What To Look For?

[donkey]

Hi All,

 

I think I need to buy a Berlingo! But what should I look for?

 

I like the idea of the big load area to cart stuff around in, without it being to big and van like on the outside, so the Berlingo looks good.

 

I current drive a 2CV as my daily car (which is rusting away as we speak and needs to come off the road for some serious work) and I do a 50 mile round trip commute in it, so I am not used to paying much for petrol (I can get 50 mpg from the 2CV) or tax / insurance.

 

Also, I'm not to bothered about a blistering performance (2CV driver - enough said) but if I am getting a 'proper' car it would be nice to progress at around the national speed limit without to much effort.

 

I am looking at spending around £3k.

 

Any suggestions on what I should look for? Petrol or diesel? Old or new? Anything to watch for? What about Kangoos (can I ask that here?).

 

Thanks in advance.

[Terry1100]

I reckon £3k should put you into a 2000/2001 ish model from a dealer.

 

Probably too old to be a a main dealer so you're probably looking at an independant who's not scared of Citroens.

 

This is the "old shape" so 3 doors models are available - I'd suggest that they're less usefull than a 5 door.

 

The old shape has a 1.8 petrol version - I'd love that in mine but it's not an option on the current ones. Doesn't sound like your best bet given your parameters. The 1.4 petrol is a little underdone - but coming from a 2CV you won't notice.

 

There's plenty of 1.9 diesels around - it's a bit of a tractor lump but well proven, reliable and economical - it'll certainly cope with motorway speeds. It will also hold it's money well and still be saleable with a monstrous mileage.

 

I wouldn't say there was anything particular to look out for - don't worry about a creak from the front end if you drive one on a dmap day "they all do that sir". These things are robust by Citroen standards but trim and fittings can be iffy on a poorly looked after example.

 

Finally that big tailgate has a lot of unsupported metal - it will dent if you give it a stern look.

 

Go for it, you won't regret it - welcome aboard.

 

IMHO, YMMV, FWIW, ROFL, ETC

 

I'll pretend you didn't say the K****o word on this forum ;)

[donkey]

Thanks for that.

 

Would I be right in saying there isn't that much difference between the 1.4 petrol and 1.9 diesel in terms of economy and running costs? If thats the case I will look at either that comes up in my price bracket.

 

I like the new shape (post 2003?) more than the old one but don't think I can run to one of those atm.

 

Sorry for mentioning the 'K' word but I am a newbie :P

[northman]

According to the Auto Trader website, a new shape Berlingo (actually arrived late 2002) available from about £4000.

 

1.9 diesel more common than the 1.4 petrol, and a bit more economical. 1.8 petrol is rarer, and pretty thirsty, I believe.

 

Let us know how you get on.

[tronboy]

The 1.8i petrol engine is a great performer. Mine was faster than the MINI which preceded it, but a little thirsty if driven hard. That said, I once managed to get 400 miles out of a tank of fuel on holiday in France. Don't forget that a cheap LPG conversion is available for the 1.8i, and converted cars seem to come up regularly. The 1.8i 's economy depends very much on how you drive it, and since most 2CV drivers are heavy-footed, the 1.9D may be a better choice. The 1.9D engine is unrefined but indestructable unless you drive it through deep water or forget a cambelt change. The 1.4i is the real duffer of the range.

[donkey]

since most 2CV drivers are heavy-footed, the 1.9D may be a better choice

 

lol - we have to be or we don't get very far :P Good point though!

 

I will see what's out there using the info you guys have given for guidance. If I ask very nicely, SWMBO may let me go to £4k for a new shape!

[tronboy]

 

lol - we have to be or we don't get very far :P Good point though!

 

 

 

20 years of 2CV driving means I'm a demon in the 'Lingo!

[Alec]

I got a 2000 'W' reg 3 door 1.8 for my £3000.

The 1.8 is a great engine but a bit thirsty though.

 

I wish I'd gone for 5 doors and maybe a 1.9 diesel but funds wouldn't stretch at the time.

 

I prefer the looks of the 'old' shape Berlingos myself.

[iannez]

check the springs. most of them had cups fitted to the suspension struts. it was a recall to stop the spring ripping open the tyre if it snapped. all that happens now is if the spring snapps (which one will at some point in its life) the cup catches it and will not be noticed untill mot.

[Oxymoron]

Hi,

We have 1.9D 'Lingo vans at work and they give your right leg serious strain from having to keep the gas pedal planted to the floor to make progress!

I used one for a few days when my car was being repaired and our 1.6 Petrol seems like a high performance car in comparison! :rolleyes:

[tronboy]

 

I prefer the looks of the 'old' shape Berlingos myself.

So do I, but the new one gains a Euro NCAP star, and later new ones have 4 airbags and ABS as standard. All safety kit except driver airbag was an option on the old shape.

[donkey]

Update.......

 

Thanks for all the comments and info.

 

We've been looking for the right car since November. SWMBO decided that she liked the new shape better than the old one and therefore authorised spending up to £6k on a blue or green one :P

 

Saw a few but we either weren't quick enough to snap them up or didn't like them enough and then we spotted this:

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u220/donkey602/partner.jpg

 

I know it’s not a Lingo but it nearly is and it looks soooo cool (colour approved by SWMBO) :P . And it’s got the 2.0 HDi motor :lol: . Handed over the hard-earned and picked it up Saturday and I love it. Can’t believe how big it is on the inside and yet small on the outside. The word Tardis spring to mind.

 

Mind you, nearly fainted at £60 to fill it up (remember I’m coming from a 2CV which has a 5 gallon at a push tank) :blink:

 

So, am I still welcome in these parts? :angry:

 

donkey

[northman]

'Course you're still welcome. We Berlingo drivers are the friendliest people around. (Unless you're driving a K****o :blink: )

 

Lovely car. Shame about the lion on the front of it, but you can't have everything.

 

btw, I've heard of 'lions led by donkeys' before. Never heard of 'lions driven by donkeys' :angry:

[Terry1100]

If you get some touch up paint and colour in the corners of the bumpers it'll look like a Blingo from a distance :D .

 

Welcome aboard

[donkey]

If you get some touch up paint and colour in the corners of the bumpers it'll look like a Blingo from a distance :D .

 

I shall pretend I didn't hear that. The front bumper is one of it's best bits ;)

 

Welcome aboard

 

Thank you. I shall now ask lots of stupid questions about the car. :D

 

donkey

[Terry1100]

I shall now ask lots of stupid questions about the car. :D

 

donkey

 

 

And you can rest assured that we'll give you some stupid answers :D

 

IIRC correctly another "benefit" of the Pug version is that you don't have mesh seats to capture all the kid's crisp crumbs. Useful for keeping it tidy but less valuable if you get peckish on a long journey.

[moon_monkie]

Hi Donkey, don't worry about the £60 to fill up. (although I've never put more than £40 into ours in one go), the tank is pretty big and our Hdi Berlingo regularly does around 45mpg so you will get loads of miles for your £60, as long as you don't have lead boots!

[donkey]

don't worry about the £60 to fill up. (although I've never put more than £40 into ours in one go), the tank is pretty big and our Hdi Berlingo regularly does around 45mpg so you will get loads of miles for your £60, as long as you don't have lead boots!

 

It was just a bit of a shock after never spending more than 20 quid on petrol before (at least of my own money!!). I have been driving around very sedately, enjoying the ride and the view and so I will hopefully get good mileage.

 

IIRC correctly another "benefit" of the Pug version is that you don't have mesh seats to capture all the kid's crisp crumbs. Useful for keeping it tidy but less valuable if you get peckish on a long journey.

 

LOL! Actually the bit I like least about the car is the nasty beige seats. I will be trying to tastefully pimp these at some point.

 

donkey

[Terry1100]

Donkey

 

You'll make that fuel cost back the first time you come back from France. Your 2CV could never carry that lot. And that's with a family holidays worth of luggage and four bicycles on a fixed towbar mounted rack :D

 

65 bottles of wine @ about 75p each vs £2.99 in your local Tesco/Sainsburys etc - you do the maths.

 

http://gibsonfamily.interactivehosting.co.uk/images/load.jpg

[donkey]

That is some haul :) Maybe you should be reported for Berlingo abuse :D

 

I used to do two bikes on the back of the 2CV. It didn't make stering very easy (though it was a lot lighter!!)

[tronboy]

 

I used to do two bikes on the back of the 2CV. It didn't make stering very easy (though it was a lot lighter!!)

 

Six people in an Ami6 estate is Citroen abuse!