Berlingo vs competition

[rm008]

Just wondered what others think of the Berlingo's competition, and why you went for the Berlingo? As I see it the choices are the Renault Kangoo and the Fiat Doblo. 

I went for a Berlingo (petrol) as the current model Doblo, whilst it has a spacious interior and a modern design, just looks pig-ugly. I also read of problems with its camchain (a great idea in theory!) which put me off... Plus I am not too confident in buying Fiat if I'm honest. Yeaaah OK, I bought a Citroen you might say, but since the Japanese don't make anything like these cars then what can you do....   .

The Kangoo is also ugly but a little less so than the Doblo IMO. There isn't much space under the bonnet on these, which I wasn't too keen on. Overall I couldn't get excited by the one I looked at, and I feel the Berlingo is the better vehicle. Most modern cars are really ugly but I think the Mk3 Berlingo is actually quite good looking.  

Interested to hear what others think.

[finny]

I chose the berlingo because I couldn't quite afford the new shape doblo, I chose the berlingo over the partner because I think the partner front was not as nice, ive had an older shape kangoo and it was a right pig so that was never on the list, my work colleagues had astras, caddys and connects which had quite a few problems, I had a mk1 berlingo that was pretty reliable so I thought get a newer one, my berlingo has been pretty reliable but I wont buy another, I find the seat doesn't go back enough, I find my right foot I have to turn on its side to use the accelerator comfortably, but my biggest problem with it is the poor heating to the footwell, I will replace the berlingo with a new shape connect, quite a few at work, I like the looks and the interior is really nice and they do it in three seater version to.

[ntm1275]

I was originally looking for an estate car so that I could put my dog crate at the back (my old Vectra was a hatchback with a sloping back and so the seats had to be folded to get the crate in)

Was in a Peugeot garage looking at some cars and I explained what I was looking for and the salesman said have you looked at the Partner

When he showed the cavernous boot and the ability to completely remove the seat easily, I knew this was the kind of thing I was looking for.

Started looking around and found the Berliingo, Partner, Doblo and Kangoo

The choice was easy beteween those four models, it had to be the Berlingo because it was the best looking of the 4 (especially the XTR model at the time)

I'm sure most people given the choice may not choose any of them, but for practicality, all 4 of them are great buys

I've had my Berlingo for a year and a half now and it is the best car I've ever had

[3rensho]

I had looked at all the competition. VW too dear for what you get. Doblo too large for my needs. Had two friends that have had Kangoo's and thoroughly hated them - they both drive Berli's now. I did learn some colourful French words from them. Here in CH the Partners were more expensive (had to take a lot of things I didn't want/need) so I got the Berli which was available with more modest configurations. Well pleased with it so far.

[rm008]

Good points made so far. I forgot to mention the Peugeot Partner Tepee as another alternative. But then again it's just an over-priced Berlingo with a different badge - I've never understood why the price premium? 

I have to say though - and I hope this doesn't come back to bite me in the future - I am really pleased with my Mk 3. It's been like going 20 years into the future after my old 2003 1.9D van it replaced. I consider myself fortunate in that I don't lust after expensive motors like many seem to, in fact if I had a lottery win then the Berlingo would still be my ideal vehicle. What else offers that level of practicality?

[ians_lingo]

in fact if I had a lottery win then the Berlingo would still be my ideal vehicle. What else offers that level of practicality?

It'd be ok to carry the cash in :-)

[ron]

I bought my Berlingo after 30+years as a S/E mechanic & working on courier vans with astronomic mileages.The Berlingo was not only the most popular but also the most reliable.The old C15 was the same,regular servicing was all they needed.My MK2 is getting old now but the mileage is low,43,000 & I just don't know whether to keep it or get a new one.

[tezzerh]

I'm on my fourth Berlingo because I simply can't find anything else that meets my needs in the way this car does. I looked at the Caddy and the Connect but they are both longer and would give me even less room in my garage than at present. Cost more, too. The Partners I looked at all had rear seats that split 2-1, which wouldn't do for me as I carry two bikes inside the Berlingo and still have two single seats for my grandchildren when I am in France. I wouldn't fancy a Fiat, I have to admit. I also looked at Skoda Yeti and Roomster, Toyota RAV4, Honda, Mazda - you name it. Nothing fitted the bill like the Berlingo. And at least it has a spare wheel, unlike so many other cars these days, which is something I simply don't understand or accept.

[Gollycrush]

They're in My blood, i'm on my third !!!

[Gadgetman]

I got my first Beringo Mk. I after my Citroën BX was practically flattened by a 6WD dump-truck. I coudn't afford a new car(the insurance payout wasn't all that much) I'm used to Citroën and needed a bit of space...

As for the competition, I drive a VW Caddy at work...
The DSG gearing must mean 'D@mn Sh!tty Gearbox' as it always shifts up when its least wanted, the door switch in the rear requires you to SLAM the doors closed or suffer the interior light and no wipers on the back window. For some inexplicable reason, the filler cap is on the driver's side(which is bad if the car runs out of fuel along a busy road... Yes, this is a legitimate concern. My first Berlingo had a dud gauge...)
It even has those crappy new 'low profile' wipers...
Only good thing about the Caddy is that it does have a spare wheel...