Small Vans

[Pretender]

Do you own or know anybody who owns a small commercial van?
Renault Kangoo, Suzuki APV, Citroen Berlingo etc

My wife is looking at buying a franchise and would need a small van so I'm after any info on reliability, running costs and just general driving dynamics.
The Combo is not to be considered as we know these quite well already and they are the most expensive model with the least number of standard features.

Thanks in advance for any info offered.

[nomad]

The bloke who owns the hot bread shop in town here has a Citroen Berlingo, & he's rapped in it. Someone else I know has a Holden Combo, & he says it's so so.

[KingDiamond]

My dad had a Berlingo as his little pest control van too.. He said it went well and had alot of features that come standard.

[Pretender]

Thanks guys.
The Berlingo and the Suzuki are at the top of the list so far.

[Tasmaniak]

Personally my money is on the Renault. The platform shares a lot with Nissan technology (no, you can't fit a RB30DETT in there) but a also a lot of NIssan technology make it an awwesome van.

On that same hand, I think you can throw all three keys ina hat and pull out a winner. My biggest thing now would be which one has the most practical space (not the largest but the most practical) How far inside the wheel arches come in? How high is the roof? How many blind spots does it have? Is an automatic an option? It's gonna be a bitch to drive around a city all day long for years on end. Cost of repair also...the Suzuki will be the cheapest to maintain I imagine.

[MikesVT]

Most companies that use the type of vans you're talking about go for Berlingos for some reason. Thats just what I've noticed. My neighbour is a caterer and he used to have one. Probably your safest bet

[Pretender]

The Berlingo is actually the cheapest due to a special purchase deal which is a good starting point and is impressive with it's list of features. The price difference though is only $800. It has a 1.4 litre EFI motor, A/C, power steering, Drivers side airbag, underseat storage and the passenger seat folds forward to form a table/desktop. It is a blind van without the option of rear windows.

The Suzuki is more in the typical commercial van shape. It has a 1.6 litre EFI motor, A/C, power steering, dual airbags, side intrusion beams and rates better in crash safety. It also has two sliding doors, an extra 30cm in load area length and windows all round.

Both are identical in fuel consumption. Berlingo has 3 cubic metres of space whilst the Suzuki has 3.2.
Both have around 800kg payload capacity. They are also nearly equal in overall length and height.

They both have far more room/capacity than that which will be required.
Suzuki also has a free three year roadside assistance package.
Again both have a 3 year/100000km warranty.

Might be best if choose after driving them.

Edit: 12Voltking, I hope your pain is subsiding. I had too many examples to mention in your post.

[Tasmaniak]

well to me, I wouldn't be able to decide if I was driving...but if my wife was driving...she is driving the safest one out there.

Fold flat seat is nice definetly...but so is two sliding doors and an extra foot of storage.

To me, it seems the obvious choice is the suzuki.
3cu.ft. VS 3.2cu.ft. isn't really much of a difference if both vans will haul what she needs too.

[Shortstuff]

The Kangoo and Berlingo are both good vans. You probably know they share the same platform so there isn't a lot to choose between them when it comes to handling. They can both be a lot of fun to drive and go well with the petrol engines in them. I've not driven a new Suzuki van, but the old Supercarrys were horrible IMO - they felt so unstable in any sort of a breeze, or cornering.

[Mr Squishi]

Jeremy Clarkson likes the Berlingo. But then maybe thats a reason not to buy it

[Pretender]

well to me, I wouldn't be able to decide if I was driving...but if my wife was driving...she is driving the safest one out there.

Fold flat seat is nice definetly...but so is two sliding doors and an extra foot of storage.

To me, it seems the obvious choice is the suzuki.
3cu.ft. VS 3.2cu.ft. isn't really much of a difference if both vans will haul what she needs too.

Good point regarding safety, Suzuki it will be then. It appears the more pratical and has the benefit of windows all around as well.

Thanks all, now for that engine upgrade.

[Tasmaniak]

Good point regarding safety, Suzuki it will be then. It appears the more pratical and has the benefit of windows all around as well.

Thanks all, now for that engine upgrade.

No problems man, sometimes you just need someone to point out the bleeding obvious when it comes to large money choices. Thats why I'm now a car salesman.

But as for engine mods...you can upgrade rubber bands? LOL

[Pretender]

Twin silicone steel braided hand finished and buffed bands. Increases torque and thrust by 14 twangs over standard.