looking for cheap van

[CompoSimmonite]

When it was working then the 03 Peugeot Expert 2.0 HDi was great - powerful & economical. However the clutch failed and virtually every bolt I came to undo snapped off (must have used Renault items ). Then cost of parts (clutch kit plus new flywheel) meant it was actually more cost effective to sell it for £350 as "spare or repair" than it was worth with the new clutch ! Local scrapyard is full of Peugeot Expert, Citroen Dispatch & Fiat Scudo with mint body so other people must have found mechanically they aren't worth repairing when something serious goes wrong. However the only Transits that get scrapped are those which metalwork is way beyond welding.
AFAIK the Peugeot, Citroen & Fiat bodies are built & galvanized by an outside company before being shipped to the factory for assembly who then use ordinary nuts, bolts, brackets, subframes etc that aren't properly protected so they rust away.

 

[blenkie1]

Didn't know that. Will have to watch as my van has a trailer on permanently just about. If its not pulling the welder, its a livestock box, or a horse box. I normally come home, take my trailer off and the wife puts the horse box on and goes out and its a hilly area around here. My brothers Transit (56 plate) van was rotten (sills) and blew the engine with less miles than mine and its was only carrying plasterboards.

I don't think the Transits are any better though, mechanically wise, they used them at the firm I work for and said they were really unreliable, one wrecked an engine at 23,000. Changed to Sprinters not long after it was costing too much. Have a hard life on forestry roads but nearly everybody run Sprinters. They got a small new type Transit for delivering parts but as soon as it sees a dirt road it gives up.

Brother got a brand new Renault when the Transit packed in but he only had it 2 months when the engine light came on. Seemingly a known fault with the injectors

 

[blenkie1]

Think its more luck with French stuff, It will either go forever or breakdown a lot, maybe just been lucky with the vans I've had, I treat them hard as well.

Funnily enough I ran a Maestro van with a Perkins Prima (and turbo) and was the best van I've had. It had over 250,000 miles on and the engine was fine just the bodywork was letting it down. Wish I still had it, nice and simple.

 

[bigegg]

An older (non turbo) transit will last forever if you keep on top of the rust.
That means waxoyl rvery year. Cleaning wheelarches every week. Undersealing every year.
And thats *after* a marathon welding session to replace all the bits that are already rotten.

 

[blenkie1]

Could not believe how bad the rot was with the Brothers. Luckily it blew the engine before I started to weld it.

Seemingly the Irish side of the firm I work for have taken delivery of a new Ford Transit. Seemingly they managed to snap the sprinter they had. Weight carrying must not be an issue for them. Over here they are on the limits most of the time with the vans and plus most of the time its off road.

 

[bigegg]

My last but one transit failed on rust - four wheelarches, sills all round, chassis cross rails - i bought it with 12 months MOT, but i reckon it was a dodgy one.
I decided to scrap it - sold the engine + ancilliaries for more than i paid for entire van.

The scrappie grabbed hold of the body to lift it over the fence(my unit was next to yard).
The body went up, leaving the suspension and running gear behind.
Completely separated where it had rusted through.

 

[cianh91]

Iv had pug expert 05 hid for 4 year now and it's been the most reliable van iv had and I'd all vw or Toyota before it .
Only issue iv had was trail arm bushes and one Spring 20k services parts are cheap if you do need anything

 

[Chris Stevens]

When it was working then the 03 Peugeot Expert 2.0 HDi was great - powerful & economical. However the clutch failed and virtually every bolt I came to undo snapped off (must have used Renault items ). Then cost of parts (clutch kit plus new flywheel) meant it was actually more cost effective to sell it for £350 as "spare or repair" than it was worth with the new clutch ! Local scrapyard is full of Peugeot Expert, Citroen Dispatch & Fiat Scudo with mint body so other people must have found mechanically they aren't worth repairing when something serious goes wrong. However the only Transits that get scrapped are those which metalwork is way beyond welding.
AFAIK the Peugeot, Citroen & Fiat bodies are built & galvanized by an outside company before being shipped to the factory for assembly who then use ordinary nuts, bolts, brackets, subframes etc that aren't properly protected so they rust away.

Exactly the problem with French vans, while they are going no problem, but any sort of major issue means older vans are scrap! Transit not quite so bad as parts are cheaper, but as well as not being that reliable they also suffer from rust. Best and most reliable medium van has to be Toyota Hi Ace (pre stickered PSA), and local welding supply place has one with 400,000 on it and still going strong. I have one now, and its very nice to set out on a long journey and having a very good chance of getting there and back without problems..................

Had an 02 HDI Despatch cam belt snapped (even though replaced on time), motor scrap, sold for parts, later on 07 HDI Scudo, cam shaft pump drive broke off, uneconomical repair, sold for spares/repair. VW are good, but very overpriced and poor value for money. Paid £1700 for 87K D4D, and its far far better than any other van I have ever owned............

 

[CompoSimmonite]

I've also had a SWB Hi-Top Transit (E reg) and that was brilliant but blowout when overloaded shredded the rear inner arch / floor so decided not worth repairing. Replacement was a C reg MKII Transit Luton. Actually liked that but petrol so horrendous running costs. Then a M reg LDV Cityvan with the Prima engine. Engine broke piston rings so fitted a Maestro lump (easy adaptation with just swopping bits over to fit). It then went on to be a reliable van in hand of a mate in France until replaced with a brand new Transit. It's now probably in Africa !
If I was after a crappy cheap van I'd seriously consider a LDV Pilot.

 

[upinsmoke]

HI i had a few peugeot 405 estates turbo and non turbo, liked the non turbos the best, slow but very economic to run. I think that must be the xud engine, so i must be looking for a peugeot or citroen van. Has to be a van as i need to have it sign written