Eurobus (C8, 807, Ulysse etc.) - any to avoid?

[cj2013]

Very similar cars as they are all the same platform, but it generally seems like you can get a 2.0 16v Petrol, 2.0 Diesel (HDI?) and 2.2 Diesel.

Does anyone know/have any experience to know if there is a clear winner out of the lot? I've found references to each possibly having short timing belt intervals. I've also seen a reference that suggests the 2.2D (at least) are Euro 3, but at the same time I've read about DPF/Additive issues - surely that wouldn't be until 2005/2006 (later than production) that Euro 4 came in, which is the minimum I'd expect DPFs to be fitted?


Anything else to be aware of? Appreciate a steer on these!

[Sir Bagalot]

What's your budget?

The petrol is £500 pa tax.

Don't touch an auto. The gearbox is chocolate

The newest of these is now almost 10 years old, and it's considered anything more than 8 years is indeed a bonus.

Don't touch the base model as it's real poverty.

Plenty of toys on the top spec ones.

Don't pay >£1K for one and budget same again to get it right.

Yes, they like Cambelts, and Injectors.

Very roomy car, and extremely versitile

[cj2013]

I'm not seeing past the diesels on these, to be fair.

There doesn't seem to be much price difference between the Peugeots and the Fiats, with the former seemingly having the better spec. There are a few about at the moment, but still what I'd describe as "dreamers" prices. I'm, as you say, not wanting to go over £1k for one, and I wouldn't expect a category car to be at the upper limit.

Any ideas on DPFs (if they're on all or just some?) and the better of the 2.0 or 2.2hdi?

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say if you buy one I'd say £1500 is the number to be looking at, you can get a sensible one for that money:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Don't forget the Grand Espace:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Espace:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[cj2013]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd say if you buy one I'd say £1500 is the number to be looking at, you can get a sensible one for that money:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Don't forget the Grand Espace:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Espace:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I've been around the Espace route, as per another thread on here, and generally with those it seems like the 2.2DCi is an engine for either a thrillseeker, or a man with less sense than pocket depth. My experience with that "Generation" of Renaults (new models from 2001 on) is that they are very nice to drive, well equipped and comfortable, but having the dashboard take more annual leave that a full time UK employee is a concern, as is the propensity for the electric windows to decide that "permanently open" is a sensible, and spontaneous, option. There are a few Renaults that I would like to have had, but certainly I'm not brave enough to throw the money at. The earlier Espace was my original choice, but from research it seems like the 3.0 V6 is the only way to go, and yet of the few still in existence, the owners seem to still expect one with misfires and no cambelt history to no only be saleable, but at quite a premium. The only ones worth considering were too far away.

The C8/Ulysse/807 seem to tick all the boxes for me, which are:

- up to 7 seats, but with the option to remove all and get a full deck of storage space
- Comfortable, with cruise control (as the few journeys I do are 200+ mile trips up the M4>M5>M6)
- less than £1000
- passing the Mrs test ("No it's hideous") etc.

The bonus points of the above would be

- Sliding doors = easier to unload/load baby etc.
- Good diesel options (better economy than the current V6)
- Good Spec
- Lots available, with part sharing meaning a good option of spares

I've seen that decent ones do often go for around the £700 mark, but it's a case of the wildly-optimistic prices that are driving the starting point values up a bit.

There's one not too far from me for a smidge under a grand, but it's a category car and so I'd be expecting it to be up for at least a £200-300 less than it is.

[lost in espace]

I have had a 2.2 dci Espace, turbo lag so bad pulling into traffic was dangerous with the auto box. In laws had the C8, sold it as they could never get the electric sliding doors fixed properly.

I just bought a 2006 T5 Shuttle with manual everything, less to go wrong. 1.9 is fairly bullet proof. If you can find one they are more money, but hold their money. And my LWB is massive. Not problem free but extremely practical.

[lost in espace]

I have had a 2.2 dci Espace, turbo lag so bad pulling into traffic was dangerous with the auto box. In laws had the C8, sold it as they could never get the electric sliding doors fixed properly.

I just bought a 2006 T5 Shuttle with manual everything, less to go wrong. 1.9 is fairly bullet proof. If you can find one they are more money, but hold their money. And my LWB is massive. Not problem free but extremely practical.

[cj2013]

lost in espace said:

I have had a 2.2 dci Espace, turbo lag so bad pulling into traffic was dangerous with the auto box. In laws had the C8, sold it as they could never get the electric sliding doors fixed properly.

I just bought a 2006 T5 Shuttle with manual everything, less to go wrong. 1.9 is fairly bullet proof. If you can find one they are more money, but hold their money. And my LWB is massive. Not problem free but extremely practical.

I wouldn't be against the idea of a Vito/T5 at all, but as you say they are much more money.

I think even a 96MY Transporter is £4k, with an 03 being twice that money.

[cj2013]

lost in espace said:

I have had a 2.2 dci Espace, turbo lag so bad pulling into traffic was dangerous with the auto box. In laws had the C8, sold it as they could never get the electric sliding doors fixed properly.

Do the doors work manually if the electric mode goes on a jolly?

The Fiat doesn't tend to have electric doors (cost option + fiat buyers = rare), so that may be something to bear in mind if they are an issue?

[Sir Bagalot]

Join the FIAT ULYSSE, CITROEN C8, PEUGEOT 807, LANCIA PHEDRA facebook group, some on there know their stuff, in particular Francois