Doblo, Berlingo or Kangoo

[Petrolhead]

Was going to buy a van but decided that one of these would be more practical. I can remove the seats and I have a van, put the seats back in and have a car for the lads. Big tailgate so no obstruction, sliding doors either side so easy for loading/unloading

Any advise as to which is the one to buy

Edit, there is aldo the Partner

Edited by Petrolhead on Sunday 7th September 15:37

[JJ55]

I did the same thing, went through the same dilemma, bought a 2009 berlingo xtr 4 years ago & it has been brilliant. They do not however like cheap fuel from places like the main supermarkets due to the amount of detergent in it. I have mine serviced every yr & have done 50000 miles with no problems. The sheer amount of stuff you can fit in these things is unreal.

[smileymikey]

We had a Kangoo for a few years and it was brilliant! Lived in a village at the time and when it snowed the little green bugger got us out of the village while neighbours with Range Rovers on huge bling wheels sat spinning on the spot. They do seem to have a bit of an appetite for drive shafts as the get a bit older. However if you buy a shed for shed money buy it use it and when it goes wrong weigh it in

[Funkycoldribena]

Know someone who has the Doblo,don't think he's had any problems,not what you would call refined but as said,boot is massive.

[Fattyfat]

My father has a 2011 Berlingo multispace and as said the amount of stuff you can fit in is unreal. +1 on the diesel comments, his ran very badly on supermarket stuff. Uses the well known 1.6 PSA unit which has it's own documented problems but is punchy enough (in context) and easy on fuel.

His neighbour has a Doblo which seems to be standing up well to years of abuse and carrying all sorts.

Zero image, whether or not that matters to you is your own opinion. I kinda like them as a useful, cheap family hack.

[oceanview]

Must be like having to choose between 3 virusus that give you the sts........

Sorry for the "humour" but proabaly just come down to best maintained model you can find within budget.

[spaximus]

At work we have many differing vans, out of your choice go for the berlingo. So long as it is serviced well it will run fine.
The other two are probably okay for light use but for commercial use total rubbish.

[powerstroke]

I've had both older and newer shape kangoos and an older
Belingo same as partner all were good reliable transport
The key seems to be forget the long service intervals and
Do a regular oil change based on my experience of other peoples problems and as for image who cares! if it suits your lifestyle go for it..

[Petrolhead]

Well I am certainly not buying for looks or performance

I am not wanting to spend too much, there seem a lot of high mileage cars available, ie over 100,000. Is this ok or should I be looking at lower mileage

Edited by Petrolhead on Sunday 7th September 16:45

[G0ldfysh]

I run a Doblo as my second car, is boxy but good for lugging large amounts of stuff or difficult objects about.
I carry push bikes in mine most of the time, is more secure than on the roof and gives somewhere to get changed in after a ride.

Lot of taxi firms run doblo's round near me, with the appropriate taxi mileage covered.
Seating position is van like, so try it out see what you think, the biggest plus is room, 3 adults across the back without bother.
1.9JTD gets about 55 - 60mpg for a tank no matter how I try.

[Flip Martian]

I had a week in France a few years back to stay with my Dad and arranged a hire car - or rather my Dad did - from a local firm. "Golf or equivalent". He fell about laughing when we went into the car park at the hire centre and they presented me with a Kangoo... My jaw hit the floor. However, it quickly won me over. The most practical thing I've ever driven - took all our stuff with room to spare and tootled around with no problem with plenty of room inside for 4 adults and more besides. Didn't really feel safe doing over 70 in it, if I'm honest, but I've often thought of getting one as a "practical" car alongside something more fun.

[powerstroke]

Petrolhead said:

Well I am certainly not buying for looks or performance

I am not wanting to spend too much, there seem a lot of high mileage cars available, ie over 100,000. Is this ok or should I be looking at lower mileage

Edited by Petrolhead on Sunday 7th September 16:45

Iffy!!! small engine in a big body but if they run OK and look like they have been looked after should be OK

[Six Fiend]

Mate's Berlingo van died at around 215,000 miles recently. Used nothing more than consumables to that point. Never broke down, just kept it looked after.

[Jaguar steve]

Had both Kango and Berlingo. Both the old non turbo 1.8/1.9 diesel versions with space shuttle mileages as daily drivers

Kango: Quickest out of the two and slightly better on fuel. Harsh ride and noisy. Absolute PITA to work on.
Berlingo: Sluggish and ponderous to drive. Superb magic carpet ride and quiet. Easy access for DIY.

The Berlingo feels much better made than the Kangoo and is incredibly comfortable. Given equal condition and history between both I'd have the Berlingo everytime. Both will nudge 50 MPG with a bit of care and parts are cheap

[Sensibleboy]

Had a Doblo on holiday ten years ago. 1.3 diesel so slow but I enjoyed it. This year we had a Berlingo XTR which again I really liked. Stacks of space inside but I did notice that 70 mph cruise killed the fuel economy relative to a conventional car. I guess that's tall vehicles for you.

Tailgate height when opening it was a pain sometimes but that's the price you pay with tall vertical rear ends.

Edited by Sensibleboy on Sunday 7th September 18:48

[FreeLitres]

Of those 3, I'd take the Diablo.

[Jaguar steve]

Sensibleboy said:

Had a Doblo on holiday ten years ago. 1.3 diesel so slow but I enjoyed it. This year we had a Berlingo XTR which again I really liked. Stacks of space inside but I did notice that 70 mph cruise killed the fuel economy relative to a conventional car. I guess that's tall vehicles for you.

Tailgate height when opening it was a pain sometimes but that's the price you pay with tall vertical rear ends.

Edited by Sensibleboy on Sunday 7th September 18:48

You really cannot drive a Kango or Berlingo fast. If you attempt to do so they will simply use more fuel than Concorde on reheat and kill you to death on the first tightening corner you enter.

[king arthur]

Berlingo every time. The Renault and Fiat engines are more fragile in my experience.

[flatso]

Ever conisdered a Dacia Dokker? If it does not need to have an automatic gearbox you should take a look at them; the bang for buck ratio is amazing!

[Petrolhead]

flatso said:

Ever conisdered a Dacia Dokker? If it does not need to have an automatic gearbox you should take a look at them; the bang for buck ratio is amazing!

Never hear of it, looked on autotrader and none shown

Edit, they came out 2012 so will be out of my price range

Edited by Petrolhead on Monday 8th September 07:32