Diesel Peugeot Rifter – would you?

Toying with the idea of changing my car. Had a bit of a thing for a GT Line Rifter for a few years now. Still need to drive one but I’m theory it’s just wasn’t I want for ferrying kids, dogs, bikes, camping gear.

Dragged my wife to see one two years ago but the dealer didn’t have any and we then ended up buying a 5008 that caught our eye to replace our ageing Galaxy.

So I have Had a C4 Picasso for over 5 years now (2016 plate) and it’s been pretty good until Just before Xmas when it needed a whole new Adblue tank. Which it turns out is a common problem and I managed to get a 70% contribution from Citroen for. Still not one I’d like to repeat so I’d be making sure it had the newer tank and cap.

Thinking about a new car I’ve been looking at small petrol turbo engines (1.5T and the like) but if I want a rifter that’s the 1.2 PureTech and whilst I don’t know what they’re like in terms of longevity, hauling a car full etc they’re also few and far between.

I do approx 11k a year so In that respect diesel suits me plus the extra mpg and I’d hope to keep it >5 years but Adblue, DPF’s scare me now.

Then there’s the whole diesel vs petrol debate in the current climate.

Would appreciate peoples opinions. I know I’m unlikely to be the only one rolling the same questions around their mind ..

I’ve got Rifter 1.5 130 Allure with a few extras (nicer wheels and stuff)

Bought as an 18 month old ex demo car from a main dealer.
That was 2 years ago and so far it’s been brilliant.

Had a string of Skoda estates before this (Superbs and Octavias) and it’s just so much more practical as a bike use car. Much more room and still fine to drive as a car for day to day use too.

Just looked at the prices of them and seems they’ve gone up quite a bit…

I went 1.2 berlingo, was previously a 1.6hdi person and wanted another berlingo/rifter, I liked diesel but my mileage was dropping from 30000 a year to 10000 and shorter journeys , local private pug/cit expert said 1.2 was better as they had a lot more of dpf/etc probs on low mileage/short journey diesels. (But the 1.2 needs a LOT more gear changes/lacks diesel torque/pull/plodability)

*dit, also now diesel now seems a lot more expensive than petrol but that may/may not last.

I went 1.2 berlingo, was previously a 1.6hdi person

But the 1.2 needs a LOT more gear changes/lacks diesel torque/pull/plodability)

Strange the spec sheets say that the 1.2 puretech turbo has more bhp than even the highest 1.6hdi bhp and they have the same peak torque at the same 1750rpm…..

But having test driven both I agree with you.

11k miles isn’t really diesel mileage and diesels are only going to get more expensive to run between fuel duty, tax, congestion zones, increasing complexity etc. After being life long diesel fans weve gone back to petrol, i think diesel is permenat decline for domestic driving.

It’s not the mileage that would make me choose petrol over diesel, it’s the types of journey.

Doing lots of little trips of 30-45 mins then petrol all the way, I only do 8000 miles a year but 75% of that mileage is several hundred mile motorway journeys – so diesel makes sense.

As for the Rifter/Berlingo/stellantis group car, definitely go for the XL model of you want to get a bike in the back, wheels on.

You might also want to look at the Peugeot traveller – the active model has a similar spec to the Rifter. Choice of SWB or Std versions too, the std is a bit bigger than the Rifter XL. Go up to the Allure and you get leather, sunroof, massage seats etc as standard.

My miles are generally 30 ish min each way to work and back with the Odd longer run of 200 miles wach way every now and again. Generally tho I’m work And back, ferrying kids etc. not really long, regular journeys.

The XL (and Most definitely the traveller) is overkill For my requirements.

@stox that use says petrol to me. Although I am only an armchair pundit not an expert.

I do an hour each way commute 3 days a week, plus a 6 weekly ish 350mile motorway round trip and regularly tow a chunky trailer that’s taller than the car. Total mileage 12-15k pa

I run an older diesel (dpf, no adblue). I reckon I am somewhere around the break point. If traffic is heavy the tell tale exhaust rumble of a dpf burn off is pretty regular. The main benefit I think is the low down pull for fully loaded car + towing and being an MPV it helps overcome the barn door aerodynamics with a bit less CO2/fuel use.

My next car I hope will be a decent turbo petrol with similar output and economy while maintaining enough oomph for the trailer. Our little 1.0 ecoboost in the other car is a lovely engine to drive with.

Do I need to be concerned about the longevity of small 3 cylinder petrol engines.

As posted above, superb and octavia are lovely but not quite the same in practical terms.

There’s the berlingo option. Seems
To Be more petrol cars available but that’s in Flair trim. Honestly I really prefer the XTR trim but they’re mega bucks.

Say I bought a 2 yr old 1.2 petrol rifter with 20k on it and planned to keep it say 5/6 years minimum so by that point I’d be looking at 80/90k on it.
Assuming servicing , correct oil etc can you expect these engines to go on and on past 100k?

I would…I’ve got a Partner outdoor 1.6hdi and do about 12k a year. I can’t see a petrol version ticking my box as the diesel gives me about 600 miles per tank…won’t get that in petrol and I’m struggling to not want a diesel due to that.
Petrol is better for everything but the mileage out the tank so until I can get more ticks I can’t see me willingly changing (aware that makes me a terrible person).

Thread resurrection alert: How is everyone getting along with their Rifters?

My 1.2 Petrol has just had a Wetbelt change at 44K and all seems good. XL version has been so handy with multiple recent recycle centre runs.

Didn’t buy a rifter but did buy a 1.2 pure tech.

Nice nippy wee engine in the 108. Hired it in a 2008 for the family holiday and loaded it up with 4 people and luggage. It was bollocks even being the turbo 130bhp model. 

In all honesty it’s a bit crap with more than 2 folk in the 108 as well but that’s the non turbo 82bhp model- does return 65 mpg on b road drives. Fast a roads at 70 on cruise and it’s more like 55mpg. It’s geared for town.

Did my wet belt on the drive last year at 35k /6 years and the belt  looked like new.

Your all aware  of the laser gauge for checking timing belt for swelling via the oil filler cap ? Can help identify the main cause of the wet belt engine failure (blocked oil pick up with bits of belt)