General Which Doblo?

[Rustymini]

I currently have a Marea Weekend JTD130 but now need a 7 seater. I've been looking at the Doblo Family but after reading a few threads I have a few questions.

I'll probably be buying second hand so should I be going for the JTD or multijet engined versions? What was the bhp of the 1.9JTD?

Whats mpg like on these models? I've also considered the 1.3 multijet. but after driving a 2.4 will this be a bit gutless? How does the 1.3 compare to the 1.9?

I drive about 6000 town miles a year (not very loaded), 3000 motorway and 2000 on proper roads in France (fully loaded and with a roof box)

Also after reading the thread about speed limits for doblo's over 2000kg glw, what is the glw of the JTD model?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[RichDoblo120]

I think the original 1.9 7 seater was 105 hp. The multijet 1.9 is 120 hp.

Don't know about the 1.3 but the 1.9 120hp will easily average low 40's mpg.

Took mine to the south of France, fully loaded with a roofbox and averaged 40mpg, and it went like a dream.

The weight only applies to commercial vehicles. A Bentley weighs more than a Doblo and they're not speed restricted.

I've had my 7 seater for a year now and been really pleased with it. It's great to drive and has plenty of power. The only problems I've had is with computer glitches telling me there's abs failure, which resets itself straight away. This has only happened 2 or 3 times and the garage checked it out and didn't find any problems.

If you only need 6 seats try a Multipla as they have a big boot. The boot on the Doblo is almost non-existent and the 2 rear seats are a bugger to get in and out as they're fixed together.

Hope some of this helps.

 

[ashy_2002]

the 1.3 multijet is great around town but for a long run fully loaded , it would req a remap (whether it be a 70 or 85 bhp)... to keep up with M/way traffic etc ...

We've a 1.3 which we are happy with but if a replacement was on the cards a 1.9 multijet would be our choice.. 7 seater of course... never have any need for air con the cab doesn't overheats givin ours is in silver////

 

[RichDoblo120]

BTW, from what I've read in the forum, the earlier 1.9 7 seater seems to have a much torquier engine than the 120bhp model that I have.
The 120 is quite revvy for a diesel even though it produces more bhp. You tend to have to keep the revs between 2 and 3 thou. to keep it in the power band but the 105 has plenty of pull below 2 thou. rpm.
I don't think the 105 is available as a 7 seater now so you would have to go for a pre-facelift model.
I think the first Doblo 1.9D was 95 bhp. Is this correct?
I would imagine the 1.3 is even revvier. What do you reckon Ashy?

 

[ashy_2002]

BTW, from what I've read in the forum, the earlier 1.9 7 seater seems to have a much torquier engine than the 120bhp model that I have.
The 120 is quite revvy for a diesel even though it produces more bhp. You tend to have to keep the revs between 2 and 3 thou. to keep it in the power band but the 105 has plenty of pull below 2 thou. rpm.
I don't think the 105 is available as a 7 seater now so you would have to go for a pre-facelift model.
I think the first Doblo 1.9D was 95 bhp. Is this correct?
I would imagine the 1.3 is even revvier. What do you reckon Ashy?

the 1.3 prior to remap was a little "POWER" delayed... turbo didnt kick in till 2000.. i've driven a 1.9 105- multijet superb (over 2 days) ....... the 120 has some comments against it and i've not driven it ... 105 + REMAP ....... 120 + REMAP ?

Our 1.3 is far better now remapped ... had 7 total on board today to manchester airport + small trailer for suitcases no problems at all

 

[TwyRob]

Regarding which Doblo, I have a 2003 (pre-facelift) 1.9JTD and although this is only a five seater (so not exactly what you require) it handles heavy loads very well. With 5 people and a 80kg wheelchair or a full load of luggage accross the back seats with 2 people and the wheelchair it performs almost as if there is no load! (Apart from obvious handling effects)

My Dobbie has upgraded rear suspension, a bonus I discovered after buying it second hand, and has given me a few problems with the EGR valve. This basically gets clogged up - there are loads of threads about this - not a major problem. I suspect a seven seater around this age would be a good buy, just consider carefully the boot space that the two rearmost seats leave you with.

Pre-facelift the SX is fairly basic and the ELX comes with extras like alloys, air-con etc. Also consider the rear door style you require, either two doors or one large hatch.

Hope this helps!

 

[DobloBeBop]

I drove the 105 back to back against the 120 and expected to like the 120 better. Surprisingly the 105 seemed to suit it better - much pokier at low to mid revs and felt the same as the 120 at higher revs. The other bonus was the 105 has no DPF to clog up if you only do short/slow journeys.

I bought the 105 and it averages 45.2mpg, though the computer claims 49.8!

All a bit irrelevant if you want a Family version though, as they don't do a 105 in it!

 

[Rustymini]

Thanks for everyones advice and guidance.
Over the next few days I'm off to see 2 Doblos, a 05 reg 1.9jtd Family and a 56 reg 1.9 multijet family.
If there's anyone out there who's had experience of both engines I'd appreciate your comments.

 

[TwyRob]

Which did you get? JTD, multijet or neither?

 

[Rustymini]

Neither yet.(the jtd I was interested in was sold before I could make an offer). I've now had test drives in both 1.9jtd and 1.9 multijet and like both. Purely on styling my Wife prefers the older model while I prefer the newer. My kids love both and now everytime we are out in the car they play Doblo spotting.
Part of the problem is that none of the available cars are anywhere near where I live. Hopefully we're going to see a jtd this weekend (300 mile round trip).

 

[Ozzie1989]

Another suggestion I can make, depending on your local Fiat dealers, is to go round those and see what they can find for you. I went to a Fiat dealer (all be it 50 mile away) to get mine, and came away with a great deal. Not only that you get warranty etc. that you don't get from private sales unless your buying a 2 year old or less car.

Other than that good luck, and a good one will come along I'm sure

 

[Rustymini]

Got one at last.

I've bought a 05 reg 1.9jtd Family. I'm picking it up next week.

It has 7 months of the 3rd year warrenty left. How good is the 3rd year Fiat warrenty? (it's been fully seviced by the supplying dealer).

Just need to sell my Marea now (I'll put it on the classifieds)

 

[RichDoblo120]

Nice one
Don't know much about 3rd year warranty, I'm just into the 2nd year on mine. They call the 3rd year 'dealer warranty' and it only applies if you've kept up your servicing with Fiat, which you have, so I think all the normal things that were covered in the 1st 2 years still apply.
Hope you enjoy driving your Doblo as much as I do.

 

[Ozzie1989]

3rd year warranty doesn't cover as much as 1st and 2nd year and a lot of people complain about the 3rd year warranty not covering the things that went wrong with their car.

I had some time left of the 3rd year warranty when I bought mine and found that it was great (although I had a good dealer) and they covered (as far as the things I had done) dash electrics, door handle, leaky heater matrix, and they even had a look at some squeaks and rattles I had all under warranty.

I've also extended the warranty to make 4 years, I haven't *touch wood* had to use it yet, but it's not too expensive and I thought it was worth it!

 

[Rustymini]

I've looked at warranties from independent companies (I didn't realize Fiat would extend the warranty).
The best two seem to be from the AA (which I've had before and they paid for a recon gearbox on the Marea) and Warranty direct.
It might be an idea to start another thread on this.