The berlingo in your pic is the new shape. Previous shape was same as the pug in the second picture.

I loved my berlingo...for practicality, it was the best car I've owned and is happily own another. Get 3 non dh bikes in with 3 people and kit no probs. Kids shouldn't be an issue either.

New shape is bigger and better equipped. Previous shape model, the pig had more toys like a passenger airbag as standard but was more expensive.

Great vehicles...get one!

If you think they're fugly don't get one.
I had a 51 Berlingo multispace it was great, very bike friendly.
I found that people who had a lift in it suddenly realised how useful it was, particularly when they decided to be rude about it not being a knobend audi and ended up walking home :o)

Yeah I do see them as a tad fugly, but sometimes that's good.
I just found the photos quick, don't think I'd be getting a newer one.
2001ish sounds about it.
What are they like economically (mpg) and diy servicing etc?

My key questions are how reliable at leggy mileage are they and how comfy on long journeys?

They aren't fugly IF you don't wash them. Kinda charming and rugged then.

We drove down to the Pyrenees and back about 5 times in ours. It's fine, the ride is very comfortable and will sit at a nice speed all day. Ours was the 1.6 petrol, driven quietly we'd get just over 400m from a tank, loud pedal would get 300m. Don't know about servicing (ours never gave any problems and we were fortunate in having a local independent Citroen garage) but the original shape was based on the ZX/ 306 estate.

I've had two, a total of seven years of driving about in them.
Very reliable, only one problem in all that time and quite economical 40-45mpg (2 litre turbo diesel)
Comfortable but driving position doesn't suit everyone.
Not very fast but not as bad to punt around as you'd think.
Great mountain bike car just as shame they got more expensive to buy new, still cheap second hand though 😉

Mine was a non-turbo'd diesel...is get 600 miles out the tank. Never had any issues at service times.

We've got a berlingo 1.9 diesel, no turbo. Getting about 42mpg with careful driving, much less in a rush. Great for bikes, and no problems yet at 60k miles. If it was only a foot longer it would amazing.

If it was only a foot longer it would amazing

It's the lack of length that put me off buying one. Great car, but just that little bit too small.

If it was only a foot longer it would amazing.

Would it gain that foot if I only ever needed 3 seats?

I think its bang on. Long cars don't fit into many many spaces easily

anybody thought about the Nissan NV200 Combi?

i agree with hora. i think the length is bang on. Perfect city car. Agree it's considered fugly by some, but as a mountain bike/snowboarding car it's hard to beat.

Depending on model, you could remove the seats with ease or get a torq head and remove the seats you don't need...you will gain the foot but loose the seating.

It is a very good vehicle...I ride a large frame, 19", and I could get 3 similar sized bikes in...1 needed the front wheel off but that was it...was also with the seats in...with them out it didn't need the wheel removed.

Seriously it is a brilliantly practical vehicle.

There brill!....mines an 05 Citroen multispace Forte with 110k miles, really practical. Had it a year, only problem being a duff alternator, You WILL get the piss taken out of you by your mates for driving one, but once they've been in it or used it they will want one!. Cheap to run, does about 40ish mpg and low ish tax, very low insurance group. Incredibly practical with the seats down, very good for going to the tip as well, cos they are as big as a van but cos they've got side windows in they are classed as a car. Buy one! You wo,nt be sorry. One for sale in the next street to me, if anyone wants some details give me a shout.

If it was only a foot longer it would amazing

I say that as I reckon it would make getting more than one bike in a bit easier. It's not so bad with xc bikes, but if I'm putting bigger bikes in it becomes a bit of a faff, and avoiding faff with bikes was the main reason for getting it. It's really not that bad though, I'd get another if it died. Permanently removing the double seat would be a big help.

I've had a Fiat Doblo for 4 years - even uglier and like the others your looking at the kind of car no one wants and everyone needs.

"It's the lack of length that put me off buying one. Great car, but just that little bit too small."

Early Berlingo - It does not take long to remove and replace the seats but as I seldom carry more than one passenger I just leave 'em out. Like this I can get a tandem in (straight, not diagonal) so bikes should not be a problem.

I keep meaning to take a picture when I have two motorcycles in it which is similarly no problem.

The Doblo is about a foot longer internally.

Depending on model, you could remove the seats with ease or get a torq head and remove the seats you don't need...you will gain the foot but loose the seating.

I have a feeling that counts as a 'modification' in the eyes of insurance companies and effectively can voidyour cover. Not totally sure on that but it may be worth checking.

convinced they are a good idea, not convinced I can raise the cash though...

Just bought a 58 plate Doblo 1.3 Multijet TD.

Sooo much space, frugal (nearly 50 mpg, mixed use), surprisingly fun to drive, cheap tax, very solid interior, bigger than the Berlingo and much cheaper.

Great car, wish I'd have got one years ago.

Apart from the height difference I wonder how a Berlingo compares to the Honda Jazz.

(427 v 624)

Jazz is considerably smaller inside. We had a tandem in our blingo, it wouldn't go in my parent's jazz.

I don't own a Tandem!!

"very good for going to the tip as well, cos they are as big as a van but cos they've got side windows in they are classed as a car"

bit of a non point really - i have a van partner and have never had any issues with the tip/recycling centre/ferrys/toll roads never tried to charge me more than a car

now when i took my dads signwritten transit to the tip it was another matter.

How many times a year do you go to the tip.

I hired a Berlingo van and had to drop the pressures in the tyres to get the van back out under the barrier at our local tip!!!

live in the country so usually at least twice a month sometimes once a week with the recycling as they do not pick up here.

urm how do people with 4x4s get in your tips ? my land rover is significantly taller than my partner and it also gets in no bother !

Good point. They've fitted a massive RSJ across. I couldn't get a transit in of course and when the Berlingo was fully loaded (saying that the van one looks like it sits higher on its rear springs?) it fitted under easily. Unloaded and it was 😯 😆

I've been pondering a Berlingo (amongs others, Focus estate maybe)...is the bootspace completely flat when the rear seats are folded forward, or is there a 'step-up'?

Looks like there might be a step-up...
[img] http://pictures2.autotrader.co.uk/imgser-uk/servlet/media?id=1847848538 [/img]

boot space is flat - the bottom folds up also and store in the footwell and up the back of the front seats

with seats in place you get a flat floor but you loose about a bit of load area due to the seats folding up

Cheers t_r

::sigh::

I miss my old berlingo 🙁

Well, I miss the load space, the ease of packing, the lack of concern about how dirty it was getting as you could just clean it out with a stiff brush and the ease of finding it in a car park.

I don't miss the 'handling' (ha!) or (in my case) the lack of air con or fuel economy or the comments about needing a wheelchair to use one

[url= http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5294/5531325155_7ce46999f9.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5294/5531325155_7ce46999f9.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/37065594@N06/5531325155/ ]berlingo2[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/37065594@N06/ ]twinklydave[/url], on Flickr

I *think* I miss the delightful interior colour scheme now, too...

Anyone of averageish height been able to sleep in one ok?

FWIW we opted for a Fiat Doblo as it was quite a bit bigger. Had Kangoo's before and they're slightly smaller again. Our 04 plate Doblo was a 1.9JTD and went really well. Bought with 12k and sold with almost 90k. Only think that went wrong was wiper mech. Seriously look at Doblo. Avoid 1.3 JTD as sooooo slow.

6ft 3 and i lived in one during the week for a month to save a 140 mile round trip each day ...... (between houses)and have slept in it at several events/riding holidays. its one

with good tires upfront mine handled great dave and due to great ground clearance it was good in the snow

mechanics stuck on bargain basement tires(he thought he was doing me a favour as i always put on the cheapest as a student) this time and they are foooking awful on both counts - handles shite and is garbage in snow cant wait to get them off !

whats the deal with the little roof windows? do they open?? i,ve seen some with sunroofs which i like the idea of, but i was wonering if the little roof windows are just for viewing or for opening?

On the handling - the one I rented (van version) felt fine- no issues or scares and I didn't treat it too well either.

The new berlingo is based on the c4 floorplan so slightly bigger, don't think a foot but is longer.

Going to look at an 03 1.9 diesel berlingo on Saturday. Looks a good example with pretty low mileage. Reading reviews, most folk say the 1.9 is the one to avoid in the berlingo family. Low power and perhaps not as good mpg as you'd expect etc.

I'm not after a sports car , just something practical and cheap to run but admittedly a little motorway cruising speed would be nice. I'm coming from a 1.25 fiesta so is the 1.9 really such a model to avoid?
Anyone owned the 1.9?

It will do 90 but needs several miles to get there! I got 600 out the tank of my 1.9 non-turbo. It did legal speeds no probs at all but it was quick to get to them.

Check it hasn't been taxi'd. Check back of drivers seats. The door kicker plates shouldn't be more scuffed than the drivers one etc as they can be popular with taxi firms.

Well its down as one owner, fsh and only 31k......
Its 2003. I don't think its been a taxi but the reviews of the 1.9's are not exactly filled with praise. Most say get the 2 litre diesel or the 1.6 petrol.
hmmmmm, trade-offs..

I'd still do the normal checks. The first owner could have been the taxi driver. In addition I've come across a few that are/have obviously been used as a taxi yet state 1 previous owner and somehow the current (selling) owner hasn't listed himself on the V5.

The rear seats/around the back door frame shouldn't look anymore worn than the drivers area.

You could also get the address off the V5 and googlestreetview the house...you never know 😉

Anyway- thats may paranoia over with.

NOTHING at all wrong with the 1.9 - less to go wrong IMO! You'd get used to its pace.

Nowt wrong with the 1.9 Diesel UNLESS you want a bit of 'rapid response' - it won't do that...it will get up to speed but it isn't quick to get there...that was the only drawback I had in mine and to be honest, I wasn't bothered as I hadn't bought it to be quick off the line.

Things I was glad it didn't have - air-con, I never use it (although saying that, for the first time ever 2 weeks ago, I used it to demist my car...seemed to work well!).

The Berlingo wasn't as highly specced as the equivalent Partner - the Partner had the passenger airbag as standard and I think it also had some Electronic braking control thingy, but can't recall.

Carrying 2 bikes - Large Trance 1 and a Small Stumpy D4W -

[url= http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3143/2600654359_68dd793c06.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3143/2600654359_68dd793c06.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/26900201@N02/2600654359/ ]2 bikes in Berlingo[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/26900201@N02/ ]DickBarton[/url], on Flickr

And with my bike in on it's own (and Large Trance 1 with about a foot of seatpost showing) -

[url= http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3229/2600656699_5a7feffff1.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3229/2600656699_5a7feffff1.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/26900201@N02/2600656699/ ]Single Bike in Berlingo[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/26900201@N02/ ]DickBarton[/url], on Flickr

Seriously, nothing wrong with that model and it proved to be very reliable (and safe - I rolled mine down a hill with 2 bikes a PC and 2 people in it...everything came out unscathed, but the car was a write-off -

[url= http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3099/2693547168_791ed515c2.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3099/2693547168_791ed515c2.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/26900201@N02/2693547168/ ]Bikes now removed[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/26900201@N02/ ]DickBarton[/url], on Flickr

If I wasn't so tight with my money for 'motoring' I'd have another one...it wouldn't cost me much more than what I now drive, but it is still more so I didn't go for it...kind of thinking I should have though...probably would have cost me about £200 a year than what I'm paying now but would be a lot more practical. Given my mileage and use of the vehicle now though, it's £200 I wasn't thinking was going to be well spent as the car is now simple a means to get to work and back.

Looking at pictures 2 and 3 - did you crash because the steering wheel came off?

Sorry to keep going on about it but,
I've got a 2003 1.9 Diesel to look at with a supposed 31k...1 owner from new.
Also, a 2002 1.6 petrol, 85k, one owner from new, immaculate exterior and interior.

Thoughts on which is the better bet?
Price is similar.

Buy on condition however what is your budget? I'd try and buy as new as possible as well within your budget.

I honestly don't believe anyone buys a diesel and does 3,800miles a year.

The interior would be bloody spotless IMO.

Remember, even if its a dealer sale- check the car over thoroughly, lift the coolant cap, radiator cap- check the oil condition under the cap there as well. Look underneath, etc etc.

Due to its age etc you wont have as many 'rights' as you'd think from a dealer.

[img] [/img]

I know it's probably too much kit...
But, 5 people, and 3 mountain bikes.

(parents were going walking that day)

Ours continues to sip fuel and perform adequately. Comfier than the older one on motorway journeys with a wide enough back seat for three adults.
The handling on the later one is much more like a car. (based on pug 307 underneath the body)

My Partner's a 1.9. It needs considerable notice to overtake anything, but bowls along happily once up to speed. And what's the rush anyway? 😉 It's not spectacularly economical, 40-45 overall average, although it's mostly used on non-mpg-friendly journeys with traffic and corners and stuff. Upside of the prehistoric engine is epic simplicity, there's not much to go wrong with it and it's cheap to mend. Mine's done 125,000 miles (new in 2001) and is mechanically fine. Driver's seat's gone a bit soggy, window winder a bit iffy, rear screen wash broken. That's it.

Drive it and the petrol, see what you think. None of them are exactly racers...

Also brilliant if you've got kids, sliding doors and crowded car parks is a winning combination.

Remember this, if you are buying from a dealer. You don't have great coverage if the car is older or high mileage. So do all your own checks on it:

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_world/consumer_affairs/buying_second_hand_vehicles.htm#you_bought_the_vehicle_from_a_dealer

[i]When deciding whether a secondhand vehicle is in reasonable condition it is important to consider the vehicle’s age and make, the past history of the vehicle and how much you paid for it.[/i]

For instance if you pay slightly underbook, or a really good price. The Dealer could argue that the price reflected its subsequent 'lower' condition.

So say your heater matrix fails after 2months, you think 'ah its within the 3months'.

The Dealer could say 'the fault wasn't present at the time of sale and its reasonable for me to say its an old car and reasonable to expect something will fail due to its age at somepoint'.

Check everything! Always insist the car is stone cold when you view it. If the seller says 'I warmed it up for you' - you might miss clues/noises or start/rough running issues...

Diesel would be my choice out the 2 you have earmarked.

They can be prone to wear on the rear axle (bad design not providing a grease nipple)so look out for rear wheel or wheels off the plumb.

Diesel would be my choice out the 2 you have earmarked.

Is that for the lower mileage?

Are Renault Kangoo's as good as Berlingo's?

No, lower mileage wouldn't bother me, but from previous experience I can get 600 miles out a tank...

Assuming the Kangoo is from the same 'year' as the Berlingo/Pug, then it is slightly narrower, but I think same height and almost same length. Narrower by about 2 inches...

Don't flame me but......Suzuki Wagon R?

Don't flame me but......Suzuki Wagon R?

Thanks for the suggestion, they are certainly on the cheaper side however, I do have a modicum of self-respect still... 😉

In all seriousness, they do not have nearly the capacity of the blingos but I see what you're saying, thanks.

I love Wagon R's and the whole Japtastic mini MPV thing. Look at some Honda imports

http://www.tradecarview.com/used_car/japan%20car/honda/vamos/8886042/

Honda SMX Lowdown
[img] [/img]

Or this:

[img] [/img]

As a previous Aygo, Smart and Puma owner you'll know I have no UK male hangup about small and different

Actually that [b]IS[/b] a sweet ride... 😀

hora - Member

I honestly don't believe anyone buys a diesel and does 3,800miles a year

My parents have an 03 plate 2.0 hdi Berlingo that they've had from new and it's only got 37k miles on it.

I thinks it's an ace vehicle. Not looking to sell it though, they say they'll change it when it reaches 150k miles which at this rate will make them both about 100 years old lol

I've got dibs BTW 😉

wombat, I know a bloke who has owned a 1.9diesel 156 since new (2005) and it also has circa 30k on it.

There are always statistical spikes however there will be more lower miler diesels around from recent years as people will 'worry' and be sold a diesel on its fantastic mpg by salesmen when its wholy inappropriate for their needs (i.e. they need a town car and a small petrol would suit them better)..

If I see a low miler diesel I'll always carry out the extra checks on the interior and entry points.

Hora, I know what you're saying and agree with you.

I know that in my parent's case my Dad likes the way that diesels drive and, as depreciation isn't an issue for him as he'll not be selling the car, probably ever, it was his choice at the time he bought it.

Diesel would be my choice out the 2 you have earmarked.

Darn it! Diesel has gone.... Have to go for the 1.6 petrol now probably...