Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Simon@arenaclean on February 04, 2009, 04:16:23 pm
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Looking to add another van for my contract cleaning side nothing brand new and the above look a nice sized van. Any info? 03/04 reg ones can be had for not much money. I particularly like the twin side loading doors as one side could be a contained unit with chems etc stored there and machines in the back. Any experiences good or bad would be appreciated.
Thanks
Simon
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I would recommend getting a turbo diesel if you can.
Non turbos are a bit sluggish.
Had no specific problems, popular van.
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I've got the entry level 1.9 Citroen Dispatch. Bought new 03/03/03 and it's proved to be an excellent all rounder. I drive gently so the lack of a turbo doesn't bother me. Fuel economy is good, typical 36ish, with the 80 litre tank lasting me about 5 weeks.
Being based on the people carrier floor pan, the ride is the smoothest and most car like of any van I've driven.
Tyre wear is good too at around 25k but, like many cars and vans these days, brake disc wear can be high. I got about, I think, 18k from my first set and complained to Citroen. It turns out that 12 to 15k is normally considered good!
The only worthwhile improvement I can think of is if they had a lifting rear tailgate rather than 2 doors, but they don't Some vans are 2 seaters and some are 3 seaters. Go for 3.
Central locking is a bonus. Beware, the van comes with only one remote. An imobiliser is standard on mine and alarm extra. If the remote battery goes flat and you have to use the ordinary key, it'll take you a good 10 minutes to go through the sequence to get the van started. I bought a second remote fob.
Safe and happy driving :)
Ken
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The new models have much more loading space in them but if your not bothered about the bigger space there good value :)
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Thanks. Ken you could go on Top Gear. They look a good bet and I don't really need anything bigger. Thanks again.
BTW any difference between the 3 models except the badge I mean Citreon/despatch, expert, scudo?
Simon
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The Pug and Citroen will have the same engine.
I think the Scudo may have the Fiat JTD engine, which is not a bad engine from what I have heard.
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I used to have the 1.9 citroen dispatch non turbo, great on standard run around driving but on the motorway couldnt get over 70 mph unless going downhill with a strong tail wind >:(.
My old austin maestro van was a lot faster. :o
Good old British Leyland ;D
Andy Locke.
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A long time ago ;)
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I use an expert on my contract side, never let us down.
Non turbo is a bit sluggish, but if it for staff then its fine,
better they drive slowly when its your name on the van !!!
Andrew
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Think it will need to be a turbo then, taking a chance as the wife might drive it, but part time staff no! Rather than lugging my big bus around I wanted something more economical but big enough to move stuff around. An Astra or Escort would of done but once you put your hi viz vest in the back there's not a lot of room for anything else ;D Thanks for your opinions guys, appreciated.
Simon
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We had a 55 plate Fiat Scudo 1.9 non turbo. It was mainly driven by 1 guy but everyone that did drive it said it was well underpowered. You had to rev high to get it to go well. On the motorway it took its time getting upto speed but once it got to 85 - 90 it would stay there. If it had any weight onit it was very sluggish. As for fuel economy.....even if driven at lower revs it was heavy on fuel. Our 55 plate Jumbo Transit with a TM in it was better on fuel.
Richie.
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Expert
Overall a decent van. Just sold one on.
Starting can be diificult in winter unless the glow plugs are in good order.
We came back off a holiday 2 years ago and it wouldn't start because of a flat battery. Charging the battery up didn't do it either because apparently if the system goes completely dead then it naffs up something in the fuel injection pump.
Before I sold this one the speedo decided to stop working. This required a new display cluster (£550)
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I've had a Scudo for quite some time now. It's a P reg 1.9 turbo and has done about 150k.
I get 450-500 miles out of a full tank and i drive fairly enthusiastically most of the time. I get maybe 550 if I drive like a granddad (which isn't very often). Tyres last a decent amount of time. I've just had to replace the rear exhaust section, the first exhaust part in over 3 years!
Some of these foibles might be exclusive to mine, I don't know....
It was abused a little bit before it came into my custody, and was used for pulling a trailer for a couple of years. That led to a new clutch at about 75k and the rear shockers being half knackered (which they still are :p).
The nearside back door doesn't close onto its locator very securely. Because the other side locks on to that one, whenever you go over a few bumps the back doors come open slightly and you get exhaust coming in.
I had to put silicone sealant around the aerial on the roof, because water was getting in and it dripping out of the interior light. The switch hasn't worked since, I have to open the door to make the light come on which isn't very convenient at 70mph on a dual carriageway.
The gear linkage from stick to gearbox had to be replaced at about 110k, because it came apart at the gear stick end and you couldn't just replace the bit that was broke (surprise surprise).
Things do break, fall off and gradually stop working though. Door handles, numptys for heater controls, lights in the dashboard etc.
The heater doesn't get very hot any more either. I said this last year but this is the last winter I'm going through at lukewarm temperatures!
The driver's side windscreen wiper is ineffective at any speed over 30mph, it doesn't touch the screen right in your line of vision. The other side is perfect though, i guess thats the problem with driving on the wrong side!
I've just realised I've made a very good case against having a Scudo but I love mine! All these little things you come to work around, I suppose, the same as when we get old and bits of us stop working properly :)
I'm surprised nobody's mentioned this already - the body work is not made of normal steel (it's aluminium i think). NO RUST EVER! The stone chips on the bonnet stay as chips and don't degenerate into unsightly rust patches. The sills and wheel arches still look as tidy as the day it rolled off the line.
I think that on its own a big enough reason to get one. If you keep it going mechanically, the bodywork won't let you down after many years... I can get away with a 12 year old van on its original paint job that still looks smart on the outside. Find me a Transit or Sprinter owner who can say that!
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The driver's side windscreen wiper is ineffective at any speed over 30mph
Jim
That is not the norm in my experiance.
Problem should not be beyond sorting easily.
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Jim
I've had none of the problems you've mentioned but, being an owner/driver from new, mine hasn't had the sort of life of yours. Plus, I drive like a grandad 8) They're bl00dy vans, not racing cars. IMO, anyone who has to drive their vans at 80 to 90 mph on the motorway as a matter of course, hasn't scheduled their workload very well.
I get my driving pleasures in other ways, especially on two wheels 8) :) :-*
Safe and happy riding :)
The Strom Meister
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Hi Ken,
Have you ever driven on a Motorway??? ;D Its VERY RARE that you see a van not going 80mph+. Nothing to do with work scheduling more a case of going with the flow of traffic. We found that our 1.9 non turbo Scudo had to be reved higher just to get upto 40mph in under 30 seconds especially if loaded.
Richie.
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Richie ;D
Jim
Is the scudo your main van ???
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Richie
Of course I have mate ;) Living within walking distance of M42 J2 I frequently use it along with M5, M6 & M40.
I don't try to live with Mondeo Man in the 2nd and 3rd lanes, I set my pace @ 60 so I don't hinder the trucks. It saves a fortune on fuel and because my day is planned with travelling times taken into account, I don't have any problems with time keeping.
A few months ago, I was called on to help a colleague out which meant a return mainly motorway journey of 150 miles. I was driving @ 70 to 80mph. It knocked 100 miles range of my tank of fuel. This equates to more than £12 on ONE tank :o
He who laughs last..............
Safe and happy driving :)
Ken
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Ken
Bet you make up for it on your bike ;)
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No officer.
Strictly 60 on singles and 70 on duals ::)
Safe and happy eeeeeeeeeeoooooooooooooowwwww ;)
46
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I'll keep this short !!!!!!!
Had the Scudo 2ltr turbo from New with or with a Truckmount in it, it goes like a rocket and cheap as chips to run.............
Weight wise they carry 50kgs more than a Reno Master
900kgs rather than 850Kgs in the Reno
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Ken ;D
Dave
Did you have a t mount in a scudo ???
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Sure did kid a Panther 20
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Dave :o :)
You have utilised all the space :o
Thought it would be overweight ???
Did you have waste tanks etc ???
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Dave
just seen your rotary too :)
Thought joe only had a tardis full of tools :)
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One of the best vans I've seen, that and Glynns.
I keep having to oil the wheels and feeding the horse on my cart. Harold!!!
Shaun
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Like how he has used all the rear doors as well :)
Funny i always thought i was and had a tidy van but these guys gives me something to think about ::)
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It had a 50 gal fresh water and 40 gal waste there you go Clinton
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Dave :)
How did you get on with the weight issue or maybe there was not one ???
Just like how you make use of the space v good :)
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Been in court once for being over weight in my Reno so with the Scudo I weighed
every thing twice before I load it on the van, even me lunch box and flask
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Have you got a pic from teh other side wher your TM faced?
Shaun
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Dave
How do you weight it ???
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On the wifes bathroom scales ,my is she a big girl :o
Weighed the van empty fitted the machine with tanks and weighed again.
Then weighed each item on its own.
There you go Shaun
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Is the TM you have been looking at the same size as that one?
Shaun
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Shaun the next machine out of the stable will be more compacted allowing more room in the van for all the extras we carry. Can’t give you a preview as it will spoil the surprise
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No problem tried to be a little descreit but it may be worth letting the cat out.
Shaun
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Here's a clue meow!!!!!
18hp engine tuthill 36 blower 3000 psi water pump and instant heat with very little dumping.
My 2 years away have not been wasted.
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When do you think the cat will be out then?
Shaun
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guess woodbridge with a 3000psi water pump.
derek
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Derek the Woodbridge Panther range already have a 3000 psi water pump fitted to all their machines.
Don't worry fellas I will not be crossing my path with them again.
I've had my fingers burnt once.
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A bit like the prowler with not much waste ???
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Close Clinton but with a nice front panel and all in a box with 6 mounting bolts making the instalation a dodle.
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Be good to have a peep when its done dave ???
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Dave that van is impressive, might get rid of mine and get 2 now I know what you can get in there :o
Simon
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A peep Clinton! When I've finished with you, you will have a Fiat Scudo 2 ltr and a new T/M . And your sole will belong to the Devil ;D
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Dave :)
Looking forward to having a look mate,when are you giving it an airing ???
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Hi Dave,
Hope you are well. I was under the impression all was good with yourself & Woodbridge?
Richie.