Fiat 150bhp Auto box.

[Obanboy666]

After visiting numerous dealers and viewing every motorhome make, variant layout etc I’ve finally come to the sensible conclusion I will get a lot more for my hard earned cash buying second hand. I was hoping to buy a new Hymer but all are above the budget I have set myself. Like Pilote and within my budget but imho not up to Hymer standards.
I have looked at and having a test drive of a 2015 Hymer TCL 554 tomoss. 15.0k miles, large water tanks, awning, leather upholstery, solar panel, 150 bhp Euro5 engine which won’t be a problem as I don’t visit cities, excellent condition inside and out. £7,500 cheaper than the new Pilote I have looked at.
It’s got the Fiat auto box, I have had auto transmission cars and wouldn’t hesitate to have another. Any members have the Fiat auto box and what is your opinion, Any issues etc, etc.

 

[The laird]

Phil and loosercruiser have them steve but wully has just been shown the power band switch for the auto box after having it a while and he says the difference is amazing ,worth a chat with them ,Phil ,hymer ,,,,,,wully deffhymer /fiat ,bit o a crossbreed

 

[Admin]

After visiting numerous dealers and viewing every motorhome make, variant layout etc I’ve finally come to the sensible conclusion I will get a lot more for my hard earned cash buying second hand. I was hoping to buy a new Hymer but all are above the budget I have set myself. Like Pilote and within my budget but imho not up to Hymer standards.
I have looked at and having a test drive of a 2015 Hymer TCL 554 tomoss. 15.0k miles, large water tanks, awning, leather upholstery, solar panel, 150 bhp Euro5 engine which won’t be a problem as I don’t visit cities, excellent condition inside and out. £7,500 cheaper than the new Pilote I have looked at.
It’s got the Fiat auto box, I have had auto transmission cars and wouldn’t hesitate to have another. Any members have the Fiat auto box and what is your opinion, Any issues etc, etc.

I have the 150BHP Euro 5 with the 6-speed auto box. The box is actually a robotised manual box, so it has an automatic clutch and gear selection. You just drive it like an automatic.

The only problem is that the gearbox is tuned for a panel van and not an a-class motorhome. This means that it does not change down fast enough when going up hills. You can flick the gearstick up and it will change down, but it tends to just change straight back up again. Pressing the UP button by the gearstick tells the van that it has a heavy load and the gearbox is very different.

As it is an automatic it should have traction plus (T switch to the right of the hazard button) as standard, this will mean you have a torque vectoring differential rather than just the ASR system that just brakes wheels that lose traction. The TVD will try to stop the wheels losing grip in the first place.

I love my Hymer, the Hymer TCL 554 looks like a great layout.

 

[Obanboy666]

I have the 150BHP Euro 5 with the 6-speed auto box. The box is actually a robotised manual box, so it has an automatic clutch and gear selection. You just drive it like an automatic.

The only problem is that the gearbox is tuned for a panel van and not an a-class motorhome. This means that it does not change down fast enough when going up hills. You can flick the gearstick up and it will change down, but it tends to just change straight back up again. Pressing the UP button by the gearstick tells the van that it has a heavy load and the gearbox is very different.

As it is an automatic it should have traction plus (T switch to the right of the hazard button) as standard, this will mean you have a torque vectoring differential rather than just the ASR system that just brakes wheels that lose traction. The TVD will try to stop the wheels losing grip in the first place.

I love my Hymer, the Hymer TCL 554 looks like a great layout.

Not sure what type of box it is but will have a good look tomoss. Seem to recall it has what looks like a ‘normal’ gearstick ?
Photo of actual vehicle cab showing gearstick.

 

[Admin]

Not sure what type of box it is but will have a good look tomoss. Seem to recall it has what looks like a ‘normal’ gearstick ?
Photo of actual vehicle cab showing gearstick.View attachment 45855

The gearstick is correct for the auto.

 

[wildebus]

I have the 150BHP Euro 5 with the 6-speed auto box. The box is actually a robotised manual box, so it has an automatic clutch and gear selection. You just drive it like an automatic.

The only problem is that the gearbox is tuned for a panel van and not an a-class motorhome. This means that it does not change down fast enough when going up hills. You can flick the gearstick up and it will change down, but it tends to just change straight back up again. Pressing the UP button by the gearstick tells the van that it has a heavy load and the gearbox is very different.

As it is an automatic it should have traction plus (T switch to the right of the hazard button) as standard, this will mean you have a torque vectoring differential rather than just the ASR system that just brakes wheels that lose traction. The TVD will try to stop the wheels losing grip in the first place.

I love my Hymer, the Hymer TCL 554 looks like a great layout.

Interesting comment ref the robotised manual gearbox. I had a similar 6-speed robo-auto-manual gearbox in my DS4 and DS5 cars. I found that it was fine changing gears when you were tending to slow, but when accelerating, the auto changes were a little jerky if pressing on a bit, as if driven by a poor driver.
I found it much smoother to actually use the paddles on the wheel to change gears to preempt the auto box when driving faster but let the box do its own thing when slowing or when gently pootling about.

 

[47643]

i have a comfortmatic 6 speed 130hp euro5. there is a knack to driving it, but once you get used to it ,no probs.it takes your mind off changing gear when you are doing other things. eg looking for directions.also use it in manual when i was on the nc500,when required

 

[Okta]

I had a Citroen and a Smart with robotised gearboxes. They could both be encouraged to change up by a small reduction in pressure on the accelerator. I now have an Audi with a robotised DSG gearbox and it is so fast and smooth I couldn't possibly change gear quicker, even using the flappy paddles. I will find out later in the year how the Fiat auto behaves when my new Motorhome arrives.

 

[MarkJ]

Phil and loosercruiser have them steve but wully has just been shown the power band switch for the auto box after having it a while and he says the difference is amazing ,worth a chat with them ,Phil ,hymer ,,,,,,wully deffhymer /fiat ,bit o a crossbreed

Is the power band switch you mention the ‘up hill/heavy weight’ button near the control lever? Thanks...

 

[Admin]

Is the power band switch you mention the ‘up hill/heavy weight’ button near the control lever? Thanks...

Yes, it does hill descent too.

 

[ronharper333@gmail.com]

I have driven automatic cars for about 20 years, and bought a fiat 150bhp auto Pilote van 4 years ago. No probs with the unique fiat Ducati auto gearbox, but I do tend to drive like an old man, I am on my hols after all, what’s the rush?
I am currently buying a new van and again opting for the 150 bop fiat Ducati auto gearbox. Just the job!

 

[Wully]

That wee button makes all the difference when you’re pulling away on an incline at a roundabout or junction ideal for traveling along roads like the A66 when you’re up and down some dragging hills and the gearbox changes that wee bit quicker I’m used to it now don’t think I’d ever go back to a manual

 

[MarkJ]

Yes, it does hill descent too.

I’m ashamed to say I’ve had my van for two years and assumed that switch was for towing.

Two switches, I think, Phil.

There’s an ‘up’ behind the selector knob and a ‘hill descent control’ switch in the centre console - in mine anyway.

 

[Steve davis]

After visiting numerous dealers and viewing every motorhome make, variant layout etc I’ve finally come to the sensible conclusion I will get a lot more for my hard earned cash buying second hand. I was hoping to buy a new Hymer but all are above the budget I have set myself. Like Pilote and within my budget but imho not up to Hymer standards.
I have looked at and having a test drive of a 2015 Hymer TCL 554 tomoss. 15.0k miles, large water tanks, awning, leather upholstery, solar panel, 150 bhp Euro5 engine which won’t be a problem as I don’t visit cities, excellent condition inside and out. £7,500 cheaper than the new Pilote I have looked at.
It’s got the Fiat auto box, I have had auto transmission cars and wouldn’t hesitate to have another. Any members have the Fiat auto box and what is your opinion, Any issues etc, etc.

I have this auto-box and it is a bit hesitant in low gears but your not racing anyone away from the lights but need to understand as nipping out at roundabouts need consideration. All that said I’d still have another and be happy to recommend. Steve

 

[Pudsey Bear]

My only thoughts ref the assisted manual box is ensure that you can afford the repair bill if it ever goes wrong out of warranty, and also be prepared for the lack of knowledge on them in local garages so main dealers only, at least with a manual or a slushbox they are a known quantity, not counting the CVT boxes.

 

[Okta]

My only thoughts ref the assisted manual box is ensure that you can afford the repair bill if it ever goes wrong out of warranty, and also be prepared for the lack of knowledge on them in local garages so main dealers only, at least with a manual or a slushbox they are a known quantity, not counting the CVT boxes.

Most local garages would not attempt to strip down and repair a traditional auto gearbox, they would send it away to a specialist. The robotised auto boxes are very likely cheaper to repair than one with a torque converter.

 

[Dennismileo]

I have this auto-box and it is a bit hesitant in low gears but your not racing anyone away from the lights but need to understand as nipping out at roundabouts need consideration. All that said I’d still have another and be happy to recommend. Steve

Hi all,
I also have the 150 ducato with comfort magic and I agree that you need time to get used to it and also use the ‘up’ button on inclines.
Have just had engine remapped which gives greater torque and upgrades to 180 hour.
Haven’t had a long run yet but on a short test it is so much smoother and able to stay in 6th up slopes - seems a great upgrade so far but remapping seems to be a ‘marmite’ issue
Dennis

 

[Obanboy666]

Well decided to go for a new Pilote, putting deposit down tomoss. P650gj high beds so large garage, 150bhp manual.
Many thanks for everyone’s comments regarding the auto box.