Is this likely to cause me grief?

[privatewire]

 

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified ... ?logcode=p

 

So, in the middle of the worst financial crisis in decades, Ive decided to stop sucking corporate cock and go out on my own, I need a biggish diesel estate to carry kit, so is this gonna cause me acres of hassle?

 

These seem cheap, as do Renner Lagunas, would i be better spending a lot more?

[dollywobbler]

I love Citroens, and I wouldn't go there. It's the horrific electrics that put me off. Even the hydraulic pump is now electrically driven. For a bit of fun, I probably would, but as a car you need to trust every day, there are much better options.

[privatewire]

Thanks for that DW!

 

I love Citreons as well, after my old Dad had 2 Visas in the early eighties, but I must admit the whole French electrics reputation was putting me off a bit as well, my brother has just scrapped a 2006 Laguna because of them.

 

Any ideas then?, am I better playing safe and dull?

[Richard]

I've had one for nearly five years, but it's a 2.0LX, not a 2.2 Exclusive.

 

I've had very little trouble with the electrics, though there is the occasional bit of randomness. No worse than any other 21st century car as far as I can tell.

 

Mechanically it's needed a rear arm bearing (clicking from the back), discs and pads all round, drop links and an inner track rod end- all of which was fairly cheap and easy to deal with.

 

The 2.2 has a DPF, which is expensive to deal with when the fluid runs out and I expect the increased level of toys on an Exclusive would give more grief than they are worth.

 

Personally I would leave this one in particular but not rule out a C5 Estate altogether. I think they have about the most usable space you can get in an estate car of its age/class. They are pleasant enough to drive and return close to 50mpg.

 

I would rule out a Laguna 2 though. Not as useful and much more troublesome.

[dollywobbler]

If your living depends on it, then safe and dull is probably the better option sadly. I'm all for shite motoring, but one reason I have several vehicles is the hope that at least one of them will work when I need to get somewhere.

 

That said, the Citroen BX I owned until March this year has been doing sterling service for the new owner, who's on the road repairing stuff. He's had two minor issues in over 11,000 miles. I do know C5s that have clocked up large mileages as well. There's a certain amount of luck involved!

[privatewire]

Good advice guys, thanks.

 

I am keen to have an element of shiteness in my choice of car, but it is going to have to work for a living, I'll have some money in reserve for maintenance etc, but i dont want to be shelling out on a regular basis.

 

Anyone got any history with V70's?

[dollywobbler]

Older or newer? I think the later, curvy V70 is a fabulous car. The earlier ones seem pretty robust too.

[privatewire]

Older and newer to be honest,

 

Ive got a budget of maybe upto £3.5k to buy something, the new ones do look pretty smart, Ive also been looking at Saab 95 estates which seem decent value as well.

[dollywobbler]

The Volvo is a much better bet than the Saab, in my opinion. They feel much more robust, though both eat miles nicely. A V70 with the D5 engine in a great machine.

[Father Ted]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Citroen-C8-2- ... 1222wt_937

Enormous carrying space - Check

2.0 Non FAP - Check

Comfortable for monster miles - Check

40 MPG - Check

Cheap as chips because of OMG CHG PHAIL

 

Negatives - Can munch the timing belt, this however can be sorted out by

a) making sure a new one is fitted before 50K

fitting the £12 modification to the headder tank supplied by Citroen

 

Other negatives - frail dash bulbs and frail rear door motors (but they can be operated manually so who cares?)

[privatewire]

I have to say, that is a serious amount of motor for that money!

 

I did think of going down the people carrier route, my brother (he of the defunct laguna) has a 51 plate Espace, and with the seats out/folded can carry a shit load of kit.

 

Unfortunately he is also a cock.

[R9UKE]

Having been a regular on the French Car Forum for quite a while I've learned to steer clear of the 2.2 HDi. Apparently it's a shit heap with no end of problems. I myself have had 3 C5s, all 3.0 V6s, and it just proves that the right engine makes all the difference. Beautiful cars to drive, the suspension is great, kit is endless and it also has a certain shite factor. As for a Laguna II diesel... that's just suicide my friend.

[Father Ted]

That Citroen C8 above might be a bit leggy for a new start up, there's a few on autotrader with a third of the mileage for similar money.

 

This is true, just choose the 2.0 16v HDi over the 2.2 and make sure its a non FAP.

Comes in a wide variety of motors too.

[Alexg]

Cheap, modern looking, shite

 

 

Although I have a horrid feeling they share power units with Lagunas...

[R9UKE]

 

Although I have a horrid feeling they share power units with Lagunas...

 

They share more than that. It practically is a Laguna.

[privatewire]

More good stuff guys thanks!

 

So apart from the V70, what would you go for?

 

Is a Mondeo the answer?, there must be a reason that lots of companies use them?

[dollywobbler]

I quite like the early noughties Mondeo. I'm hardly an expert though - are these DMF prone or did that come later?

 

Skoda Octavia would be on my list, though I'm not that keen on the seats. Mind you, the only one I've driven was a 200,000 mile ex-Taxi, so that seat had received a fair bit of use! Maybe they were better with less miles/arses on them...

[privatewire]

Aye,

 

Been looking at Octavia Estates as well, most of the taxi boys have them here and rate them highly.

 

The Avensis seems able to cover mega mileages too, any thoughts?

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

How about a Galant? It's old enough and rare enough to be considered shite, it's mega-reliable and the estate certainly looks roomy. Of course it's not going to set any records for fuel economy, but you can find a mint one for under a bag and, if you are going to be doing mega miles, you can invest another few hundred converting it to LPG.

[R9UKE]

Renault Mégane estate? The 1.5 dCi is exceptional, just avoid the 1.9 dCi. They have a bigger load bay than the Laguna Estate, and loads of Telecom and electrician companies by me use them, and I'm noticing them gradually being replaced by the latest Mégane estate, so they can't be that bad. Get a Privilege spec one and you have toys such as Keyless Start. And yes, my Mégane is now 8 years old and EVERY gadget still works!

[privatewire]

mmmmm, like the Galant I have to say,

 

hadnt realised the Megane estate was bigger at the rear than the Laguna, interesting!, funnily enough, its Telecoms I'll be doing as well...

[trigger]

I have a later 2.2 TDCi Mondeo and I'd sooner have bought a Octavia!

[dieselnutjob]

our 806 HDI has proven pretty bomb proof (other than DMF) and I think that the 406 and Xantia estates are similarly simple and tough. I suspect that the 406 / Xantia will actually be more reliable than the 407/C5 that followed them if bought carefully.

 

The Xantia is the only 110bhp HDI that has no DMF.

The 90bhp ones don't have a DMF either either 406 or Xantia but won't be quick.

You can fit a Valeo four part clutch/solid flywheel on the 110bhp anyway but that's hassle of course.

The 8 valve HDI is powerful enough and economical, and will usually survive a cambelt break with just a couple of snapped rocker arms.

 

I had a B4 Passat estate TDI and that was very very reliable. That's the 94-96 model but they are getting old now.

 

Also the Mondeo 2.0 TDCI with the timing chain instead of belt would be on my list.

 

Mate bought a low mileage 2003 Saab 93 2.2 diesel for £1850 that was nice and there is an estate isn't there? Timing chain on that as well I believe.

 

I always liked the idea of late Audi 100/early A6 with the 2.5 5 pot TDI as I like the rally car noise.

[dollywobbler]

The 2.5 Tdi in the Audis is actually a V6. Pretty swift things and very long legged. A 100/A6 has masses of boot space as an estate too.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I’m disappointed to hear that those late Primeras are a Laguna in disguise, as I reckon they look absolutely class. Now however, I will be sure to NEVER get one.

[fiatdaft]

The 2.5 Tdi in the Audis is actually a V6. Pretty swift things and very long legged. A 100/A6 has masses of boot space as an estate too.

 

Straight 5 in the 100,same as the volvo 850 and the lt (i think)

[CIH]

If you search between 1989 and 1998 on ebay there's all kinds of worthy chod that could do the daily thing, no problem.

 

I’m disappointed to hear that those late Primeras are a Laguna in disguise, as I reckon they look absolutely class. Now however, I will be sure to NEVER get one.

 

Don't know about engines and electrics but the chassis is all Nissans work. Some of it is pretty trick, 3rd link front and Scott Russell linkage rear.

[dieselnutjob]

The 2.5 Tdi in the Audis is actually a V6. Pretty swift things and very long legged. A 100/A6 has masses of boot space as an estate too.

 

Straight 5 in the 100,same as the volvo 850 and the lt (i think)

 

850 with Audi 5 cyl TDi would be on my list as well but I don't know much about them, except that I like the noise. Does the engine have to be moved to do a cambelt like a Caravelle ?

[RobT]

 

Also the Mondeo 2.0 TDCI with the timing chain instead of belt would be on my list.

 

+1

 

I had a hatchback one in Ghia spec with climate control and it proved very comfortable and reliable. The seats are much better in the Ghia, the LX ones are shite. Mine was a bit too noisy for a modern diesel IMO but maybe ‘they’re all like that sir’. The estate version is also a good-ish square size as the bootlid is almost vertical.

[privatewire]

Guys,

 

I cant thank you enough. all this info was exactly what i was looking for.