Berlingo Forum

63 XTR Diesel

Overall I'm pretty impressed and the last 1500 miles (to Spain) has showed up the best and worst.  

Thankfully no "worst" to report but a few observations. 

Not as smooth, quiet or as pleasant as my old C4 Picasso at motorway speeds and a bit underpowered overall. Not such a big deal as it's slowed me down somewhat   I have to remember it's basically a van (tall and relatively narrow) and expecting to handle as well as a "standard" car is unfair. It's stable enough though even if not as solid as the Picasso.  

Speedo position is awful. At anything above 60 or so the steering wheel obscures the dial and it feels like I have to dip my head to see it anyway. The rev counter and speedo really should be the other way round. Thinking about it I'd guess they may well be like that in left hand drive models if they use the same unit.

Fuel consumption at motorway speeds is not quite as good as my old C4 at 40-42 mpg. Off the motorway though it's much better and I'm getting between 50-55 (much better than the C4 ever did at "normal" speeds). 

I had a puncture at one point and I found it pretty easy to get to all the tools and spare wheel (nice to have a proper size wheel and not have to unload the boot to get to the spare or the tools!) It's just a pity there was no security socket thingy   I called the dealers from Spain and they said it would be in the glove compartment (it wasn't) then blamed me saying I must have signed for it when I bought the car (er, no and I subsequently spoke to the salesman and he confirmed he'd not checked the socket either). Got it sorted by a local garage in the end. 

Right, good things. 

Very versatile and extensive storage options. Massive boot and the roof compartments are really useful (glove compartment isn't!) 

Pleasant enough to drive and with the glass roof sections it's wonderfully light and airy. I love the sense of space and the few rear seat passengers I've taken have commented on how easy it is to get in and out of and have also like the roof lights. 

Air-con works well and the fans are significantly better than the C4 and rear seat passengers like being able to control their own fans in the Modutop.

All in all a useful and versatile car and for me the advantages outweigh any disadvantages and it suits what I need.

(12-09-2015, 12:30 PM)dickl Wrote: [ -> ]63 XTR Diesel

Overall I'm pretty impressed and the last 1500 miles (to Spain) has showed up the best and worst.  

Thankfully no "worst" to report but a few observations. 

Not as smooth, quiet or as pleasant as my old C4 Picasso at motorway speeds and a bit underpowered overall. Not such a big deal as it's slowed me down somewhat   I have to remember it's basically a van (tall and relatively narrow) and expecting to handle as well as a "standard" car is unfair. It's stable enough though even if not as solid as the Picasso.  

Speedo position is awful. At anything above 60 or so the steering wheel obscures the dial and it feels like I have to dip my head to see it anyway. The rev counter and speedo really should be the other way round. Thinking about it I'd guess they may well be like that in left hand drive models if they use the same unit.

Fuel consumption at motorway speeds is not quite as good as my old C4 at 40-42 mpg. Off the motorway though it's much better and I'm getting between 50-55 (much better than the C4 ever did at "normal" speeds). 

I had a puncture at one point and I found it pretty easy to get to all the tools and spare wheel (nice to have a proper size wheel and not have to unload the boot to get to the spare or the tools!) It's just a pity there was no security socket thingy   I called the dealers from Spain and they said it would be in the glove compartment (it wasn't) then blamed me saying I must have signed for it when I bought the car (er, no and I subsequently spoke to the salesman and he confirmed he'd not checked the socket either). Got it sorted by a local garage in the end. 

Right, good things. 

Very versatile and extensive storage options. Massive boot and the roof compartments are really useful (glove compartment isn't!) 

Pleasant enough to drive and with the glass roof sections it's wonderfully light and airy. I love the sense of space and the few rear seat passengers I've taken have commented on how easy it is to get in and out of and have also like the roof lights. 

Air-con works well and the fans are significantly better than the C4 and rear seat passengers like being able to control their own fans in the Modutop.

All in all a useful and versatile car and for me the advantages outweigh any disadvantages and it suits what I need.

Good post.Very interesting and nice to have a real world review.Well done.

Speedo position is awful. At anything above 60 or so the steering wheel obscures the dial and it feels like I have to dip my head to see it anyway. The rev counter and speedo really should be the other way round. Thinking about it I'd guess they may well be like that in left hand drive models if they use the same unit.

Adjust your steering column (lever on the left) up or down

A speedo is a redundant piece of equipment on a diesel, driving by ear or the revcounter is just as effective.

(13-09-2015, 07:06 PM)doofer Wrote: [ -> ]I almost never drive manually these days - I'm generally on cruise control set to the speed limit in 30 or 40 limits (with BMWs driving into the boot normally!), or set to 60 on motorways or dual carriageways.

I've had cruise control before, but this is the first time I've had an auto gearbox too, so I'm more of a steerer than a driver now.

I don't think I have a problem seeing the speedo though.  And you do need to see it, as the engine's almost silent unless shoved hard.  I don't see the advantage of reading the rev counter rather than the speedo - you may as well just check the speedo.

I agree you need to see the speedo.If its that bad could you not use a Sat Nav for your speed,their very accurate !

Thanks chaps, I think.

I really don't understand the "you don't need a speedo" comment. Driving on the rev counter is not exactly practical is it? Perhaps some folks are blessed with superfast brains that can look at the rev counter, note the gear and make the calculation. I'm not blessed like that. I need to see the speedo if I want to avoid a ticket.

I don't have cruise control or a speed limiter and the wheel is set where I want it to be.

I did use the sat-nav most of the time while I was away but I use it on my bike most of the time (as the speedo on the tank really is difficult to see!) and only use it in the car on long journeys.

It's just a poor piece of design although, as I said, if they use the same units in the left hand drive version then that puts the speedo near the centre of the car which makes sense as it's much easier to see.

I can't say that I have ever noticed the speedo being obstructed, does your car have the height adjustable seats, maybe things just need adjusting a bit to suit you.

I'm all for doing away with the tacho on a diesel, what use is it anyway.

In my 2014 VTR I don't have a problem with the location of the speedo, but I do find it hard to read the instrument panel on bright sunny days unless I switch the sidelights on, which then turns off the DRLs.

The binnacle is quite deeply recessed into the dashboard which puts it in the shade most of the time.  The auto gear number is lit, as is the milometer so I can't see the logic of not having the speedo illuminated whenever the ignition is on.

I've grumbled about this before, have been to Specsavers, and discussed having it rewired by the main dealer - but it needs a different loom apparently and would invalidate the warranty.

That's my only moan though; otherwise it's excellent. And as I'm not a technician, I don't look at the tacho thingy.

I've done another 1000 miles since I started this thread and although the speedo position is an irritation it's not exactly a big deal

I can't say I've noticed any issues with the instrument panel (then again, despite going to northern Spain in it we never had too much bright sunlight )

(16-09-2015, 05:35 PM)doofer Wrote: [ -> ]I don't get this discussion about the steering wheel at all - it's adjustable, if it's in the way then move it!

The idea is to put it where it's comfortable for you though, not so it's not in the way of something.   If that puts it in your line of vision of the speedometer it is a design fault. I haven't driven a new Berlingo so can't comment but the OP has the problem and obviously sees it as worth mentioning so I don't feel the need to contradict him.