Did / would you tick option boxes on a Berlingo?

[Northman]

I have this theory that people who buy Berlingos don't tend to tick option boxes. (We are thrifty souls who begrudge spending a single extra penny on our vehicles!) One of the bits of evidence I have for this is that in searching the web for 2nd hand Mk2 Berlingos, it is apparent that hardly any have air conditioning, despite the fact that the vast majority of cars purchased in the UK in the last 10 years have air conditioning.

Yes, almost all of us tick the option box for metallic paint - but other than that, did you (or would you) tick option boxes?

My current Berlingo was bought 2nd hand, so I didn't have a choice.

My first Berlingo was purchased new 10 years ago. The options we ticked were metallic paint (Arctic Steel), ABS, & passenger airbag.

Within a couple of years of that purchase, ABS & passenger airbag had become standard. Interestingly enough, however, I gather that before they became standard, very few buyers were opting to get them.

[spiritdemon]

I have this theory that people who buy Berlingos don't tend to tick option boxes. (We are thrifty souls who begrudge spending a single extra penny on our vehicles!) One of the bits of evidence I have for this is that in searching the web for 2nd hand Mk2 Berlingos, it is apparent that hardly any have air conditioning, despite the fact that the vast majority of cars purchased in the UK in the last 10 years have air conditioning.

Yes, almost all of us tick the option box for metallic paint - but other than that, did you (or would you) tick option boxes?

My current Berlingo was bought 2nd hand, so I didn't have a choice.

My first Berlingo was purchased new 10 years ago. The options we ticked were metallic paint (Arctic Steel), ABS, & passenger airbag.

Within a couple of years of that purchase, ABS & passenger airbag had become standard. Interestingly enough, however, I gather that before they became standard, very few buyers were opting to get them.

Appart from Mediteranean Blue Metalic I pretty much ordered the same for my 04 2.0 HDi
I ordered the Desire, which gave me the modutop with its two extra (always on ) 12v outputs, and the peculiar modubox which was exactly the right size for an electric coolbox or to truck a large quantity of bottled water if you were in foreign climbs. I always kicked myself for skimping and NOT ordering the airconditioning as we used to tour europe each summer and rear passengers cooked under the modutop.

Re your other post, I often regreted NOt going the Forte & full length sunroof route and would still consider that a serious option should it have been offered today.
Was the Forte limited in engine size? Perhaps they didnt do it with the 2.0 HDi? That would have put me off it. I can't remember.

Having just survived a nasty smash in our old ZX I was keen to enhance the security of my family and ordered the safety pack which at the time gave you ABS, the passenger airbag and two extra airbags in the outside shoulder of the front seats to counter a sideways shunt as we had just suffered.

We just ordered up the replacement and the list of extras has grown.

XTR for the aircon and metal under engine bash plate (the noise deadening plastic sheet under our old Desire snapped off at huge cost every time we went through a ford or flood or pretty much any water splash.)

Modutop for all its family friendly storage features and the airy feel it gives to the cabin

Persamos Metalic paint

Safety plus pack for extra air bags, mud n snow tyres and traction control ESP with hill start assist and grip control.

Detection pack in the hope my mrs has the confidence to reverse. (I'll get it in the neck for that one!)Leccy folding mirrors for the supermarket car park ( I never remember) and cruise sontrol cause I'm lazy, like gadgets and don't like speeding tickets.

Split rear screen so I can still load up at the supermarket when some numpty with reversing sensors has " pulled up to the bumper baby" and the darker tint rear for hot weather comfort.

Lastly the bluetooth kit because in this day and age it makes sense!

Probably way over the top for most folks needs but I couldn't justify the huge cost of integrated GPS nor the automatic pack as I can just about spot when it starts raining or goes dark and do something about it. (One of these stalk thingies isnt it?) Would have liked the heat reflecting windscreen but it was bundled with bits I didn't need or want to pay for.

So, much more to go wrong with this one, just hope its anywhere near as reliable as its predecessor!

[pch]

I wanted everything as it was to be my last car purchased, hopefully, if it lasts that long>>>>> rattle rattle.....but sadly back in march 2010 you could only get what was about with out waiting 3 months or longer. So I had to make do with half the goodies.
If it wasnt for the size and mpg, which still seems pretty good for such a largish car, I would have and still would buy a landrover. but I couldnt handle 22-28 mpg, especially as fuel costs just keep going up and up. For the money I paid for my blingo [13k] new it would have been a second hand landy, nice but so so expensive to run. I still dream of one, if I ever won the lottery that would be my first purchase.
So the blingo is second choice. As I live half way up a mountain, get stuck in by snow, its half mile down a farm track, landy would be 1st choice.
As it is blingo with mods is not bad.
Pete

[taxi]

I chose XTR version primarily for AirCon as I felt that there was the chance of car getting too hot due to the large glass area, and constant doors opening / closing could cause windows to steam up . Taking into account the cost of AirCon option on VTR I decided to upgrade to XTR. Got to admit that if it wasn't a taxi I would have ticked lots of options-probably far too many to afford.

[Northman]

Was the Forte limited in engine size? Perhaps they didnt do it with the 2.0 HDi?

The 2.0 HDi was available in Forte trim. (In fact, all four engines were available in Forte trim in 2004. The 1.4 Petrol was not available in Desire trim, but the other three were.)

[spiritdemon]

The 2.0 HDi was available in Forte trim. (In fact, all four engines were available in Forte trim in 2004. The 1.4 Petrol was not available in Desire trim, but the other three were.)

Well I can't remember what was the deciding factor. Probably concerns about leaks in the long term as I intended to keep the car for a long while.

The folding roofs these days seem to be much better. Those on the minis and fiat 500s in particular seem very nicely set up but then I haven't seen an 8 year old mini convertible or soft-top 500 !

My sons smart roadster roof leaks like a seive but holds water beautifully in the floor pan. Needs bailing more regularly than a sailing dinghy.:eek:

[3rensho]

When I ordered mine I didn't pick any extras except for the option pack that put three seats in the second row and metallic paint. Didn't need wipers or headlights that turn on automatically or mirrors that fold automatically. As far as I'm concerned that is just more things to go wrong eventually. The basic multispace came already with air con, front arm rests, front and side air bags, second row pull down sun shades, second rear view mirror to monitor seats in the back, lengthwise roof bars on top, inside lateral roof bars, cargo net, full size spare, radio/cd, electric child locks for sliding side doors (have used with some adults!!).

[Trevor]

Apart from the colour I have ordered exactly the same as spiritdemon.
My main reason it that I dont want to start thinking 6 months down the road 'I wish I had ordered this or that as well'
It's my retirement present to myself so I spoilt me

[scotsron]

Grip Control on my XTR -first non 4x4 in my last 3cars so wanted all the help Icould get when it snows up here in the Highlands. As we have had next to none so far this winter - no idea how good Grip Control really is! Would have loved a heated windscreen!

[XTR]

Seeing as this was my first ever 'Brand spanking new,never been on a lady's leg'car,I wanted as much as I could afford when it came to the options list.

First option was a spare wheel.One of those emergency aerosol thingies is okay for a normal puncture,but leaves a lot to be desired if the tyre is completely shot.

Second option was auto climate control,which I find far better than manual airco.Along with the climate control came the heat reflecting windscreen.

Third option was the detection pack,which includes cruise/speed limiter,electric folding mirrors and rear parking sensors.

Fourth option was the XTR modularity pack which includes the interior roof bars,opening split tailgate,storage box between the front seats,rear door window blinds and cargo net.

Fifth option was the black paint.

I couldn't,or wouldn't justify a thousand euros for the 16" alloys (now they fit them as standard) nor could I justify a thousand euros for the factory fitted MyWay satnav.

There wasn't much left to tick actually cratch:
If there'd have been a box for a heated front screen,I'd have ticked that too.

I also went for the XTR because the three individual rear seats are standard.