|
Post by robmac on Jul 27, 2013 11:57:08 GMT
As the owner of a 1997 vintage Compass Drifter 310 on a Fiat Ducato Motorhome and also being the owner of a 2007 Mercedese Sprinter 311 TDI, I would like to make the following observations;
The Fiat does not have a Dual-Mass Flywheel. The Sprinter does. These WILL fail at some point - replacement cost - £1000+
The Fiat does not have a Catalytic converter the Sprinter does. These are a magnet for thieves who will slash through all wiring and cables to get at them - replacement cost - £3000+
The Fiat does not have a Tubo. The Sprinter does. If the actuator blows or the Turbo shatters - replacement cost - £1400+
So far this year I have had to spend £7000+ on the Sprinter but only a fraction of that on the Fiat. Is technology going too far in some cases? Do the benefits outweigh the costs?
Admittedly the Sprinter does massive mileage compared to the Fiat, but Merc claim that the Sprinters are good for 600,000. Well any engine is good for that if you spend enough money on it each year. It's a bit like Triggers broom!
|
|
|
Post by Pollik on Jul 27, 2013 19:15:53 GMT
I think you could make similar comments about "too clever" habitation electrics.
|
|
|
Post by X on Jul 27, 2013 19:33:52 GMT
The habitation electrics are too complicated for sure ! Ours eats power doing nothing !
|
|
|
Post by Etienne Le Croq on Jul 27, 2013 19:40:31 GMT
It would have to be new for me when it comes to campers.Old = slow,smelly,breaks down more, but usually looks cooler and cheap to mend. New = economical ,refined,comfortable , but bland and dearer to repair ,but hopefully doesn't break as often!
|
|
|
Post by Firefox on Jul 29, 2013 12:48:20 GMT
New vehicles for me. The old ones were sluggish, noisy, and heavy on regular maintenance. Habitation electrics - agree. I don't like relays either, just like awnings - more trouble than they are worth I'm not so sure about computers. This latest one I have got has dual 3.4 GHz and 5GB of RAM - it's still bloody slow booting up due to all the software, which doesn't do much different to the software we had 10 years ago. It seems if they can fill up the memory with processes they will!
|
|
|
Post by brewkit on Jul 30, 2013 9:35:15 GMT
deffo old, I can service her myself every year. there's no ecu or sensors or other silly things to put the engine in limp mode, or prevent it working due to something as basic as a bit of water in the filter. IF she breaks I can repair her myself. I don't need a technician with a laptop, to tell me a list of possible faults. old doesn't mean unreliable, all you gotta do is look after it. sensors and gadgets make people lazy and reliable on technology and someone else to do things for them take tyre valve sensors, what's difficult about walking round your vehicle before you start off, and checking pressures every week. oil pressure sensor, if its lit up, means its been running low for while. however if I ever win the lottery i'll be buying a new van, and i'll be able to afford to run it.
|
|