Hi,

I am new on here, so I am really not sure how this works. I joined because I wanted some advice from those in the know.

I have been the happy owner of a mk2 Doblo for the past three years and apart from an new set of rear shocks and dual mass and clutch as well as a body computer( my fault called auto locksmith who spiked it and refused to pay) I have had very little hassle. I know have the opportiunity to purchase a mk 3 Doblo. I was just wondering if any of you know anything I need to be aware of with this new modle in terms of break downs etc.

Thanks

Nick

Hi,

I had a Mk1 Doblo 1.9JTD for ten years and changed to a Mk3 in February.

My old car was giving trouble and I could no longer rely on it.

The new one is quieter, much better riding, handles far better and has an improved seat position, and I have now got used to it. It took a while.

The instruments are hard to see in some lights, and I don't necessarily mean when it is dark, the driver's seat doesn't have the lovely adjustability of my old car, with the solid tipping levers which made it so easy to get the seat angle right. This feature is only available on some of the new vans I think. And I have to pump the seat up to full height every time I get in. I am not alone it seems Overall though I am more comfortable behind the wheel and I have superb lumbar support - essential for my back. And the wipers are silent and the self-cancelling indicators work at last. Hooray!

The worst part on my second hand (so I don't know what the original owner got up to) car is the very abrupt clutch, which makes setting off from standstill a necessarily careful manoeuvre. Too easy to stall, and the gearbox in first and second gears can be obstructive and gritty. Not nice. Perfect once above third however.

The economy seems to be the same, not better. A salesman I trust says his car also has the abrupt clutch etc., and so I don't think it is just mine. And acceleration from a standstill isn't as meaty or quick because you have to change from first to second the minute you set off, so quickly does the (very responsive) engine spin. Paradoxically you have to be very careful not to fall into a flat spot because it gets bogged down quickly if you are in too low a gear. It likes revs and torque doesn't come in until about 2000rpm!

Oh, and I don't think internal storage is any better. But as I said, the car is very comfortable and everyone comments on it. Better than many many ordinary cars. But I also think leg room in the back is worse, although the space in the boot is better

Economy is much the same as the old car, but it is not more economical, although it cruises much better at seventy + and you have to watch your speed. Ninety comes without noticing. By the way, they had to re-hang my door because the wind noise was terrible. All sorted now . And the radio is far better and the Bluetooth with my phone works perfectly. Love the steering wheel controls for the radio etc.. And I have the dash-top satnav. Excellent position.

I like the car a lot now, but it took a while to get used to.

Make sure you get parking sensors if you do get one because the new car is bigger. It feels small again now though

Sorry about the scattergun description. The new Doblo feels much bigger for a while, it is more comfortable, particularly on a run, and it rolls less and handles better - quite fun actually, you can really fling it about - my biggest gripe is the first and second gear feel and the clutch action, although I have mostly got the hang now. I'm glad I changed though, and I have even got used to the internal door handles.

Both the door armrests and the central armrest are too low to be of use, if that matters to you as the driver, but for passengers they seem fine.

Please feel free to come back as I am aware this is a stream of consciousness and not a detailed description.

I have one as well, and agree pretty much with everything Ulpian says;

Instruments can definitely be difficult to read in some types of light
Armrests too low
Seats 'break-in' nicely after about 10k
Needs more internal small storage
Economy is disappointing. I get 45mpg from my 1.6 105ps diesel. My new Skoda Superb gets 67mpg and that is also a 1.6 105ps diesel.
Good radio
Climate control doesn't immediately provide max demist if requested with a cold engine
Love the extra space in the mk3
No clutch or flat spot problem on mine
Parking sensors, Cruise control, Climate control and 4 electric windows are all 'nice to haves'.
Brilliant with Winter tyres as the Stability & traction control work really well
3rd row of seats not as cramped as some 7 seaters but best for kids.
I can carry a bike upright in it which is important for me.

The mechanic at my local dealer said that there are apparently slightly different types of rear suspension fitted to Doblo's depending on the type. On some van versions they have a habit of getting through rear bushes, but my 7 seater has had no problems.

My car has been completely reliable in 30k miles and I am much happier with it than I thought I would be.:worship:

I have a 12 plate van. 1.6 105 ps.....

Getting an average of 48mpg but that includes some quicker fully laden driving and a lot of idling. The max I have had was 61 over a 200 mile journey Midlands to London on a Sunday evening.

20,000 miles now, no issues so far.

Spammer

Lee Evans said:

found the cheapest Doblo vans on the internet tel 01446 773098 new vehicle solutions based in wales - offer free delivery too


Hope this helps -

Lee

Click to expand...

Nope. It's a blatant advert by an obvious spammer. Go away, there's a good boy.

Oh, the post code that comes up against that phone number when looked at in google earth shows a collection of scrap yards.

Hello; how do you find the grip away from traffic lights? I had the 07 reg Doblo 1.4 petrol, and it was really light on it`s front wheels. They spun ever so easily. Tyres aren`t cheap . . .

The passenger side front wheel does occasionally lose traction a little when turning left. Not enough for the Traction control to work, but now that I know it might happen I have adjusted my driving style.

Apart from the very low first gear (very handy because I tow a caravan) my only real complaint was the angle of the driver's seat central arm-rest. When I was in a comfortable position the front edge of the arm-rest stuck into the back of my elbow, just above the bony-bit.
I assumed that either:

• Italians have short legs and long forearms and short upper-arms
• I am even more deformed than I thought I was.
• I have the seat angled back too far (but I am very comfortable)

To overcome this I had a good look at the arm-rest. By pushing the upholstery down around the pivot I found that the arm-rest is held by a spring clip. Wiggling and removing this clip (carefully tying a length of thin cord round it BEFORE pulling it out fully, so as not to lose it down inside the upholstery) I was able to remove the arm-rest.
There is a stop on the pivot and the arm itself has a sleeve with a cut-out that allows movement from right up to right down.

By carefully filing the cut-out a little larger I was able to lower the end of the arm-rest to a more acceptable angle.
Possibly the pivot was welded-on slightly out of position. The angle is only a few degrees but makes all the difference.

Now I can drive hundreds of miles in France, towing in comfort on the Autoroutes.