Citroen Berlingo - any thoughts?

[Jaguar steve]

Need a cheap diesel MPV as a daily shed. Seems to be loads of 1.9 diesel Berlingos with more mileage than the space shuttle so I guess mechanicaly they are pretty tough and they look like it'll do all I need.

I'm more than used to the rattly craptastic plastic of French interiors and not bothered about image or build quality.

Any thoughts or things to watch out for? - Cheers Chaps

[ajh38]

I'd personally go for the HDi engine instead, don't forget that they are identical to the Peugeot Partner so as not to limit your search. Pretty reliable engines in both 1.9 and HDi. Incredibly practical.

[Jaguar steve]

ajh38 said:

I'd personally go for the HDi engine instead, don't forget that they are identical to the Peugeot Partner so as not to limit your search. Pretty reliable engines in both 1.9 and HDi. Incredibly practical.

Thanks - yup, the 2.0 HDi is a quicker and more economical engine but Googling has shown up some major grief with DPFs, turbos and valve gear wear which I'm keen to avoid. There's 1.9s around with over 200k on the clock.

[dm46]

Having driven them I'd say avoid like the plague. Truly dire with the pace of a hedgehog.

[Jaguar steve]

dm46 said:

Having driven them I'd say avoid like the plague. Truly dire with the pace of a hedgehog.

Can't be any worse than my current Kangoo diesel

[steve j]

I`ve had a few cars with the 1.9 engine and they are bomb proof, head gasket problems at about 150 - 160 thousand miles, but it`s easy to replace. Not the quickest, but very very practical, I travel a lot of miles as a contractor and it is not bad on fuel. HDI, I had a 306 with this engine and the main loom failed and caused a lot of problems. If you are after a simple cheap diesel then certainly have a good look at the Citroen/Peugeot.

[C. Grimsley]

I have one (peugeot variant) and they are great but a little slow, I would go for the hdi lump if possible better on fuel and much more progressive. Not really a great deal that goes wrong on them to be fair.





Carl

[TooLateForAName]

Jaguar steve said:

ajh38 said:

I'd personally go for the HDi engine instead, don't forget that they are identical to the Peugeot Partner so as not to limit your search. Pretty reliable engines in both 1.9 and HDi. Incredibly practical.

Thanks - yup, the 2.0 HDi is a quicker and more economical engine but Googling has shown up some major grief with DPFs, turbos and valve gear wear which I'm keen to avoid. There's 1.9s around with over 200k on the clock.

unless you're looking at the current model they don't have DPFs or dual mass flywheels.

My OH runs a 53 plate partner 2.0hdi. Its currently on 140K, been totally reliable other than a clutch release bearing failed at about 120K or so. As with any turbo engine use decent oil. Timing belt 96K and we paid extra for the crank pulley to be replaced at the same time.

Peugeot versions seem to be higher spec (ours has A/C which seems very rare on citroens).

They aren't exactly refined performance cars, but pretty good practical transport. I bought it after I found her using her previous A4 to move haybales, compost and horsest (passenger seat, rear seats, boot)

[Jaguar steve]

Just picked a 1.9 Berlingo up earlier today. 52 Reg, 68k with FSH, long MOT and tax for a little over 1 bag.

It managed nearly 85 on a downhill bit on the way home...

If I can get the smell of baby sick out of it I'll be happy enough.

Edited by Jaguar steve on Monday 22 July 17:53

[C. Grimsley]

Is that the older model with no bsi? Not a bad price and great miles.

Carl

[Jaguar steve]

C. Grimsley said:

Is that the older model with no bsi? Not a bad price and great miles.

Carl

BSI?

[TooLateForAName]

The computer that controls the lights/instruments/etc.

[Jaguar steve]

I have absolutely no idea But it does have that slightly strange delay switching lights on and off we had on Mrs JS Pug 206 so guess it may have some sort of computer thingy that'll cost a fortune to fix instead of a simple switch you could get from a breakers for a tenner when it packs up.