Michel's Motors

[CitroJim]

Excellent on the bike ride Mike Pleased I was not the only one out on two wheels today. I set off at 6AM on mine with three layers of gloves, two layers of socks and all my best thermal cycling gear...

I too was as warm as toast For me the real secret is the neck warmer... Wonderful things

Riding home early this afternoon in the sunshine was simply gorgeous and not at all chilly

All good practice for tomorrow

[Michel]

I bought this!

£900, delivered to my door. Lovely (private) owner, loads of history. It is older than the others I looked at, but it's an honest vehicle that needs nothing but a bit of TLC. Some of the interior plastics are a bit shabby, but nothing that can't be put right. It's had a recent clutch and DMF, a timing belt not that long ago, and it's the 120bhp diesel. Apparently they remap easily to 150bhp or more, so guess what's happening to it after the steam cleaning man has done the interior on Monday..

If only it had sliding rear doors, it would be as useful as a Berlingo!

[daviemck2006]

I have a soft spot for these. Preferably the more bonkers mk1 lol. I very nearly bought one way back in 2002, but the wife threatened to divorce me so I bought a Picasso instead. I divorced her in 2004 so the car didn't make a difference. In fact the guy she shackled up with didn't have a car!

[Michel]

I'd rather have the MK1 too, but I showed one to Mrs. Michel, and she said (You need a Colombian bandit lady's accent, James Hellrazor knows what I mean!) "What... the ... f*&k.. is... that? Noooo bloody way you buy that thing, oh no no no Michael William"..

[Zelandeth]

Fantastically well thought out motors these - as you say, sliding rear doors would just finish it off perfectly. The sheer amount of room in them is astonishing. The only car I remember feeling as roomy relative to the footprint on the road was possibly the Renault Avantime.

Both of the ones we had through the garage were the older shape ones, and they drove a heck of a lot better than anyone there had expected. Despite the downright odd looks, they sold virtually the second they went up for sale.

[Hell Razor5543]

That means that Sammy can now ride up in the front, with his parents! That could be interesting to watch.

[CitroJim]

That means that Sammy can now ride up in the front, with his parents! That could be interesting to watch.

That's one reason I was keen on a Multipla when my girls were little... To put an end to the endless squabbles about who sits in the front

Even no they still argue for the front seat even though they're both otherwise sensible and well-balanced adults!

[Zelandeth]

Simple answer Jim, buy a single seater!

[CitroJim]

Simple answer Jim, buy a single seater!

[Michel]

Fantastically well thought out motors these - as you say, sliding rear doors would just finish it off perfectly. The sheer amount of room in them is astonishing. The only car I remember feeling as roomy relative to the footprint on the road was possibly the Renault Avantime.

Both of the ones we had through the garage were the older shape ones, and they drove a heck of a lot better than anyone there had expected. Despite the downright odd looks, they sold virtually the second they went up for sale.

It's a brilliant thing, I love it! Yes, they drive very, very well indeed. I have to say it actually drives better than a Berlingo - I think the wider track and slightly more aerodynamic shape helps there, as does the extra 30bhp it allegedly has. The seats aren't as good and the dash is downright strange. I love the 2cv-esque gear lever though. Just like a 2CV, you can rest your hand on the lever and use your left thumb for the indicators without taking your hand off the lever. Brilliant for going around larger roundabouts and the like, where you may have to change gear and indicate.

[Michel]

That means that Sammy can now ride up in the front, with his parents! That could be interesting to watch.

He'll love it! He's not seen the car yet, as they're away for the weekend up in Huntingdon, but he's seen pictures of the ones I was looking at and was gutted when I didn't buy one. His mind is just the right side of inquisitive not to be a distraction when he's in the front seat.

[Michel]

So, the C4 GP is the only car of three that hasn't let me down over the snowy and cold week we've had.

The 107 gave up first. Despite being driven around all morning on Thursday, it then refused to start later in the day, all symptoms of a flat battery. Jumped it, it ran fine. 14.4v across the battery. I could have tried charging and reusing the battery but it's been too cold for all that nonsense, so a new battery from ECP was fitted yesterday and all seems well.

The Multipla has been working fine. I refitted the ageing door seals with a smear of silicon dealer holding them in place to kill the wind noise. Oiled all the door hinges, wire brushed and lubed the tailgate catch. It's also had a new pollen filter and air filter. It was too cold to mess about doing the fuel filter and changing the oil.

It too suffered a dead battery today, though after a jump start and a good run it seems to be ok again.

The C4 GP has been fine. Handy in the snow apart from a penchant to go sideways if a snowy mini roundabout is clipped with a rear wheel. Traction control, heated mirrors. I never got stuck despite going in some places that weren't advised.

I'll sell either the Multipla (£950) or the C4 GP (£1800), whichever goes first. I need rid of one asap because of work-related financial issues! I'm currently off sick until the end of March with the usual anxiety issues caused by said work related problems..

[daviemck2006]

The age of your 107 there's every chance that could have been it's original battery. Our two are still on what looks like the originals, and my friends c1 which is 57 reg looks original too. I don't suppose they would be too expensive, much smaller and you could use a torch battery lol

[demag]

I had a Multipla Mike. The good looking Mk 1 though, not like your ugly bloody thing. It was chipped as well, in fact I still have the chip if you're interested, plug n play. It surprised a few people off the lights and was still quite economical as well. It was awful in winter though, the handbrake and gearchange cables froze. I drove to work in 2nd gear with the handbrake seized on once, eventually the heat transfer along the cable freed the brakes off but 2nd gear was all I could get! The heater was only designed for Mediterranean climes as well and is well documented on the net. There used to be a good active owners club as well.

[Michel]

I had a Multipla Mike. The good looking Mk 1 though, not like your ugly bloody thing. It was chipped as well, in fact I still have the chip if you're interested, plug n play. It surprised a few people off the lights and was still quite economical as well. It was awful in winter though, the handbrake and gearchange cables froze. I drove to work in 2nd gear with the handbrake seized on once, eventually the heat transfer along the cable freed the brakes off but 2nd gear was all I could get! The heater was only designed for Mediterranean climes as well and is well documented on the net. There used to be a good active owners club as well.

My heater seems ok, but the less ugly one might have been slightly modified. It doesn't start blowing until it's at least vaguely warmed up. The handbrake issue hasn't affected this one yet but it's had recent new cables.

I'd love the chip if I was keeping it and yours was a 115 JTD, but alas due to work "issues" which have knocked me sideways, it is now for sale. I'd have sold the C4 GP first, but I've lost all the full service history for the GP, and I'm damned if I'm selling it without one as I'll lose a fortune!