Berlingo Multispace Owners Experiences

[dandare1980]

Hi,

As the proud father of a 9 month old daughter I am thinking of letting our MK2 Xsara go in favour of a Berlingo Multispace.

This is primarily because of it's sliding doors and higher rear seats and headroom making our lives a little easier when loading our little one in and out of her car seat. Plus it's a great utility vehicle.

I am looking for a 1.9D model, despite the snail like performance, as I like my engines simple (DW8 in this case I think, I would prefer an XUD but don't think they ever used them in the Multispace, just in earlier vans).

An indirect injection engine may also give me future scope for a vegetable oil conversion if I so desire............

Could any owners or those knowledgeable in such matters be able to help me with the following?

1.) Is there, other than cosmetics, a difference in build quality or upgraded parts in the MK2 face lift models that would be worth choosing over the MK1?

2.) Has anyone experienced a problem with the rear suspension pivot wear that Peugeot 405 estates also suffer from, given that's what the Berlingo is using?

3.) Are all DW8's fitted with Lucas injection pumps?

4.) Anything else I should look out for on these vehicles?

Any advice you can offer would be most appreciated.

Many thanks,

Dan.

[addo]

You might find the M59 to be slightly more "ergonomic" than the first Berlingos, other than that they are newer so less time for stuff to corrode or wear out.

Rear suspension wear is a given; assume it needs doing and budget for it sooner than later. DIY parts are about £85, or you can buy a changeover beam from Mountjoy for about £380 fitted.

Don't expect stellar fuel consumption on the road; they are a boxy thing. Also, handling is nowhere near the Xsara due to mass distribution.

My parents had a very early two door Escort when I was a young tacker. The black vinyl seats wiped clean every time I threw up in it.

[Chlorate]

My parents had a very early two door Escort when I was a young tacker. The black vinyl seats wiped clean every time I threw up in it.

Eurgh...
The less thought about that the better.

I do hope nobody in the history of my car bought it because you could wipe the seats clean in case of any little "spillages".

...

...

Excuse me, I''ve got to buy a lot of Dettol!

[Northern_Mike]

Hi,

As the proud father of a 9 month old daughter I am thinking of letting our MK2 Xsara go in favour of a Berlingo Multispace.

This is primarily because of it's sliding doors and higher rear seats and headroom making our lives a little easier when loading our little one in and out of her car seat. Plus it's a great utility vehicle.

I am looking for a 1.9D model, despite the snail like performance, as I like my engines simple (DW8 in this case I think, I would prefer an XUD but don't think they ever used them in the Multispace, just in earlier vans).

An indirect injection engine may also give me future scope for a vegetable oil conversion if I so desire............

Could any owners or those knowledgeable in such matters be able to help me with the following?

1.) Is there, other than cosmetics, a difference in build quality or upgraded parts in the MK2 face lift models that would be worth choosing over the MK1?

2.) Has anyone experienced a problem with the rear suspension pivot wear that Peugeot 405 estates also suffer from, given that's what the Berlingo is using?

3.) Are all DW8's fitted with Lucas injection pumps?

4.) Anything else I should look out for on these vehicles?

Any advice you can offer would be most appreciated.

Many thanks,

Dan.

I've got an 04 plate 2.0HDI Multispace. We got it 18 months ago when our son was nearly 2. It's a Multispace Desire with Modutop and Aircon.

I can't recommend it highly enough. For a kiddie carrier and utility vehicle it is utterly brilliant. In my ownership, other than normal servicing it has needed an engine mount and a front spring. It's done 86,000 miles now. No sign of suspension wear yet.

I'd get a 2.0Hdi over a DW8 any day. Much better engine IMO. I had a Berlingo van back in 1998 with a XUD. Good van, needed a better engine though. The 2.0HDi suits the Berlingo multispace. It's quieter at speed and more economical. It's very reliable and doesn't do its head gasket at 150k or ruin itself should the timing belt snap. No, you can't run it on veg... but it doesn't matter, it's a great vehicle with that engine

Don't expect more than 45-50mpg max on a sensible run. 40-43 is normal around town. They're shaped like a brick..the DW8 will do 5mpg less.

In Germany it'll touch 100mph on the sat nav. With a tuning box, 110..

Have a look on berlingoforum.co.uk for more info

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

[wheeler]

Just be aware if you get a modutop version & it springs a leak it could easily write the car off if its out of warranty. The unit needs to be cut out (which destroys the modutop unit in the process) as its bonded into the body. Also there are only a handfull of dealers in the UK that have the gear to deal with the replacement of the roof.
I've only ever seen the DW8 with a Lucas injection pump.

[Bromptonaut]

We have had a 1.9D Multispace in Desire trim from new in March 2005. Now approaching 130k it's still on original rear sus. Never had head off or any fuel system block/gasket/engine trouble whatsoever

Cannot reccomend it highly enough.

When we bought it daughter and son were 12 and 10. They're now 20 and 18 and are driving it!! As kids they found it much more to their liking than the Xantia. More rear space AND stowage/charging for electronics in the roof cubbies and The Lad wasn't sick in it unlike in the Xant. It's been as far north as the Butt of Lewis and as far south as Cannes. Swallows kit for three weeks camping in France just as well as the Xantia - just needed a revised load plan with luggage coming out of the roofbox to re replaced by lighter camp kit - chairs etc - as a concession to high vehicle stability. In spite of lack of aircon it's reasonably comfortable in South of France in July/Aug. Silver paint helps as does being very particular about using reflective screenshade when parked.

All in it's needed very little attention beyond regular servicing and consumables. Exhaust has been replaced by degrees over years - rust from outside of rear and flexure in the less than adequately supported fron to rear pipe get it. Think we're on third rear box the pipe is easily welded.

Fourth set front pads/third set of discs. Cambelt had to be replaced prematurely at 70k as a worn idler forced it out of line. Fortunately as it started to fray there was noise as a give away of its condition.

Only twice has it failed to reach destination. Orig clutch went in April 2012 at 110k. Pedal to floor on Shrewsbury bypass. My fault as garage has advised it was badly worn. Other was in September 12 at 116k - alternator output corroded through causing dead key symptoms. Should have been spotted by both me and garage AND with more effort on recovery agent's part a temp repair was possible.

Only downside is that it gets noisy above about 60mph and even on a long run it rarely does more than 35-38mpg, mainly due to breeze block aerodynamics. Needs careful handling and gear use not to run out of puff on long French m/way climbs (OK on Shap and Beattock though!) OTOH it will cruise in absolute comfort all day at 60. Much less stressfull than hammering the Xantia at 80+ and only a few minutes longer on real world journeys such as Calais to Grenoble or Northampton to Western Isles ferry.

[artdjones]

The vast majority of DW8s have a Lucas/Delphi pump which
can give up but I have seen a very few with a Bosch pump,chiefly
early ones.