2007 Fiat Doblo Multijet 120 Dynamic from UK and Ireland - Comments

We got a truly exceptional deal on the car, and the pre-delivery inspection was rushed/no frills - but we could live with this at a 34% discount on list price...

(NB - I am very fussy and inspect cars obsessively - see 2007 Perodua Myvi SXi, 2007 Fiat Panda Multijet, 2006 Suzuki Swift DDiS reports)

On delivery:

Some rough edges on the interior plastics needed cutting off/smoothing - easy to do with craft knife.

Fuel cap drip flap had to be trimmed - huge rough edge not trimmed off at build stage - easy to do with craft knife.

Some white stress marks in a plastic overhead shelf, where it was forced into place at the factory - very minor.

OSR sliding door window rubber sagging and needed gluing.

Rear light cluster surrounds and OSR bumper corner had been repainted to a less than magnificent standard - but after commenting, the dealer compensated with cheque to cover getting this redone, which was lovely of them - left as is.

Mats and clips thrown in boot and not fitted - but deal was cheap!

Valet not brilliant, but OK.

Really, I am picking holes in a good car at a truly superb price, so ignore all of the above.

I have previously bought a new Citroen Berlingo 2.0 HDi Desire in 2004 (see "like a badly dressed friend.." report), sold it and missed the practicality.

Now we are expecting our first child, we need a family car - I would have bought another Berlingo, but fancied a different car and the Fiat ticked the boxes and undercut the Citroen by over £1000 (best deals).

The overall impression of the car is that it is a huge and useful, no nonsense tough van-based car at the same price as a new Fiesta.

We have a September 2007 built Doblo with the latest red (500 style) badges.

It is dated in places and due to be replaced very soon by the new Fiat Fiorino van/people carrier, as seen on:

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=122013#2

http://www.autospies.com/news/Fiat-Fiorino-Is-Revealed-21358/

http://www.autospectator.com/cars/fiat/0029092-new-compact-economy-van-concept-developed-fiat-psa-peugeot-citroen-partnership-tofas

The new one looks much more up to date and will be more economical, lower tax band, better stereo etc.

First impressions of the Doblo:

A pleasant car which is easy to use with great visibility and (heated) mirrors, reasonable daily economy of 40mpg, good driving position and huge space.

Compared to the Berlingo, it has more power and a larger load bay, corners better and is much cheaper. It also has much more road presence and seems to be more respected than the smoother looking Berlingo - you find people get out of the way or give way to you in the Doblo, and just laugh and drive at you in the Berlingo.

The Berlingo has more equipment-fingertip control stereo, glass roof with excellent built in roof rack, Modubox, overhead lockers, more 12v powerpoints, softer seats and a softer ride, but rolls more on corners, lifts an inside wheel on harsh cornering, and has very sensitive ABS, which cuts in too soon.

The Doblo is more van-like and drives as such with rear leaf springs, but is better planted on the road, corners better, and has better brakes and generally feels tougher.

Good:

Price, size of cabin and boot, tough, equipment, solid drive, 6 speaker stereo, well proven powertrain, Fiat service has been A1, good dual trip/fuel computer and display, non-intrusive electronics; you can turn warning buzzers off, separate interior lights in front cabin, rear cabin and boot are all independently triggered, nice alloys, enormous tailgate great shelter when loading boot in the rain, first class large heated electric mirrors, dash mounted gear stick, driver's armrest.

Bad:

Daft stereo turns off 20 minutes after you remove the keys, or has to be turned off manually, which takes 10 seconds - Fiat say they will replace if it cannot be programmed differently, rough edges/poor quality control as above, rear seat passengers complain of bouncy ride over poor seface, no ISOFIX or side airbags, key has same button for lock and unlock-not separate buttons, Dynamic trim has old fashioned rear headrests which obscure rear view mirror view of behind (we have removed the centre one) (Family trim has newer style child/adult headrests which retract), rear passengers struggle to work out how to open rear doors and press lock button not opening lever by mistake, mirrors create wind noise, car corners well, but unsettled when lane-changing on motorway, steering quite heavy at low speeds, no rubber seal around outer lower door edge means sills/lower door inners get filthy quickly, rear wiper not intermittent.

At the price it is excellent, but we feel that the lack of ISOFIX, and the poor design of the centre rear headrest is an oversight.

Do be aware that this is a van based car and is basic - not like a Zafira - the rear seats do fold, but do not remove, and they do split-fold, but the design means you can only tumble just one seat independently in the Dynamic - you cannot tumble the right two seats leaving the single left seat in place. Who cares with this much space?!

We wanted to buy a Doblo 1.3 Multijet Dynamic, but this is not made - the 1.3 Multijet 85 BHP is only available in the Active model or Family 7 seater, and we wanted the 5 seat Dynamic. The 1.9 120 unit is good, but has maximum power at 3000rpm, not at 1750rpm - just over tickover as on the 1.3.

The 1.9 120 needs revving to pull, which is at odds with the type of vehicle, and makes it harder to drive and noisier.

We have the 1.3 unit in our 2007 Panda (but only 70BHP) and it is SUPERB, and a more modern, quieter, more refined and economical unit than the 1.9 - and the 1.3 Family 7 seater is in a lower tax band than our 5 seater 1.9.

If I chose again, I would have a 1.3 Multijet Active with air-con as an option - it is not standard on the Active and costs £600 extra. The deal on the 1.9 we got was so good it that it actually worked out cheaper than 1.3 Active and we are very happy with the car.

NB: If you are worried about the power of the 1.3 in such a large car, do not be - it is by far the best unit, and has ample power and better refinement and economy, as well as a lighter gearchange and lower tax band.

The power band is better suited to this type of car, with pull directly from tickover - it still goes fast too.

The 1.9 120 is overkill with this chassis and handling, and 1.9 105 is totally pointless next to the more advanced new 1.3 85. No point looking at the 1.4 petrol, at any price.

Interestingly, my wife finds the Doblo actually easier to drive than her 2007 Panda, owing to the higher driving position, great visibility and huge mirrors. She finds it both easier to park and to place in the correct position on the road - this was a factor in our choice - she was intimidated by "rounder" family cars where the dimensions are harder to judge.

I will update as the miles pile on, but happy at present and hope that Fiat resolve the stereo.

**Update**

Now at 2300 miles and still rattle free, with the drivetrain loosening slowly and things rounding off bit by bit. Still impressed.

Notes:

Performance improving and grip is impressive.

HUGE screenwash reservoir.

Bouncy on certain surfaces.

Non-intermittent rear wiper is a pain.

When adjusting radio volume, it is too easy for the passenger to accidentally turn the foglights on.

Indicator stalk hard to turn on/keeps cancelling on certain bends, usually noticeable on islands.

Radio issue (20 minute delay on removing keys) still not sorted, Fiat originally agreed to swap it after Fiat Technical/Blaupunkt stated could not be reprogrammed, now Fiat will not do anything until I take a 60 mile round trip to the nearest dealer to confirm that the menu does not have a setting for changing the delay time (even though the expert checked one at head office and said it does not, I have checked it-my Panda has the setting, and the dealer has checked an identical car and stereo) After 25 phone calls, I am getting frustrated with it now, but have agreed that next time I pass a Fiat dealer, I will go in and get them to confirm what everyone already knows, and then I will request it gets doctored or swapped.

The Ciao Fiat contact line is a waste of time as they do not have any idea about any of the cars they sell, let alone the finer details of a stereo, and all of the calls are routed via Italy; the combination of a heavy accent and a poor quality line hinders things further. This is a case in point- Fiat have no idea about their own products and the fact that no-one could deal with a simple enquiry by phone after going through 5 departments and coming back with different answers. Audi would have sorted this instantly without the need to go to the dealer, but you get what you paid for and it was a bargain...!

I will update again soon...

Have had a letter from Fiat asking me to take the car to the nearest dealer (60 mile round trip) just for the service department to look at the stereo and see if the daft 20 minute delay for the stereo turning off after removing the ignition keys can be reset to switch off immediately. Quite why I have to do this as Fiat have already called me back to say that their technical department have already spoken to the Blaupunkt technical department and confirmed that this is a factory setting which cannot be altered.

I reluctantly took the car to the dealer who instantly confirmed the above.

After Fiat previously agreeing to swap the unit if the setting could not be altered, they now say in their letter that as this is not a fault, but a factory setting, they are not prepared to do anything.

I have written back a direct letter reminding them that they have already agreed to swap the unit if they could not make it work in a normal way. I await their response..

Why is there a twenty minute delay? Who thought of that idea?

It would not be so bad if the stereo were easy to turn on and off, but turning it off manually means holding down the mute/off button for ten seconds EVERY time you leave the car-and then it will not come on with the keys when you next start the engine.

It is only minor fault, but just plain daft and is annoying when you are constantly in and out of the car.

Further to the above, Fiat has offered a £50 voucher as goodwill, which I am pleased about.

Now at 4500 miles and still very impressed with the car which is running in nicely and driving better than ever.

Minor faults: NS screenwasher jet faulty (exact same fault as on our Panda, centre piece drops/slides out), driver's seat creaking slightly on corners, otherwise nothing.

Impressive for Fiat, and better quality than the Citroen Berlingo I bought previously, which had various faults.

Great review - thanks. I test drived a Croma multijet and similarly found the engine felt noticeably gutless at low revs. I wonder if it is a tiring car to drive on 2 hour motorway trips eg due to noise and how it behaves in a sudden swerve situation. Certainly the price is really attractive.

It is surprisingly well planted on the road, but the steering is quite light making faster lane changes feel nervous. It is certainly more stable than the Berlingo.

Long motorway journeys are reasonable as the seat has multi adjustment allowing you to get comfy and wind noise is acceptable apart from around the huge mirrors, which can whistle a touch in a crosswind. The hard rear suspension is horrid over bridge expansion plates as it thumps and jars the car.

The Berlingo is more comfortable and relaxing on longer runs, but the Doblo is perfectly fine, and more stable in an avoidance/swerving event.

I bought mine from a very large dealers in Aylesbury who sell 30 a month and could not be beaten on the price.

If you need carrying capacity with reasonable economy, and cannot spend more, I would recommend either the Doblo or Berlingo diesels.

See various recent comments on 2004 Berlingo "like a badly..." thread-contains comparisons between Doblo and Berlingo, and notes alternatives and further advice on Doblo engine choice.

Original report writer update...

I have been to look at the new Fiat Qubo and have found out that it does not replace the Doblo (a new model Doblo is due soon), but now is sold alongside it as a smaller, trendier lifestyle vehicle aimed at young families.

Having owned the Doblo, I realise the Punto based chassis will make the Qubo more car-like to drive, with lower emissions and tax, plus the electronics/radio/bluetooth etc are far more up to date and the styling much fresher. However, it is considerably smaller than the Doblo and the same spec Qubo is currently significantly more expensive due to major discounting on the Doblo.

The Doblo is noticeably bigger - especially the rear seat width and boot, but misses numerous features now fitted as standard to the Qubo-like ISOFIX. The Qubo is far more stylish and comes in youthful colours, and Fiat has finally seen sense and fitted it with rubber flooring instead of daft carpets - which strangely remain in the more workmanlike Doblo.

I was very impressed with my 2007 Doblo 1.9 120 Multijet Diesel Dynamic and thought the Qubo was worth looking at. I had previously commented that it was a shame that Fiat did not sell the 1.3 Multijet Diesel in Dynamic spec, as this would have been my top choice, but it turns out that the fabulous 1.3 Multijet engine IS now available in Dynamic spec and works out a lot cheaper than the equivalent Qubo due to a difference in bonuses available to the dealers from Fiat.

I asked the dealer to price up my p-ex and pricematch the best Internet site price I could find-we were on the verge of doing a deal, so he went to try and order one on-line from Fiat - but found out there are zero 1.3 Multijet Dynamics either at "virtual" (during build) or "visible" (built/physical) stage, so they said they will have to come back to me after they have found out when the next ones will hit the UK.

It appears the excellent power unit (I had same in my 2007 Panda, but they are mapped to 70bhp, not 85) is in heavy demand as it is used in the Fiat: 500, Panda, Granda Punto, Qubo, Doblo, Suzuki: Swift, Splash, Vauxhall: Agila, Corsa, Astra and now in the newly launched Ford KA.

I was impressed with the Doblo, but thought the 1.9 120 unit was too revvy and thirsty for it - better suited to a Bravo or similar than a van; yet was hugely impressed with the 1.3 Multijet engine in my 2007 Panda - so putting the excellent Doblo and superb 1.3 Multijet engine together, in Dynamic spec, at less than the price of the smaller Qubo looks definitely worth having - I just hope that they can get one for me! I am beginning to think they have stopped production of the current Doblo after viewing numerous spy-shots of the next generation Doblo are now on the net. The new one will be more refined and more car like, no doubt, and will have lower emissions and better safety. The problem is that Fiat do not discount the new models very much (as seen today with the Qubo) so I would not be able to afford the new model when it is launched. The current model is one hell of a bargain now though, even it is now dated and has only got 3* NCAP safety rating and lacks ISOFIX.

The proof of the pudding is that I have owned a current model Doblo and I am now trying to order another - chosen over the newer Qubo, ex-demo Berlingo 2 or Peugeot Partner Tepee, or a 2008 10,000 mile Vauxhall Zafira-all in the knowledge a new model is lurking.

It is a very good vehicle and highly recommended as a strong and durable, no-nonsense workhorse/family vehicle - I just hope my dealer can now find me a 1.3 Multijet Dynamic!

Just wondering if there is any way of curing the wind whistling noise coming from the mirrors on the Fiat Doblo, as it is very annoying. Thanks a lot.