26-06-2014, 03:57 PM
Please, please, please, independent rear suspension on your next Berlingo car!
After 10 years and 145,000 fault-free miles in the 2003 model I assumed that its superb smooth ride and neutral steering (exactly even tyre wear front/rear, only halfway through its third set when sold) would be carried through to the 2013 model.
Looking underneath my 2013 car I can see the two rear suspension arms cross-connected by a massive black steel tube. What Car says that 'it leans round bends a little'. My car cannot 'lean' round bends without lifting the inside rear wheel off the road. Sharp camber changes, road bumps, potholes produce neck-snapping sideways jerks. Presumably acceptable for young drivers on smooth English roads.
Superb VTR 1.6 engine though (would be nice to have engine braking; can't win em all), much better than Fiat's and VW/SEAT's offerings so I will hold on and hope that the next Berlingo incarnation will keep the engine and have independent rear suspension with an anti-roll bar if necessary.
After 10 years and 145,000 fault-free miles in the 2003 model I assumed that its superb smooth ride and neutral steering (exactly even tyre wear front/rear, only halfway through its third set when sold) would be carried through to the 2013 model.
Looking underneath my 2013 car I can see the two rear suspension arms cross-connected by a massive black steel tube. What Car says that 'it leans round bends a little'. My car cannot 'lean' round bends without lifting the inside rear wheel off the road. Sharp camber changes, road bumps, potholes produce neck-snapping sideways jerks. Presumably acceptable for young drivers on smooth English roads.
Superb VTR 1.6 engine though (would be nice to have engine braking; can't win em all), much better than Fiat's and VW/SEAT's offerings so I will hold on and hope that the next Berlingo incarnation will keep the engine and have independent rear suspension with an anti-roll bar if necessary.