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I can’t afford to fix my Berlingo. Sad times. So I need to sell it to an enthusiastic mechanic (stealth ad) and replace it, ideally with something bigger and petrol driven. But also bike journo spec price. And with at least 4 seats so I can fit the kids in.
I could just about stretch to a Honda Stepwagon but it’s not actually very big. Petrol Ford Transit Connects don’t seem to exist. Hybrids are too new to be in my price range.
Am I missing something? Is a Stepwagon the biggest 2nd hand petrol option there is? I do very low miles at mostly low speeds, not great for a diesel - but should I give up my petrol hopes in the name of more choice?
I hate cars, and I hate losing sleep over decision making on this. Help me out oh wise ones!
Jap Import? Toyota Alphard? Toyota Previa? (more like a mahoosive people carrier) Mazda Bongo.
Are the Stepwagon/Alphard/Bongo not all the same size internally? I don’t care about engine size, just bike/mattress space!
The Alphard has some really good seat space in the back. you can fold the rears away to the side, so essentially you are left with a space enough for bikes or mattress.
No experience with the Bongo, but the stepwagon in similar. there are a couple of you tube vids which will give you an idea about the space
Previa -
We have a Tourneo Connect which Abigale uses for bike duties and races weekends. Its a 1.6 petrol Ecoboost
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All the rear seats fold or can be removed easily
What’s your budget?
Ford Galaxy?
man, those Alphard things are Gopping. colleague of mine has one, its like being in a palatial lounge, leisure and curtains and weird trim nobody asked for. 3L v6 too, so while its got a good burble. If you put your foot down, it just burbles a bit more and uses more fuel. Dont think it goes any faster. Hes had an LPG conversion on his, because its TOO thirsty on petrol.
It is surprising that you dont get many petrol vans in the uk though, i guess they are all just built for the torque, to be full of stuff and not wipe out the fuel economy or power.
You should be ok on mini vans; I cant imagine this is quick, and its the same size as a berlingo, but other than that its a winner:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107275502274
If youre up at transit/transporter size,i suspect youll have to stick with a diesel.
The newer ones are very petrol like to drive, and if you get a euro VI one, with stop start and adblue and all that rubbish you dont have to feel quite so bad about the soot (though they do need pushing up a motorway once a month to regen the DPFs)?
FWIW, The new Transporter is available as a petrol, but its new new
There is a petrol/LPG full size Transit out there.
Proper rocking unicorn poo but keep an eye out
Hmm, hadn’t seen the Tourneo! (Goes off to search all the sites…).
£8.5k maximum budget. £6.5k would be a lot more manageable.
Also there was a T4 VR6 if you want a bit of poke and terrible econony
Get another Berlingo with a petrol engine? Plenty around.
the 1.6 ecoboost tourneo makes a v6 alphard look economic - Fords published figures are way off against real world across the board on ecoboosts. Theres folk returning their vehicles under not as described because of it .
something to bare in mind.
with the brief above its hard to look beyond the import vehicles. Japans way ahead of us when it comes to petrol mini vans.
looking for unicorns in the form of old petrol transits and t4s is just going to lead to buying rusty buckets when you get a choice of 4 nationally .
As mentioned above previa, we looked at them to replace our combo van (in the end bought a roomster but we can get away with a smaller car / van and no seats in the back)
Petrol Doblo - rare, but you can find them.
something like this?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313614920554?hash=item4904e7eb6a:g:tCQAAOSwEhhg~mQu
edit - forgot about the 4 seats!
vauxhall combo life just scrapes into budget if you get a previously-fixed one - eg https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107265475136?make=VAUXHALL&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&include-delivery-option=on&model=COMBO%20LIFE&sort=price-asc&advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=bn68ff&radius=1500&page=1
otherwise big mpvs are your best bed. chrysler grand voyager
galaxy
sharan/alhambra also available
if its for entry to low-emission zones, more modern diesels (those with adblue) are fine
I’d ditch the petrol idea to give you more choice.
slightly bigger than what you’ve got would be vw caddy.
bigger again and cheapish…Citroen dispatch/fiat scudo in mpv/crew cab format.
vivaros/traffic are not bad, we ran one for 4yr before moving on to a transporter
Bit leftfield but everyone loves a SAAB. Plenty of room in the back, petrol, driven carefully. Aircon etc etc. In budget.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144128901328?hash=item218ec080d0:g:eyQAAOSwfblhAB~9
VW did a petrol t6 in van, Kombi and caravelle/shuttle variants. They’re entirely unloved (and hence cheap) because of the crippling fuel usage. 12mpg and less is not unheard of. Good engine, just not when it’s hauling 2442kg of velle around.
I take it you want petrol for a shortish school run?
If going down the mpv route and on a budget a pre-2011 one of these could be an option https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/kia/carens-2006/
Challenging looks and handling but you had a berlingo so shouldn't take any getting used to 🙂
They are big inside and boot is low.
Petrol because I almost never go near a motorway or anywhere over 40mph. I suspect this is behind my Berlingo's demise.
No school runs, just an average of two journeys a week of 20km or less. Most of those have at least one bike with them, sometimes 4 bikes, hence the van desire.
I like to be able to sleep in my vehicle because it cuts the cost of being away anywhere and is a useful back up to a tent for family camping trips that turn wet. I guess I could get a stop gap option that didn't offer that but I'd still need to be able to carry 4 people and 4 bikes.
Longer journeys are invariably loaded up with camping stuff.
I really don't want to get stranded (again) with the kids so I'm nervous about the cheapest options!
I think I'm off French cars. Thinking it was low mileage and would last forever (or at least 2/3 more years) I've spent a fortune on my Berlingo (cam belt, battery, filters/service, EGR valve) in the last 10 months only for it to still not run properly.
Might have to put all the suggestions in a spreadsheet and use a random number generator to pick one at this rate!
cam belt, battery, filters/service, EGR valve
to be fair, all of those except the valve are service items that any car may need and are very unlikely to fix anything. What's actually wrong with it?
cam belt, battery, filters/service, EGR valve
to be fair, all of those except the valve are service items that any car may need and are very unlikely to fix anything. What's actually wrong with it?
@5lab I don't know! It loses acceleration while driving, then you pump the accelerator and it comes back to life. Had the ECU tested, no fault found. Garage can't figure out what is causing the issue, ERG valve was supposed to be the cure but wasn't. I'm at the cut my losses/give up stage 🙁
You can get Jaoanese import Mercedes Viano's in petrol. 3.5l though so won't be economic on fuel!
If it's only short jorneys why not go electric?
Garage can’t figure out what is causing the issue
I recommend if you change cars you also change garage. It's as rational.
Without knowing what the garage has tried I'm not going to play parts darts but it sounds like they went nuclear.
@trail_rat ECU 0606 fault code was displayed when computer connected to car. ECU tested OK, so it seems to be something else tricking ECU into thinking it's got a fault (or something like that). Wiring checked for broken wires and all looks in good condition. Took it to a different garage, they did the EGR, drove it and and told me it was fine (it very clearly isn't, I won't be going there ever again...). Only remaining option is a local electronics specialist (who is booked until end Aug) or maybe Citroen dealer. I just don't have the means or energy to keep pouring time and money into it.
@ads678 I don't think electric is in my price range, unless perhaps it's an old milkfloat?!
An Smax or Galaxy petrol sounds ideal - space for all 4 and some kit & bikes, often underpriced compared to overpriced vans....
Chevrolet Astro? Everyone loves a V8.
Most seem to be LPG which helps turn the economy from terrible to just bad
V6 Delica?
Another vote for an SMAX. Like a tardis and not the worst thing in the world to drive either.
Other than that, how ugly are some of the suggestions above?
An older pre DPF diesel Caddy Maxi may fit the bill and budget. The 1.9 tdi engine is pretty reliable.
P0606 is generally an ECU/PCM failure code. Alot of the time its cause by poor earth connections, broken wires or corroded/dirty multiplugs. It shouldn't take a decent auto sparky long at all to determine the cause of failure. Worst case scenario is that the ECU has failed internally and would require replacing. I would get it checked before writing it off completely though.
If you are in or near Birmingham/Worcester i could take a look for you
I've nothing to add; other than I'm pretty sure Petrol Van Moon was a touring guitarist for the Doobie brothers.
@danmac thanks, but I’m too far away from you! I sent the ECU off to a testing place and they said it had no faults. Chipps recommended the electrical guy but he was stymied. If I manage to get anything for it at this point it’s a bonus. Right now I need to find something before the family holiday lap of Scotland!
@Nick all levity welcome.
@hooli I would drive a pink and purple striped orange thing for the right price and space! The only vehicle that really hurts my eyes is the Skoda Roomster.
Speed and grunt are not an issue. I pootle everywhere!
Sounds like someone is about to get a bargain Berlingo to fix cheaply.
Thing is the diagnostic boxes don't replace a mechanic with experience of the model. I'm not one of those but I'd check the pipes leading to the electrovanne on the turbo and the electrovane itself. I don't know what it is in English but looks like this:
Cheaper than an EGR and more likely to produce the lack of go you describe.
Edit: try starting a "fix my Berlingo thread", someone on here must have spannered one.
Check the pipes for leaks or blockages. (I forgot to say what to check the pipes for on the previous page).
I can point you to a couple of very good garages.
After being in the trade for 20yrs I'll only ever recommend 2 out of hundreds that I've ever dealt with.
Is it a 2.0hdi?
Hannah - the Nissan Prairie ticks all your boxes and more, petrol, bike hauler, occasional bed on wheels.......and stylish!
Pity they've all rusted away🙁
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@edukator I will pass this on to my partner. That looks like lego without instructions to my eye!
@duncancallum yes please! It’s a 1.6, XTR model
@rustynissanprairie in the space of a few minutes I have discovered the provenance of both yours and @eddiebaby ‘s forum names. My kids did not get the Monty Python. (Edit: I looked, there are two on Facebook right now!)
I’ve nothing to add; other than I’m pretty sure Petrol Van Moon was a touring guitarist for the Doobie brothers.
I think you're getting confused with Hertz van Rental the Dutch session guitarist who preceded Eelco Gelling in Golden Earring but never got to play on their first Netherlands hit "Dong Dong Diki Digi Dong"*
* That really was the title of their first #1...
I could do with changing my user name to reflect my current collection of classy vehicles;
RustyFordTransit
BertsGolf
IkeahotdogsVolvo
singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/so-ive-got-this-mercedes-and-i-have-questions/page/3/#post-11974077
Not a van admittedly, but lots of old Honda CRVs about with petrol engines. Reliable too.
Nissan Elgrand.
8 seater with rear bench folding out of the way, 3 bikes with wheels off, 2 bikes front wheels off, or 1 bike without removing wheels (all with seats in place).
Rear seats fold flat into small double bed (or single with a bike down the side) just chuck a mattress down on top
Big lazy 3.5 V6, switchable 2wd/4wd, every gadget/option possible, electric everything (sliding side doors, pop out windows, power curtains etc), cameras everywhere, really reliable if you've had the front cats gutted (most have) and I think looks good in a bonkers ugly JDM way - well better than a Alphard anyway.
Mate had a T5 V6.
Thirsty best describes it.
Galaxy or Smax. Remove seats and you've got a space to kip when away.
I spent a summer in the alps in a Sharan (shape shared with the Galaxy and Seat thing). Was brilliant. Enough room for me, bike and gear.
alpin the Seat version was the Alhambra, 2 of my staff had a Galaxy and an Alhambra.
The Galaxy was a 2.3 petrol and the Alhambra was a 1.9D not sure the Seat was sold in petrol format?
They are great bus like units but might be a bit of a big old barge compared to Hannah's Berlingo?
Honda do some pretty reliable transport possibly a Honda Stream?
What about a Mazda Bongo? You can get them up to 54 Reg. A fresh imported MPV pre- camper conversion might work for you.
There is a specialist in Rishworth, so fairly local of anything goes wrong
I'd go and get that vauxhall combo life linked above.
The combo life is the same vehicle as the new Berlingo and the rifter but with a different nose.
It's only 2 years old, still has mfr warranty
The other option to consider would be am older diesel without a dpf. I think they were mostly introduced in the mod naughties, so a t4 or something would I think have less issues with short journeys. Might open your options a little bit.
A bongo is a thirsty reverse tardis. The floor of it is really high i guess as it's mid engined. Less usable space than a galaxy, not sure if the other wierdo japanese stuff is better but they've mostly been clocked so be careful
What's the Berlingo like otherwise? Rust, upcoming expensive service, tyres etc.? Since you've had the ECU tested, the fix is likely time consuming but shouldn't be insanely expensive. Most likely thing is wire/ground connection on an output device. A torch and a bit of contortionism might find the problem. It's a question of looking at all the wires going to output devices and the ground connection. Otherwise a decent mechanic should be able to sort it.
I wouldn't write-off a diesel purely due to short journeys. True, many will throw a fit trying to clean their DPF if you keep turning the engine off halfway through the cycle (My Iveco won't put up with repeated local short trips...the sort you should do by bike) but as long as it gets hot and does the odd A Road it's fine
However, there will be many traders with similar trip styles, pretty sure the popular mid size vans such as Transit's and Vivaros can cope with town work, we have a huge fleet at work and the smaller vans don't seem to give much hassle.
@cromolyolly it’s pretty good I think! Had a full service in March/April. No dents or rust on bodywork. A tear on one seat from a DMR vault pedal! Guy that looked for broken wires said it looked good on that front.
I’ve just made enquiries about a giant diesel Transit that’s cheap enough that I could buy a cargo bike for many local trip duties and have all out camper conversion fun. It’ll probably turn out to be a thrashed rust bucket but my head is now on ‘can I go big and comfy and diesel…?’
Transit + Cheap = Rusty.
Not seen an older one not made of fag paper yet!
It’ll probably turn out to be a thrashed rust
It will probably need all the things you have replaced on your current van!
The problem with buying a van at the moment is your paying a premium. Everyone wants them for deliveries and campervan conversions.
Sounds like your belingo is a great van but just has one gremlin that needs fixing.
I'm guessing your in Halifax, which auto electricians have you tried?
J. S rushworth is highly recommended.
https://www.autoelectricianhalifax.co.uk/services
OK, my tuppence...2 things that spring to mind...When was the fuel filter last changed? - could be clogged...Or the other one; get the garage to check for air leaks after the airflow meter, any air dragged in here won't be 'seen' by the ECU and so not compensated for and it will lean the engine and maybe be the cause your power loss? Get yr partner to poke about behind it, and check the hoses and clips to make sure there's nothings obviously worn Might also be worth checking the wiring and connector to the airflow meter for any signs of corrosion or damage, might also be worth looking at the throttle pedal sensor for worn wiring.
As these are mechanical faults they tends not to turn on the engine fault light
You can sometime hear a 'hissing' noise with the engine running when there's an air leak
I'm with Welsh farmer. At the moment you have a with with a history you know, it pretty good shape, with one problem. If you drop, say, 5k on a replacement, will you end up with a better vehicle than if you spent 1k chasing the problem? At some point obviously you are throwing good money after bad, but it seems like you've had half the work done to fix the problem, in the sense you've eliminated some possible causes.
Someone on here I think discovered the bolt attaching a sensor or similar had developed so much crud from dissimilar metal corrosion that it was no longer grounding. Lots of output devices ground via the attachment point. Without seeing the car, that's where I be looking. I don't know about rhe Berlingo but some have an egr solenoid that is separate from the actual valve. If the valve has been replaced because a tech. thought that might be the problem, I be looking there or thereabouts as a start. With the right equipment, a mechanic should be able to see a snapshot of the pcm when the problem occurs, which could guide them.
@damascus it's booked in with him but he's not free until the end of the month.
Before he can look at it, I need to go to Scotland with the family and so I need a car that works. I'm looking at £700 minimum to rent, which would go a long way towards something new that I had faith in. And then if I can fix the Berlingo maybe I sell it and get some money back.
Back to eyeing up Stepwagons I think, seems to be the only affordable not-a-Berlingo and different-enough-from-a-Berlingo I can find.
Alternative view point.
700 quid hires you a reliable car for your holiday with no stress.
It doesn't buy much of a vehicle these days at all. And it could be buying a whole set of new problems at short notice before setting off on a long journey.
Can you borrow a car for the family trip to Scotland?
Is it £700 for the week? That sounds expensive
Dont bother with a jap import imho
Go for something common and easy to fix.
I did a Nissan el grande? For someone choice after choice on pads alone. Plus any tech backup is zero
What about a Nissan NV200.....