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In reply to Post #32
They wouldn't bother trying to get into the 5 series, theyd just smash the windows, from that perspective a deadlocked van wins hands down, but if they want it they'll get it.
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In reply to Post #25
I have had a 19 reg Berlingo for 5 years now, I didn’t choose it I got given it by work.
It goes in for a yearly service and has been faultless, haven’t had to do anything else to it.
I can get a loaded fox transporter power barrow in it with the handles pulled out and folded downwards.
A 13’ rod bag with spod and marker sleeves on the outside goes on top at the 45 degree angle, it’s tight though.
Lots of room left down the side.
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When i looked a few years back, i went with a peugeot expert, new shape. Much better spec, and lower mileage, for your money than the ford/vw equivalents.
I actually regret buying a van now, few years ago, stopped at tescos on my way to a Xmas social to get food. 11am in the morning on a Thursday. Came out after 20 minutes to a nice hole in one of the side doors. My heart sank as all my gear was in the back. Luckily, they must have been disturbed, or seen no tools and gave up. They took nothing luckily. There is a thin piece of sheet metal covering the locking mechanism. Cheapest repair was to add the metal plates on.
But now im paranoid about parking anywhere. I could have got a decent 5 series BMW touring for the same money, and wish id have done that. Much harder to break into, way more comfortable, and better for everyday use.
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| | | BRB | | Posts: 1391 |  | |
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In reply to Post #28
My porter fits with handles on and as I say rods up to 13' angled across.
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vw transporter up to a t6.1 or a Mercedes vito with the bigger engines
VW T5.1 is the sweat spot, improvements on the T5 engine etc and no adblue
avoid anything after the t6.1 its a ford transit with a wet cambelt
even better if you can pick up a t5.1 shuttle or caravelle there classed as cars with all the comforts along with bed for sleeping etc
Merc vito avoid the little engines as there french Renault engines , all others are Mercedes
again you can get the people class versions of this v class etc etc
if you can find any of those 2 vans with good serviced history low owners etc they will last you a lifetime along with german build quality
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In reply to Post #28
I looked at this and seems ideal . I could put the barrow in loaded (probably have to take the handles off) , then lay rods through the hatch , cheers.
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In reply to Post #25
I asked a lad about his Partner Van a few months back while at Shakerley Mere. In his (and I assume some Berlingos will be the same), if you fold down the passenger seat there's a small hatch in the solid bulkhead, you can open it for longer items. Worth looking for if you're looking around 
Edit, I'm out at the mo but if you search Partner bulkhead on Ebay you'll see the hatch, look for the yellow catch
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| | | BRB | | Posts: 1391 | | |
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In reply to Post #25
My 12'6" rods go in my Peugeot partner diagonally. So the Berlingo should be the same. With a solid bulkhead it keeps them out of sight.
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In reply to Post #1
I have a VW T5.1 2014 factory Kombi that now has 113000 miles on it and as the 2nd owner I have put 60000 of them on trouble free.
It is the 2.0 140bhp model remapped to 190 and is our family vehicle as well as Dog carrier and fishing bus regularly doing 1500 / 2000 mile continental fishing trips fully loaded as well as short local trips and never missed a beat.
Cambelt changed on time and serviced every year, they fetch a premium still but, are within you budget.
I have had several vans including Toyota Proace, VW Caddy Maxi another Transporter and a Berlingo all of which served their purpose and were reliable ad Ll had FSH.
Good luck with your quest as everyone will have an opinion.
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In reply to Post #24
A change in circumstances means I’m perhaps looking at a cheaper budget now of around £8000 . I’ve been looking at perhaps a Euro 5 (pre adBlue) Citroen berlingo or even a Renault kangoo , both Swb around 2015/16 with a decent service history and comparatively lower mileage . I understand that being SWB my 12’6 rods wouldn’t go in without folding down the passenger seat - which I believe these both have . Having done a bit of research I understand both of these are fairly reliable if they’ve been regularly serviced . Could anyone please give me your thoughts on these two , many thanks .
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Pay your money and take your chances, it’s the same for any make/model they all have their issues! Depends on what size you need too-do you just want something for your gear or do you want to kip in it? Do you need rear seating?
I had a 2005 transporter kombi for 10 years, kitted it out in back for sleeping and really liked it -had a few issues but it was the 2.5 engine- the 1.9 are generally less hassle, such was the power of the transporter resale value that I got more back when o sold than I paid for it 10 years earlier!
I had a trafic after that-a work mate was selling it and it was mint and very good spec- had that 3 years and it was good for me-then sold it to my mate and he’s had a lot of issues with it! Typical
Ive currently got a 2009 caddy maxi as a day to day and a 2019 crafter as a camper-I drive lots of different vans for work and from a drive point of view the man/crafter is the best of the lot, problem is like most things there’s too much crap on them to go wrong!
I love my caddy maxi, size wise it’s perfect for fishing, I’ve rear seats in mine which fold and I can kip in it if needed too! I went for the 1.9 tdi rather than the newer 1.6 just due to reliability and parts availability, that era of vw/audi 1.9 engines really are very good and there’s no adblue or dpf to worry about! Mildly annoying thing is the tax is fairly hefty
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I have a FWD Vito with the Renault R9 engine 1.6 . had it from new and the past year it has developed a mystery coolant leak. been in to Mercedes 3 times for diagnosis. who on the last visit freely admitted that as it has a Renault engine they don't know anything about them. and they suggested a new engine at 7.5 k plus labour and vat so somewhere in the region of 10k. so said it probably wasn't worth doing. currently at a local independent garage who removed the head sent it away to be tested and came back as no fault found.
So my advice 1.6 vito drives nice a bit asthmatic on hills.
so in summary an alright van dealer service rubbish
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In reply to Post #20
i have a rear wheel drive vito, and it is absolutely horrendous when off tarmac with a bit of wet about an a incline.
Great at getting to venues ... not so once actually there lol
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I’m lucky that I now get new vans from work. I got my 24 plate custom with 300 miles on it and my 2025 vivaro with 150 miles on it. Both box fresh. From a purely driving perspective, comfort, driving position, infotainment system, overall cab build quality, silly stuff like cup holders etc etc. The transit custom beats the vivaro hands down in every department imho.
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In reply to Post #19
TBF, a Vito with a reliable Renault 1.6 diesel engine is a good shout and as it's fwd it's got less to go wrong.
It makes me laugh when the 'real' Merc engine is implied to be better as it's more expensive but Merc's are less reliable than Renaults.... 
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General Carp Discussion