General Where can I find a good deal on a new Ducato?

[friend of stouby]

I'm now in the fortunate position to buy my first NEW vehicle, a Ducato.

Have done the research and more or less know the model and options I want. All that's needed now is where is the best place to go for a very good financial deal plus a supplier who will do what they say.

Am happy to buy anywhere in England as I travel with my work, servicing and any warranty work can be anywhere of course.

Intend to place the order within the next 2 weeks.

Never having bought from a dealer before I haven't a clue, any suggestions please?

Thanks

ps: Spec will be -

Maxi L3H2
Standard Paint
2.3 150 bhp or 3.0 180 bhp engine
Manual gearbox
No bulkhead
Single adjustable passenger seat
Passenger Air bag
Cruise Control

If there is an option no one should live without please feel free to tell me, but don't want air con.

 

[dave]

Rayleigh essex? if so id avoid essex autos and go GLYN HOPKIN, i dont think chadwell heath do the vans so it would have to be romford i reckon. haggle for a fiatforum discount

 

[friend of stouby]

Thanks Dave, why would I avoid Essex Autos, they are my nearest. I've only bought parts from them and apart from not being able to park on or outside their site not had a problem.

Got a Glyn Hopkins in Chelmsford so will give them a try if they are a van dealership.

Will travel to anywhere in the country to get a genuine good deal, so doesn't have to be local.

Thanks again

 

[dave]

essex autos haven't been fiat dealers long and ive never heard of them giving an FF discount

 

[friend of stouby]

Thanks again

 

[dave]

actually time flies they have been fiat for a few years now i still think of them as essex ford their old name. still worth seeing who gives best price and after sales service

 

[optimist]

Hi
Jordans, Witham, Hull. That's who supplied my Ducato December last year although I purchased mine through [email protected] or [email protected]. Mine is a SWB non high roof 110 multijet manual. I ordered glazed (standard) sliding doors both sides + rear windows. Also single passenger seat with airbag, reversing camera,you get parcel shelf above head as standard. Intend making into campervan though without cupboards ect. Have sound proofed interior and lined walls ceiling with ribbed carpetting (ebay) have laid floor with sound deadening carpet underlay with carpet on top. I made to bins to fit over wheel humps for all my gear and have added two coach seats (easily removed). I'm still running it in (must do) only 1500 miles,weather been to cold to do anything up till April. Steering is very light at first but is great now,turning circle is fantastic. Got 3 years AA breakdown service thrown in. Had no problems whatsoever with onlyvans,cost including years road tax £16870.Would recommend them 100%. Love my van,I'm 5'7" and can stand on 2" carpet in rear and just crouched slightly,no problem.

 

[optimist]

By the way I'm getting 40.5 mpg and expect more.

 

[friend of stouby]

Thanks optimist, that's a good piece of information.

What sort of deposit did they ask for, where are they based and how long from order to delivery?

Thank you again, I only have one competitive quote so far and this is a big help.

 

[friend of stouby]

Quick update.

Called OnlyVans immediately and found they didn't stock the higher power engines. They have Citroen and Peugeot makes in bhp to 130. when I said I needed the more powerful engine the chap I spoke to said he can't help, not that he could order one in.

Maybe they specialise in the 120 bhp and 130 bhp only but was worth a try.

 

[optimist]

£1000 deposit,mine is a110bhp which is powerful enough for my needs,didn't know they did not do the more powerful engines,curious. Have you tried Jordans direct?

 

[optimist]

As you probably know already the fiat engine is the new euro 5 one. The 110 has loads of torque,hope not too much though to be wearing out the clutch prematurely lol.

 

[optimist]

If your looking at other sites like onlyvans,I would not recommend buyacar as I wnt with them first and was twice let down,first time I had a week to go and contacted them to confirm delivery date..it had changed,when they were going to let me know???
The same thing happened with the second delivery date,I only found out when I contacted them again. The van was a Peugeot Boxer,but I'm glad they let me down because I think I got a better motor and cheaper even with the extras I got. I got the steel wheels,15", also as you get a spare. It was just under the delivery time quoted when I got my van. Don't think I need to tell you as you have done your research,but just in case stick with the ducato. If I come across a good site I'll let you know,good luck.

 

[Peter James]

By the way I'm getting 40.5 mpg and expect more.

Is that real fuel consumption or computer fibs?
My computer shows fuel consumption about 38mpg wheras I actually got 34.2mpg overall. (mine is the L4 H2 Maxi van so I am well happy with that)

 

[friend of stouby]

Is that real fuel consumption or computer fibs?
My computer shows fuel consumption about 38mpg wheras I actually got 34.2mpg overall. (mine is the L4 H2 Maxi van so I am well happy with that)

Peter, what year and engine do you have, and if you don't mind what sort of useage?

Thanks

 

[friend of stouby]

optimist, thanks for your input.

The journeys are usually quite long but not every week, cover 3-4000 miles over 4-6 days. Most is long distance cruising at up to legal limits but with a full weight load, and even my 2.8 JTD will slow on very long inclines as you can get in Continental Europe.

So having enough power and torque is important to make these journeys more pleasant and with less stress, rather than hard work with an engine that maybe only just copes with our needs.

It may be that OnlyVans major in a particular style of van such as you have, they may get their price by concentrating on a smaller area of the market?
I can only say that when I asked for either the 150 bhp or 180 bhp engine it was an instant response of they wouldn't be able to do it, not even a maybe.

It's their business and oviously you are a happy customer, it's not a big problem for me.

Had a response this evening from the manager of a large dealership, it was written at 9:28 pm Saturday evening. He is currently on holiday but had taken the trouble to reply to my email request for a quote and a couple of questions I had. Very impressed by that response from a senior manager, hope the quote when it arrives matches the dedication to customer consideration that he has shown me.

 

[optimist]

It's the euro 5 engine multijet 110 bhp L1H1 got delivery Dec 2012. Only done 1500m from May weather was too cold to do anything like sound deadening ect. Have done trips off 150-300 miles touring. I find I can do short urban trips in 5th gear at about 1000/1100 revs with rural roads in 6th doing 40mph around 1400/1500 revs with the engine pulling well and no sign off the engine being stressed. I also use very little braking by observing and anticipating well ahead and slip vehicle out of gear before a hazard allowing vehicle to slow down naturally then select appropriate gear to pull away,no harsh revving,I've always driven this way I enjoy it and passengers enjoy it.Also no matter what anyone might tell you before switching off the engine always allow 30 seconds or more to allow oil to drain from the turbo.

 

[philgunn]

I have a 160 L4 H2 and it is doing 34/35 to the gallon , Just about to clock up 190'000 miles , hope to replace with a 180 L$ H3 Shortly
Gearbox rebuild about 110'000 miles with new bearings , Still on Standard Clutch

Phil

ps looking for replacement front Shock Absorbers now

 

[Peter James]

I have a 160 L4 H2 and it is doing 34/35 to the gallon , Just about to clock up 190'000 miles , hope to replace with a 180 L$ H3 Shortly
Gearbox rebuild about 110'000 miles with new bearings , Still on Standard Clutch

Phil

ps looking for replacement front Shock Absorbers now

I have spoken to several X2/50 high mileage whitevanmen who have said the same as you - the gearbox is one of the first things to fail at high mileages.
It makes me wonder whether this new idea of never even checking the gearbox oil level, or changing the oil, is part of the problem?

 

[Peter James]

no matter what anyone might tell you before switching off the engine always allow 30 seconds or more to allow oil to drain from the turbo.

Its not to let oil to drain from the turbo, just the opposite.
If the turbo has been working particularly hard - eg hill climbing, the turbo blades can get red hot. Letting the engine tick over for 30 seconds afterwards will keep the oil flowing through the bearings to cool them. Otgherwise the heat from the blades may be conducted through to the bearings, overheating them and the oil around them. Its probably not necessary when you switch the engine off after normal running.