We’ve now had ‘Fleur’ 6 weeks and she passed the 2000 mile mark yesterday so seems a good time for an interim report.
Use has been a mix. Domestic stuff and Mrs B’s work which is mostly urban. Her commute is through lanes but they link main roads and populous villages so well trafficked. Longer distance trips have comprised taking kids to Uni so a return trip to Sheffield and two to Liverpool.
General impression is of a car that’s wholly fulfilling our expectations. Bigger in all dimensions than the previous (Mk2) Berlingo but just as easy to drive. Featherlight (hydraulic) clutch and powerful brakes. The gear stick is directly under the dash and at first felt a bit of a reach but fine now we’re used to it. Controls for lighting and screen wash wipe are standard PSA fare as is the stalk with the remote controls for the audio.
Instrumentation is directly in front of driver an comprises speedo, tacho, temperature and fuel plus comprehensive suite of warning lamps. Central display shoes time, date, radio /audio and, a new toy for me, fuel consumption etc calculator. There are also menus controlled via the radio/CD’s for items such as DRL on/off etc. I’ve still to get to grips with this as I cannot experiment with it AND drive.
The 115PS engine gives it plenty of spare power, matches the Xantia for pace and leaves Enrico (our older 68PS/1.9IDI Berlingo) for dead. While it’s audibly diesel under acceleration it’s smooth and quiet at 70 in fifth or any other likely cruise speed/gear combo. I guess fuel consumption will improve as it loosens but (computer figure) 43mpg on mainly urban is much better than old one. Coming back form Liverpool yesterday I filled it at Tesco Allerton zeroed and routed out M62/M6 (inc toll)/M1 to Northampton. Slowed in congestion round M6 J19/18, stopped at Keele (Waitrose and a wee) and again briefly at tolls. Computer says 170 miles, 54mpg and average speed 55.
What’s Good
Quiet and economical; comfortable seats and ride – drivers seat has fore/aft, recline and height plus steering adjusts for height and reach. Flexible load space - the three individual rear seats fold, tip forward or can be completely removed, they also recline a few degrees. Excellent radio – RDS keeps it bang on channel with few if any episodes of interference. Yet to try plugging MP3 into AUX socket in glovebox. Heating/Ventilation works well with a basic (ie non CC) aircon – quick demist yesterday with four damp walkers in car.
What’s Less Good
Stowage - there are plenty of spaces, including two glove boxes and an underseat tray but it lacks the ingenuity of the Mk 1 or 2 with roof level stowage nets etc. Door pockets that will take a 750ml drink bottle are fine as is ‘curry hook’ in left footwell. But neither is much use for bird book and noxies. Ditto the boot, missing he netted enclosure on lefty of boot that was great for winter stuff, sun tan lotion and other ‘might need’ stuff. Viewed from passenger seat the wipers leave a large unswept area in upper left of screen but it’s not a problem for driver. Could do without the ‘eco lights’ reminding me to change up at implausibly low revs. Standard alloys, something I've avoided before. They're s*ds to clean and will undoubtedly pick up knocks.
Next Steps
Get towbar fitted and take shed towing course.
Last edited by: Bromptonaut on Mon 14 Oct 13 at 16:08
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Sounds a useful vehicle, would be great for camping trips I should think.
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- good review and generally reflects my 8000 miles experience to date.
Mine is the 90 eHDi XTR and has given a genuine 51mpg to date and still improving. But do not rely on the computer generated mpg!.
The biggest criticism is the the width of the B pillars , which when combined with passenger head restraint and passengers head, create a large blind spot at non-orthoganal junctions. It means adopting van driving angles at some junctions.
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Citroen Berlingo Multispace II - XTR 115 - First 2000 miles - MJW1994
