2016 auto purchase - any advice please

[Robho]

hI, I have an M59 which is manual and due to a health problem need to get an auto.

I'm considering a 2017

1.6 BlueHDi Feel Edition Multispace MPV ETG6 Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

(Its a disability conversion which suits us) and 30k miles. 

are there any particular issues/weaknesses with the model/age to be aware of?

many thanks
Rob

[Multispacer]

hI, I have an M59 which is manual and due to a health problem need to get an auto.

I'm considering a 2017

1.6 BlueHDi Feel Edition Multispace MPV ETG6 Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

(Its a disability conversion which suits us) and 30k miles. 

are there any particular issues/weaknesses with the model/age to be aware of?

many thanks
Rob

Okay so you have an M59, which must be a pre-2008 diesel. Leaving aside the auto box for a moment, do you really need a diesel? The reason I ask is that the modern diesels with all their ad-blue, DPFs etc do not like short journeys, it kills the DPFs really quickly. The fact that this vehicle has done low miles points to the fact that it will have probably only really done short journeys, so you can expect DPF problems soon and all the expense that causes. 

Modern diesels are extremely complex to deal with the emissions and because of that are more prone to problems [a lot more than your M59] especially, as I said if you are only going to do short journeys.

Don't get me wrong I really like Berlingos and Citroen Diesels in general [as you can see in my list of vehicles I have owned] but modern diesel vehicles only make sense if you are going to be doing higher mileages, which clearly you are not. Would I buy another diesel Berlingo, no as I no longer do the mileage now I've retired so it doesn't make financial sense either on the fuel cost side or the maintenance costs. I wouldn't even buy the Petrol version as that is a 'wet belt' system and is not really reliable.

I've never owned an auto but reading posts over the years on this forum of people who have, the 'auto' box on the Citroen is not a true auto box at all but more like a semi-auto, again it is a much more complex system prone to faults.  

Personally, and I don't know if your finances will allow, if you need an auto and a Berlingo and are not doing high mileages [which I assume you're not as a disability conversion will have a smaller fuel tank] I would go for an electric Berlingo, as that is obviously a true auto and no worries if you are only doing short journeys

[Robho]

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. You are right in that the one in question will likely have done short journeys. The auto is due to my wife having an ankle problem and not being able to operate a clutch. In fact we do cover the miles, hence the diesel and I had read the petrol versions can be problematic. Unfortunately budget is c. £8k which is way off the cost for an electric one.

[Multispacer]

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. You are right in that the one in question will likely have done short journeys. The auto is due to my wife having an ankle problem and not being able to operate a clutch. In fact we do cover the miles, hence the diesel and I had read the petrol versions can be problematic. Unfortunately budget is c. £8k which is way off the cost for an electric one.

One other thing to remember about as disability conversion Berlingo is that the lowered rear floor normally means a much smaller fuel tank is fitted, so something to bear in mind, as the range will be nowhere like your existing M59.

[Robho]

yes, thanks, in fact ours is a conversion too, so familiar with that one.

[jj9]

Okay so you have an M59, which must be a pre-2008 diesel. Leaving aside the auto box for a moment, do you really need a diesel? The reason I ask is that the modern diesels with all their ad-blue, DPFs etc do not like short journeys, it kills the DPFs really quickly. The fact that this vehicle has done low miles points to the fact that it will have probably only really done short journeys, so you can expect DPF problems soon and all the expense that causes. 

Modern diesels are extremely complex to deal with the emissions and because of that are more prone to problems [a lot more than your M59] especially, as I said if you are only going to do short journeys.

Don't get me wrong I really like Berlingos and Citroen Diesels in general [as you can see in my list of vehicles I have owned] but modern diesel vehicles only make sense if you are going to be doing higher mileages, which clearly you are not. Would I buy another diesel Berlingo, no as I no longer do the mileage now I've retired so it doesn't make financial sense either on the fuel cost side or the maintenance costs. I wouldn't even buy the Petrol version as that is a 'wet belt' system and is not really reliable.

I've never owned an auto but reading posts over the years on this forum of people who have, the 'auto' box on the Citroen is not a true auto box at all but more like a semi-auto, again it is a much more complex system prone to faults.  

Personally, and I don't know if your finances will allow, if you need an auto and a Berlingo and are not doing high mileages [which I assume you're not as a disability conversion will have a smaller fuel tank] I would go for an electric Berlingo, as that is obviously a true auto and no worries if you are only doing short journeys

Best advice regarding a modern Diesel vehicle I've seen in a long time.

.

[Robho]

Okay so you have an M59, which must be a pre-2008 diesel. Leaving aside the auto box for a moment, do you really need a diesel? The reason I ask is that the modern diesels with all their ad-blue, DPFs etc do not like short journeys, it kills the DPFs really quickly. The fact that this vehicle has done low miles points to the fact that it will have probably only really done short journeys, so you can expect DPF problems soon and all the expense that causes. 

Modern diesels are extremely complex to deal with the emissions and because of that are more prone to problems [a lot more than your M59] especially, as I said if you are only going to do short journeys.

Don't get me wrong I really like Berlingos and Citroen Diesels in general [as you can see in my list of vehicles I have owned] but modern diesel vehicles only make sense if you are going to be doing higher mileages, which clearly you are not. Would I buy another diesel Berlingo, no as I no longer do the mileage now I've retired so it doesn't make financial sense either on the fuel cost side or the maintenance costs. I wouldn't even buy the Petrol version as that is a 'wet belt' system and is not really reliable.

I've never owned an auto but reading posts over the years on this forum of people who have, the 'auto' box on the Citroen is not a true auto box at all but more like a semi-auto, again it is a much more complex system prone to faults.  

Personally, and I don't know if your finances will allow, if you need an auto and a Berlingo and are not doing high mileages [which I assume you're not as a disability conversion will have a smaller fuel tank] I would go for an electric Berlingo, as that is obviously a true auto and no worries if you are only doing short journeys

Best advice regarding a modern Diesel vehicle I've seen in a long time.

.

[Robho]

Thanks again for the feedback.. in fact decided to buy another brand. Cheers.

[jj9]

Good luck & happy motoring with your new vehicle.

.

[Robho]

Okay so you have an M59, which must be a pre-2008 diesel. Leaving aside the auto box for a moment, do you really need a diesel? The reason I ask is that the modern diesels with all their ad-blue, DPFs etc do not like short journeys, it kills the DPFs really quickly. The fact that this vehicle has done low miles points to the fact that it will have probably only really done short journeys, so you can expect DPF problems soon and all the expense that causes. 

Modern diesels are extremely complex to deal with the emissions and because of that are more prone to problems [a lot more than your M59] especially, as I said if you are only going to do short journeys.

Don't get me wrong I really like Berlingos and Citroen Diesels in general [as you can see in my list of vehicles I have owned] but modern diesel vehicles only make sense if you are going to be doing higher mileages, which clearly you are not. Would I buy another diesel Berlingo, no as I no longer do the mileage now I've retired so it doesn't make financial sense either on the fuel cost side or the maintenance costs. I wouldn't even buy the Petrol version as that is a 'wet belt' system and is not really reliable.

I've never owned an auto but reading posts over the years on this forum of people who have, the 'auto' box on the Citroen is not a true auto box at all but more like a semi-auto, again it is a much more complex system prone to faults.  

Personally, and I don't know if your finances will allow, if you need an auto and a Berlingo and are not doing high mileages [which I assume you're not as a disability conversion will have a smaller fuel tank] I would go for an electric Berlingo, as that is obviously a true auto and no worries if you are only doing short journeys

Best advice regarding a modern Diesel vehicle I've seen in a long time.

.