MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
We’re currently looking for a vehicle to replace our Mk3 Berlingo, but not sure if there are any alternatives that are bit more car like that will take a couple of large full sus 29ers upright. Wouldn’t mind getting an electric (if we can get a charging point put in on the front of the house), but wouldn’t rule out a reasonably efficient petrol vehicle.
We’ve had a test drive of a new Ford Tourneo Connect (rebadged VW Caddy). It was very car-like inside, but had got that annoying VAG lane assist that supposedly can’t be easily switched off. We had a VW Golf hire car for a couple of weeks in Germany and Austria last summer, and the lane assist was really intrusive. Our Berlingo has lane assist, but it can be quickly turned off with the button on the dash. Oh, the Ford hadn’t got normal heater controls, it was via sliders and stuff on the touch screen….and we found the ride quality harsh!
The Dacia Jogger looks a possible, but just wondered if there are any other alternatives(?). We’ve previously owned a Skoda Yeti and didn’t find it that good for carrying bikes inside - so not super keen on getting another SUV, and they all seem a bit too posh to be chucking our mucky bikes in.
Wouldn’t mind getting an electric (if we can get a charging point put in on the front of the house),
VW ID Buzz? depends on the depth of your pockets
Electric vehicles that can carry the bikes inside tend to have really poor range. I was after an ev berlingo to replace my diesel Pug Partner but it would mean going from 600 miles in a tank to less than 140 (and possibly below 100 in winter)...so I gave up pursuing that avenue.
Mrs Bruce has an work electric van and the range is pitiful. You charge it and watch the predicted range remaining plummet. Great for local journeys but not viable for longer trips.
I should’ve added that we have a big day/camper van that we use for longer trips away with bikes - it’s just a bit unwieldy for doing local 15 mile round trip, or the 60 mile round trip into Edinburgh.
Main problem with going EV is looking like getting a charging point put on the house,rather than range of the vehicle. Probably have to dig a 20-25m cable trench, taking up and relaying block paving and slabs etc. 30 years ago I’d have done it myself, but I’m in my 60’s, so realistically its something I’m going to have to get people in to do.
Given that the vehicle is mainly for tootling around on relatively short journeys, we don’t want another diesel, so choice of suitable petrol vehicles seems fairly limited - hence asking for suggestions. (I used to be a keen petrolhead, but just lost interest and am now really out of the loop on current vehicles).
Interested. We have had a Caddy on order since August. November delivery pushed back to May. Ford not even taking orders on the Torneo when I spoke to them last week.
Most of the others appear to have gone electric. I thought they were bringing back the Berlingo with an ICE? Not checked recently. Otherwise the more car focussed people carriers. I am looking again at an S-max but they seem to be a lot more money.
Heard the same on electric vans. A friend borrowed a works van. Fully charged in winter and he was worried he'd not make it home (about 4o miles each way). There were no chargers in the forest.
Yes it’s annoying that for all the car chat on here no one discusses this most important topic with any accuracy.
The Jogger can’t take a bike upright I don’t think (also someone on here hates his one). I’ve been wondering about the ID Buzz or the Skoda Enyaq maybe? Our Zafira (non Tourer version) takes upright 29ers but it’s not exactly refined and they stopped making them 10 years ago.
Am baffled by this VW lane assist issue that folk have a problem with. Have rented a couple of VWs with it and it seems easy to turn off, and indicating when you change lanes seemed to override it as you’d expect. Keep meaning to find the thread on it to try and figure out what I’m missing.
I also have a Mk3 berlingo and when it needs replacing, I'll get another one. Petrol again, unless the electric versions have a decent range. 120 miles on a full charge is laughable compared to nearly 600 miles on a tank of petrol. Most comfortable car ive ever owned too. It's wheelbase is actually smaller than a lot of SUVs despite being much bigger inside so easy to park too. I had 4 bikes and a 29er asgard shed in it when i moved house.
The 600 miles is with diesel...the 120 miles is my guess at what it would be after looking at the brochure figures and chatting to a few friends who have tried ev vans and local posties who use them...
Old MK2 Berlingo/Partner owner and now 7 seater Pug Rifter Petrol owner.
Size is perfect and runs well. But and this is a big one. Has a wet belt.
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The 600 miles is with diesel…the 120 miles is my guess at what it would be after looking at the brochure figures and chatting to a few friends who have tried ev vans and local posties who use them…
120 miles would suit the OP as they're only wanting a local runabout.
We’d definitely consider a new Bingo XL if they still did the petrol MPV version. Our current one is a regular wheelbase ‘M’ in the boggo spec. (Bought a used one before pandemic price craziness). The Bingo replaced our ‘posh spec’ Yeti 4x4 and Octavia VRs estate to free up cash to help clear the mortgage! The Bingo has really surprised us by how good it is for the money, way more practical than the cars it replaced, and the ride quality is better.
Seems to be some confusion over whether or not Pug/Citroen are reintroducing ICE’s to the Bingo’s, but I wonder if this is just the panel vans(?).
There’s a face lifted e Bingo coming out soon, with increased range and improved media system, seats etc., so we’ve not ruled one out. Going to get some quotes for the EV charger install and see what the £ damage is - we can then weigh up costs from recharging EV from our existing solar vs install and petrol cost for an ICE vehicle. (We’re retired, so not got the income of when we were working!……more time to muck about on bikes though:)
120 miles would suit the OP as they’re only wanting a local runabout.
Yep.
Am baffled by this VW lane assist issue that folk have a problem with. Have rented a couple of VWs with it and it seems easy to turn off, and indicating when you change lanes seemed to override it as you’d expect. Keep meaning to find the thread on it to try and figure out what I’m missing.
My Octavia is from the VAG stable so similar tech I'm guessing. You can turn it off, but every time you stop it switches back on by default which is annoying. It works OK on motorways, dual carriageways etc. but it's dreadful on badly maintained country roads which is most of my motoring. It will sometimes pull you towards the nearside verge or opposite side of the road without warning. Yes you can still steer through it, but you shouldn't have to fight with the steering wheel just to drive along an empty road. It's awful in icy weather as the unneeded micro-corrections can feel as if you are sliding all the time. I now switch it off every time I get in the car but it's annoying that I have to. There should be an option to have it off by default.
The VAG lane assist thing should be able to be turned off "permanently" using VCDS etc
Thinking that I might never see my Caddy has anyone got a Touran. That seems like a reasonable slightly smaller option but would still be ok for bikes. I want a van but need something more car like to keep my wife happy.
Anyone got a Touran. Can you get away with front wheel off for a FS 29er? I don't think CX bikes would be an issue but mtbs have got really big!
MPVs are out of fashion and SUVs are massive but with poor loading capacity. It's mostly about being able to put a bike in easily. It's tricky to get a couple in the Focus I have now which means it gets dirty.
Anyone got a Touran. Can you get away with front wheel off for a FS 29er
In my old Touran it was tight, awkward to load a Large or XL 29er or 27.5, depending on bars and all sorts. You need to lie it on its side a bit, then more upright. I just leant against side of the car and used tiedown and seatbelt mount. So doable, but not the 'straight in' of the Galaxy, a Berlingo etc.
Can get several bikes in a Touran no problem, with one of the rear seats left in. Both wheels on in many cases. Front wheels off in all cases. Long travel forks or high stack prevent some mtbs going in upright at all though.
Some bikes will go in upright, no front wheel, between two rear seats left in. All mine will.
Interesting, I might see if I can find any locally, thanks.
Could you fit bikes upright and facing straight on with the front wheel removed in the Yeti with the seats out? I’ve read you can but also found some measurements for the inside which don’t seem to fit to me. Like them as a bit different but rather have something more fun if the bikes inside benefit not there. Pondering the same as ideally want the bikes inside but might look at a Caddy Maxi or similar that can double up as family and bike transport