General Which Multipla is best?

[RichDoblo120]

Hi guys,
I'm seriously considering swapping my Doblo for a Multipla but which model is best?
I definitely want a Diesel, pre facelift, but there seem to be a few power variations as well as trim.
Is it best to go for a later 115 or maybe the 110 or 105 were better?
Any advice would be appreciated

 

[shedtastic]

Hi guys,
I'm seriously considering swapping my Doblo for a Multipla but which model is best?
I definitely want a Diesel, pre facelift, but there seem to be a few power variations as well as trim.
Is it best to go for a later 115 or maybe the 110 or 105 were better?
Any advice would be appreciated

If you want a pre-facelift then I'd see no reason to go for anything other than a 2003/2004 115 jtd, and you may as well get a top spec ELX one with the twin sun roofs etc. (I'm only saying that because mine have never leaked.. ) And I guess it would make sense to buy the latest you can in order to hopefully avoid some wear and tear that might aflict an older one..

But - I'd buy on history alone. If you find a 110 or 105 that has had some of the expensive jobs recently carried out (be that rear calipers, clutch and dual mass flywheel, front suspension arms drop links and ARB) rather than a 115 with some of these problems to solve, I'd get the early one!

In turn, I guess that depends how handy you are, but if you are likely to pay someone else to do jobs like these (like I tend to) then, like with any car, you can be looking at big bills.

Just my 2p worth..

 

[RichDoblo120]

Thanks for that,
are DMF's a problem on Multiplas?
I've heard of them being replaced on Doblos but usually only on high mileage ones.
And what about front suspension on early models, is this due to them not being re-called?

 

[shedtastic]

Thanks for that,
are DMF's a problem on Multiplas?
I've heard of them being replaced on Doblos but usually only on high mileage ones.
And what about front suspension on early models, is this due to them not being re-called?

As far as I can make out DMFs are a problem on all brands of car, in my opinion they are just a sh*t idea that purely benfits the first 60,000 mile fleet owner.. But the gist apprears to be (in my limited Multipla experience) that when your clutch goes at 75-80k miles, you get advised to change the DMF at the same time.

Front springs had a recall, but apparently were replaced with identical parts, so one would have to assume that they are still a weakness. (as they can be on many other cars) - but it seems to be true that the Multipla has front suspension that is slightly overworked, with ARB bushes that don't last long and drop links & springs also potentially a bit short-lived..

 

[the frog]

I'd look for a multipla without discs on the back - the calipers are a pain in the backside so go for drums. I think Discs rears were 2003 only then they went back to drums.

Ironically I'm thinking of trading in the Multi for a newer Doblo.

 

[shedtastic]

I'd look for a multipla without discs on the back - the calipers are a pain in the backside so go for drums. I think Discs rears were 2003 only then they went back to drums.

Ironically I'm thinking of trading in the Multi for a newer Doblo.

That's a fair coment - I've a 2003 with Discs on the back and they have been nothing but hassle..

 

[matt8772]

That's a fair coment - I've a 2003 with Discs on the back and they have been nothing but hassle..

IMO the Doblo is a better built vehicle then the Multi. When I was working on Fiats we never had too many problems with them. Mainly burnt out clutches but these were mostly Motability vehicles. DPF's were a pain in the butt too as alot of Motability vehicles were low mileage.

I had the choice between a Doblo and our current 04 plate Multi. If i had my way we would've ended up with the Doblo, but as it was I spotted there was no coolant in the expansion bottle, and when i topped it up my feet got wet from the huge rad leak! gutted though as it was a grand cheaper.

my theory has been with doblo that it was a commercial van to start with and as such is made from components that are shall we say, a bit more durable. the multi, while it is still a fantastic car, appears to share alot of parts with the marea/bravo platform (eg a passenger car) and some of the parts don't seem up to the job.

if youre going to go for one dont get a 105. parts for them are incredibly expensive. theyre common rail but kind of old tech as well now. if youve got the money i would get as later model as you can, pre or post facelift(some of the interiors in the post facelift are far nicer than pre). and if you can avoid ones with a DPF.

 

[widemouthfrog]

Second the comments about rear drum brakes. If you want a 'round-nose' (anything else just isn't the real thing!) get a late model 115, an ELX if you're brave purely for the amount of kit. The last of the round-noses had a different seat fabric (looks like crazy paving) which wears far better than the earlier stuff that looks like towelling. It's also a lot easier to clean when it gets dirty.

Check the operation of the clutch very closely. If the bite point is getting near the floor, then it's on the way out. Try low rev (little more than tickover) pull-aways a few times to test the DMF and plate friction linings. Also try giving it full throttle in 4th from about 1700rpm to see if there's any clutch slip.

Aside from the clutch, most of the other common faults are easy (and relatively cheap) to fix. Avoid the Fiat main dealers - they haven't even got the decency to wear a mask or show their pistols.

I've got an 04 plate ELX and I'm very happy with it. The other day a I saw a very clean looking round nose on an 05 plate. It must have been forgotten about in the corner of a car pound somewhere!

 

[RichDoblo120]

Thanks for all the advice guys, very helpful.
I do prefer the pre-facelift but I'll try and get a 115 ELX if possible.

I've spotted one in a dealers with only 36k on the clock eek but he wants £3680 for it. A bit too steep for me but probably well worth it with that mileage.

I'll have to go for something with a few more miles on the clock. When are the cam belts due on the 115? Maybe around about 80k?

Ironically I'm thinking of trading in the Multi for a newer Doblo.

which Multipla have you got The Frog?

 

[Matthen]

72K service according to the schedule - more likely it will be about 60K though. - Ours was 62K and if the computer hadn't warned us it would have broken :S

 

[matt8772]

Thanks for all the advice guys, very helpful.
I do prefer the pre-facelift but I'll try and get a 115 ELX if possible.

I've spotted one in a dealers with only 36k on the clock eek but he wants £3680 for it. A bit too steep for me but probably well worth it with that mileage.

I'll have to go for something with a few more miles on the clock. When are the cam belts due on the 115? Maybe around about 80k?



which Multipla have you got The Frog?

72k or five years, whichever is sooner.

also make sure you do a cambelt kit, not just a cambelt.

also wise to do the alternator drivebelt and tensioner at the same time, and some people even do the crank position sensor at the same time too.

 

[the frog]

Thanks for all the advice guys, very helpful.
I do prefer the pre-facelift but I'll try and get a 115 ELX if possible.

I've spotted one in a dealers with only 36k on the clock eek but he wants £3680 for it. A bit too steep for me but probably well worth it with that mileage.

I'll have to go for something with a few more miles on the clock. When are the cam belts due on the 115? Maybe around about 80k?



which Multipla have you got The Frog?

A 2003 SX 115JTD, 108k (new clutch at 90k) disc brakes on the back

 

[RichDoblo120]

A 2003 SX 115JTD, 108k (new clutch at 90k) disc brakes on the back

most of the Multiplas I've looked at so far are around 70 to 80k, some say cam belt done, some don't. None of them mention a new clutch so I hope they don't all fail at 90k .

 

[the frog]

most of the Multiplas I've looked at so far are around 70 to 80k, some say cam belt done, some don't. None of them mention a new clutch so I hope they don't all fail at 90k .

They can go from anything from 40k upwards, I thought I did well to get 90k out of mine.

The garage who did mine forgot to invoice me so it was free! He did bill me twice for an MOT once so I paid it to redress the balance a bit.