General Doblo or Berlingo - Advice wanted

[Hookster]

Help I’m after some advice.

We’ve been looking to buy a flexible van/car were we can nip down the cash and carry load it up to the roof and also transport the family around in comfort without spending a fortune. Therefore I started looking at the usual suspects Berlingo, Partner and Kango.

I decided to test drive the Berlingo only because the dealer had one in stock.
It was the most uncomfortable drive I have ever had; being 6’4” and no seat height adjustment I had cramp in my leg after 20 minutes.

By good chance I passed a Fiat dealer the next day and spotted the Doblo.
I had a sit in it, superb comfort, and an adjustable driver’s seat. I have now arranged a test drive this Saturday.

What I have gathered after spending hours reading this forum is that the 1.3 is very good, but if there is a lot of long distance motorway driving the 1.9 is best, is this right?

Has anyone got a seven seater if so, can adults sit in the back or are they just for kids, and are they hard to remove and replace or do they just sit on the garage floor?

What sort of discounts should I expect of list prices?

One last thing is the connect nav + any good or should I stick with my TomTom?

I’ll let you know how it goes.

 

[bobian81]

I've had 2 jtd's and now finally a 1.3 multijet, I prefer the 1.3 for its quietness and smoothness, because I do alot of miles, I like the idea that the 1.3 mj has no cambelts to worry about, I do 100 miles a day in mine, motorway perfromance is fine.
Dont know much about the 7 seater, but it will restrict boot space, I have looked at the berlingo each time I've change (this is my 3rd doblo) and have always come back.
Price wise use www.fiatsupasaver.com to drive yout local fiat dealer down, I was successful at jordans of hull, although some dealers wouldnt talk to me at the discount prices, this last doblo I bought in jan 07 brand new for £8100 on road, an absolute bargain, try and find a berlingo for that, I think not.
Good luck, hope you choose the right car.

 

[ashy_2002]

hello

I've a 7 seater 1.3 diesel ... its great... the rear seats are a bit bulky to remove.. we only use them about three times a year so spend most of their time under cover in a heated garage .. the leg space on the third row is sufficent for adults .

the rear space boot space in a dobbin is far greater than a berlingo or peugeot equivalent .... the diesels are fantastic... theres some great new price deals out there... go for it...

 

[Niall_G]

Hi Hookster & welcome to the group!

(Okay Ozzie, I'm ready for you to smack my legs, again )

I've had a limited experience of a Berlingo and found the seat very uncomfortable. A few cm below your thighs is a metal bar that runs across the seat. Over time, as the seat foam compresses, this bar presses against your leg - very painful after a few hours!

One last thing is the connect nav + any good or should I stick with my TomTom?

I've no experience of the built in SatNav but suspect it will offer no significant benefit over a seperate unit. TomTom??? Do yourself a favour and get a Garmin - Nuvi 670 or Streetpilot 2000 series - both excellent quality and from a firm that respects its customers, unlike TomTom - or Fiat now I think of it.

1.3 or 1.9 ?
Mrs_G runs a 1.9 JTD. Check my sig at the bottom of this post for her current mileage. At the time of this post (16/2/07) she's still on the original g/box and engine. Heard a 1.3 pull away yesterday and it sounds very agricultual compared to the 1.9 JTD. It could of course only be that particular Doblo but I'd try both before decideing.

(Ozzie, why are you holding that whip?):devil:

.

 

[doblo]

The Doblo has a greater boot size than the Berlingo when in five seat mode, but neither Fiat or Citroen are noted for reliability although I don't hear much about problems with the Doblo or Berlingo.
If I had to choose between them it would be the Doblo but that is only because I have one already.
Also if you are carrying seven people will the 1.3 struggle a bit?
This site is about the cheapest for Fiats.

http://www.fiatsupasaver.com/index.htm

 

[oilrag]

The 1.3 Multijet
is a much more advanced and lower maintenance engine, its just oil and filters for the engine, nothing else, no cambelt/tenioners to replace or worry about and no tappet adjustment as they are hydraulic.

 

[Obadiah]

Surely the 1.9 is multijet now?

 

[bobian81]

I think it is, BUT crucially I think its still belt driven (thats what the dealer in hull told me) that was a big factor for me switching to the 1.3 chain driven mj.
I find the 1.3mj much quiter than the 1.9jtd's I had before.

 

[bobian81]

Niall G, with a mileage like that on mrs g's doblo, and no major engine or gearbox failures, surely you feel you've already had your moneys worth out of the old dobbie ?
We all know that fiats servicing leaves alot to be desired, but what a cracking van the dobbie is, are you still going to go off fiat when you replace it ?
....... cheers

 

[bobian81]

Niall on the point about noise on the 1.3mj, they are more noisey when cold, but once upto running temp, I find it the quitest diesel I've ever owned

 

[Ozzie1989]

I am let to believe that the 1.9 Multijet of the new engines in the new Doblo's are not belt driven. I could be wrong but I'm sure that's what I've read.

If it were my (unbiased) choice it would be the Doblo, I spent a lot of time looking at the Pugs, Citroens and the Renaults, none of them gave me better value for money than the Doblo. For some reason I also got cheaper insurance quotes on the Doblo.

Now I love it, and I'm glad I did choose the Doblo space is fantastic, and I also have the 1.9JTD which is an amazing engine!

LUKHYGO!

 

[doblo]

This months "What Diesel Car" has a test review of the Berlingo/Partner & Kangoo but no mention of the Doblo.

 

[Hookster]

Firstly thanks for the welcome.

We finally had the test drive today, with the 1.9 (105) dynamic, I must admit it was a 1000% improvement compared with the Berlingo last week. The driving position was a vast improvement, the ride was smoother, the trim didn’t rattle, and there was less road noise in the cabin which meant that with Mrs H sitting in the back we could easily hold a conversation unlike the Citroen. Also the Dobo’s interior seems to be of a higher quality finish.
The only down side was that Mrs H struggled to touch the floor whilst sitting in the front, (she’ll have to get some platform shoes).
We went back to the dealers and placed an order for the 1.9 120 dynamic, and managed to get a good deal thanks to bobian81 and doblo link to www.fiatsupasavers.com.

I look forward to many happy miles of motoring.

Thanks again,

Hookster

 

[Niall_G]

Niall G, .....

We all know that fiats servicing leaves alot to be desired, but what a cracking van the dobbie is, are you still going to go off fiat when you replace it ?
....... cheers

A the moment we have no plans to change the Doblo. It is now at its most profitable - Almost zero depreciation, low running costs, earning as much as a new one would. I still resent Fiat's attitude to its customers and would feel bad giving them any more of my hard earned cash.

Alternatives:
Berlingo/Partner? Too uncomfortable to use.
Kangoo/Kubistar? I've seen very few being used in the courier business. There must be a reason.
Vauxhall Combi? Its a Vauxhall, need I say more. Mrs_G hired one for a few weeks until she decided she definatley wanted to do courier work. Its was an underpowered heap.
VW Caddy? A definate candidate. I've done no research as yet.


1.3 noise.
Glad to hear its only noisey when cold. It did seem odd that a new design sounded so 'old rattley tank' when I heard it. I've since had a chat with the owner of the 1.3 Doblo in question and he confirms all the good things that have been mentioned.

.

 

[Ozzie1989]

Hookster glad you've bought the Doblo! I'm also sure you'll have many happy miles of motoring out of it

Don't forget about us though and keep coming back for a bit of a chat and to keep us updated

 

[Hookster]

Cheers Ozzie

 

[howky]

I used to have a Vauxhall Astravan so its a massive improvment for me the amount of space ive got with the Doblo. Also the bigger engine can cope with the heavy loads i carry (500-600cwt) . The suspension is leaf were the astravan was springs . Under load it was grossly underpowered. I also looked at the Citroen Berlingo and Peugot Partner vans both are again not as big as the Fiat Doblo. The closest rival to the Doblo i would say is the new Transit connect very similar in size but the Doblo cargo has two side doors were other vans only have one. Im very happy indeed with my Doblo.

 

[bobian81]

The transit is a rival I agree, BUT what about the price new ?
I supect It will be a couple of thousand more than the dobbie

 

[trevor1958]

Hi everyone i think i am on wrong page but hopefully some one can give me advice i own 1.3 cargo on a 07 plate but apperantly whilst it was being driven by a mate it died on him when he was going down hill lost all power dobby been into fiat garage what surprise they said it needs new engine as they said the timing chain adjuster had come off tryed to get someone to take the head off to have a look but to no avail priced recon engine absolute stupid money 179.000 is milage any help would b gratefull cheers

 

[TwyRob]

This is the wrong place to ask that question. Try starting a new thread.