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XTR M3 1.6HDI 90bhp engine flexibility?
#1
After my previous question on this forum I went ahead and bought a new (2013) Berlingo 1.6HDI 90bhp XTR with Modutop and a few other options. The dealer was helpful and the deal offered was good - several thousand off list price and competitive with online supermarkets.

So far, after 650 miles, I'm very happy with the car. It's comfortable for me and by my standards a quiet car also. The extra boot space is wonderful and the all-round practicality is great. I have transported a whole Welsh dresser without problems with the seats folded (not even removed). I picked up a door from the joiners that fit nicely once I took out two of the second row seats and folded the passenger seat forward. This is impressive and exactly what I bought the Berlingo for.

One thing that I have had trouble getting used to is the engine. My only other diesel engine experience has been my mum's Mark 1 Toyota Yaris D4-D. I have found that if I don't keep the revs up in the Berlingo bogs down very easily, particularly on hills. If you get it in the powerband, so to speak, the 1.6 pulls hard, but it doesn't seem very tractable compared to the Yaris. The result is that I have been changing gear more often and using lower gears than I would with the Yaris. (I also stalled it frequently on hills as I was getting used to the clutch but that has improved a lot as I have got used to the car.) Incidentally, economy seems fine as I am getting an easy 45mpg despite a lot of town-use 30mph and 40mph mixed in with longer distances and higher speed.

I have such limited experience of modern diesels that I can't tell whether this is to be expected or not. I didn't expect a wall of torque but I did expect a bit more flexibility. Is this normal for this Berlingo (and indeed other modern diesels) just something I will have to get used to? Or might there be something wrong with the engine?

Thanks
OTF
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#2
(17-04-2013, 08:57 AM)onthefence Wrote:  After my previous question on this forum I went ahead and bought a new (2013) Berlingo 1.6HDI 90bhp XTR with Modutop and a few other options. The dealer was helpful and the deal offered was good - several thousand off list price and competitive with online supermarkets.

So far, after 650 miles, I'm very happy with the car. It's comfortable for me and by my standards a quiet car also. The extra boot space is wonderful and the all-round practicality is great. I have transported a whole Welsh dresser without problems with the seats folded (not even removed). I picked up a door from the joiners that fit nicely once I took out two of the second row seats and folded the passenger seat forward. This is impressive and exactly what I bought the Berlingo for.

One thing that I have had trouble getting used to is the engine. My only other diesel engine experience has been my mum's Mark 1 Toyota Yaris D4-D. I have found that if I don't keep the revs up in the Berlingo bogs down very easily, particularly on hills. If you get it in the powerband, so to speak, the 1.6 pulls hard, but it doesn't seem very tractable compared to the Yaris. The result is that I have been changing gear more often and using lower gears than I would with the Yaris. (I also stalled it frequently on hills as I was getting used to the clutch but that has improved a lot as I have got used to the car.) Incidentally, economy seems fine as I am getting an easy 45mpg despite a lot of town-use 30mph and 40mph mixed in with longer distances and higher speed.

I have such limited experience of modern diesels that I can't tell whether this is to be expected or not. I didn't expect a wall of torque but I did expect a bit more flexibility. Is this normal for this Berlingo (and indeed other modern diesels) just something I will have to get used to? Or might there be something wrong with the engine?

Thanks
OTF

First off, althoughan old fashioned notion,you may want to alllow it to run-in for a thousand miles first.
Your 'powerband' will be fairly narrow usually between 1200 and 2200 as the turbo peaks so theres a lot of cogswapping to keep it within if you want any briskness.
I adapted myself from petrols to diesels and my driving style is now Very relaxed,allowing the revs to build up themselves whilst holding the accelerator static.
I never get less than 55mpg as a result -62 as an all time best
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#3
(17-04-2013, 09:56 AM)evdama Wrote:  I adapted myself from petrols to diesels and my driving style is now Very relaxed,allowing the revs to build up themselves whilst holding the accelerator static.
I never get less than 55mpg as a result -62 as an all time best
Thanks, I shall try that. Maybe I'm a bit too frenetic at the moment.

OTF
Reply
#4
I would take it gently for first couple of thou miles don't over rev but don't allow it to labour, use the gears plenty, performance improves noticeably after a few thou miles as it beds in.
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