Berlingo/Kangoo/Partner

ZootHornRollo

due to the change in the world ecconomy and the fact that my department at work can't save the company money, it only spends money - we plan/implement refits - i have decided to go for an older Berlingo so as not to commit myself to as much debt. definitely need a new car as the one i have is costing me a fortune in repairs/petrol and i have just noticed a new noise in the already costly front suspension. I'd save £100 a month on fuel if it delivers 50+mpg.

I've had a look at a few berlingos in supermarket car parks and i think it'd suit my needs very well. Just need to arrange a test drive.

I've narrowed it down to either the 2.0 HDI or 1.6HDI 90.

how are the servicing cost for berlingo's? either dealer or otherwise?

be looking at something around 30k miles on the clock, anything in particular to look out for?

Tucker

Check the rear sliding doors are smooth and don't stick when fully open and you pull the handle to close them.

Also make sure they open well from inside using the push button.

We always get ours re-greased when serviced, but we have two small kids and they get some stick!

Tucker

Oh serving - mine is a petrol so probably different. Main dealer is a rip off as always. Lcal garage, no different to any other 1.6 petrol car.

Mimosa_Miminski

We have a Berlingo petrol 1.6 which was bought new in 2004. We pulled a 2 berth caravan with it and it was great - but I don't think it would do one much heavier. We bought ours from Bristol Street Motors (online) even though we don't live anywhere near the garage - they delivered it for free and did a pretty spectacular deal after a bit of haggling (got about £4,000 off the new price!)

ZootHornRollo

thank folks,

any other advice before i go to view tomorrow?

Tucker

All in all, it's a great car and I have had mine from new. Since Jan 08 it's been convered to LPG.

I can only relate to my experience with it and the only issues I had under the warranty was a spring kept popping through my drivers seat and pricking my bum..... oooh eeerr!
I had the seat pad replaced twice before the spring was sorted for good and probably a one off fault. But, as a fairly low cost car, the upholstry/interior is perhaps an area when costs are shaved, so maybe check it over for any faults.

A spring went on my boot lock and it stopped locking on the central locking. Again I suspect a one off.

Since it tured 3 years old, over a year ago, no problems at all and it's now done about 55K.

One downside I have found, but no fault of Citreon, is that being a high car, it's had some knocks off van doors and I have a few creases in the sides where white van man has slammed open his door into the upper part of my panels and dented it. So look along the flanks for any bits that look out of place.

seven-day-weekend

Those types of vans (Berlingo, Kangoo etc) are very popular here in rural Spain.

I have been in two (one Berlingo, one Kangoo) and both were very underpowered imho - they had a job going up the steep hills here.

We have a diesel Seat Alhambra (brilliant vehicle) but when we are in the market for something smaller are considering the Octavia or possibly the Roomster.

When we needed something for towing we had a Nissan Patrol.

MrSmartprice

ZootHornRollo wrote: »

I'd save £100 a month on fuel if it delivers 50+mpg.

I've had a look at a few berlingos in supermarket car parks and i think it'd suit my needs very well. Just need to arrange a test drive.

I've narrowed it down to either the 2.0 HDI or 1.6HDI 90.

how are the servicing cost for berlingo's? either dealer or otherwise?

be looking at something around 30k miles on the clock, anything in particular to look out for?

The 1.6 diesels replaced the 2.0 HDi. My FIL has the 2.0 which returns over 50mpg whatever he does, which is mostly round town. I have driven it and it is excellent, far more powerful than my old 1.9D, and more economical too. I doubt there are many 1.9Ds in the market you are looking, but don't be tempted - go for the HDi every time. (they didn't exist when I bought mine.)

Since previous posts I have also driven the new shape 1.6HDi and it performs as well as the 2.0. I am sorely tempted.;)

As for servicing, I take mine to the local garage now. There seems no advantage in paying Citroen dealer prices if it's out of warranty.

They are just excellent cars for most purposes. I know a few people who have them now and every single one is delighted with them.

Tucker

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

Those types of vans (Berlingo, Kangoo etc) are very popular here in rural Spain.

I have been in two (one Berlingo, one Kangoo) and both were very underpowered imho - they had a job going up the steep hills here.

Yes, I wouldn't disagree with that, my 1.6 petrol is not the best where hills are concerned and I have to take a higher gear than perhaps you would expect.

But then there a lot of car to drag uphill and I wasn't exactly buying for it's power or performance, so it's no big problem unless you live in the dales.

Tucker

How did you get on?