[Jack Harris]

After my van didn't make it through the mot saturday and would cost more to fix than the van is worth I'm looking for a new one. Is anybody using a CITROEN BERLINGO 1.6 HDI 90bhp 850kg  for daily window cleaning with a WFP system? If so what size tanks are you using and how does the van perform. Thanks

[Spruce]

After my van didn't make it through the mot saturday and would cost more to fix than the van is worth I'm looking for a new one. Is anybody using a CITROEN BERLINGO 1.6 HDI 90bhp 850kg  for daily window cleaning with a WFP system? If so what size tanks are you using and how does the van perform. Thanks

Most of us are probably in the same boat as you are.

My son has an older Peugeot Partner 800 LX and as a single operator it works fine with a 500l upright tank. When we first started, he would get through most of that, but now he uses between 250 and 300 litres a day. My SIL has a Transit Connect LWB T220 (825kg) and his also has a 500 litre tank. He probably uses about 350 - 400 litres a day.

The 500 liter tank gives him enough space for fold up ladders, a hose reel, a back pack and 25 litre plastic container. He stores a few tools in boxes on top of his tank. I can't see the new Berlingo being much different.  

http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=41726.0

[Simon Mess]

I quite fancy the berlingo or the partner myself, especially the fact that you can have a double passenger seat in a van that size. I don't suppose it would be that comfortable with 2 adults sitting on it, but handy to have all the same!. I have read about these 1.6hdi engines suffering from reliability issues, so i would look into that thoroughly if i were you. Being realistic though, given the minor increase in size, i would probably go for the dispatch/expert/scudo, with the more reliable 2.0 engine.

[Spruce]

I quite fancy the berlingo or the partner myself, especially the fact that you can have a double passenger seat in a van that size. I don't suppose it would be that comfortable with 2 adults sitting on it, but handy to have all the same!. I have read about these 1.6hdi engines suffering from reliability issues, so i would look into that thoroughly if i were you. Being realistic though, given the minor increase in size, i would probably go for the dispatch/expert/scudo, with the more reliable 2.0 engine.

Funny this. I was speaking to a engine reconditioner (engineering business started when rebores were the norm) and he said that in his opinion, the 1.6hdi is more reliable than the 2.0hdi engine is/was. He was saying that poor servicing is to blame for any bad experiences people may have. It's was my opinion that the 2.0 was the best ever, it was the 2.2 that wasn't up to scratch.

That middle seat in the new shape Berlingo is too small and and narrow to do anything with. Our neighbour has one. The only person who would be able to 'comfortable' sit there would be a child under 7 and they won't be allowed to as they would need a car seat which the area is too small for.

[andyM]

I quite fancy the berlingo or the partner myself, especially the fact that you can have a double passenger seat in a van that size. I don't suppose it would be that comfortable with 2 adults sitting on it, but handy to have all the same!. I have read about these 1.6hdi engines suffering from reliability issues, so i would look into that thoroughly if i were you. Being realistic though, given the minor increase in size, i would probably go for the dispatch/expert/scudo, with the more reliable 2.0 engine.

Funny this. I was speaking to a engine reconditioner (engineering business started when rebores were the norm) and he said that in his opinion, the 1.6hdi is more reliable than the 2.0hdi engine is/was. He was saying that poor servicing is to blame for any bad experiences people may have. It's was my opinion that the 2.0 was the best ever, it was the 2.2 that wasn't up to scratch.

That middle seat in the new shape Berlingo is too small and and narrow to do anything with. Our neighbour has one. The only person who would be able to 'comfortable' sit there would be a child under 7 and they won't be allowed to as they would need a car seat which the area is too small for.

I have also heard that an irregular servicing record by the vehicle owner may be to blame for the 1.6 hdi engines poor reputation.
Servicing for the vehicle is recommended by the manufacturer at 12,500 miles or 12 month intervals (whichever is sooner).
Regular oil changes are required using a good quality 5W30 fully synthetic oil.

They are really only big enough for 2 seats up front, 3 seats in a vehicle this size is silly and as Spruce has pointed out fairly useless.

[Simon Mess]

I quite fancy the berlingo or the partner myself, especially the fact that you can have a double passenger seat in a van that size. I don't suppose it would be that comfortable with 2 adults sitting on it, but handy to have all the same!. I have read about these 1.6hdi engines suffering from reliability issues, so i would look into that thoroughly if i were you. Being realistic though, given the minor increase in size, i would probably go for the dispatch/expert/scudo, with the more reliable 2.0 engine.

Funny this. I was speaking to a engine reconditioner (engineering business started when rebores were the norm) and he said that in his opinion, the 1.6hdi is more reliable than the 2.0hdi engine is/was. He was saying that poor servicing is to blame for any bad experiences people may have. It's was my opinion that the 2.0 was the best ever, it was the 2.2 that wasn't up to scratch.

That middle seat in the new shape Berlingo is too small and and narrow to do anything with. Our neighbour has one. The only person who would be able to 'comfortable' sit there would be a child under 7 and they won't be allowed to as they would need a car seat which the area is too small for.

I have also heard that an irregular servicing record by the vehicle owner may be to blame for the 1.6 hdi engines poor reputation.
Servicing for the vehicle is recommended by the manufacturer at 12,500 miles or 12 month intervals (whichever is sooner).
Regular oil changes are required using a good quality 5W30 fully synthetic oil.

They are really only big enough for 2 seats up front, 3 seats in a vehicle this size is silly and as Spruce has pointed out fairly useless.

Only being enough space in the front of a berlingo/partner van for 2?, funny that, as there is plenty of space across the back seats of the car versions for 3 to be comfortable, i should know, we used to have one. Granted, the design could have been better as the gear lever sticks out too far, but for my needs, it would work fine. Also, bear in mind that the berlingo/partner has pretty much the same width of cab as a toyota hiace, and is slightly wider than an ldv convoy, both of which have double passenger seats.

[Spruce]

I quite fancy the berlingo or the partner myself, especially the fact that you can have a double passenger seat in a van that size. I don't suppose it would be that comfortable with 2 adults sitting on it, but handy to have all the same!. I have read about these 1.6hdi engines suffering from reliability issues, so i would look into that thoroughly if i were you. Being realistic though, given the minor increase in size, i would probably go for the dispatch/expert/scudo, with the more reliable 2.0 engine.

Funny this. I was speaking to a engine reconditioner (engineering business started when rebores were the norm) and he said that in his opinion, the 1.6hdi is more reliable than the 2.0hdi engine is/was. He was saying that poor servicing is to blame for any bad experiences people may have. It's was my opinion that the 2.0 was the best ever, it was the 2.2 that wasn't up to scratch.

That middle seat in the new shape Berlingo is too small and and narrow to do anything with. Our neighbour has one. The only person who would be able to 'comfortable' sit there would be a child under 7 and they won't be allowed to as they would need a car seat which the area is too small for.

I have also heard that an irregular servicing record by the vehicle owner may be to blame for the 1.6 hdi engines poor reputation.
Servicing for the vehicle is recommended by the manufacturer at 12,500 miles or 12 month intervals (whichever is sooner).
Regular oil changes are required using a good quality 5W30 fully synthetic oil.

They are really only big enough for 2 seats up front, 3 seats in a vehicle this size is silly and as Spruce has pointed out fairly useless.

Only being enough space in the front of a berlingo/partner van for 2?, funny that, as there is plenty of space across the back seats of the car versions for 3 to be comfortable, i should know, we used to have one. Granted, the design could have been better as the gear lever sticks out too far, but for my needs, it would work fine. Also, bear in mind that the berlingo/partner has pretty much the same width of cab as a toyota hiace, and is slightly wider than an ldv convoy, both of which have double passenger seats.

You make a good point about the rear seats on the Multispace. I haven't measured the width of them, but I would imagine that the front seats are wider than each of the rear ones. Trouble is, I don't know anybody who has the the Multispace. But I will keep my eyes peeled and try to chat to an owner one day.

[PoleKing]

I quite fancy the berlingo or the partner myself, especially the fact that you can have a double passenger seat in a van that size. I don't suppose it would be that comfortable with 2 adults sitting on it, but handy to have all the same!. I have read about these 1.6hdi engines suffering from reliability issues, so i would look into that thoroughly if i were you. Being realistic though, given the minor increase in size, i would probably go for the dispatch/expert/scudo, with the more reliable 2.0 engine.

Funny this. I was speaking to a engine reconditioner (engineering business started when rebores were the norm) and he said that in his opinion, the 1.6hdi is more reliable than the 2.0hdi engine is/was. He was saying that poor servicing is to blame for any bad experiences people may have. It's was my opinion that the 2.0 was the best ever, it was the 2.2 that wasn't up to scratch.

That middle seat in the new shape Berlingo is too small and and narrow to do anything with. Our neighbour has one. The only person who would be able to 'comfortable' sit there would be a child under 7 and they won't be allowed to as they would need a car seat which the area is too small for.

I have also heard that an irregular servicing record by the vehicle owner may be to blame for the 1.6 hdi engines poor reputation.
Servicing for the vehicle is recommended by the manufacturer at 12,500 miles or 12 month intervals (whichever is sooner).
Regular oil changes are required using a good quality 5W30 fully synthetic oil.

They are really only big enough for 2 seats up front, 3 seats in a vehicle this size is silly and as Spruce has pointed out fairly useless.

Only being enough space in the front of a berlingo/partner van for 2?, funny that, as there is plenty of space across the back seats of the car versions for 3 to be comfortable, i should know, we used to have one. Granted, the design could have been better as the gear lever sticks out too far, but for my needs, it would work fine. Also, bear in mind that the berlingo/partner has pretty much the same width of cab as a toyota hiace, and is slightly wider than an ldv convoy, both of which have double passenger seats.

You make a good point about the rear seats on the Multispace. I haven't measured the width of them, but I would imagine that the front seats are wider than each of the rear ones. Trouble is, I don't know anybody who has the the Multispace. But I will keep my eyes peeled and try to chat to an owner one day.

Hang around B&Q on a Wednesday-loads of old people drive them.
Or near disabled bays at Sainsbury's, they're best off being converted for wheelchair access.

[Ian Lancaster]

You make a good point about the rear seats on the Multispace. I haven't measured the width of them, but I would imagine that the front seats are wider than each of the rear ones. Trouble is, I don't know anybody who has the the Multispace. But I will keep my eyes peeled and try to chat to an owner one day.

I've had a Berlingo Multispace 57 reg for two years.  1500cc diesel engine.  Roomy, powerful (lots of torque) and not a moment's worry about reliability.  Done nearly 80,000 miles.  Full service every year and monthly checks on oil, water etc.

Best car I've had for a long time

Just noticed PoleKing's comment - maybe that's why I like it - 70 in December

[andyM]

I quite fancy the berlingo or the partner myself, especially the fact that you can have a double passenger seat in a van that size. I don't suppose it would be that comfortable with 2 adults sitting on it, but handy to have all the same!. I have read about these 1.6hdi engines suffering from reliability issues, so i would look into that thoroughly if i were you. Being realistic though, given the minor increase in size, i would probably go for the dispatch/expert/scudo, with the more reliable 2.0 engine.

Funny this. I was speaking to a engine reconditioner (engineering business started when rebores were the norm) and he said that in his opinion, the 1.6hdi is more reliable than the 2.0hdi engine is/was. He was saying that poor servicing is to blame for any bad experiences people may have. It's was my opinion that the 2.0 was the best ever, it was the 2.2 that wasn't up to scratch.

That middle seat in the new shape Berlingo is too small and and narrow to do anything with. Our neighbour has one. The only person who would be able to 'comfortable' sit there would be a child under 7 and they won't be allowed to as they would need a car seat which the area is too small for.

I have also heard that an irregular servicing record by the vehicle owner may be to blame for the 1.6 hdi engines poor reputation.
Servicing for the vehicle is recommended by the manufacturer at 12,500 miles or 12 month intervals (whichever is sooner).
Regular oil changes are required using a good quality 5W30 fully synthetic oil.

They are really only big enough for 2 seats up front, 3 seats in a vehicle this size is silly and as Spruce has pointed out fairly useless.

Only being enough space in the front of a berlingo/partner van for 2?, funny that, as there is plenty of space across the back seats of the car versions for 3 to be comfortable, i should know, we used to have one. Granted, the design could have been better as the gear lever sticks out too far, but for my needs, it would work fine. Also, bear in mind that the berlingo/partner has pretty much the same width of cab as a toyota hiace, and is slightly wider than an ldv convoy, both of which have double passenger seats.

Well I can only go by the Partner van I've got sitting out on the drive and that I use 5 days a week.
There is very little space between the drivers seat and passenger seat so I can't imagine a third seat would be a useable seat at all.
However I stand to be corrected and I have a customer who has a newish Peugeot Partner people carrier thingymajig and I will have a look next time I am there to see if it has 3 seats up front and if it has ask them about the practicality.

[marc]

Hi jack I have just got the new berlingo 850 and I'm very impressed with it when i get 5 mins i will take some pics and try and post them here i have a 350ltr tank installed I drove the new ford connect which drove very nice but as a package the berlingo won hands down as for the the 3rd seat being no good my son who is 22 can sit on it when I fold the other seat down for my small ladder which is handy you would not want to do a long trip in it but to drop someone down the road it is so handy
Marc

[Simon Mess]

Hi jack I have just got the new berlingo 850 and I'm very impressed with it when i get 5 mins i will take some pics and try and post them here i have a 350ltr tank installed I drove the new ford connect which drove very nice but as a package the berlingo won hands down as for the the 3rd seat being no good my son who is 22 can sit on it when I fold the other seat down for my small ladder which is handy you would not want to do a long trip in it but to drop someone down the road it is so handy
Marc

My point exactly re the seat Marc, i have 2 sons, and while i would not want to go a long distance with the both of them, its very handy for occasional use. As for the connect, i was under the impression that the new one was available with a double passenger seat too?. Hope you enjoy the van anyway

[tlwcs]

New connect, 1 1/2  front passenger seat, the same as the berlingo really.
Ok for short distances