|
You don't say what your budget actually is, but an autotrader search of 2.0 caddy's aged from 2008-2011 (just to broaden the search base slightly) comes up with 50 vans. Of these, just 6 are tdi's, the rest are sdi's. Of the 6 tdi's, the cheapest is £5390 (2010 with 73k miles) and none have a tailgate. But, for long term reliability the sdi would be the best option, for reasons SLO has already pointed out, even though it is pretty slow with only 68bhp. Is there some specific reason for wanting a tailgate?, i don't really get the appeal myself. The only scenario where it would be an advantage over the usual vertically split rear doors would be if you spend a lot of time standing at the back of your van, in which case it would provide shelter in the rain.
And by the way, the 2.0 is 1968cc, the 1.9 is 1896cc, so the 2.0 definately is a 2.0. I think you may be getting confused by the number 20 on most caddy's, which actually refers to the GVW (gross vehicle weight) of 2 tons. So you can have a caddy badged "C20" with the 1.6tdi, 1.9tdi, 2.0sdi and 2.0tdi.. The 1.6tdi actually replaced the 1.9tdi, both of which have around the same power, 104bhp and 103bhp respectively, but i think most would agree the 1.9 is the stronger and more reliable of the two.
|
|
I run a courier company and if you want comlete reliablity a late 1.9 Berlingo 08 09 10 60 will never let you down
|
|
Thanks for the further advice. I thought Berlingo diesel from 08-60 would be 1.6 diesel. I have thought of a Berlingo Multispace but it would have to be a petrol one. Are they reliable? I'd take out the seats and use it as a van.
Best advice I had from a market trader was that if I ever buy a van to get one with a tailgate, so when you can park it next your stall it will shelter you from rain when loading/unloading. And doors can get in the way, sometimes.
With the Caddy are there any reliability issues 1.9 v 2.0 other than turbo, dpf/dmf of turbo.
Budget is fluid. I can afford as new as a 2010 but if I find an older one that is right the age won't bother me. Condition and how it has been looked after are more important than newness.
|
“With the Caddy are there any reliability issues 1.9 v 2.0 other than turbo, dpf/dmf of turbo.“
Buy on condition and history above all, other than avoiding the pre 2015 1.6 TDi and anything with a DSG box they’re pretty hardy. Remember though that it’s slightly heavier than a Berlingo or similar so it’s classed as a goods vehicle for speed limit purposes, 50mph on single carriage A and B roads.
Edited by SLO76 on 26/11/2017 at 12:58
|
Remember though that it’s slightly heavier than a Berlingo or similar so it’s classed as a goods vehicle for speed limit purposes, 50mph on single carriage A and B roads.
And yet the 2.0 Tdi goes like stink. Hard to keep to that limit I would think.
|
|
|
|
Thanks for the further advice. I thought Berlingo diesel from 08-60 would be 1.6 diesel. I have thought of a Berlingo Multispace but it would have to be a petrol one. Are they reliable? I'd take out the seats and use it as a van.
Best advice I had from a market trader was that if I ever buy a van to get one with a tailgate, so when you can park it next your stall it will shelter you from rain when loading/unloading. And doors can get in the way, sometimes.
With the Caddy are there any reliability issues 1.9 v 2.0 other than turbo, dpf/dmf of turbo.
Budget is fluid. I can afford as new as a 2010 but if I find an older one that is right the age won't bother me. Condition and how it has been looked after are more important than newness.
I'm guessing from your comment above that you are a market trader?. If so, the tailgate does make more sense. From my point of view, as a window cleaner, it would be a hinderance. i often find myself having to parallel park on the street, with little space to manoeuvre. If the back of my van was next to something tall, like another van, SUV or whatever, i'd need 1.5m or more to be able to open the tailgate!.
The peugeot partner/citroen berlingo were available with the n/a 1.9 up to around '06/'07, after which it was replaced by the lower powered version of the 1.6td. I had a quick look on autotrader and ebay but coudn't see any with a tailgate.
The only vans i can think of off the top of my head which often have tailgates are the mercedes vito and toyota hiace. The hiace, i think SLO has already mentioned, is legendary in its reliability, but with 2.5l engine it won't be particularly efficient. On the other hand, despite its appearance, it is actually quite a compact van, especially regarding width (at 1.8m wide, it is actually about the same as a caddy sized van) and most of them have 3 seat cabs, which again can come in handy. Plus, you can make up the deficit in fuel economy with the overall reliability. The mercedes, i don't know very much about in terms of reliability, but it definately won't be as reliable as a hiace. They also, typically have 3 seat cab's, but would be a good 10cm wider than the hiace.
The only other option which springs to mind would be the astravan, which, in 1.4 petrol form may be worth a look if you can find one. This is essentially just an astra estate and would probably be similar in load area to your octavia. They only had a tailgate, but due to the height of the van, you may struggle to stand underneath!.
|
|
BBD, thanks for further advice/suggestions. Astra won't be big enough, nor does it have side doors. I think a Merc would be more trouble than it is worth. Toyota has been considered - thanks to you and SLO for mentioning it - bigger than I need. If I went that route it would probably have been a VW Transporter. Trading at market is just one day a week with the remainder of time it would be used for garden maintenance. As an aside I think window cleaning is a more sensible/lucrative than working in garden maintenance.
BTW, there is a Caddy with tailgate on fleabay at the moment, albeit about 200 miles from me.
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/vw-caddy-van-c20-tdi-1-9-104-59...d
Another van the vendor stated it Paul's like a train!
Edited by Trilogy. on 26/11/2017 at 14:17
|
“BTW, there is a Caddy with tailgate on fleabay at the moment, albeit about 200 miles from me.”
With the guts of 160k under its belt. It may be ok, I’ve seen these engines with half a million miles up but equally it could be a pit of despair. If this is your budget I’d be careful as cheap vans are rarely viable. This one’s has the bumpers painted for some reason which is likely to flake off rapid style.
|
|
|
|
|
To give you an idea on the hiace, here are the cheapest and dearest on autotrader for a swb (280) with a tailgate and no more than 100k miles.
www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20170812828...1
www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20171017038...2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I have a friend in the UK who is also a plumber, and he bought an ex British gas caddy van.
It's non-turbo, he says it's a bit of a slug, but goes forever on a tank of diesel and is just what he needs for local running around.
|
|
SLO, I won't be going for that one. I'll bide my time, no hurry. If I can avoid white, I will. At the moment it looks as though it will be a Caddy or Caddy Maxi.
Thanks for Toyota links but I won't be buying one.
|
|
I would avoid a Caddy unless it was the SDI, so many probems with them - check out the forums especially the german forums that you can translate into english.
We decided against Caddys as a partner company had a fleet of them and found them to be money pits.
Also the parts for the Caddy in terms of VW list prices is far more expensive than rivals from FIat and Peugeot/Citroen
The best value van in the UK is the FIat Doblo be it new or used but the diesel engines have problems from 4-5 years old, athough can go to a high mileage if looked after (even the 1.3 diesel which drives fine). I have now seen a few high mileage 1.3 and 1.6 diesels still going strong without issues.
If you can find a Doblo with the 2.0 diesel engine, this is the one to get - it is reliable if serviced.
One tip for the 1.3 or 1.6 diesel to help its longevity, give it a engine flush with every service. This is meant to help considerably. .
The Peugeot Partner / Citroen Berlingo 1.6 diesel from 08 onwards gets alot of stick but again , whle I have always got rid of our vans at 4 years or 80,000 miles, I do know of people with 10 plate and 11 plate Berlingos with the 1.6 diesel approaching 150k miles with few issues.
The one common issue seems to be the gearbox syncros wear around 6 years old, although im sure it can go earlier or later depending on what type of traffic the van is driven in (aka changing gear alot).
It was only since the 16 plate that the Citroen Berlingo Multispace and Peugeot Partner Tepee where offered with the fantastic 1.2 puretech petrol engine, you wont find one for your money.
They did sell in small numbers a 1.6 petrol engine from 08 onwards but its neither quick nor eonomical, its only good if you doing short journeys.
There are plenty of ex motability Berlingo Multispaces and Partner Tepee's around, would you consider one of them and simply remove the wheel chair ramp? Might get a bargain.
I would avoid the Renault Kangoo, the build quality is not as good as the Citroen/Peugeot, VW, Ford or Fiat and they do have questionable component and suspension quality.
|
|
daveyK_UK, thanks for your further and detailed advice. I have considered a mobility vehicle, howver, after more thought I've decided I'm going to go the van route. Being able to ply line the load space will be an advantage. I just don't like Doblos. I'm still erring towards a Caddy albeit probably an SDI. Only one journey will be on a dual carriageway, the majority will be in the village or on minor roads.
Will update after purchase next year, many thanks to all who have contrbuted.
|
|
|
|
|
