Another size question

We have a coach built that we love, on a fiat base, our engine is is 1.9 diesel. No idea how that compares to what your mentioning . So long as you are happy to take your time, after all its a leisure vehicle, we've not had a problem. We bought our motorhome on impulse and love the layout, didn't give really consider the engine size. Not sure we'd swop for engine size alone, we have a dry fault free motorhome, too many tales of problems.

I would be dubious of the 100 engine personally, Natasha. Test it and see but bear in mind you will not have your payload on board during a test drive .

Above all, try reversing it uphill to check for the dreaded Fiat clutch judder. 

There was a thread on these forums a few years ago about damp problems with a Bessacar E425 but no-one else on any MH forum seems to have raised concerns about the power, or lack of power, in that model.

Would echo TW's advice above, 100bhp seems a little on the low side.  But take it on a test drive, you won't know how it drives/performs unless you do.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts.

it is surprising that 100 bhp appears to be the standard size engine for a typical smallish British motorhome between 2008 - 2010.

However we'll have a test drive and see how it goes. its so perfect for our needs but will try not to get too carried away. 

I've never had or driven a motorhome, but I agree with TW & InaD, 100 horses do seem lacking, especially as my Smarts both kick out around 80 bhp but only have 850kg to haul around.

as stated, around 2008 the 100 bhp was a std fitment, mainly to reduce the ticket price by a grand or so...

most will have been supplied with the 130 bhp motor, which would be ample for a 3000 kg ish MIRO van.

only you will be able to say if its enough, but unladen, it may seem fine, only perhaps becoming frustrating when running fully laden and on long uphill sections.

one thing for sure, try a van, any similar van (even if not that interested in it) so as to understand what the 130 might add.

our two Boleros had the 130 and its a pretty good, solid lump.

On the 2nd (larger, 7m) Bolero, im sure the 100 bhp motor would have been a bit lacking, on the 1st one, might have been ok.

Thanks Molly Mummy and Bolero Boy.

You've made some very good points ..... 

My 2002 Autotrail Tracker has the 2 Ltr 84 BHP engine.

It's been up most of the high mountains in southern Europe and Norway for example.

It cruises at 60MPH, or 70 MPH if you want, and has averaged 29.6 MPG.

It weighs a real life 3300Kgs when travelling.

I don't do 'my ????? is bigger than your ?????'

with my dearest OH kindly giving away my beloved Audi TDi Avant to our needy son (too big for her to drive confidently in town, etc....) and replacing it with a tiny Fiat 500, i am astutely aware of the differences 'grunt' (or lack of it) can make to relaxed progress..

yes, the Fiat will cruise at 60 or 70 or even 80, but when loaded (people and/or stuff) and faced with long inclines it behaves differently to the TDI.....ie, it slows down....and requires plenty of gear shifting and commensurate changes in noise levels.....the Audi just required a slight depression of the accelerator, in virtually any gear...

a small engine in a MH will definitely do the job....but sometimes a bit more oomph makes the progress a little more relaxing...

not wanting to get into the 'mines bigger.....' thing, however we do have the 150bhp motor in ours and it suits it well, again avoiding downshifts that would be necessary with the 130.

i do think the OP should try a couple of different engine/weight combinations and then make an informed choice....