Buying Advice.

Hippo · 2016-09-12 06:15:59

Hi guys, new guy here so sorry for what I'm sure will be a load of silly questions! We're thinking of buying one of these van to convert into a sort of day van/camper. We have a budget of 3k, although I'd rather spend 2k on the van and use the rest on the conversion.

My main concern is mileage, should a 200 plus ex police Fiat scare me or is it a viable option?

Should I try and buy the newest possible regardless of vehicle age, or should I just buy the lowest mileage even if it's old?

Cheers in advance.

Casper · 2016-09-12 07:09:23

Dont think i would buy a 200k van. Yeah it will have a good service history but that is a lot of different drivers over the years hammering it. Late as you can get van with 100k or less. No reason why you cant find a clean one for around £1000-1500.

I would also recommend getting the turbo version if planning long distance driving as the 1.9D can be a bot of a slug and take an age to wind up but then again, whats the hurry. Im sure you also get better MPG from the 2.0 Turbo. Find out what the van has been used for. You want one from an ex florist rather than builder. Nothing really sticks out to look out for as they are pretty reliable and i am yet to see a rust ridden one. Just do your usual car buying checks and you will be fine.

Timing belt last change
Oil condition
Smoke from back
Rattles
General condition
Clean as well as engine

You know what i mean.

Hippo · 2016-09-12 09:58:05

Perfect, thanks for getting back to me.

Yeah we'll be doing long journeys so the turbo it is. It it the same engine that's in my current C5 HDi estate? If so does it need that mega expensive cam belt change at 100k?

Casper · 2016-09-12 12:37:53

Unsure mate but i dont think i would risk 100k. 70 sounds more realistic. My van is a coming up 150k and the last owner had it done just over 140 so i would be thinking better safe than sorry but then you are the one buying so ask and if unsure then walk as look on ebay, there is thousands for sale up and down the country. Im sure you will get what you want as long as money is not burning holes in the pockets.

vaz2121 · 2016-09-12 13:45:08

Hippo wrote:

Perfect, thanks for getting back to me.
Yeah we'll be doing long journeys so the turbo it is. It it the same engine that's in my current C5 HDi estate? If so does it need that mega expensive cam belt change at 100k?

Ideally get as late as possible (06/56?) HDI MK1 which will have the 2.0HDI, offsetting age, condition /mileage service history etc as Casper says (just get best van for your spend), You'll find MK2's probably start on a 56 reg they'll have the 1.6HDI.

I can only comment on MK1's and although a cambelt change cost is not to to be sniffed at..... I wouldn't call it mega money on a Scudo, Dispatch, Expert

(does your C5 have the 2.2 HDI?)

Hippo · 2016-09-12 14:43:06

OK so newer makes a bit more sense if the mileague isn't too stupid?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ … gcode=visc

Is the above any good? Is the 1.6 a good engine then?

Sorry for all the questions!

No my C5 is the 2.0 HDi cost over 600 quid for the service Inc the belt change!

Haydenw · 2016-09-12 14:44:00

If they have a good service history then I wouldn't be concerned with the milage. If well looked after you see the engines go to 200-300 plus (just look at some of the old taxis for sale!)

Of course less milage is more desirable but will come at a £. I would say don't discount a high milage one if the price is right.

As for mine, on a 56 plate it had 100k when I purchased it with substantial service history (cost £1500 in May for reference).

Haydenw · 2016-09-12 14:50:18

The van you linked to hasn't been taxed since Dec 15 and the mot run out in June 16. That raises questions to me. May be a reason why it's so cheap.

Casper · 2016-09-12 14:51:29

Hippo wrote:

OK so newer makes a bit more sense if the mileague isn't too stupid?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ … gcode=visc
Is the above any good? Is the 1.6 a good engine then?
Sorry for all the questions!
No my C5 is the 2.0 HDi cost over 600 quid for the service Inc the belt change!

Ah, i was presuming you were after the MK1

peugeot__expert_hdi_110_3_seats_air_truck_2005_1_lgw.jpg

Hippo · 2016-09-12 14:55:56

Top detective work! Yeah it is really a MK 1 I'm after I think. How did you find that out about the van I linked to out of interest?

Haydenw · 2016-09-12 15:00:37

App on my phone "MOT history" - just need make and reg number. You can also use the .gov website, search for MOT history checker and select the .gov one.

Haydenw · 2016-09-12 15:02:19

Brilliant to use as it lists the mot fails and advisories. Great when you're looking to buy as you can see if the work has been done / how honest the sellars are!

vaz2121 · 2016-09-12 15:34:13

Hippo wrote:

No my C5 is the 2.0 HDi cost over 600 quid for the service Inc the belt change!

Only thing I know about C5 is for such a big car it can be quite tight in the engine bay (Hence 2.2 Question), So I can only assume it's to do with moving or removing lots of extra bits N bobs to gain working access to change full cambelt kit + water pump........

I have to say over £600 seems a tad eye watering .......

Unless Did that include in the service a refill of eloys and any work on the DPF (FAP)?

Casper · 2016-09-12 16:32:16

Haydenw wrote:

Brilliant to use as it lists the mot fails and advisories. Great when you're looking to buy as you can see if the work has been done / how honest the sellars are!

Tadaaaaaaa big_smile

https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/?_ … 1469683009

localfella · 2016-09-12 19:02:30

Casper wrote:

Hippo wrote:
OK so newer makes a bit more sense if the mileague isn't too stupid?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ … gcode=visc
Is the above any good? Is the 1.6 a good engine then?
Sorry for all the questions!
No my C5 is the 2.0 HDi cost over 600 quid for the service Inc the belt change!

Ah, i was presuming you were after the MK1
http://ipocars.com/imgs/a/g/f/n/y/peuge … _1_lgw.jpg

Sorry to jump in and hi-jack this thread.....
In the photo the sliding door there has a fixed/solid window, is this the same size one as usually fitted to the rear side windows, I've been thinking of fitting these in my sliding doors. Cheers for any advice...

Casper · 2016-09-12 19:14:25

That picture is a euro model, note left hand drive. I think the back looks longer

$_86.JPG

Ask Vaz2121 as im sure he has the same set up as the E7

Casper · 2016-09-12 19:16:45

Also scroll down and see what hyden has done to his van. Ask nicely and he might tell you what it cost.

http://dispatchexpertscudo.org.uk/forum … php?id=142

Dr_Feelgood · 2016-09-12 19:43:14

Casper wrote:

Unsure mate but i dont think i would risk 100k. 70 sounds more realistic. My van is a coming up 150k and the last owner had it done just over 140 so i would be thinking better safe than sorry but then you are the one buying so ask and if unsure then walk as look on ebay, there is thousands for sale up and down the country. Im sure you will get what you want as long as money is not burning holes in the pockets.

I've got a 2001 Sucdo 1.9D (no turbo) it does have a few little niggles like the fuel gauge doesn't work, but the fuel light does, it's good enough for me until I can afford to investigate the fault, and the odometer went off last week, as far as I can tell that's a common fault on these vans. Just had the timing belt changed, I bought mine from an estate clearance and it didn't have any service history, timing belt was changed at 136,000 last week at a cost of £240 including a new water pump... On the up side though the van only cost me £500. The family were just looking to get rid of everything.

Budgeting for around another £500 on repairs so a reasonable van for a total of £1000

Tiree · 2016-09-13 00:03:51

Casper wrote:

Unsure mate but i dont think i would risk 100k. 70 sounds more realistic.

Fab advice.

Bought my van at 125k, second timing belt snapped at 144k. Bit of a mess.

Just assume the interval is 70k max and if you're buying a van that you can't confirm has had it changed, factor in the £200-300 cost when you make your decision.

Hippo · 2016-09-13 14:33:58

Thanks for all the help guys, I promise that once I finally find a van I'll take numerous build pics to make up for the drain on everyone's knowledge!

Just to continue that drain though.........

Hippo · 2016-09-13 14:35:25

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified … =p&adPos=7

Are the issues with this one easy enough to sort? Bearing in mind my dubious mechanical skills!

Casper · 2016-09-13 14:56:36

Hippo wrote:

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified … =p&adPos=7

Are the issues with this one easy enough to sort? Bearing in mind my dubious mechanical skills!

No bad. Door not opening will be a little plastic fastener that breaks easy. Mirrors are 15 quid on ebay and locks are easy to change but if like me i never use the sliding door and back doors lock as i open with central locking so i would just take a barrel from another door as i am a tight jock. Remember, its a van and will have the odd wee dent, scratch. I would not let that bother me as that is what stickers are for big_smile I would be more prone to go for ones with glass sliding doors as no doubt you will want them later and unless you find a great deal they tend to be 100 quid on ebay for a good one.

You in Peterborough? what about your local gumtree?

Watergypsy · 2016-09-13 17:02:28

Hippo wrote:

Hi guys, new guy here so sorry for what I'm sure will be a load of silly questions! We're thinking of buying one of these van to convert into a sort of day van/camper. We have a budget of 3k, although I'd rather spend 2k on the van and use the rest on the conversion.
My main concern is mileage, should a 200 plus ex police Fiat scare me or is it a viable option?
Should I try and buy the newest possible regardless of vehicle age, or should I just buy the lowest mileage even if it's old?
Cheers in advance.

Hi, all good advice in the above posts.
200k wouldn't put me off looking at a 1.9 N/A but i would test the gearbox in all gears for notchiness and dropping out of gear the gearbox is the weak link on these vans in my experience.

Personally i would shy away from ex police vans because they are usually city mileage rather than motorway, but on the flip side the mileage is more likely to be correct if it is direct from the police.

I always judge a vehicle on its condition rather than it's mileage as this is the most relevant on vans of this age, for example a 50k van that has had overheating problems or oil starvation in the past is not going to be as good as a 200k van

monkeynut · 2016-09-18 18:28:36

Ive just come back from the far north with my 1.9d loaded up cant grumble with the normaly aphxiated dw8 ran faultlesy for the 1360 miles i bit gutless on some of the steep pullups but in no hurry :-) less to go wrong with th 1.9d

Casper · 2016-09-18 18:50:56

Just back from Manchester in my non turbo 1.9. Only 485 miles but again, faultless apart from the big hills. Never took it over 70mph once and stayed around the 60-65 mark what gave me a tad over 40mpg.

Get this spooky thing. Stopped at the services for a bite and decided to just top the tank up. I had did 167.4 miles. Wend to Manchester for the weekend and on the way home decided to stop for a bite and top up. I had done 167.2 miles.

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#1 2016-09-12 06:15:59

Buying Advice.

#2 2016-09-12 07:09:23

Re: Buying Advice.

#3 2016-09-12 09:58:05

Re: Buying Advice.

#4 2016-09-12 12:37:53

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#5 2016-09-12 13:45:08

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#6 2016-09-12 14:43:06

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#7 2016-09-12 14:44:00

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#8 2016-09-12 14:50:18

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#9 2016-09-12 14:51:29

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#10 2016-09-12 14:55:56

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#11 2016-09-12 15:00:37

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#12 2016-09-12 15:02:19

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#13 2016-09-12 15:34:13

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#14 2016-09-12 16:32:16

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#15 2016-09-12 19:02:30

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#16 2016-09-12 19:14:25

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#17 2016-09-12 19:16:45

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#18 2016-09-12 19:43:14

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#19 2016-09-13 00:03:51

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#20 2016-09-13 14:33:58

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#24 2016-09-18 18:28:36

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#25 2016-09-18 18:50:56

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