Citroen C15 Van

[losgamblos]

Hello folks,

 

I'm after a small van. due to it's low price and simplicity, my number one choice is a citroen c15. But i'm unsure if a trials bike fits in the back. Has anybody had any experience with these or seen somebody using one for bike transport?

I'm also considering a ford fiesta courier. Again, if anybody has seen one used for bike transport, then i'd love to know.

 

Many thanks, losgamblos

[trialsertl]

dont know about the c15 but i have a ciroen nemo and can get a 4rt into it easily

[goudrons]

You can get one bike in, but a C15 wouldn't be my first choice.

They are very prone to rot and these days rust has usually taken hold, everywhere!

They also have rear brake issues, there's a valve in the system and it is meant to balance the brakes when loaded, most have usually failed by now causing brake balance issues. (rears locking when unloaded)

They aren't very well built or built out of what nowadays we'd consider quality materials. Steel is paper thin you'll feel pretty exposed driving one.

 

For a Citroen, the Berlingo is a better bet and cheaper in the long run.

You can remove the rear seats from the "car" version and this would be slightly cheaper to insure (vans, even for private use tend to carry higher premiums)

Most will be in better condition than an old buiders van as well.

 

The 1.4 petrol will also attrach a low road tax band than the diesel versions.

The 1.9D is a pretty hardy motor, but the coolant system can be a bit fussy, the expansion bottle is mounted too low and they often air lock if they haven't been refilled properly.

 

 

Vauxhalls Combo isn't a bad choice, they are extremely cheap to buy, run and repair.

The older ones, based on the Corsa B tend to be a bit past it these days, but you can get two bikes in at a push.

 

Next up was the one based on the Corsa C, the 1.7 motor is an Isuzu and in Di or DTi it is very robust (and will happily run Veg at 40-50%)

Both are direct injection and not common rail, so are easy to maintain, both are turbo'd, just the DTi has an intercooler.

 

Later CDTi's are common rail (both 1.3's and 1.7s) and I would give them a miss as they'll often need a diesel specialist if they go wrong.

 

I ran one for a while (C with 1.7Di engine on 50% waste veg oil) and it wasn't that bad a drive and a bike fitted perfectly diagonally.

Parts are laughably cheap and the only issue it had was the steering was a bit numb, but this is true on anything with EPAS.

Edited October 8, 2015 by goudrons

[t-shock 250]

Good info above, berlingo/partner would be my choice. Or maybe transit connect.

[theluckyone]

Here's my limited van experience. After driving low mileage VW company cars for the last 11 years I've just had to put my

hand in my pocket and buy a motor. I chose a Citreon Berlingo diesel van . I paid £5k including vat, its a 2011 with 80k on the clock in met grey ( I would've had a white one, I'm not that much of a snob!) Its had one private owner from new and is well spec'd and immaculate. Bought it from a main citreon dealer so probably paid a bit more for "piece of mind" than buying it from the block.

I have to say its brilliant. It drives well, fits a 4RT in easy,it can take a lorra lorra stuff to the tip and seems to do

500 miles on a tank full. I wanted a VW Caddy but couldn't stump up the extra cash. I feel a bit smug now!!

[cleanorbust]

I could recommend a Fiat Doblo if you come across one. Have used one for years - highly reliable and economical, can take one, or two, trials bikes no problem.

[goudrons]

Good shout about the Doblo.

Again, looking for the "car" version and removing the seats might result in a better vehicle than an old builders van that's been ragged.

 

Engine wise it's either 1.9D, 1.9Jtd/multijet or 1.3 multijet (the last two I think are common rail and both can suffer turbo wastegate's seizing up) or if you hunt around a bit you might find one with Fiat's petrol 1.2 FIRE, a little slower, but a good engine, later ones came with the 1.4 petrol, not had the pleasure of that engine yet.

[2stroke4stroke]

I use a Doblo car and previously have used two of the old model Berlingo cars. Two bikes would fit in but given how neat it was,even for one, I'm surprised ,and indeed pleased for future reference, to hear that it is possible to get a bike in to the Nemo.

[losgamblos]

Good shout about the Doblo.

Again, looking for the "car" version and removing the seats might result in a better vehicle than an old builders van that's been ragged.

 

Engine wise it's either 1.9D, 1.9Jtd/multijet or 1.3 multijet (the last two I think are common rail and both can suffer turbo wastegate's seizing up) or if you hunt around a bit you might find one with Fiat's petrol 1.2 FIRE, a little slower, but a good engine, later ones came with the 1.4 petrol, not had the pleasure of that engine yet.

Wow! Thanks for the detailed replies. I'll have a look into vauxhall combos.