Replacing a Citroen Berlingo with what..?

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stevewestern

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Just toying with the idea of getting rid of my multispace and getting something newer. Its a diesel 1.6, '61 plate with 120,000 miles.
I need space for my tools, and am wondering about a similar size van - while the Berlingo has 5 seats which is always good, we do have a car that would do for the longer journeys, so maybe a van would be a better option.
I am so far out of touch that I have no idea if a van would be better tax wise (I don't work full time, but when I do I tend to work 260 miles from home so do spend some time on motorway slogs..)

My Berlingo has been fine - a bit sensitive to wind, not as efficient as many seem to find and is certainly big enough inside for the tools and ladders I sometimes need to carry but a roofrack could mean that ladders don't need to go inside, making something slightly shorter like the Nemo would suffice.

I have no affinity to any brand, drive about 8,000 - 10,000 miles a year so maybe a petrol would be good (I've had DPF problems with my current diesel..)

I expect I may trade in the old for a new or newer one to keep it all simple.

Any suggestions, and any tips about buying much appreciated.
 
"Proper" vans (as opposed to car derived ones) have a reduced speed limit compared to cars and car derived vans and may need slightly specialist commercial insurance. Have to admit that I wanted a Berlingo/Kangoo type thing as our runaround but was overruled by management (and it's her that uses it most!) Unless you need to change it, I'd be very tempted to keep hold of it. Talk to your accountant to find out about any tax advantages.
 
Thanks for your input Nod - part of the reason is that I no longer feel confident driving mine - today, for the third time since Christmas the DPF warning light has come on - maybe 5000 miles in total since Christmas.
Early Monday I am driving to London, and back Wednesday, with a load of tools - 540 miles or so of nervously sweating, waiting for the car to go into 'limp mode' whatever that is.
Ever since I got it 3/4 years ago I have struggled to get 40mpg, even on long motorway trips though this did improve slightly after the last repair. I gather that many get 45 easily, if not closer to 50, and had I bought new back then, given the cost of fuel and repairs etc I may have spent not much less, which is why the idea of some pre-registered car is tempting me.
You are right about speed limits, which I had forgotten, so it'll be a car, not a van.

I thought I had left behind the days of waiting to break down along with my teeth and hair...
 
With such low mileage a diesel isn't really so good unless you have regular long runs. I'd try whacking a tank of Shell ultimate diesel in. See if that perks it up at all.
 
why not go for something along the lines of a mondeo estate ,either 1.8tdi or even a 2.0tdi should return between 50 to 65mpg ,as far as i'm aware they don't have DPF valves fitted either . roomy ,comfortable cars to ,its what i would have now if i hadn't been given my volvo S60 .
mk4 mondeos are starting to appear on the used market now at reasonable prices
 
srichards said:
With such low mileage a diesel isn't really so good unless you have regular long runs. I'd try whacking a tank of Shell ultimate diesel in. See if that perks it up at all.
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I do, every few fill ups.
Most of my journeys are long runs too......


the black fox said:
why not go for something along the lines of a mondeo estate ,either 1.8tdi or even a 2.0tdi should return between 50 to 65mpg ,as far as i'm aware they don't have DPF valves fitted either . roomy ,comfortable cars to ,its what i would have now if i hadn't been given my volvo S60 .
mk4 mondeos are starting to appear on the used market now at reasonable prices
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OK, thats a thought. I kind of like the Berlingo for its truck-like seating position and roomy interior, but will look to see what a Mondeo looks like.


Thanks for your help ! !
 
The Euro 5 emissions system with EGR & DPF came in about 2009, but many manufacturers were fitting them from 2007 onwards. I had trouble with my last Skoda even though I was doing quite long runs, but it seems that you have to get the revs up to 3000 or so to force cleaning. As most cars are only doing 2000 revs or maybe 2500 at 70 mph, the regen doesn't happen even on longer runs. I had a petrol Berlingo once and it "does what it says on the tin", so i'd go with the same again if it suits you and just drop a couple of gears for 15mins or so on longer journeys to get it to regen.
 
Peter B said:
As most cars are only doing 2000 revs or maybe 2500 at 70 mph, the regen doesn't happen even on longer runs
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Easy enough to drop down a gear or 2 to get the revs up, even in an automatic.
 
Peter B said:
The Euro 5 emissions system with EGR & DPF came in about 2009, but many manufacturers were fitting them from 2007 onwards. I had trouble with my last Skoda even though I was doing quite long runs, but it seems that you have to get the revs up to 3000 or so to force cleaning. As most cars are only doing 2000 revs or maybe 2500 at 70 mph, the regen doesn't happen even on longer runs. I had a petrol Berlingo once and it "does what it says on the tin", so i'd go with the same again if it suits you and just drop a couple of gears for 15mins or so on longer journeys to get it to regen.
Click to expand...

Mine was regenerating every 200 miles when last repaired - some sort of oil leak or something, which I was told had been repaired....
I'll leave it in 4th at times on the way to London and keep fingers crossed that I get back...
 
stevewestern said:
Where can I buy this apart from online - might I find it in a petrol station ?

Do you know if it does actually help ?

No idea what a remap is, but thanks !
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Some car spares shops in cities carry it. Or you could easily order from ebay or globalist Amazon. Forte stuff is generally pretty good if the problems are still at the early stage.
 
LongLensPhotography said:
Some car spares shops in cities carry it. Or you could easily order from ebay or globalist Amazon. Forte stuff is generally pretty good if the problems are still at the early stage.
Click to expand...
Is it worth using as a preventative measure? I.e. in a 3 year old car that's been cared for.
 
LongLensPhotography said:
Some car spares shops in cities carry it. Or you could easily order from ebay or globalist Amazon. Forte stuff is generally pretty good if the problems are still at the early stage.
Click to expand...
Thanks - I'll see if I can find some at my local car parts place before I set off to London...

Lets hope I make it there !
 
I found a bottle of the Wynns version this morning, and drove the first 30 - odd minutes of motorway at 3500-4000 rpm (I am such a devil..) then stopped and turned off the engine. When I restarted the dpf warning light didn't light up and I continued at normal revs...
Fingers crossed that it's OK at least until I get back home and can get to a dealer.
Looks like maybe these additives work as you say!
 
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