About to buy: 2014 1.6 e-HDi Airdream XTR Multispace 90bhp - Advice / tips please

[Tara]

Hi

I will be collecting the car end of next week, after the independent engineer inspection at the traders premises.

It's had one owner since new, has full service history, new cam kit, 6 months warranty, and all the optional equipment included.

The car will be perfect for me, carrying the little grand kids, and large light loads in between - only thing I wish was better, is the mileage at 126k.

I haven't driven it yet. Not ideal I know, but I've been looking for this type of van derived car for 10 weeks now. 
I owned a Smart Roadster about 10 years ago with paddle shifts, and I believe the car has a similar gearbox set up.


Sorry, I have a good few questions please... 

I'm new to diesels, and want to look after this car. 

• What is the best engine oil for it?
  

• Should I get the transmission oil changed if not done recently? 
  

• Is it worth bothering with cleaner fluids from Forte or Cataclean etc? (they have decent reviews compared to cheaper types)
  

Other bits I'm just curious about please...

• Is it an esg or etg? Online says both mean the same thing for the car.
  

• I hate 'Stop / Start' on cars . Does it matter to the car if I keep it switched off on a diesel?
  

• I read something about using the handbrake to control fast reversing speed. Can you say more on that please? (I can't remember this being an issue on the Roadster)
  

• I also read about not holding the car on hills, or expect clutch burns outs. 
  

• Any common issues to look out for interior / exterior on the Berlingo's when I view it myself?
  
  
  Thank you ever so much. Tara.
  

[ItsGreen]

The mileage isn't bad, I tend to think if it's a diesel it's better to have more miles that something that's never been past the corner shop - less chance of them "clogging up".

Personally, I use Forte in a new fuel filter every service on older diesels, smokes like anything for the first half a mile then clears, so it might be doing something, everyone's got a different opinion.

Not sure what the acronym's mean, but I believe they're an automated manual box with a single, normal "dry" clutch that's controlled by the car. A gearbox oil change wouldn't hurt, but I wouldn't go out of my way to do it (different story on a normal auto, or one with wet clutches). I've driven a couple of cars based on the same platform, so I'd guess with the same gearbox, and they're not bad. Everyone's opinion varies though, I like a good "proper" torque converter box, or an early VW DSG, others will say they're the worst.

Having the stop start on or nots a long debate, and I don't think anyone really knows the answer. Our fleet manager at work says leave it on if it's got Ad-blu, otherwise, turn it off.

interior and exterior problems, that just depends on the life it's lead, whether it's had bored kids taking the interior apart, or heavy stuff dragged in the back. Sit in the back and imagine you're a 6 year old looking for something to grab hold of, and see if it's loose.

[Tara]

The mileage isn't bad, I tend to think if it's a diesel it's better to have more miles that something that's never been past the corner shop - less chance of them "clogging up".

Personally, I use Forte in a new fuel filter every service on older diesels, smokes like anything for the first half a mile then clears, so it might be doing something, everyone's got a different opinion.

Not sure what the acronym's mean, but I believe they're an automated manual box with a single, normal "dry" clutch that's controlled by the car. A gearbox oil change wouldn't hurt, but I wouldn't go out of my way to do it (different story on a normal auto, or one with wet clutches). I've driven a couple of cars based on the same platform, so I'd guess with the same gearbox, and they're not bad. Everyone's opinion varies though, I like a good "proper" torque converter box, or an early VW DSG, others will say they're the worst.

Having the stop start on or nots a long debate, and I don't think anyone really knows the answer. Our fleet manager at work says leave it on if it's got Ad-blu, otherwise, turn it off.

interior and exterior problems, that just depends on the life it's lead, whether it's had bored kids taking the interior apart, or heavy stuff dragged in the back. Sit in the back and imagine you're a 6 year old looking for something to grab hold of, and see if it's loose.

Hi

Thanks for the reply, and reassurance about the mileage. 

Re ESG / ETG... I think I've figured out which gearbox type is in the car.
I didn't think it mattered, but I used Parkers to get it's value, as I'm looking at insurance quotes (I couldn't find any similar sold cars on ebay)

Someone said if I did the Auto Trader trick where you begin to make a used car ad, the full details show. I did that, and it says it is an ETG.
Parkers value ESG models £500 more than an ETG's. I have no idea what the difference is 

I'll have a good mooch inside next week. The car looks clean in the pics, and it has a doggy divider across the rear seats, so maybe the car was just used for carrying them.

[John Bilko]

You may have noticed I have what seems to be the same motor as you though mine is 2013.

I describe the auto box as a "robot" gearbox, a brain changes the gears for you so there is no clutch.

I have had a few cars with robot boxes and generally they are nowhere near as delightful as the torque boxes I have had and my Berlingo is the worst.  

As always with a used car I have had to spend time (and money) putting right other people's problems (OPP).  An example is the driver door rubber which cost a fortune.  As years go by cars become more of a pain to work on and the Berlingo is no exception.

The comment is correct in a way about low mileage ones but a good few are used as a base for conversions for disabilities so tend to be low miles.  More to the point is whether or not you do a low mileage; I do and it is a pity I did not appreciate the implication before I bought mine.

One annoying factor is the eco battery saving facility.

Mine did not have tyre pressure monitoring so I was more happy to go to bigger tyres on alloys especially since behind the wheel trims (which were odd and cracked - an example of OPP) were horribly rusty steel wheels.

The undertray is another pain in the derriere.

As far as I am concerned Cataclean is the additive to use.

If you have any questions feel free to ask me and if I can answer them I will.

[Tara]

Just to say I've been informed the car is quite poorly, so won't be going ahead on this one.

The Multispace search begins again :-(

[Multispacer]

Just to say I've been informed the car is quite poorly, so won't be going ahead on this one.

The Multispace search begins again :-(

Reading your original post, I've got to ask, are you going to be doing a lot of miles, or more importantly, a good number of drives at a higher speed? If the answer is no, then I personally would not be looking at a diesel.

Yes, they are much better on fuel [although now there seems to be quite a price differential between diesel and petrol] but if you are not going to be be doing high mileage or longer trips then look at petrol versions.

Modern diesels that have DPF [Diesel Particulate Filters] do not like lots of short journeys and it can shorten the life of the DPF which clogs and then you are quite often into an expensive DPF replacement. Some later Berlingos also have an Eolys system that can also cause problems [read the threads on this forum] which can also be expensive to fix.

Finally do you really need an auto box? The 'auto' box can also be problematic.

I'm not trying to put you off a Berlingo, as they are practical vehicles, I'm on my second one [first one was written off by someone rear-ending me] but just trying to point out why your choice of an auto diesel may not be the best choice for your intended use.

Hope you manage to find something.

[John Bilko]

Just to say I've been informed the car is quite poorly, so won't be going ahead on this one.

The Multispace search begins again :-(

Sorry to hear the news.

I feel for you because I searched for ages for one in automatic. I looked in other makes too like Ford and Fiat.  There were lots of manual ones, most with highish mileages,  and many that were converted for wheelchair access.  The one I bought had a good number of things needing to be done like roof rail repair and driver door seal rubber amongst others.  The higher mileage ones tended to be well used.  So it is a bit of a nightmare.  Good luck.

[John Bilko]

Just to say I've been informed the car is quite poorly, so won't be going ahead on this one.

The Multispace search begins again :-(

Reading your original post, I've got to ask, are you going to be doing a lot of miles, or more importantly, a good number of drives at a higher speed?

If the answer is no, then I personally would not be looking at a diesel.
Modern diesels that have DPF [Diesel Particulate Filters] do not like lots of short journeys and it can shorten the life of the DPF which clogs and then you are quite often into an expensive DPF replacement. Some later Berlingos also have an Eolys system that can also cause problems [read the threads on this forum] which can also be expensive to fix.

This is bang on.  It is not a very publicised fact but ought to be. There are lots on the road here and I bet they only do short runs so Lord knows how they deal with the DPF nightmare.  Trouble is that it is much the same with a lot of recent diesel engines and I believe petrol ones are going the same route.  I'd say avoid like the plague but what can you do.

I drive auto these days partly for physical reasons but mostly because I hate stick shifting though there is the paddle alternative.  I have to say that  the robot-gearbox's convenience lies somewhere between a real and decent torq auto and manual gears.

[Tara]

Just to say I've been informed the car is quite poorly, so won't be going ahead on this one.

The Multispace search begins again :-(

Reading your original post, I've got to ask, are you going to be doing a lot of miles, or more importantly, a good number of drives at a higher speed?

If the answer is no, then I personally would not be looking at a diesel.
Modern diesels that have DPF [Diesel Particulate Filters] do not like lots of short journeys and it can shorten the life of the DPF which clogs and then you are quite often into an expensive DPF replacement. Some later Berlingos also have an Eolys system that can also cause problems [read the threads on this forum] which can also be expensive to fix.

This is bang on.  It is not a very publicised fact but ought to be. There are lots on the road here and I bet they only do short runs so Lord knows how they deal with the DPF nightmare.  Trouble is that it is much the same with a lot of recent diesel engines and I believe petrol ones are going the same route.  I'd say avoid like the plague but what can you do.

I drive auto these days partly for physical reasons but mostly because I hate stick shifting though there is the paddle alternative.  I have to say that  the robot-gearbox's convenience lies somewhere between a real and decent torq auto and manual gears.

Hiya

I've posted in the chat section looking for advice. I'm sure it'll be ok to copy the post here:


"Dealer has called me to say the car may not be for sale now, as it has been discovered it 'slams / bangs onto gears' - adding that they are 'looking at changing oil and other things' but a large fix means the car will go to auction.

It's done 125k miles, but came with full service history and 6 months warranty.

I'm not car minded, but my gut is telling me to avoid the car now.
 
It wasn't a 'cheap bargain basement' car, and I knew these gearboxes could be jerky, which I'd have gotten used to (I had a Roadster with same set up) but a cheap fix could end up being temporary for other problems to come with the transmission?

I have set my heart on a Berlingo (or very similar van derived car) for my needs, but thinking I need an awareness now of models to avoid or go for. 

I'm not bothered about the bells and whistles this car had - keeping things simple is often best and cheaper to maintain.


What's your recommendations please? 
I don't mind an older model than 2014, just want one that generally has the best all round reliability.


Thank you"