[Closed] Renault Kangoo van...

We've got a Kangoo. It's the 1.5 version which I'm told is the best option, returns about 50mpg and drives like a 'normal' car. Easily fit a few complete bikes in the back ... I can even sleep in the back (only 5'7" though).

Reliability has been pretty good over 2 years with only a couple of small / easily sorted / cheap problems.

I also want a van with a bulkhead and no windows so the bikes can occasionally go for a sleep over in it!) Lastly, I'd really like air-con.

Where are you going to leave it with bikes in? When we bought our Caddy we ended up with the people carrier version on the basis that you get a lot more spec for your money and don't get his by the problems of a van - higher toll charges, lower speed limit, different insurance, less soundproofing. In the case of a second hand one you're also looking at something that's been used as a commercial vehicle vs a child ferry.

Add window film to make it difficult to see inside and covering stuff with blankets means it's very discreet. You've probably got an alarm and (dead)locked doors which should deter all but a determined thief. I'd not leave it overnight in a city centre but fine on a campsite or a few hours in a car park (or overnight at a motel)

I'd agree against getting an actual van. I have a Berlingo car. If I want it to be a van it is, I just take the seats right out. If I want to carry 5 adults in comfort I can too.

I added window tint to mine in a 5% Limo tint. Its virtually impossible to see in, though not to see out and whats more, it looks pimp 8)

I'd go for a car-based one anyway. Gives you more options.

Thanks for the responses people! Unfortunately, it will definitely have to be a van because it will (on occasion) be parked up on a street in london with my pride + Joy in the back. I've got several VERY big locks, but either way i'd still prefer it to be a van with no way to see into it (and no glass to break out to peer in!)

So, still s8tannorm - how do you fit the bikes in? Any chance of a picture of the bikes squeezed into it? (i'm trying to get my head around if all my gear would fit into it too!)

Cheers for the advice everyone!

Don't discount the Fiat Doblo.

Bigger, uglier and cheaper than a Berlingo.
Surprisingly nice to drive.

So, still s8tannorm - how do you fit the bikes in? Any chance of a picture of the bikes squeezed into it? (i'm trying to get my head around if all my gear would fit into it too!)

I did look at fiat doblos actually, (is it bad that i don;t mind how they look?!?)

Anyway, there are nowhere near as many of them about and they are cheaper than a berlingo but more pricey than a Kangoo.

I think i'm leaning towards the kangoo but do want to see how the bikes would fit in. Afterall, my bike is worth more than the van so it takes priority!!!

Thanks,

JD

Rusty Spanner - Member
Don't discount the Fiat Doblo.

Bigger, [s]uglier[/s] less ugly and cheaper than a Berlingo.
Surprisingly nice to drive.

I've got one and I think it's great, especially for carrying bikes and assorted ecoutrements. The face-lifted ones (from about 2008 on) look better than the earlier ones but mine's a 2006.

Mines a 58 plate 85hp Multijet, the car version.

45 mpg in daily use.

Two bikes and a shedload of gear fits in easily.
Can sleep in it too if you're not too tall.

Best car I've ever owned, tbh.

I do, actually.
http://imgur.com/7136o
(Had one on rent in Les Gets last summer, great car)
Two bikes, full of gear. Can fit three or four bikes in there, but only two people up front.

thanks s8tannorm, I'd appreciate it if you can chuck some pictures my way (at your leisure of course!!!)

Thanks for the advice everyone - much appreciated!

JD

I've got a Kangoo Van, the 1.5 DCI version, it's white, no rear windows nor sliding door in the side, it's not got a bulkhead fitted but I have it, it's been ace, cheap, drives like a car, can park it anywhere, store bikes in it (I've had 4 in it with wheels on, 2 roadies and 2 MTB's) I've filled it to the brim with stuff and it's had no problems pulling, if I leave the bikes in I cover them with a black sheet that looks like a bulkhead as I've attached some velcro to the roof and side and simply attach the sheet to it, the front seat folds flat so I can get my windsufing gear in it, my kitesurfing stuff looks lost in the back by comparison, I've got a roof rack I put on when needed, It's got a towbar, it's white (did I mention that?) I get let out at junctions, I park it anywhere, no one cares about it, you can dent it and it still looks like a van and sometimes people keep well away from you when you're driving it, it does about 50mpg but I've never tested that, can fill the tank up and do about 450odd miles, there is not a single piece of bling on it, passed all MOT's first time, you can still drive it in That London in the congestion charge emissions zone, it's french so the heater is amazing, so too all the vents for the summer, it's a tidy van, you can get changed in the back without anyone looking at your bottom (I do very often when out riding/wsurfing etc.) I get asked if friends can borrow it all the time..

Now then I didn't choose this van I inherited it (from a business I sold) but at the time I also had a Renault Traffic Van and that was a good'en too, but I sold it cos it was far too big. This van I thought would last say 2 years, but it's been 5 now and it's brill.

I haven't looked at any others to buy cos' I'm not interested in selling it. If however I did, then I'd probably look at the Caddy, but theres no point, I've no need to sell it.

Problems, ok, so the turbo went at 98k, I bought a recon one and fitted it myself, the heater fan only works on 3(max) I don't clean it as often as I should.

I love it, not getting rid of it, it's been ace.

How do.

I've got a 2001 berlingo multispace (the car one) that we inherited off the sister-in-law last year. Ace biking wagon!
It's been in the family from new (previous owner was sis-in-laws sister-in-law?!)

Never failed an MOT, now at 85k and never needed any major work apart from a new clutch cable (got sticky so heavy clutch)

Ideal for us as now have a 15month old so sliding doors are great, loads of space for kid-stuff.

Ours is the basic 1.9 d so non-turbo, so slow to get going but great economy. Can get 2 mtbs in fully built or 3 in with front wheels out whilst still having 3 seats and all kit in fine. Big tailgate is great for when it's raining to hide under too whilst sat having a brew at the end of a wet ride-and the load bay is all lined so easy to wipe themud off when putting bike in!

Original owner had windows tinted (she was a nanny-so ideal for babies etc) which help disguise bikes and kit.

Never thought I'd like it, but now we've got one I'm even tempted to get a facelift one for the wife to replace our c-max.

Just put it through MOT on Tuesday (first we've had to do-only had it 6 months) and went straight through, no advisories!

Can't give it enough praise really!

A

+1 for the doblo. i have the 1.9 jtd van. dirt cheap to buy, great engine. 48 mpg actual. they look like shite but who cares.

we have a kangoo at work. they are a fair bit smaller than the doblo/blingo/partner/lwb connect.

if it's any endorsement, my brother and I have the van version and my mother has just bought the people carrier version!

Consider the Transit Connect too. Don't get too hung up on the size, the vans you are currently looking at are no bigger than your average hatchback.

If you get a modernish smooth sided van, (i.e one that would take bonded windows instead of the older rubber framed windows) you can stick black vinyl onto the window sections. Its very convincing, saw it on a VW T5 once, it was only that there was a tiny ding in the panel that gave away that it wasn't glass. This would sort you out on the higher tolls if its going to be an issue.

This would sort you out on the higher tolls

er, maybe, maybe not. We've had checks that we actually have seats in the back once or twice.

How do things like doblos and berlingos compare to mid/full size mpvs for boot space when 5 seats are in place? We've got a Zafira which has been absolutely brilliant family transport, but the one thing that constantly irritates is the space wasted in the rear due to all the plastic trim used to square off the boot space. Makes putting awkward thins like bikes in trickier than it should be in such a big car. The van derived vans look much more sensible I the back, but can't tell if that results in a bigger space or if they are significantly smaller to start with??

I'd say our berlingo has more boot/load space than our c-max when all seats are up.

Totally agree about wasted space with plastic trim etc in load space of MPVs -although our c-max has a square load area, it's a pain having to lift things over the lip of the boot and the lower (and sloping) roofline massively reduces space compared to the berlingo!

A

Wow - awesome response everyone. Thanks!

I think I'll end up with a Kangoo - they just tick so many boxes and as bikebouy says - I can envisage keeping it longer than i'd originally planned.

Still, if anyone has some pictures of fully bike-laden kangoos that they'd like to share, please go right on ahead!

JD

Hey Kangoo Owners:
I will be renting a Kangoo for an extended european visit this fall and was wondering what is the best way to carry bicycles with it. We will be bring mountain and road bikes. We will have a lot of gear so storing inside will not always be an option. Show photos if you have them.

Roof Rails: Are the roof rails usable with bike carriers? I have a couple old Yakimas I could bring along. What shape are the rails?

Rear: Is there a particular strap on rear rack you would recommend with the Kangoo?

Thanks!