggest that if more problems arise with older cars it is quite possibly for no other reason than the simple fact that they are older? These cars tend to have had more use and in a lot of cases (as is common with older cars) have done more miles? Before you say that newer cars can have higher mileages, yes thay can; but with few exceptions (Taxi's for instance) newer cars with high miles tend to have done them in compressed periods over longer journeys than for instance an older average mileage car that may well have done those miles on stop start shorter journeys, school runs etc that incur greater wear and tear than cruising on a nice smooth motorway or A road for several hours a day.

Please feel free to list exactly which faults have been rectified, bearing in mind that the clutch including slave and master cylinder, front drop links, wishbones, anti roll bar and crank sender which im sure you'll agree cover a lot of the common faults are the same in both Mk1's and Mk2's.

Until then perhaps you should stay away from saying things like "its fact" until you can prove beyond reasonable doubt that the fact is correct. Anything else is opinion!

Might I also ask why you say(and I quote) "in any case you are assuming that people who buy older multipla's are going to be "hands on" and spend a lot of their spare time replacing all the bits & pieces"?

I assume nor imply anything of the sort!

Please, other Mk2 owners do not take offence in anything I have written above, the post was simply a response to innaccuracies in one members post and not any sort of attack on the Mk2 which i happen to think is a great (if a little bland looking ) car!

 

[JTDman]

Same car different clothes, ones older ones newer which one is going to be problomatic? well the older one if its been neglected and indeed the newer one if that has been neglected.
No 2 of these cars are identical at a certain age in their lifespan, ive heard just as many problems onthe mk2 through this forum as the mk1 but it dont matter, its Italian it will go wrong at times new or old who cares.

 

[umberto]

I don't agree with the italian thing. My mate has always bought German safe in the knowledge that their cars are more reliable than Italian ones. Incorrect!! He Had:

VW Passat 02 plate
- head geasket failure
- ecu failure

- A class Merc 04 plate
- ecu faulure
- semi auto gearbox failure

Me, i've had
- 2 uno turbo's no such problems
- alfa 33 no such problems
- cinq 12 years on still going
- mk2 multi no problems as yet

German cars are overpriced because over the years their ad & pr campaigns specifically target certain audiences which includes "Middle Class" people who earn over £40.000 a year plus.

 

[JTDman]

No you get me wrong, me saying its Italian meaning its a good thing.
Alfa 33 good cars if u dont have the bulkhead rot and the noisey box and yes i agree with the all cars the same type of thing when it comes to break downs . I had an alfa 155 4x4 turbo and never had a problem when others i knew of were blowing engines like they are supposed to.
I wish you well in your multi and hope you have no problems but i just wish i had your enthusiasm ive owned mine 2 years
new dual mass flywheel
sump re sealed
gearbox repaired (shaft oil seal)
clutch
wishbones
droplinks
arb links
these will happen to yours in the end but i dont hold it against the car i sti

 

[umberto]

Fair enough, it sounds like you've been a bit unlucky.
Can we be Forum friends now!!

Umberto

 

[guizzo]

No matter what car you get, there can be problems, forums of all makes of cars highlight faults, that's what they're about.
I've got a 53 reg jtd multipla and I reckon it's great, I'm planning to drive to Italy in it for some more motorbikes this year. I've had a few old type pandas they were great as well, especially the 903 pushrod engine.