Citroen C15 Van

[Triumph66]

Hello,

I am very seriously considering about buying a Citroen C15 van as a daily driver to eventually replace my Citroen Dispatch van when the lease ends in September 21. I have a few questions to ask on this forum. Are parts generally easy to get? How good are they for reliability? Is there one for sale within this group? I do like my '69 plate Dispatch but there's too much electrickery on them and I just like simple motoring and I think the C15 would float my boat. Any help or advice are warmly received.

Cheers

[wheeler]

If you like simple motoring you wont get much simpler than this. If you have never driven one before though just be prepared for the near heart attack when you try the brakes for the first time if you have been driving a 69 plate Dispatch. They have the worst brakes on any vehicle I have ever driven.

[Triumph66]

If you like simple motoring you wont get much simpler than this. If you have never driven one before though just be prepared for the near heart attack when you try the brakes for the first time if you have been driving a 69 plate Dispatch. They have the worst brakes on any vehicle I have ever driven.

Thanks. I have a Morris 1000 van so I am use to using old brakes!

[Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur]

never had one, but they'll have one of the Turbo Diesel engines which found lots of different homes in various vehicles, including cars, vans and motorhomes and I'm sure there'll be enough of these remaining for some time to come yet for parts supply to not be a problem

they'll be capable or racking up serious mileages too, without issue

Do check carefully for rot, the newest of them will be getting on for 20 years old

Will be curious what the ride quality's like, having the 2CV as an ancestor (IIRC) I would expect it to be very good

[wheeler]

You could still buy a brand new C15 as late as 2004 with a non turbo DW8 engine.

[white exec]

There are hundreds of them in daily use here in Andalucia, mainly white C15D, a sprinkling of silver.
Rust not a problem here, although rear trailing arm bearings finally go creaky.

[quintet]

Do bare in mind most of these do not have power steering, in fact i think i've only ever come across one van with it. One thing to look for is the number plate light not working, the wiring loom was a little prone to failing after years of opening/closing of the doors but it's an easy fix, the view to the rear is not great from the door mirrors either but thats just a personal opinion. A lot came without radios from the factory but then had them fitted at the dealers and that was a basic but serviceable (face off) blaupunkt radio which had a cd player. I like these vans, they are basic and by now they will have seen a lot of action but if you find a well maintained one they're a good van and a bit of a hoot to drive.

[GiveMeABreak]

My parents had one (Romahome) that they went all over Europe in. Brakes are a special treat as said - I recall having to stand on them to stop it taking a buyer out for a spin, but they loved it to bits - a reliable workhorse and simple mechanics and electrics.

[rhgb46-35]

I've got one - it's a CHAMP on M plate and has been on SORN for 7 years now. Was intending to fix it but no
place to do work on cars any more due to being in a flat and snooty neighbours round here now.
It must have worthwhile parts for somebody, so rather than scrap it I'd give it to someone who wants to restore it.
It's got roof bars(modified ex Peug405) and full moulded load liner in the back plus small side windows.
It's the 1.9XUD engine but hasn't been started for a couple of years and both sills would need welding.
These little vans could become a 'future classic' - who knows?!

[Triumph66]

I've got one - it's a CHAMP on M plate and has been on SORN for 7 years now. Was intending to fix it but no
place to do work on cars any more due to being in a flat and snooty neighbours round here now.
It must have worthwhile parts for somebody, so rather than scrap it I'd give it to someone who wants to restore it.
It's got roof bars(modified ex Peug405) and full moulded load liner in the back plus small side windows.
It's the 1.9XUD engine but hasn't been started for a couple of years and both sills would need welding.
These little vans could become a 'future classic' - who knows?!

I could be interested in this. Can you message me via this forum with photos etc? Thanks

Thanks for everyone posting above with advice etc; very much appreciated. Thanks

[rhgb46-35]

sorry - afraid i'm a bit of a technophobe and don't yet have a smartphone or suitable camera to take pictures - though have a friend who may be able to do this for me, so could let you know.
not sure how we would then be able to make contact within the forum rules - any suggestions?
thanks for your interest anyway
regards

[Hell Razor5543]

You can contact each other via the PM (Personal Message) in the forum. Please don't (for your security) post up phone numbers/email addresses on normal pages, as you may then get 'spammed'.

[Triumph66]

sorry - afraid i'm a bit of a technophobe and don't yet have a smartphone or suitable camera to take pictures - though have a friend who may be able to do this for me, so could let you know.
not sure how we would then be able to make contact within the forum rules - any suggestions?
thanks for your interest anyway
regards

Thanks for getting back. I have sent you a pm the day before. I will do it again now. Thanks

[rhgb46-35]

Again sorry, being new to FCF or a bit stupid - where do I look to read or send a PM?
Cheers, Richard

[myglaren]

Under your username and car details in the left hand column.
At the bottom is a "speech Bubble" with "Contact" under it.
Click that and two buttons drop down - one for PM, one for email.

If you do it in a post from who you wish to contact, it will automatically fill in the address and quote the post.
Otherwise enter the username of whomever it is you wish to contact.
The email option may not work - it is a opt-in choice by individual users and the default is opt-out.