Van or Multispace conversion?!!

[jacob2]

Hey all,

We've just bought a 2017 1.6 blueHDI L2 Berlingo, with a plan to build a raised bed with storage space in the back. We needed Euro 6 or petrol as we live in the London ULEZ zone... This after my lwb transit was stolen recently(

I like the vehicle, though a little worried about some grinding gears unless you jam it all the way in, but I have a few queries I wonder if people can help with! Thanks in advance.

1. I planned to build a platform bed above the wheelarches, but one arch is super high, and I'll need to take some plastic backing out. Is this the same on all van models? Feels pretty cramped back there but i guess it's going to compared to a transit!

2. I'm having real trouble working out the dimensions of the multispace (this is relevant as I'm wondering if we've made the right choice, and maybe should have got a car with a foldout bed unit..) We want to have a kid so were looking for a 3 seater van but if the multispace is long enough then maybe that's better... (wish I'd had more time to work this out properly beforehand!!).

If we could get a low mileage petrol multispace then it wouldn't have to be 2016 and we would be saving a lot.. Is this what most folks would recommend? I have found my friend's petrol berlingo to be pretty low power, what's the best engine? 

Either way we've had so much trouble with repairs recently that we want to get something not much more than 8ish years old/80k maybe....

Thanks again
j

[Multispacer]

Hey all,

We've just bought a 2017 1.6 blueHDI L2 Berlingo, with a plan to build a raised bed with storage space in the back. We needed Euro 6 or petrol as we live in the London ULEZ zone... This after my lwb transit was stolen recently(

I like the vehicle, though a little worried about some grinding gears unless you jam it all the way in, but I have a few queries I wonder if people can help with! Thanks in advance.

1. I planned to build a platform bed above the wheelarches, but one arch is super high, and I'll need to take some plastic backing out. Is this the same on all van models? Feels pretty cramped back there but i guess it's going to compared to a transit!

2. I'm having real trouble working out the dimensions of the multispace (this is relevant as I'm wondering if we've made the right choice, and maybe should have got a car with a foldout bed unit..) We want to have a kid so were looking for a 3 seater van but if the multispace is long enough then maybe that's better... (wish I'd had more time to work this out properly beforehand!!).

If we could get a low mileage petrol multispace then it wouldn't have to be 2016 and we would be saving a lot.. Is this what most folks would recommend? I have found my friend's petrol berlingo to be pretty low power, what's the best engine? 

Either way we've had so much trouble with repairs recently that we want to get something not much more than 8ish years old/80k maybe....

Thanks again
j

I'm trying to figure out from your post what exactly you want from the vehicle? Did you actually want a van to convert? If it is the case you just wanted a vehicle to use as a camper, then fine it's probably the way to go, although as you say if there are going to be three of you at some stage, or more   then maybe you should have been looking at a Multispace as there are plenty of 'ready built' camping units that just fit in the back [Amdro and Campal spring to mind but others are available] that still allow the use of all five seats and you have somewhere to sit/sleep when using the camping unit part. There are also if you hunt around plans on-line showing how to make similar type camping units that fit in the back of a multispace. There may also be plans for the pure van conversion but I've not looked.
Just to give you some idea of the flexibility of the Multispace, even without the a camper unit installed. We have had the family of four with all our camping gear [so that's two full size tents, table, chairs, cooker, power leads for camping sites, plus a camping fridge [powered from the handy socket in the back of the multispace] plus food/clothing etc for trips around Europe lasting two or more weeks, all fitted into a Berlingo Multispace. The fact that the diesel was doing 50+ MPG fully loaded and pays only the same as a car on French Autoroutes, where a lot of larger vans/motorhomes pay more.
Personally, I would stay away from the petrol versions as unless you get a very modern version, they are not that great on fuel.

[ffrenchie]

Not relevant to your Berlingo post but coincidentally a friend had his Transit stolen a couple of weeks ago and the theft was on CCTV. The thief just walked up, got in and drove off even though the van was locked and the keys in the owners possession.