newbie wanting advice

richards tdi · 30-04-2012, 23:05

Hi all. I am currently driving an 07 plate citroen c4 grand picasso, and am looking to replace it with something that offers the kids as much room as the citroen. so did some looking and settled on the terrano. i went to look at a 54 plate at the weekend the kids loved it, the wife liked it. i liked it but it wasnt the right one. I've done a bit of looking around and carnt seem to find a definative list of common problems. things to look out for when buying second hand. So what should i be looking for? Any advice would be gratefully received.

stinka · 30-04-2012, 23:10

54 plate wont have much wrong with it, if anything.

check for usual crash damage on chassis, inner wings, any dodgy welds etc.

Rot on sills, poke them with a key or sommit

check to see if rear diff lsd is worn as 54 plate will have c200 rear axle

richards tdi · 01-05-2012, 00:31

thanks for the reply. at the risk of sounding like i dont have a clue what i am talking about. what is the best to test the rear diff for wear?. and is there any key areas to look for rust, i read that they were prone to rust around rear seat belt mounts and that they were twin skinned so repairing was alot of work?

stinka · 01-05-2012, 07:24

Yeh, rear seat belt mounts, front of rear arches, sills, top of front wheel arches on wings, inside back of front wheel arches, bottom inside of fuel filler area

Diff test would involve placing a jack under a rear shock to jack one rear wheel up, car in neutral, hand brake off on level ground so it doesn't roll off. Wheel shouldn't turn as diff should lock it

firebobby · 01-05-2012, 07:38

What does it drive like, does it vibrate or shudder, does the gearbox feel good (goes into gear nice, no whining or clunking, does the low range work OK) rust should not be an issue, have a look under it and see what the general condition is.
How many miles has it done and what service history does it have.
What are they asking for it price wise.
What model/spec is it
Is it the 2.7 or 3.0 engine

richards tdi · 01-05-2012, 08:35

thanks for the replys . It was a 2004 se 2.7, 7 seater, 80,000 on the clock he was asking £4700 for it. didnt take it for a test drive. underneath seemed quite clean no signs of any oil leaks engine revved freely and responsivley, and without any smoke. bodywork on top was a bit of a let down, tyres were all wearing evenly. how accurate is the mpg figure, nearly everywhere i have looked it has said 28 ish, is this right?

Kamsin · 01-05-2012, 08:39

Always check the 4x4 wheel drive system. Although its not hard to fix, you can get some cash knocked of if it dont work. Make sure it goes in to low box as well.
Then its just normal car stuff to check as stated above. When you get it swap all the oils, Engine, gearbox, transfer box and both Axels, it will pay you in later life.
Part of owning one of them is fixing stuff on them, it gives us something to laugh at you for when it goes wrong too.
But in all honestly mine is a 97 plate and the bits iv had to fix to keep it running have cost peanuts really. The bits i have fixed just to make it better off road, well thats another story!
Anyway, welcome on board.

30-04-2012, 23:05	#1
richards tdi Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: whitby Vehicle: citroen c4gp Posts: 6	newbie wanting advice Hi all. I am currently driving an 07 plate citroen c4 grand picasso, and am looking to replace it with something that offers the kids as much room as the citroen. so did some looking and settled on the terrano. i went to look at a 54 plate at the weekend the kids loved it, the wife liked it. i liked it but it wasnt the right one. I've done a bit of looking around and carnt seem to find a definative list of common problems. things to look out for when buying second hand. So what should i be looking for? Any advice would be gratefully received.

30-04-2012, 23:10	#2
stinka Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Staffs Vehicle: '02 Terrano TDI sport lwb Posts: 3,787	54 plate wont have much wrong with it, if anything. check for usual crash damage on chassis, inner wings, any dodgy welds etc. Rot on sills, poke them with a key or sommit check to see if rear diff lsd is worn as 54 plate will have c200 rear axle

01-05-2012, 00:31	#3
richards tdi Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: whitby Vehicle: citroen c4gp Posts: 6	thanks for the reply. at the risk of sounding like i dont have a clue what i am talking about. what is the best to test the rear diff for wear?. and is there any key areas to look for rust, i read that they were prone to rust around rear seat belt mounts and that they were twin skinned so repairing was alot of work?

01-05-2012, 07:24	#4
stinka Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Staffs Vehicle: '02 Terrano TDI sport lwb Posts: 3,787	Yeh, rear seat belt mounts, front of rear arches, sills, top of front wheel arches on wings, inside back of front wheel arches, bottom inside of fuel filler area Diff test would involve placing a jack under a rear shock to jack one rear wheel up, car in neutral, hand brake off on level ground so it doesn't roll off. Wheel shouldn't turn as diff should lock it

01-05-2012, 07:38	#5
firebobby Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: South Bucks Vehicle: Terrano 3.0 SVE 2005 Posts: 3,499	What does it drive like, does it vibrate or shudder, does the gearbox feel good (goes into gear nice, no whining or clunking, does the low range work OK) rust should not be an issue, have a look under it and see what the general condition is. How many miles has it done and what service history does it have. What are they asking for it price wise. What model/spec is it Is it the 2.7 or 3.0 engine

01-05-2012, 08:35	#6
richards tdi Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: whitby Vehicle: citroen c4gp Posts: 6	thanks for the replys . It was a 2004 se 2.7, 7 seater, 80,000 on the clock he was asking £4700 for it. didnt take it for a test drive. underneath seemed quite clean no signs of any oil leaks engine revved freely and responsivley, and without any smoke. bodywork on top was a bit of a let down, tyres were all wearing evenly. how accurate is the mpg figure, nearly everywhere i have looked it has said 28 ish, is this right?

01-05-2012, 08:39	#7
Kamsin Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: East Midlands Vehicle: Maverick 4x4 2.7 TDI 97 Posts: 1,211	Always check the 4x4 wheel drive system. Although its not hard to fix, you can get some cash knocked of if it dont work. Make sure it goes in to low box as well. Then its just normal car stuff to check as stated above. When you get it swap all the oils, Engine, gearbox, transfer box and both Axels, it will pay you in later life. Part of owning one of them is fixing stuff on them, it gives us something to laugh at you for when it goes wrong too. But in all honestly mine is a 97 plate and the bits iv had to fix to keep it running have cost peanuts really. The bits i have fixed just to make it better off road, well thats another story! Anyway, welcome on board.