Berlingo HDi or Picasso HDi?

Rob81 · Post by **Rob81** » 17 May 2011, 08:37

Hello. I have decided to replace my 2001 1.8 Picasso. It's been great o we the last year and very practical. I have had a change in my circumstances though and will be doing more miles so want an HDi. There is nothing about the Picasso that I don't like; I find it comfortable enough (although not a patch on my previous XM, Xantia's, BX's or CX), more spacious than my XM estate and pleasant enough to drive. I've narrowed my choices down to a Berlinglo Multispace HDi (2003 ish) or a HDi Picasso of a similar age. I would have liked a C5 estate but my wife has vetoed that suggestion. Can anyone offer a comparison between the pic and Berlinglo? I guess fuel economy and performance will be similar but is there anything else I should think about? How important is choosing a low mileage HDi? Finally, if anyone else has a suitable car for sale, let me know!
Best wishes,
Rob

dieselnutjob · Post by **dieselnutjob** » 17 May 2011, 09:02

Personally I think you'll find the Picasso a faster more refined car, whilst the Berlingo has a much bigger boot and the sliding doors are useful for the school and supermarket run.

davek-uk · Post by **davek-uk** » 17 May 2011, 10:37

I haven’t driven a Xsara Picasso so I can’t compare, but I have found the Berlingo excellent. Surprisingly comfortable, fairly quiet, excellent storage (espicially with the modutop), quite quick and nimble to drive. The Hdi has performed flawlessly now for over 80k miles and the only problems I have were inflicted by bad garages! Both my Berlingos needed a new clutch around the 170k mark. In fact the only drawback is that they have drum rear brakes and I HATE drum brakes!

Without doubt the Berlingo is a surprise to own – it is very light and roomy, has a refreshing driving position (sitting up rather than legs out lounging), and is so versatile. The drive with the Hdi is very nimble around town and relaxing on the motorway. Not things you’d expect from a van.

If you choose a Berlingo, take the time to search out one with the modutop roof system and a/c, both were expensive options in the 2003 era but well worth having as a second-hand buy.

Other than that just the usual:

• drive a number of cars so that you can recognise a good engine when you see one. I have always found performance and flexibility differences between engines and the good ones always feel better than the rest.
• Check everything works. Berlingos can suffer from poorly fitting sliding doors (the tops don’t close snugly) and they are difficult to adjust – my 51 did, 04 doesn’t. Look for signs that it has been cared for and not used purly as a van.

Best of luck…

Dave

DickieG · Post by **DickieG** » 17 May 2011, 10:53

I owned a Berlingo Multispace HDi at the same time as my wife owned a Picasso HDi, other than the obvious of the Berlingo having more space especially with its Modutop roof, the ride on the Berlingo is much smoother than a Picasso and the rear seats are more comfortable as the base is softer to sit on. The rear doors on a Berlingo can be a bit of a pain as there isn't much room to swing your feet in between the rear seat base and the 'B' pillar and opening them from the inside on earlier models can be difficult for some users if they don't have a strong grip with their thumbs as they are released by pressing a button. The rear door opening mechanism was changed on models from 2005 onwards.

Overall its a case of swings and roundabouts, other than not having separate removable rear seats, the Berlingo is more practical than a Picasso but then Picasso is plusher and less van like.

Rob81 · Post by **Rob81** » 17 May 2011, 13:56

Thanks for the replies so far. I am viewing a Berlinglo tonight. It's got a modutop but no AC. Is a Berlinglo without AC very stuffy? Also, I'm not fussed by gadgets but do like having a trip computer on my current Picasso. Am I likely to find one on a 2003 Berlingo? I'm a bit worried about having only pop out rear windows but don't often carry rear passengers so shouldn't be too much of an issue. Finally, I know Berlingo seats don't come out like they do on a Picasso but are they hard to remove occasionally if I am carrying a longer or large load? As I said in my first post, I like my current Picasso (except for the MPG) and it suits my needs almost completely but I'm drawn to a Berlingo too - more space, possibly more fun and this particular one looks quite a bargain.

KP · Post by KP » 17 May 2011, 15:07

On vehicles like the lingo and the pic AC should be part of the minimum spec as there is so much glass the cars quickly heat up....

Rob81 · Post by **Rob81** » 17 May 2011, 21:46

I've just had a look at the Berlingo. It was surprisingly nice; nice to drive and a pleasant interior. It was only my second experience of an HDi engine and I was very impressed (very different to all the TD XUD's I've driven but felt a bit like a very fast 1769 NA!). I'm going to have a think - it needs a few bits doing to it but seems good value. One slight concern was a squeaking from the auxiliary belt area. It wasn't squealing like a slipping belt would but squeaking with each revolution of the pulley. Any ideas?

meexi · Post by **meexi** » 18 May 2011, 22:14

if you have a garage make sure the berlingo fits in it as it is a bit taller than the picasso

regards

meexi

wright · Post by **wright** » 18 May 2011, 23:23

crank pulley are very common to go

Rob81 · Post by **Rob81** » 19 May 2011, 08:40

Thanks for the replies so far; all very useful. I'm viewing Picasso today. It's for sale at my local Citroen specialist (the same place as my current Picasso came from). Assuming it is as tidy as it looks, I expect i will buy it. After all, my current car has been ideal poor MPG excluded.