Fully agree
The Vado/Como 5 uses the 1.3 motor that develops 90Nm of torque. On my Vado the power meter reports up to an 800W motor output with my max effort. Do you want more than this or did you want to swap the 1.3 motor into say a Vado/Como 3?
Your LBS could confirm this, but if you want a 1.3 motor in a Vado/Como 3 I'd wager that you'd be better of just buying a Vado/Como 5 to begin with. I doubt the dealer can credit you anything for the original 1.2e motor. After paying replacement parts markup on a 1.3 motor plus shop labor it'd seem to me that you'd be lucky to be a wash with the cost of the more expensice bikes, and you'd still have the Vado/Como 3 drive train, brakes, and smaller battery rather than the upgrades that come with the 5 series.
Seriously. I have the 1.3e in my Como, and I love my Como. But Tim is telling it right as it is. When in doubt, buy up and early, don't build up later....But you have to know that you are going to ride it enough to appreciate the extra cost.
The e stands for efficient. It is not an upgrade, its a downgrade on performance. It goes with a smaller battery to give it a bit more range. The performance hit is noticable, I believe, but haven't ridden the powerfull one that most on here have. I climb some serious PA hills with high effort, but nothing like the High Serrias. I still have no idea what my battery range is, but its further than I can go
I don't believe there is a 1.3e motor. Perhaps you were referring to the 1.3 motor in the Como/Vado 5 ebikes? The 1.2e motor is spec'd for the 2020 Como 3 ebikes.
Thanks Tim. I typed the number wrong, I was concentrating on the E on the end, that E is a lower performance version that provides longer range with the smaller battery. The big power jump is 1.3 vs 1.2 for hills and headwinds.
