[Matt Gibson]

Hi guys, I thought I'd post this in a few sections so I can get a bit of feedback. Am looking to upgrade the van. Anyone had any experience with the relay? Lookin at a lwb hi top. I know there are horror stories about every type of van, but just lookin for any owners experience.

Cheers,

Matt

[Richard Basey-Fisher]

i upgraded 18 months ago to a relay new shape  L2 H2   .  has been nothing but trouble and its only done 60000 miles  ,  in one year  i have had new flywheel ,  countless electrical probs , bust coolant pipe , split injector pipe .  i may just be unlucky but i would never have one again getting shot next year

[Matt Gibson]

Hi mate, I'm lookin at a 2004, not sure if that's the new shape. Sounds like you had a bit of bad luck there but like I said, every van has its horror stories. Cheers for the rely though, what year is yours?

[AshWhite]

2004 is the old shape where its just SWB, MWB, or LWB - nt the new L1, L2 etc style.

Check to see what 'Euro' model it is Matt, and whether its got a Diesel Particulate Filter.

As for asking opinions about a van, do the same thing with a Sprinter, Vivaro, Transit etc and you'll get the same horror stories in one shape or another - just gotta find a deal, do your due diligence on checking it over, and part with as little of your cash as possible 

[Matt Gibson]

Hey Ash,

Yeah I know every van can hav it's lemons, what's the deal with the diesel particulate filter? And what are the different euro models? Are some better than others? Is there a way the spot the different euro models?

[AshWhite]

No, every few years they release a new 'Euro' standard that means lower emissions of some kind or another (some mean lower CO2, some lower Nitrogen gases etc etc). If I remember rightly, in 2004 Euro IV had just started, and some leaving the factory had DPF, while some didn't (you could specify which you wanted for a while).

Basically the filter holds waste soot until the exhaust gets hot enough to burn it off, adds some fluid which ignites the waste, then expels it out the back box.

The problem lies in vans which are never driven hard/far enough to maintain the required temperature to burn the waste product - which means the filter gets blocked, van goes into limp mode, and can often mean a trip back to main dealer for a forced regeneration and a hook up to the computer.

So if it does have DPF, make sure you bear in mind you'll have to take it for a good weekly drive, but it's a bonus if it doesn't have DPF.

[Matt Gibson]

Cheers mate. Very helpfull   

[AshWhite]

No worries. For what it's worth, by 2004 that model had been around a while so it was quite well tested 

[craignozza]

Brought 53 plate citreon relay six months later the scrap yard brought it of me with over £1500 worth of high fuel pressure pump common rail and diesel injectors needing to be fixed ..AVOID AVOID 

[Matt Gibson]

Cheers for the info guys, am starting to think maybe ill just go for a transit. I know they rust and have the usual probs, but there are so many on the road, they cant be that bad!  

Or i was looking at the fiat ducatos? any good? i know the older fiats were pretty unreliable, but apparently the newer ones have different engines that are a great runner? the model ive seen is the 05 ducato.

[Linds Russell]

F ix
I t
A gain
T ommy

[AshWhite]

The later Fiats use either a JTD engine, or a Multijet engine, which are both prone to the same faults as the Citroen (they both use the same filter systems).

Also, the body parts are all the same, so prone to the same faults there too.

Honestly Matt, ignore the scaremainers (respectfully)- concentrate on getting a good deal (from a dealer if you want a decent warranty), check it out thoroughly - if you're not confident doing this get the RAC to do an indepenant inspection and any faults you can use as bargaining power if you still want to go ahead.

[jasonl]

My transit just passed its mot this week with 200,731 mile on the clock , rust is not too bad , very solid underneath , I have looked after it though , where most are thrashed about on sites up motorways etc , I get under mine pressure wash it ,treat any rust underneath and keep it waxed in the box sections , maybe spend 30 quid a year on wax . its a 2003 52 plate .

[Matt Gibson]

Cheers guys,

Its always a gamble on any 2nd hand van you buy i guess, just a bit of a rush for me at the moment cause the old van is on its last legs and im not willing to spend any more  money on it. Just wanted a bit of feedback so i can cross a few different makes off the list and cut down my search.

Thanks for all the info guys, mucho appreciated 

Jason, you ever had any major mechanical probs with it?

[Shaun_Ashmore]

I 've been trying to wax my missus in the box section but I'm afraid she's rusted already.

Shaun

[Matt Gibson]

Get jason round, hes good with the wax 

[jasonl]

In the last 80k miles   I have had 3 tyres , waterpump, wipers , 3 services/5 oil changes , lower wishbones, track rod end, about 6 bulbs, starter motor, some anti freeze, 2 wheel bearings , new front discs and pads and another set of front pads.


I have replaced a drivers door, wing and mirror due to a lorry sucking open my partly open door as it went past , the front grille came off too, these parts were all from a breakers for a few pounds.

If I were to get another I would spend 2k at an auction and get a 55 ish plate one with less than 80k on the clock , there are hundreds at the auctions.


For around 5k I would get a transporter straight off a big fleet.

[Matt Gibson]

cheers mate

[Neil Williams]

The best people to ask for a totally unbiased view on vans are RAC and AA mechanics. Next time you see one parked up go and ask him for the sort of problems they mostly have to deal with in regards to vans.
Even though the AA use Traffics they are prone to clutch and gearbox problems, and that from the AA mechanic.

[Linds Russell]

I currently have a Citroen Dispatch. It has 103,000 miles on the clock and has had:

New Clutch
New Battery
New Alternator
New number 1 fuel injector
New fuel lines
New sump

Add to that all the usual wear and tear stuff like brakes and timing belt etc.

Despite all this, I actually like the van. I think if I paid full price for all of the above, I would not like it so much. My mate is an ex Citroen mechanic.

Linds