Jeremy

So is an non-aggressive driving style helpful?

I have a 1.6 HDi 92 and I understand that the dual mass flywheel can disintegrate and wreck the engine. Are there any tell-tale signs that this is about to happen? Is it a common problem? What sort of mileage does it tend to happen at? Grateful for any advice

Just had a quote from our local dealer for a good spec 92bhp new 'lingo and, even with a healthy discount, they want (with a tow-bar) just shy of 19000 euros. Yet I can get a 110 XTR (to French spec) from a UK dealer for the equivalent of 15500 Euros. Quite why all the French don't buy their Berlingos in GB beats me! And they gave a rubbish trade in price for the current one.

People value most what costs them most! Clearly, the Toyota owners have a perception that the Aygo must be good becasue it costs more. It's a lot of money for a badge.

My brother in law stopped feeling quite so smug about his new Volvo estate when he had to borrow my Berlingo to transport a large dog crate (the Volvo's roof was too low). Tee hee.

Second hand Citroens are not cheap here in France (especially at the current exchange rate) but it is worth looking at neighbouring countries such as Germany and Spain. Germany, in particular, can offer some very tempting prices - if you buy from a dealer you will pay Mehrwehrsteuer (Mwst or VAT) and will not have to pay again when the vehicle is registered in France. If you buy privately you do not pay Mwst but you MUST have the original sales invoice of the car when new to show that Mwst (VAT) has, at some point, been paid on the car. Indeed, registering any car in France from another EU country requires proof that VAT or the equivalent was paid on the car originally - if not you will be charged TVA on the estimated value of the car when you register it. So........if you buy privately in Germany you get a good price and avoid VAT - just make sure you get the original sales invoice!

1. Yes 2. Next week we will be travelling from Burgundy to York in one day (nearly 700 miles) and it will not be uncomfortable. 3. Oh yes! 4. ? 5. Current one (1.6hdi 92 hp) 30,000km no probs. Last one 1.4i petrol, 105,000 miles, water pump changed with timing belt at 60,000 and driver's leccy window motor failed in first month otherwise just got it serviced and filled it with petrol. There seems to be concerns over electrics but this is the bane of most modern cars that are often too complex. For example, during the past 5 years we have had the Blingos we have also had (through my job) 5 BMW X5s, Range Rover Sport, Jag XK each of which did about 10,000 miles. Only the RR was trouble free - the Jag's steering box failed and each X5 blew its ECU at least once (one of them on 3 occasions). The BMs also suffered from warning lights coming on for no reason.

I might be able to beat this with: wife, dog, 750kg sand, 250kg of cement and one cement mixer in a 1.6 92hp car (seats down of course) + trailer with nearly a ton of building rubble for the tip. It's fair to say that the performance was compromised!

We have a 92hp 1.6D with 30,000 km on the clock. Here in France we have empty roads with a limit of 90kph (56mph) so the car tends to be working in it's most economical speed range most of the time. We get about 56-58mpg. When on the autoroutes at 130k (81mph) we get about 48-50mpg. On the rare occasions we visit UK we drive mainly in the SE and don't get under 50mpg - then again its hard to go anything other then SLOW!