Which on would you buy: Citroen Berlingo or Peugeot Partner
Discussion
279 said:
I'm genuinely surprised. These things are known in the trade for having constant problems. 132k without a single fault is mind blowing.
"Without a single fault" is stretching it a little as it has had a new starter motor but other than that nothing has actually failed. It has been serviced twice a year every year without exception and other than consumables its wanted nothing in its time - yet! This is whilst towing more than it probably should too 
We plumped for a petrol Berlingo. Budget dictated an older vehicle and having been bitten by a diesel, we decided on petrol.
Whilst its true that car like MPV styles such as a Zafira may get you 7 seats and they remove too for a large load area, or a Picasso are practical neither has sliding side doors which have been an absolute boon in an uban "shopping type" environment when it comes to loading children in to a car in a tight squeeze parking bay and having them at a higher level for fastening them in.
The boot area being square and van derived will take a large pram travel system without needing to fold it down - which is great! I don't know of a car derived MPV that will do that.
We dropped lucky on a very low mileage 11 year old example with only 19K on the clock, aircon (very rare) and the side airbags and abs - which are two additional trim packs.
Ours is the 1.4i. Lets just say it gets the job done :-) Its a zingly little 1360cc unit and empty, will just about do okay. Load it up and it struggles. Do not do any kind of towing with the 1.4 - its just not up to it and iirc is about 900KGs limit which wont get you a lot of trailer/caravan anyway.
Economy wise - not great around 27/28mpg around town upto about 38 on the motorway. Not brilliant on the motorway - you wouldn't venture much more than about 75/80 as its quite low geared and the economy really suffers.
Ride quality is very good, as is visibility - wind noise and general refinement not bad. Handling is roly-poly but then its not about that.
Overall, very happy with it and the parts are laughably cheap - not that its needed much in the last 30 months and 30K miles. Needs an exhaust at the moment and middle and rear is only £105 fitted. Recently fitted discs and pads for £38 delivered. New starter was less than £50 and a doddle to fit. Oh and a spring. Seem quite easy to work on - plenty of space to get to things.
Interior seems quite cheap and plastic but it does seem to wear well.
Sometimes wish I'd gone 2.0 hdi for the torque, but for our mileage, and finding such a great spec one, I'm quite happy with the simple 8 valve engine and penalty in fuel consumption for a bit of easy maintenance and peace of mind.
That's about it.
Whilst its true that car like MPV styles such as a Zafira may get you 7 seats and they remove too for a large load area, or a Picasso are practical neither has sliding side doors which have been an absolute boon in an uban "shopping type" environment when it comes to loading children in to a car in a tight squeeze parking bay and having them at a higher level for fastening them in.
The boot area being square and van derived will take a large pram travel system without needing to fold it down - which is great! I don't know of a car derived MPV that will do that.
We dropped lucky on a very low mileage 11 year old example with only 19K on the clock, aircon (very rare) and the side airbags and abs - which are two additional trim packs.
Ours is the 1.4i. Lets just say it gets the job done :-) Its a zingly little 1360cc unit and empty, will just about do okay. Load it up and it struggles. Do not do any kind of towing with the 1.4 - its just not up to it and iirc is about 900KGs limit which wont get you a lot of trailer/caravan anyway.
Economy wise - not great around 27/28mpg around town upto about 38 on the motorway. Not brilliant on the motorway - you wouldn't venture much more than about 75/80 as its quite low geared and the economy really suffers.
Ride quality is very good, as is visibility - wind noise and general refinement not bad. Handling is roly-poly but then its not about that.
Overall, very happy with it and the parts are laughably cheap - not that its needed much in the last 30 months and 30K miles. Needs an exhaust at the moment and middle and rear is only £105 fitted. Recently fitted discs and pads for £38 delivered. New starter was less than £50 and a doddle to fit. Oh and a spring. Seem quite easy to work on - plenty of space to get to things.
Interior seems quite cheap and plastic but it does seem to wear well.
Sometimes wish I'd gone 2.0 hdi for the torque, but for our mileage, and finding such a great spec one, I'm quite happy with the simple 8 valve engine and penalty in fuel consumption for a bit of easy maintenance and peace of mind.
That's about it.
Oh yeah, looked at a Doblo, but came away a little less impressed. Not quite as refined as the Partner/Berlingo and had a cart sprung rear suspension so a little choppier. Body work/paint wise, the Dolblo looked ok but it was things such as quite bad peeling paint and rust on the sliding door runners on the 4 year old example we looked at that was off putting. In terms of interior trim, the Doblo looked cheaper and I suspect was less well insulated than the PSA car.
What I would've liked in the Berlingo is the Fiats 1.3 multijet diesel engine - I think if I had got a one of those Doblos with the excellent economy and low road tax (A 1.4 petrol Berlingo is £225 a year) I might've taken my chances on the rest of the car.
What I would've liked in the Berlingo is the Fiats 1.3 multijet diesel engine - I think if I had got a one of those Doblos with the excellent economy and low road tax (A 1.4 petrol Berlingo is £225 a year) I might've taken my chances on the rest of the car.
I'd suggest the 1.6 petrol, if you can find one (not that they are particularly rare). Seem to have the best blend of reliability, reasonable power and low maintenance costs. We've had one for a while and it's been very useful. They do go wrong occasionally, being French, but mostly it's easy DIY stuff. The biggest bill mine's generated in a year or two was £70.
1.9 diesel is reliable but painfully slow and not really more economical than the petrols. 1.4 petrol is of a similar older generation, slightly higher VED with less power and no better fuel economy than the 1.6. 2.0HDi is good (and frugal) but you'll pay more for one of those than a petrol.
1.6HDis have a reputation for expensive turbo failure- this seems to be generally attributed to infrequent oil changes. These will be more expensive than the other options, being much newer though.
One thing I discovered is that finding a good one isn't easy- most of those I looked at were either tatty or pretty f
ked, particularly the interiors. People use them as livestock vans. The Desire version (with the lockers/sunroof etc) can get particularly badly bashed up by kids.
If you're paying near £3k be choosy.
1.9 diesel is reliable but painfully slow and not really more economical than the petrols. 1.4 petrol is of a similar older generation, slightly higher VED with less power and no better fuel economy than the 1.6. 2.0HDi is good (and frugal) but you'll pay more for one of those than a petrol.
1.6HDis have a reputation for expensive turbo failure- this seems to be generally attributed to infrequent oil changes. These will be more expensive than the other options, being much newer though.
One thing I discovered is that finding a good one isn't easy- most of those I looked at were either tatty or pretty f
ked, particularly the interiors. People use them as livestock vans. The Desire version (with the lockers/sunroof etc) can get particularly badly bashed up by kids.If you're paying near £3k be choosy.
The 1.6HDi problems arise from oil starvation due to carbon deposits narrowing the oil galleries which will kill the turbo promptly. Many of these engines have suffered multiple turbo failures as the cause of the failures isn't cured. They have a relatively small oil capacity which compounds things.
Oh, and torque down the injectors every service, the seals leak and are a bh to clean up.
Oh, and the diesel particulate filters run on Eolys (SP?) fluid which is very expensive, and the filter is technically a service item a 75k miles. Ouch.
It is possibly the most common engine on the roads today, its used by Ford, Citroen, Peugeot Suzuki, Mini, Volvo and Mazda.
Its a great little engine when working well, relatively powerful and frugal. Just don't thrash it, always let it cool down before switching off, use fully synthetic oil and change it frequently. A neglected one will be a money pit.
Oh, and torque down the injectors every service, the seals leak and are a b
h to clean up.Oh, and the diesel particulate filters run on Eolys (SP?) fluid which is very expensive, and the filter is technically a service item a 75k miles. Ouch.
It is possibly the most common engine on the roads today, its used by Ford, Citroen, Peugeot Suzuki, Mini, Volvo and Mazda.
Its a great little engine when working well, relatively powerful and frugal. Just don't thrash it, always let it cool down before switching off, use fully synthetic oil and change it frequently. A neglected one will be a money pit.
Still vote for the 2.0HDI (although I am aware this wasn't on the original list).
Excuse the dust, it's never cleaned and used only for carrying anything from fencing and patios to bikes and shopping!
I've seen that economy has been touched on here - thought I'd add that I get between 525 - 575 to a tank mixed driving and towing.
Excuse the dust, it's never cleaned and used only for carrying anything from fencing and patios to bikes and shopping!
I've seen that economy has been touched on here - thought I'd add that I get between 525 - 575 to a tank mixed driving and towing.
I hear what people are saying about the petrol however most think the 1.4 is underpowered when loaded or pulling a trailer which is something I may want to do.
I also take your advice and give the 1.6 HDi a miss. The 1.9D is also underpowered having about the same power as the 1.4 petrol. They also seem to be not very fuel efficient.
So this leaves me with either the 1.6 petrol or 2.0 Hdi. The HDi will give better mpg and be better when fully loaded or using a trailer. The 1.6 petrol may be more reliable but will cost more to run, tax and insure
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
I also take your advice and give the 1.6 HDi a miss. The 1.9D is also underpowered having about the same power as the 1.4 petrol. They also seem to be not very fuel efficient.
So this leaves me with either the 1.6 petrol or 2.0 Hdi. The HDi will give better mpg and be better when fully loaded or using a trailer. The 1.6 petrol may be more reliable but will cost more to run, tax and insure
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Edited by Petrolhead on Monday 20th October 17:04
TooMany2cvs said:
Petrolhead said:
Choice of two cars:
http://www.riverviewcarsltd.co.uk/used-cars/peugeo...
http://www.riverviewcarsltd.co.uk/used-cars/citroe...
One 03, 45000 miles full service but 1.9D
One 06, 80000 mile, no service hostory, 1.6hdi
Both the same price
Neither. I'd go for...http://www.riverviewcarsltd.co.uk/used-cars/peugeo...
http://www.riverviewcarsltd.co.uk/used-cars/citroe...
One 03, 45000 miles full service but 1.9D
One 06, 80000 mile, no service hostory, 1.6hdi
Both the same price
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
1.4 petrol will be ideal and generally quite reliable.
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