Has anyone had any experience of owning a Citroen Multispace?
I had a test drive of one last week (2 litre HDI)and was mightily impressed with the amount of room inside, the comfort and the way it drove - by the way,I know it's based upon a van!
Any comments would be welcome.
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We've had a 1.6 petrol one since March 2002. It now has 38,000 miles on the clock and we love it. As you say, the amount of room, the comfort, and the way it drives are great. No mechanical problems (yet)- but bits of plastic trim do keep coming loose, and we've had rain coming in on a couple of occasions from two totally unconnected leaks - both fixed quickly under warranty. But that's a small price to pay. I would definitely get another one.
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I have not driven the Multispace, but have driven the Renault and Fiat vehicles that are similar in design. Both were low powered diesel rental cars with air-con.
Being blunt.....I had great fun. Yes, a little slow (I know the 2.0HDi will not be), but loads of room, a comfortable ride and easy to maintain and keep clean.
I've said this before on the forum. If it wasn't for my job, I would have one tomorrow, but regretfully, my clients would think I was a little strange!
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Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
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I have the Peugeot version of this and I'm very pleased with it. It's economical, cruises happily at motorway speeds and is excellent for towing. It's also very comfortable to ride in for all five occupants (back seat passengers fight for the middle seat). Mine does all kinds of things, including some fairly regular light off-road work (fields and rough tracks) and seems very tough inside and out. Nothing has broken or fallen off in 20K miles despite some rough treatment.
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Steve Cropley in Autocar (whose judgement can be trusted) swears by (rather than at) the Berlingo he bought as a family wagon. I think it's an HDi - I seem to remember he also said it was a definite improvement on the A-class that they had before.
Objectively it's a lot more car for a lot less money.
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How do these machines do in crosswinds? I'd have thought that their high and flat sides could make em a bit of a handful
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Good point NW. I have an HDi Multispace and my only quibble is that crosswinds do affect it at speed on the motorway - not as bad as I thought though. Otherwise I am very pleased in the year that I have had it. Loads of space, surprisingly comfortable to drive even on long trips, pretty nippy and economical (I reckon the HDi is a cracking engine). Went to France at Easter in it doing over 400 miles on one day with four adults up and luggage. Back seaters commented on the comfort and the good view from high seats. Cruised comfortably at 80 on motorways and took hills in its stride. On return found that the boot was so deep that we could get about 12 wine/beer boxes in boot with our luggage on top and still easily put cover over (next time 2 layers of wine boxes!)and over 40 to gallon. Mind you, its brick like aerodynamics do means that economy is much better at 70 than 85!
OK the odd bit of trim has rattled or fallen off (driver's door handle surround) but at £9000 with A/C and modutop I ain't going to complain too much. And I also realise that for more money you could get a higher quality car with better performance and more extras - but for the money and for what I wanted it for it's pretty well ideal. I also think it looks better than the Doblo (easy!!) and Kangoo (not much!) even if it isn't quite as pretty as (insert name of any car other than Doblo!!!)
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Good point NW. I have an HDi Multispace and my only quibble is that crosswinds do affect it at speed on the motorway - not as bad as I thought though.
That's interesting. I never thhought abt that until a friend told me how she reckoned her life had been in danger when trying to drive an old-shape Scenic on a very windy m'way, and I had wondered if the more boxy Citroen might be worse.
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she reckoned her life had been in danger whentrying to drive an old-shape Scenic on a very windy m'way, and I had wondered if the more boxy Citroen might be worse.
I don't think it's anywhere near that bad, though it depends what you're used to I guess. Obviously a high, flat-sided vehicle is going to be affected by crosswinds, but although the body moves I don't sense that the wheels on the road are affected as much as it might seem--I've never been scared by it, or felt out of control, at least no more than I have in other more traditional cars. Having said that you have to accept that it's not a saloon and doesn't handle like one. For me the advantages of luggage space and general utility far outweigh this minor occasional irritation. As Phil says the HDI engine is ideal for this vehicle.
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I live in one of the windiest parts of Britain, and while there is no question that winds affect the Berlingo on the road more than some vehicles, it's not a serious problem.
I would, however, urge caution in opening the front doors when there is a gale blowing from behind - far better to park facing into the wind.
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Thanks everyone for your advice - it confirmed my first impressions of the car. It's definitely on the short list now!
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