Berlingo Owners
Discussion
I'm in the market for a van-style second-hand MPV to fit my family, dog, and all of our stuff for weekend trips. I want a tall, square boot which is why I'm not considering estates, plus I like the idea of sliding rear doors to get the baby in and out and to avoid him smashing the door open in car parks when he gets older. Budget up to £16k.
Having looked at VX Combo Lifes, Peugeot Rifters, VW Caddys and Tourneo Connects, the newer shape Berlingo seems to be the best option (before they made them fully electric).
Tourneos have poor infotainment screens apart from the brand-new ones (I want Apple carplay), Caddys are overpriced, and although Rifters/ Combo Lifes/ Berlingos are basically the same car, my wife and I prefer the look of the Berlingo (although I'm more bothered about practicality than looks).
So my question is, do any Berlingo owners have advice on which engine and spec to look for? And any common faults to be cautious of? I was originally thinking petrol in case of shorter trips, but in reality a diesel could be better as (apart from weekend road trips) I'll only use it a couple of times during the week and mainly motorway on those days.
Would be great to hear from some Berlingo owners. Thanks
Having looked at VX Combo Lifes, Peugeot Rifters, VW Caddys and Tourneo Connects, the newer shape Berlingo seems to be the best option (before they made them fully electric).
Tourneos have poor infotainment screens apart from the brand-new ones (I want Apple carplay), Caddys are overpriced, and although Rifters/ Combo Lifes/ Berlingos are basically the same car, my wife and I prefer the look of the Berlingo (although I'm more bothered about practicality than looks).
So my question is, do any Berlingo owners have advice on which engine and spec to look for? And any common faults to be cautious of? I was originally thinking petrol in case of shorter trips, but in reality a diesel could be better as (apart from weekend road trips) I'll only use it a couple of times during the week and mainly motorway on those days.
Would be great to hear from some Berlingo owners. Thanks
Caddy's are overpriced I know, but the drive is 100 times better, in terms of comfort, noise and handling and interior quality. Caddy's bugbear is 1.6 diesel engine's injector reliability and the worse than mediocre acceleration from very low revs.
Don't discount the wheelchair versions of any of your choices if you can cope with a sloping rear floor (or make an infill)....oddly, they can be cheaper to insure.
Berlingo diesel and clones have overboost at low revs so can eat front tyres if you're enthusiastic around town.
I've had MPV versions of:
Doblo mk 1
Partner
Berlingo
Doblo mk 2
Caddy
Wouldn't go back to any of them now I've been Caddy'd! Later Doblo best of the rest although hopelessly overgeared.
Don't discount the wheelchair versions of any of your choices if you can cope with a sloping rear floor (or make an infill)....oddly, they can be cheaper to insure.
Berlingo diesel and clones have overboost at low revs so can eat front tyres if you're enthusiastic around town.
I've had MPV versions of:
Doblo mk 1
Partner
Berlingo
Doblo mk 2
Caddy
Wouldn't go back to any of them now I've been Caddy'd! Later Doblo best of the rest although hopelessly overgeared.
the caddy is a great bit of kit, my 1.6 got wrote off earlier in the year but it was such a great van, just don't speak about injectors 
Thanks all. I admit the Caddy would be a great option but it's tough to find a non-WAV version with isofix in the rear seats, and that have kept a clear, square boot space. Any I find that are non-WAV with reasonable mileage are just too far out of my budget.
I hadn't thought much about getting an aftermarket Apple Carplay screen installed so that could put the Tourneo Connect back on the cards. Any particular year and spec I should consider that falls under £16k? Or is there a year/spec that I should avoid?
I might be on my own in this opinion, but I still don't think the Berlingo seems that bad! For a family car it seems to tick a lot of boxes for us. Its looks might divide opinion but the practicality of it really appeals to me. I just question the reliability of one, but then again I could say that about any car.
I hadn't thought much about getting an aftermarket Apple Carplay screen installed so that could put the Tourneo Connect back on the cards. Any particular year and spec I should consider that falls under £16k? Or is there a year/spec that I should avoid?
I might be on my own in this opinion, but I still don't think the Berlingo seems that bad! For a family car it seems to tick a lot of boxes for us. Its looks might divide opinion but the practicality of it really appeals to me. I just question the reliability of one, but then again I could say that about any car.
My Caddy is a WAV. And a 1.6....had one injector - 2015, now on 100k.
Another weak point on the 1.6 and 2 litre is the plastic oil cooler that warps leaks coolant. Not as expensive as an injector!
Some WAV's have a flat floor with the ramp stowed - mine is. So it can be used as a Van. The ramp is vertical stowage with a wheelchair in, but the folds down flat at the same height as the normal floor. You can still use the third row seats too.
Another weak point on the 1.6 and 2 litre is the plastic oil cooler that warps leaks coolant. Not as expensive as an injector!
Some WAV's have a flat floor with the ramp stowed - mine is. So it can be used as a Van. The ramp is vertical stowage with a wheelchair in, but the folds down flat at the same height as the normal floor. You can still use the third row seats too.
I have a Mercedes Citan and it's great. Had to wait for the right one to come up for sale as they seem pretty rare. It's not pretty but it's perfect for what I need (Bike/micro camper).
They are based on the Kangoo but have improved steering, suspension, etc apparently. I don't think Renault offered the car version of the later Kangoo in the UK, though.
They are based on the Kangoo but have improved steering, suspension, etc apparently. I don't think Renault offered the car version of the later Kangoo in the UK, though.
markyyeah said:
We’ve got a Berlingo XL which is the 7 seater version and absolutely love it. Loads of room but not too big to be used as a normal everyday car. It’s a petrol automatic and has been 100% reliable so far. Can’t think of any downsides!
This is good to know, thank you. Glad to hear a good reviewToyota Alphard/Vellfire with the 280bhp 3.5 V6 built like a Lexus. Running costs probably evens out once you include dpf, egr and cam belts on the minging vans made to look like cars.
Have a soft spot for 2009 onwards Honda Stepwagon. Has a 150bhp 2.0 but CVT. Rear seats fold flush with the floor
Honda is about £8k and lexus is £10k.
Have a soft spot for 2009 onwards Honda Stepwagon. Has a 150bhp 2.0 but CVT. Rear seats fold flush with the floor
Honda is about £8k and lexus is £10k.
dai1983 said:
Toyota Alphard/Vellfire with the 280bhp 3.5 V6 built like a Lexus. Running costs probably evens out once you include dpf, egr and cam belts on the minging vans made to look like cars.
Have a soft spot for 2009 onwards Honda Stepwagon. Has a 150bhp 2.0 but CVT. Rear seats fold flush with the floor
Honda is about £8k and lexus is £10k.
What mpg can people get out of that v6 though? Is it not crippling?Have a soft spot for 2009 onwards Honda Stepwagon. Has a 150bhp 2.0 but CVT. Rear seats fold flush with the floor
Honda is about £8k and lexus is £10k.
My Vito v6 diesel averages about 29mpg overall and that’s a bit of a pain.
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