Citroen relay vans

[Big J]

Without really planning to, I've ordered a new Citroen Relay L3H2. I've had a 14 plate ex demonstrator for 10 months, put 18250 miles on it and absolutely love it. It sips fuel, is incredibly comfortable and tows much, much better than anything else I've driven. It's also been without fault.

 

However, I wish that I'd looked at the options list when buying as I'd have ordered new. The lack of power (130ps) on mine and the lack of traction control for gentle off road work (fields really) have been an issue. So I ordered this:

 

L3H2 Enterprise Spec (air con, sat nav, bluetooth, touch screen infotainment) 150ps 3500kg

Uprated battery and alternator - to allow for powerful reversing lights and because it was £100.

All road pack - all weather tyres, underbody guarding and 'intelligent' traction control - £230

Fog lights, LEDS - I do a lot of awful weather driving. More lights are better than fewer.

Passenger airbag

125ltr fuel tank

Offside sliding door - doors both sides just make good sense

Reinforced rear suspension

Reversing camera - for hitching trailers

Tyre pressure monitoring system

Met paint

270 degree doors - the doors on mine are crap and I hope they are better with the other hinges. It's really the only issue I've had.

Heat reflecting windscreen/auto wipers

Folding/heated mirrors

Tow bar, single electrics

Ply lining

 

List price came to just over £30k. The dealer knocked £12,000 off and final price came to just £18183.50 plus VAT. I don't know how they make any money!! With the trade in on the old one, the new one is costing an extra £60 a month.

 

Anyway, no point to this thread really, only that you do get some pretty epic discounts with van dealers if you ask and I love me Relay - highly recommended. I tow and load it up a lot and my average fuel consumption over 18000 miles is 32.2. I would never buy a pickup again.

[Ian C]

I ran a relay for 5 yrs J and had no problems, was bloody good and you have got a cracking deal there.

[twistedhicap]

In the last year I have put 50000 miles on one ! 12 plate just coming upto 160000 miles only one sensor and a timing chain and water pipe !! Comfy fast enough quite refreshing for the French

[mowandgo]

My everday & only 4 wheel vehicle is a Peugeot Boxer van. It works realy hard for me every day I have had it two years itsa L3 H2 100bhp 6 speed. Goes well for a big boy and theres loads of space in the back great for tools not great for tree or hedge cuttings no van is. It has been in & out the garage alot mainly for classic wear & tear items like alternator, startor motor, split intercooler pipe. She had done 175,000 when i bought her 2 years ago now shes done 199,000.

 

I like the big cab with lots of storage holes I like the turning circle & drive of the thing loads of power compared to my prevois vans unlike many of the other manufactures this one dont rust 33mph too which is great fora big boy. Things i dont like is no power at pull away speed theres lots at 2000rpm but output befor is zero. Revers gear at tick over is set around 15mph which its ridiculas big van i want to go back at around mph at full revs. Windows dont sit flush with door all way down this realy anoys me. 1 cup holde & cigarate lighter output is not live untill engines running which is a pain.

 

Its going out the garage all the time now with millage looking at yearly take ins & out goings its costing a fortune in garage bills & lost earnings not being on road. I am considering using a lease van. Cost is not alot higher & i will be on road nearly all the time & now mechanic to wait on. I have keept my current van in good condition and its good for company image. The second hand market is over priced any newish van is + vat which on a £10,000 is a far higher amount than value of my current van.

[Big J]

My everday & only 4 wheel vehicle is a Peugeot Boxer van. It works realy hard for me every day I have had it two years itsa L3 H2 100bhp 6 speed. Goes well for a big boy and theres loads of space in the back great for tools not great for tree or hedge cuttings no van is. It has been in & out the garage alot mainly for classic wear & tear items like alternator, startor motor, split intercooler pipe. She had done 175,000 when i bought her 2 years ago now shes done 199,000.

 

I like the big cab with lots of storage holes I like the turning circle & drive of the thing loads of power compared to my prevois vans unlike many of the other manufactures this one dont rust 33mph too which is great fora big boy. Things i dont like is no power at pull away speed theres lots at 2000rpm but output befor is zero. Revers gear at tick over is set around 15mph which its ridiculas big van i want to go back at around mph at full revs. Windows dont sit flush with door all way down this realy anoys me. 1 cup holde & cigarate lighter output is not live untill engines running which is a pain.

 

Its going out the garage all the time now with millage looking at yearly take ins & out goings its costing a fortune in garage bills & lost earnings not being on road. I am considering using a lease van. Cost is not alot higher & i will be on road nearly all the time & now mechanic to wait on. I have keept my current van in good condition and its good for company image. The second hand market is over priced any newish van is + vat which on a £10,000 is a far higher amount than value of my current van.

 

They must have changed things a bit on the new ones as mine is comically torquey. It will happily take 6th down to 22mph and will pull away fine at that. Realistically, it means you never have to change out of 6th unless you are heavily loaded or towing. The reverse gear is also very low - much better than the Navara. I don't know about the cig lighter, but the windows still don't go all the way down. With air con, I don't worry about it.

 

Regarding new ones, our Citroen dealer has ex demo short wheelbase relays (couple thousand miles on the clock) for £10500 plus Vat for standard and £11500 plus VAT for the Enterprise spec. 64 plates.