I am looking to buy my self a small van (up to about £5k), I did have a company Peugeot Bipper for a couple of years and was quite impressed with it, but it was brand new at the time, do they have they any common issues to look for when buying ? Other contestants are a Vauxhall Corsa or a Fiesta. Corsa`s appear to sell for a lot less than Fiesta`s, I see adverts for Fiesta vans with 200k + on the clock up for what I consider inflated prices, are they that good ? So whats members opinions on a Corsa or Bipper and or its Citroen/ Fiat version .
Recommendations for a small van.
- Thread starter BQW
- Start date
I have a Bipper, bought new in September 2017, £10000.
The first thing I did was to chuck away the shell partition between driver and load space and replace it with a ladder type one, second hand. This greatly increases the load space and access.
It now has 70k on the clock, I'm the only driver.......it's not pampered at all but lets say, 'well maintained'.
It's had an oil and filter change every 10k, likewise the fuel filter - the air cleaner at 20k intervals.
As per everything else, it's had front discs and pads (at least twice), two front springs - all of which are easy to do.
More out of the ordinary, it's had two manifold pressure sensors (£20), one windscreen and an auxiliary belt at 65k.
The rear shock absorbers were renewed due to bush wear (£40 each).
The connections to the N/S rear lamp cluster are poor and fragile.
It lost it's power steering fluid where a pipe on the rack was rubbing against a rubber hose, and wore the steel pipe through. This part wasn't available from Peugeot but were on ebay - but I removed it and fixed it by brazing. I bought replacements nevertheless!
Corrosion wise they are pretty good, just some rust on the wing bottom where they were abraded by the wheel arch liners - which I've cut back.
Smoothrite Hammerite silver came to my rescue here!
The spare wheel is held in a cable operated cradle, the mechanism of which tends to seize up.
It's not the most comfortable van, as it's springs cause it to have a stotty ride!
It's quick, for a 1300 diesel and gives me 60 MPG.
Naturally I have to compare it with the Berlingo - again a better van but expect a new rear axle after a few years.....the torsion bar bearings wear.
Future issues? Who knows but the clutch and gearbox are good, the sump looks rusty and I guess I'll get the Eloys fluid message at some time.
It doesn't burn or leak any oil.
My biggest moan is that I'm paying the same road tax as a Merc Sprinter!
I don't consider the Fiesta or Corsa van - they are just converted cars.
Regards
John
The first thing I did was to chuck away the shell partition between driver and load space and replace it with a ladder type one, second hand. This greatly increases the load space and access.
It now has 70k on the clock, I'm the only driver.......it's not pampered at all but lets say, 'well maintained'.
It's had an oil and filter change every 10k, likewise the fuel filter - the air cleaner at 20k intervals.
As per everything else, it's had front discs and pads (at least twice), two front springs - all of which are easy to do.
More out of the ordinary, it's had two manifold pressure sensors (£20), one windscreen and an auxiliary belt at 65k.
The rear shock absorbers were renewed due to bush wear (£40 each).
The connections to the N/S rear lamp cluster are poor and fragile.
It lost it's power steering fluid where a pipe on the rack was rubbing against a rubber hose, and wore the steel pipe through. This part wasn't available from Peugeot but were on ebay - but I removed it and fixed it by brazing. I bought replacements nevertheless!
Corrosion wise they are pretty good, just some rust on the wing bottom where they were abraded by the wheel arch liners - which I've cut back.
Smoothrite Hammerite silver came to my rescue here!
The spare wheel is held in a cable operated cradle, the mechanism of which tends to seize up.
It's not the most comfortable van, as it's springs cause it to have a stotty ride!
It's quick, for a 1300 diesel and gives me 60 MPG.
Naturally I have to compare it with the Berlingo - again a better van but expect a new rear axle after a few years.....the torsion bar bearings wear.
Future issues? Who knows but the clutch and gearbox are good, the sump looks rusty and I guess I'll get the Eloys fluid message at some time.
It doesn't burn or leak any oil.
My biggest moan is that I'm paying the same road tax as a Merc Sprinter!
I don't consider the Fiesta or Corsa van - they are just converted cars.
Regards
John
Thanks John, I may still consider a Corsa, as I am not intending to carry much, has any Forum members knowledge of common issues with them ?
