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Good and bad. Bad preferred to be honest. I'm kinda keen on one, quirky, pratical and ultilitarian. Would be looking at a 2lt diesel as a must (ideal?)?
I don't have one but a mate of mine who owns a bike shop has one and they are brilliant. He can get loads of bikes in there just with the front wheel off ... I think 4! I think you can easily get 3 in whole. But they are really good even if they do look a little special!
Better with a Multipla. You, wife and child in the front. All the seats out the back for a cavernous load space.
ive got one, loads of room. 1.6 hdi isnt bad either.
Multipla's are getting old now though? The facelift version just doesnt 'do it' for me though. Berlingo looks utilitarian. I'll be changing my trusty Forester at somepoint and need something in a similar vein (but more pratical)
You can still buy new Multiplas 🙄
but they are the new 'face' ones?
They're identical inside, so you'll never know.
I cant call the Berlingo 'pretty' but I am a visual-whore 😀
If they still made the old 'interesting' Berlingo I might be interested....Berlingo is cute (!) in a 'honest' way.
Pro: V practical for bikes - I know a couple of peeps with them, and indeed they're like Noah's flippin arc inside.
Con: You might be mistaken for a florist
Better a Florist than a taxi driver 😀
just be aware berlingos are a van derived car so the speed limit for them is the same as a van, i.e. 50mph on a single carriageway road, not 60. The Citroen showroom wont tell you that.
We have a Ginger 'new' Multipla, they're ****ing ace
eddie11 is wrong. It's all to do with the Maximum Gross Laden Weight. Berlingo is sub-2000kgs, therefore car limits apply.
eddie you seem to be confused
non car derived vans are where the lower limit is applicable
I had a berlingo, original type with the full length electric canvas roof very practical and interesting though always smelled damp.
If i was going to go for a similar one again the ford transit connect would be on my list as would the Honda FRV.
FRV? I had one. Interior space was 'ok' but not spectacular considering its exterior shape etc. TRansit connect is available as a van/car? Still prefer the Berlingo though due to its 'cheapness'
When the wife & I went skiing last winter, the car hire firm in Lyon gave us a berlingo. We found it gutless (can't remember what size petrol engine it was).
Also, the interior felt plasticy - I went to put the window down, and my finger went straight through the dashboard pushing the switch right through! Luckily the window was fully up otherwise it would have got pretty cold up there...
the 1.9 HDi Berlingos are quick
just be aware berlingos are a van derived car so the speed limit for them is the same as a van, i.e. 50mph on a single carriageway road, not 60
WTF 😳
I've never heard of that & I drive a van
Ok, i was presenting a bit too clear cut before. i know about the car derived van laws but the weird thing about the berlingo is that the van came first, so its van derived car.
What i was trying to say was theres at least some doubt - A quick google shows theres a doubt at the very least about their status. e.g. http://www.tilersforums.co.uk/tiling-forum/15400-van-speed-limits.html (non tiling forum links also available)
This issue came up on the (old?) forum as someone got done driving a van back from glentress and the thread meandered on to car derived van rules, van derived car rules etc.
I first had a Berlingo on hire from Grenoble Airport for a ski roadtrip (4 skiers, 10 resorts, 10 days). I was a convert, and came home and bought a 2.0Hdi (55 plate). Nowadays you can only get 1.6Hdis, but they have more power and lower emissions. I'd avoid petrol or the non-turbo diesels. I get 50mpg (ish) out of mine.
3 bikes fully assembled and 3 bikers no problem. I've had 8 bikes with the front wheels off in the back of mine with all 3 rear seats down.
Connects have a Max GLW of 2050kg, so the 50mph limit applies. Berlingos are 1950kgs, and as this is less than 2000kgs, the car limits apply.
mybike, next time you approach a speed camera van in a NSL- anchor on abit more!
just be aware berlingos are a van derived car so the speed limit for them is the same as a van, i.e. 50mph on a single carriageway road, not 60. The Citroen showroom wont tell you that.
I think [url= http://www.abd.org.uk/know_your_speed_limits.htm ]The Association of British Drivers - Know Your Speed Limits[/url] webpage should explain it satisfactorily.
Basically, if your laden weight is over 2 tonnes, then it's 50 on a single carriageway and 60 on dual carriageways and motorways.
Otherwise you're normal
Transit connect is available as a van/car?
[url= http://motors.shop.ebay.co.uk/Cars-Motorcycles-Vehicles-/9800/i.html?_nkw=Tourneo+Connect&_catref=1&_dmpt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&_fln=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m282 ]Yes it is.[/url]
You're right. 1.6 HDI is better head to head with the 2.0HDI (bhp/torque/0-60) although is the ingear 30-50, 50-70 better?
Just a couple of things to think about and a few Kangoo comparisons:
- The standard brakes aren’t very powerful compared to similar Fiat and Renault cars.
- The Berlingo turning circle isn’t as good as with a Kangoo.
- Leg room in the Berlingo is poor compared to most cars, the Kangoo in particular.
- The Berlingo has a smoother ride than the Kangoo, possibly due to the bigger wheels.
- The Berlingo corners like it’s on rails compared to the Kangoo.
Bikes:
I managed to cram 2 29ers and a 26er into the Berlingo with the wheels and seatposts in with no problems.
New berlingo multispace is based on the C4, a car. Think the old multispace (or whatever that version was called) was based on the van though
If your after honest and utilitarian how about a Honda Element?
Its the Bigger Citroen Dispatch which comes under the over 2000kg gross weight limit, not the Berlingo.
Ive had two Berlingo Multispaces over the last 4 years. For me it's the perfect car, cheap, reliable, very practical for mountain biking and family camping trips.
Currently have 54 plate 2.0l HDi, MPG not as good as I had hoped for, I struggle to get over 40mpg no matter how I drive, but it's better on fuel than the 1.6 petrol I had previously and VED is less.
Everyone I know finds the fuel consumption to be not as good as they'd hoped as Simon says, my friend had an earlier 2.0 HDI and it wasn't as good on fuel as his previous 1.9td XUD engine.
He now has a Focus C max and the fuel consumption on that seems to be a lot better, he manages 48mpg regularly.
Eddie11 - sorry mate but you are talking mince...although it is a van-derived vehicle it is actually classed as a car - check with insurance companies and all car review websites...also check with the police and the people you get road tax from (I'm going to say DVLA but it isn't them but I forget the name - my tax isn't due for another 9 months!) - I've owned one and checked this at the time and was told it was a car so car speeds and MOT checks and servicing were used - the van-spec tyres need to be reinforced but the car version doesn't - the van will fail it's MOT if it doesn't have these but the car doesn't get check (for reinforced tyres).
I wrote mine off rolling it down a hill (was the old style version) - was very good indeed - as long as you don't want a stunning looking car but you do want very practical - looks are non-existant on it. Old-style one was the same as the Peugeot Partner but cost much less, but also didn't have as many luxuries (like passenger airbag as standard or optional A/C).
The new style version looks slightly better, is slightly bigger and I believe has a more efficient engine in the 1.6HDi.
I'm going to be going for one when I get rid of my Bravo - probably next year.
the weird thing about the berlingo is that the van came first, so its van derived car.
ahh but the original berlingo was built on the picasso platform (ie a car) tho the van bodied berlingos came first, it was still a car derived van.
the new one as said is built on the C4 picasso platform
I understood that the original Berlingo was based on the ZX.
We had a 1.6 petrol, whilst not the most exciting car it was very good with bikes, could cover a lot of ground without much fuss, was great on country roads (as long as you're a smooth driver - so that counts you out hora) but could be interesting when going over 90. It was quite thirsty though.
I've had a go in a 1.9D ZX. Jesus it is possibly the slowest thing I have ever driven (and Ive driven a Citroen Dyane before).
It's a Citroen. Something electrical WILL pack up. It'll break down.
(Touch wood). I've owned a fair few cars (20?) and none of them have ever broken down. Then again Ive only owned one French car in my life (Dyane).
New shape berlingos, ace (i have one). So much better than the old ones. I could go on forever about them, so any specific questions fire away.
Bikes fit in longways with some of the seats out (easy to do). E.g. here's my XL trance in:
3 bikes (including DH bikes) go in like that easily, leaving 3 seats in. Whoever said leg room in berlingos is poor - rubbish - at least for new shape ones. I'm 6'4" and no-one's ever complained about lack of leg room sitting behind me, there's more room there than my old mondeo, cos you sit more upright.
If I slide one of the front seats right forward, an airbed fits in the boot, enough space for me to sleep (and i'm tall!)
Hired one on a Spanish climbing trip a couple of years ago- we were a bit annoyed as it wasn't what we'd asked for but by the end of the week we were converted.
What year did the new shape start?
Last year (I think around June-ish)...I think the old style is now known as the Berlingo First or something like that...Looking on Autotrader the new style doesn't seem to be older than about 15 months...
Everyone I know finds the fuel consumption to be not as good as they'd hoped as Simon says, my friend had an earlier 2.0 HDI and it wasn't as good on fuel as his previous 1.9td XUD engine.
Gearing may well be different on the van, but my 2.0 HDi powered 306 estate with under-sized wheels (by 3%) still happily returns 48 around town and 55+ on the motorway if properly serviced. And by properly serviced I mean changing the air filter more regularly than the recommended 2 year cycle (once a year). I physically cant get it below 45, even driving it hard and around towns.
berlingo= perfect SUV and occasional family car for me.
the mrs looked at the berlingo, and then got a fiat doblo, its mahoosive and cheaper, there's loads of these vanny cars out now, just remember french cars are s**t and expensive to fix, EDIT i got a bongo 2wd with split folding rear seats and a high top, with a toaster and a kettle = perfect weekend bike bus 
Fiat are, from my experience, aweful to work on and very oddly designed.
PSA cars seem to be simple, cheap on parts, easy to fix but have the odd electrical problem which gets them tarred with a "tat" brush.
lA
I too am looking at new Berlingo/Kangoo. I take it you're pleased it? What engine/spec is it?
I like the front/'face' of the Doblo but the rest looks terrible. Its rear is almost a design square-fail. The Berlingo looks ultilitarian but balanced aesethically overall
Doblo is also crap for safety, if that matters to you. (new) Berlingo is one of the safest cars made for child safety, if that matters.
New shape berlingos will be on 08 plate onward, but they changed the trim levels for 09.
I have an 09 VTR with the 90hp (middle range) HDI engine, and optional safety pack (stability control, more airbags etc.) Yeah I'm pleased with it, subjectively, performance is better than my old 1.8 (petrol) mondeo. Bit more roll round corners, but it doesn't make me drive any slower or anything. And I'm packed up and ready to leave the carpark 15 mins earlier, which counts. Laden it's LOADS better than the mondeo ever was, probably because it's built to carry 800kgs, so it drives so much better when full of crap.
DD - well pleased with it, wish I had one years ago. (though the old shape ones aren't anywhere near as nice). Any more questions fire away.
3 folk and 3 bikes all the wheels stay on, 4 + 4 you need to take the wheels off, then keep the seatposts in the bikes, put them upside down in the boot across the way (so the wide part of the bikes is up by the windows where it's wider) then i rack the wheels up in the space where the single seat's removed.
Just noticed. They seem to come with the tow hook proud of the bumper/already in place?!
Actually that's probably the aftersales metal plate that helps to stop your spare wheel being stolen (speaking with experience of having 2 stolen over 5 and a half years).
And I'm packed up and ready to leave the carpark 15 mins earlier
Ah yes, but you are the king of faff! For normal people I reckon the difference would be about 5 😀
I've had kangoos at work for the last 12 years and this year we switched to a Berlingo.
The kangoo was bigger than its previous models without adding any extra space.The cost was high for a basic spec too.We got a much higher spec Berlingo for the same money.
I love the new 1.6 HDI Berlingo.It's bigger than any Kangoo,much faster,(apparently it'll hit 110 going up M62 towards J24! :oops:) it has 2 1/2 seats in the front,lockable storage under middle seat which also folds into a table,slide out tray under drivers seat,fold flat passenger seat,storage pocket in rear door,power socket in back,rechargeable torch in back,free sat nav with hands free van phone,overhead shelf,leccy windows,heated electric mirrors,mp3 player,air con....and the best bit......a hook to hang your takeaway on!! 8)
I can get 5 bikes in without taking wheels off.I've slept in it on a camp bed.If I dont drive like Clarkson it'll do over 50mpg.It has loads of torque too, get it under 1000 revs and it starts to stall and then it pulls itself out and accelerates pretty rapidly!It's fairly quiet too.
It doesn't look like it once belonged to Postman Pat either.
I actually think it looks quite good,especially in the cab with it's chrome(silver?) gear knob.
Now the downside,
it doesn't brake as well as the Kangoos with a full load on.It's fine when lightly loaded though.
It doesn't handle as well as the Kangoo on twisty roads.
It's also not built(finished) to the same standard as the kangoo.The Kangoo always felt more solid, you can see the rough edges on the Berlingo.
The true test is this though,see how many berlingos on new plates you see compared to kangoos this year!The only new kangoo I've seen so far is the demonstrator from the dealership down the road.
I'm assuming that true test is a good thing in the Berlingo's favour then Yoda?
a hook to hang your takeaway on!!
Sniff, my Forester has two curry hooks. I only found them last week (when putting the curry in the boot).
Kangoo. I imagine when asked at a dinner party/pub/anywhere what you drive and you answer 'Kangoo' the lady in question will probably assume you are a history teacher who lives with his Mum above a newsagents in St Albans.
Regarding the spare wheel, on the new shape ones you need to get inside the boot to undo a bolt to get the spare out (though the bolt is somewhere you can get at even when it's full). Presumably an improvement to stop folk thieving it.
As well as the curry hook, above the windscreen you also get a very handy baguette shelf, and a couple of handy scotch-egg silos below the central air vents. And the driver getting a glove box too is ace.
Which reminds me of a downside - the regular glove box on a RHD is crap, cos the fuse box is in the same place as it would be on a LHD one, so therefore takes up half the glovebox. But it's a minor niggle, it's not like there's not enough other places to stash your crap in berlingo!
The true test is this though,see how many berlingos on new plates you see compared to kangoos this year!The only new kangoo I've seen so far is the demonstrator from the dealership down the road.
That's also becasue the new Kangoo has only just come out, whist the new shape Berlingo's been out 12months. Went to see new Kangoo yesterday and it's huge compared to the old model. As big if not bigger than my current Doblo van. The top spec gets folding front passenger seat which would make transporting long items, tandem etc, easy peasy. Waiting for 24hrs test drive before I decide
I have had 2 berlingo multispace's... an 03 1.6 petrol (forte model - no extras) that we traded in with 36k miles and never a problem for an new 2005 2.0 HDi (desire model - all the toys!).
We have now ran the 2.0 HDi for over 4 years and never any major probs, it now has 65k miles, been serviced as per manufacturer instructions - only issues: a failed alternator at 40k miles (an expensive £300 even getting a good deal on it), and a manic electrical issue after a major rainstorm, lights flashing an engine wouldn't turn off! - this only happened once at about 60k miles. Also, sliding doors not so good for passengers - a bit hard to open. Paint is rubbish!
Now the plus points... I second the above comments on fuel, very economical, cheap to service and my local independent garage reckons they are really tough as based on a commercial vehicle and rarely give problems. Low insurance, group 5 and cheap for tyres - I put a set of firestone TZ200's on there at £50 each and have lasted 35k miles and still going. Handling is good, but 1.6 petrol with no modutop (glass roof) was better as it was a fair bit lighter. Loads of space - 5 bikes and 2 passangers, 3 bikes and 3 passangers, you can sleep in it and it takes a full dismantled kitchen, inc. the sink.
2.0 HDi is only 90 bhp is much better and more powerful than it sounds.
It also looks and drives better than the Kangoo and Doblo as well as making much more sense than a regular 'people carrier' as it is becomes a proper van when you need it.
Had a good hard think. The next car I would have will only be a MX5 or....another Subaru Forester. Its been a pain before but I love it. **** the mpg. 😀
Hmmmm still thinking about a Berlingo or Peugeot Partner ('looks' better)- I dont think a Forester will be big enough for a pram/paraphernalia and dog 🙁
My parents have an 03 plate 2.0 HDI Berlingo. I think it's ace.
Big inside, costs buttons to run (well over 50 mpg) goes much more quickly that other road users expect 😉
I've borrowed it a few times for biking trips, if I could persuade Mrs Wombat I'd have one like a shot (she wants an Audi/Volvo) the new shape ones look really smart too.
Partner is the same as Berlingo but the Lion badge makes it more expensive...a couple of very minor trim differences depending on spec you go for, but save your cash and take the Berlingo...same car, cheaper price...
2.0 HDI here. Best car Ive ever had. Soooo practical. When this dies, Ill buy another.
Partner is the same as Berlingo but the Lion badge makes it more expensive...a couple of very minor trim differences depending on spec you go for, but save your cash and take the Berlingo...same car, cheaper price...
True -I've noticed the Partner is very very rare secondhand whereas the Berlingo looks more popular (i.e. loved) etc.
True -I've noticed the Partner is very very rare secondhand whereas the Berlingo looks more popular (i.e. loved) etc.
i think peugeot stopped bringing the partner into the UK for a bit because they didn't want to compete with Citreon on price.
Be interesting to see how reliable etc the 1.6HDI is compared to the (older?) 2.0HDI. The stats give the smaller engine better everything.
I really like the look of the 1.6HDi XTR - XTR mainly due to the individually removable rear seats...but I'm not going to be looking at one until April next year so hopefully there will be more on the second hand market by then.
The 1.6HDI is a PSA/Ford engine- as used in the Mini diesel and 1.6TDCI Focus apperently 🙂
DickB, I've had one of the 1.6HDi XTR's since February and I've not got a word of complaint about it. If I take it easy then I can get 50mpg and with the rear seats removed it's big enough to sleep in. Mrs Midgebait and I (plus dog and bikes) went to the Hebrides for 10 days this July and used it as a mobile tent, which is handy given the 'summer' weather while we were there! Otherwise it's still very usable for commuting.
I really like the look of the 1.6HDi XTR - XTR mainly due to the individually removable rear seats
If you look at 58 models, then they had the individual rear seats as an option. I know this, as I test drove a 90hp petrol VTR one with them.
TBH, I can't think why I'd want the individual seats. I did consider it when I was buying and thought they'd be good, but now I have it, I think the only benefit would be making them a touch easier to remove.
My thinking for the individually removable seats is more for flexibility in packing bikes/kit and bodies in - middle seat removed is perhaps more flexible and easier to stack bikes in with the kit down the sides to allow passengers in the seats (although admittedly it would only be 2 bikes with wheels on in the middle if 4 people needed a lift). If I can find one at the price I can afford then that is what I'll get but I suspect I'm not going to loose sleep over these seats if I can't get them.
2 bikes wheels on wouldn't fit down the gap left by one seat I don't think. Not easily anyhow. And if they did, you could just remove the single seat from the 2 +1 setup. No need for the bikes to go down the middle?
Given you can always have just one seat out the regular one, I don't see the advantage in it being the middle one? Although you can poke a wheel between the front seats, so I'll admit if you need to carry 4 people, and a tandem with the wheels on, it might be the only option 😉
I have got a 51 plate Berlingo. Love it, nice and reliable (only one or 2 issues - a fan belt and front suspension- otherwise cheap as chips to run. Fits loads of stuff and is big enough for me to be comfortable in. Added bonus for peeps with elderly relatives - they find it very easy to get in and out of.
