Old Citroen Berlingo/Peugeot Partner. Terry Tibbs. Talk to me.

[Hades]

This year I will need a car to:

1) Carry lots of stuff.
2) Munch lots of miles two or three times a month.
3) Occasional second or third car.
4) Cheap to buy and run.
5) Not bothered if it gets dinged in car parks etc.

Since getting rid of my Evoque I'll need another vehicle and something bigger than my Mini to carry stuff occasionally. I was planning to just rent a larger car when I need one. But owning a semi-van like vehicle could actually be useful. I also miss having a shed to put moon miles on, carry crap and not care if it gets damaged in a car park (sold my Peugot 206 shed car last year to get the Mini).

The car version of the Berlingo, and its sister makes such as the Peugeot Partner, seem incredibly versatile. Older cars can be had quite cheaply now (would be looking around 2008, preferably the facelift model). I assume this is because they look like someone has beaten them with an ugly stick as well as being old. I think I'd also find it useful to throw a sleeping bag in the back occasionally as I want to travel a lot more around the country this year. I know it's not going to be an exciting car. That's not what I'm looking for.

So, terrible idea and just get an old estate instead? Or has anyone had one and loved it for these very reasons?

 

[Rroff]

Albeit my experience of the likes of Peugeot vans has been abused hire ones but I've not been impressed with them, often seem to lack power when you need it most and clutches, etc. go far too easily.

There is also a massive difference in insurance cost over the range of vans - some are surprisingly cheap others like Sprinters can be crazy expensive. At least with the tax you only pay the fixed light commercial vehicle rate for most of them. But be aware many will have restrictions speed limit wise different to cars.

I'd definitely spend some time checking out your choices if you want to much a lot of miles - we recently got some brand new model Transits at work and 75% of the drivers hate them for doing any distance as they find the ride extremely uncomfortable and will choose the tattier VWs or Mercs if they can.

EDIT: IIRC didn't you used to run a pickup? so probably aware of some of those considerations.

 

[Terminal_Boy]

The Berlingos/Kangoos/Partners are ubiquitous over here (naturally) for all the reasons you state.

Reliable, capacious and built to survive parking by touch. Go for the diesel versions if you can as they run forever if you change the oil and filters on schedule. The timing belts, accessory belts and water pumps all need replacing at the 100K mark.

My only concern is how they stand up to road salt corrosion as that’s not widely used here outside of the alpine regions.

 

[Hades]

Albeit my experience of the likes of Peugeot vans has been abused hire ones but I've not been impressed with them, often seem to lack power when you need it most and clutches, etc. go far too easily.

There is also a massive difference in insurance cost over the range of vans - some are surprisingly cheap others like Sprinters can be crazy expensive. At least with the tax you only pay the fixed light commercial vehicle rate for most of them. But be aware many will have restrictions speed limit wise different to cars.

I'd definitely spend some time checking out your choices if you want to much a lot of miles - we recently got some brand new model Transits at work and 75% of the drivers hate them for doing any distance as they find the ride extremely uncomfortable and will choose the tattier VWs or Mercs if they can.

EDIT: IIRC didn't you used to run a pickup? so probably aware of some of those considerations.

Thanks but I am looking at the car versions of the Berlingo/Partner, not the van versions. No, never owned a pickup but my brother does have a Ford Ranger which he utterly loves.

The Berlingos/Kangoos/Partners are ubiquitous over here (naturally) for all the reasons you state.

Reliable, capacious and built to survive parking by touch. Go for the diesel versions if you can as they run forever if you change the oil and filters on schedule. The timing belts, accessory belts and water pumps all need replacing at the 100K mark.

My only concern is how they stand up to road salt corrosion as that’s not widely used here outside of the alpine regions.

Thanks. Good info about the 100k mark. Yes wheel arch corrosion seems to be a slight issue with them here. Also good to know about the diesel vs petrol. My shed 206 had a diesel engine which did indeed seem to run and run and run while sipping fuel.

 

[Rroff]

Thanks but I am looking at the car versions of the Berlingo/Partner, not the van versions. No, never owned a pickup but my brother does have a Ford Ranger which he utterly loves.

Must have got you mixed up with another poster. Ooops didn't realise you were just looking at the car versions - not something I've any real experience other than whenever I encounter the car version of the Berlingo they seem to be driven by people with extremely poor driving ability.

 

[Nasher]

I've only been a passenger in a Berlingo years ago. Seemed ok, I seem to remember rear passengers sit higher up which was weird.

 

[adam cool dude]

I have always wanted something like that. Must be like Lego to build since they are all car based. (Astravan, Renault Kangoo, Peugeot Partner etc).

I remember Clarkson did one and he absolutely loved it.

 

[Rroff]

I remember Clarkson did one and he absolutely loved it.

Didn't he have one in the latest Grand Tour special?

 

[Nasher]

I think so, it looks like the same car as the above video lol.

 

[Maximum Triceratops]

I manage a fleet of 30 Partners, they get abused but sending them in for DPF faults is a regular weekly thing, the workshop hate them, horrible things in my opinion, I also drive them a lot and the seating position options are dire, i'm 6ft tall and can't recline/slide the seats back nowhere near enough. I still have a few old Vauxhaul Combos and even with 100k+ mileage and falling to bits they are still better than the Partners and more reliable.

 

[adam cool dude]

Wrong thread.

 

[bainbridge]

I'd recommend running through an insurance quote on a comparison site for the Berlingo with windows and partner teepee, just to check you can easily get insurance. I've heard of people having problems insuring them, presumably because they're a van derived car.

 

[Hades]

I manage a fleet of 30 Partners, they get abused but sending them in for DPF faults is a regular weekly thing, the workshop hate them, horrible things in my opinion, I also drive them a lot and the seating position options are dire, i'm 6ft tall and can't recline/slide the seats back nowhere near enough. I still have a few old Vauxhaul Combos and even with 100k+ mileage and falling to bits they are still better than the Partners and more reliable.

Thanks.

I'd recommend running through an insurance quote on a comparison site for the Berlingo with windows and partner teepee, just to check you can easily get insurance. I've heard of people having problems insuring them, presumably because they're a van derived car.

Thanks but I am so old nowadays that I can insure just about anything for a couple of shillings (yes I checked).