General Multipla Buyers' Guide

[Pieman2]

Hi there,
I'm writing a buying guide on the Fiat Multipla for AutoItalia magazine and would like to know your opinions on general ownership issues please. (The Fiat Forum will of course get an acknowledgement in the feature).

I'm particularly interested in any common faults and typical repair costs, as well as routine servicing costs.

A few frequently needed parts prices would also be useful e.g. brake pads, anti-roll bar bushes, EGR valves etc.

Very best regards,

Guy Baker

 

[martyc5674]

Rear subframe bush
Trailing arm bushes
Crank pulley on diesels
Aux belt tensioner.
Clutch

The above seem to go on ALL multiples with around 80k or thereabouts on the clock.

Marty

 

[momoe]

Front A frame bushes, can buy bushes but new or exchange frames aren't prohibitively expensive and save the hassle of extracting and fitting bushes.
Top links
ARB bushes
Crank sensor, generally goes between 60 and 80k
Cam sensor, doesn't appear to be as prone to failure as the crank sensor but not infallible.
EGR valve, suspect that most people clean this once and then blank the damn thing off!

Multi's are relatively easy to service which helps, also this forum is a fantastic source of knowledge and experience. However, the suspension is under-engineered as evidenced by the frequency of bush failures and front spring failures, some plastic trim isn't up to the job (seat side trims and boot loading lip).
Driving a Multi is surprising as it definitely drives better than it looks! For a high car with very good ground clearance roll is well checked, suspension is progressive but a little noisy and handling/road holding is quite good, engine (diesel) is pretty much bomb proof and gearing is well spaced (although a 6th gear would be welcome).