BERLINGO CAMPER | CONVERSION | MICRO VAN CONVERSION UK | VAN LIFE UK | HONEST COST REVIEW #4

[@rmgbgt]

Crikey, I didn't realise just how much I was saving by doing all the work myself. It's a2004 2.0hdi. got her for £399. Have done both wishbones, drop links, clutch, clutch cable, 2 tyres, drivers side sill replacement, discs and pads, full service and she now owes a grand all in, including purchase. Buy a paint brush and paint underneath with some lanolin based coatings and she'll be right as rain. Looking forward to the next installment.

[@RollwithAndy1]

I used to be in the game and I think that the price wasn’t bad a new cam belt is a hell of a job. A least you can get around with peace of mind .you have a great little van enjoy . I used to have the same belingo and used it for a taxi cheers Andy

[@Wheres_wanda_wandering]

Saw you channel today for the first time. We have a Peugeot partner teepee which we bought when it was 6 months old. We bought an Amdro boot jump and had 2 years of happy micro camping. Our only problem was my husband is 6foot tall and found it hard to sit up comfortably. We sold the boot jump and kept the car. We then went and bought a motorhome. I think the money you have spent will give you peace of mind when you’re travelling. I look forward to seeing what you get up to. Take care Gill

[@billguyan1913]

I've a multispace too, same engine (BTW it's a 2.0 HDi you have, not a 1.9 turbo) and it's done 185K and still running sweet as a nut.. You've been ripped off big time by that garage, but I think you realise that. Happy camping!

[@millinutz]

That is no rip off if you look a little closer to the hourly rates of any decent garage nowadays!

[@billguyan1913]

@@millinutz £190 labour to change glow plugs - yea right.

[@millinutz]

@@billguyan1913 do U realise what's got to be removed just to lay those plugs free? I have a Renault and had the same done. Had to pay off the bill over 3 months.

[@ourmicroadventures]

Tbf the garage took the hourly job rates from a computer system he was using, so there was definitely some method behind the labour costs

[@billguyan1913]

I have the same car. Now way does it take a competent person a couple of hours to change glow plugs

[@tron520]

I always buy my own parts, this saves you money, do most jobs myself, jobs I cannot do I shop around for a quote, it's like car insurance, you don't go with the 1st offer, be proactive, I buy service parts over the 12 months, ie, oil, filters , pads, and any advisory items you need, internet is a gold mine for parts, best things is, it comes to your door. have two vehicles, one is 20 years old the other is 35 years old, take one for camping and the other i am going to sleep in, just sorting the kit I need to do this.

[@johnmccolgan1007]

Nice setup! Ive got one recently and getting a boot jump and window blinds sorted for it. For peace of mind got the timing belt and water pump done. Part of the deal i negotiated new discs and pads and bottom arms. Mines only the 1.6 though. Great little vans

[@ourmicroadventures]

Good luck! Yes we are looking at doing the windows next, any tips ?

[@johnlong3214]

Don't be surprised if you have a spring go in your Berlingo. Good luck, 👍+ 🔔

[@ourmicroadventures]

Thanks for the heads up 👍

[@johnlong3214]

@@ourmicroadventures You are welcome, I've had 7 of them over the last 21 years and the most expensive repairs have been Suspension and fuel injectors. Other than that, bomb proof.💣

[@micro_adVANtures]

I have a 2014 Peugeot expert, professionally converted before purchase. I won’t say how much I paid because it would make a grown man weep!! I have spent two to four days away in in it almost every week over the last 18 months (rain, sleet or snow), 18 months or so in and my landlord has dropped a £300 rent increase on me (yup nuts right), so as of 9th March 2024 I am going full time in my van (for 9 to 12 months) in order to save money. It is common story from what I can see on the net. My van does need a new clutch. The Peugeot and Berlingo are very similar and I believe built on same production line so many parts are interchangeable - the clutch is going to cost me a massive £1000 to replace (gulp!). So first job to be done. Sigh. I am now wondering if it is a good idea to get timing belt done at same time since it will be in bits anyway??? What does everyone here think??

[@millinutz]

Very good idea... do it all at once. If you wanna live in it full-time, that van will be 2 - 3 days (usually) in the Garage for any big repairs/maintenance, and you'll be without a Home in that time. So do it all before March. Don't forget the cost of a Hotel being added to the Garage bill, during it's time in the garage, unless you have family where you can stay.

[@micro_adVANtures]

@@millinutz I’d love to do it in advance but I have zero cash until I have my first rent free payday. I know the clutch is £1000 and I will factor in a hotel room for a couple of nights as it’s a two day job.

[@ourmicroadventures]

Unbelievable from the landlord!! But living in the van does sound quite an exciting and liberating prospect. Just out of interest where do you park up? Do you keep moving around? Or go to a campsite for example. Good luck.

[@micro_adVANtures]

@@ourmicroadventures I will be living in the van from 10th of March. I plan to wild, or free camp, as much as possible and keep things as frugal as I can. However, campsites are also on the cards. I am thinking a campsite once a week if needed. Using apps such as ‘search for site’, ‘park for night’ and pub stops will be helpful. The fact that the Peugeot Partner Teepee is technically a car helps with stealth camping in rural areas. I have trialled all the above over the last twelve months and find pub stops to be my preference. In my channel you’ll see one stop in particular in Doncaster City that, in Summer, is quite popular with van lifers. Again, on the channel you’ll see a few spots that are free of charge that I use in Scarborough (just down road from me) too.

[@cjharris4]

Thank you for sharing the not-so-appealing side of owning a Berlingo and converting it into a micro-camper. I’m no expert and I’m certainly not a mechanic. I’ve been humming & ha-ing about investing in a 68 reg or 19 reg Berlingo myself. For a reasonable mileage, e.g. 30-40,000 miles I’ve been looking at cheapest price £15,000. Gosh it’s a lot of money but I’m also wanting the Berlingo to be my everyday car. It seems to me also that good examples are hard to come by and it looks like I’m going to have to look countrywide. Getting back to your mark I Berlingo Multispace, I don’t think that you’ve done too bad. You’ll more than likely get the money back that you’ve spent on Beryl when you come to sell her. On a slightly different note, I think you’re a brilliant KZbinr. I really look forward to your videos. I can’t wait to see how you & Sarah get on with your first van life trip. Keep up the good work. Warmest regards, Chris Harris 🤗

[@ourmicroadventures]

Thank you for your kind comments 👍 money really talks in this game, I think trying to find that balance between experience and cost is key. There’s a lot to be said about things not being perfect, but letting your live out your dreams ☀️

[@simonjones9687]

My van didn't start very well and my local garage fixed it by replacing the glow plugs for about £100 incl parts& labour. I work on the basis that if the work takes a day then £500 is probably fair. I think you may have been over-charged somewhat.

[@millinutz]

£1400.- for a vehicle like this..., surely this must fly Red Flags to any ordinary Joe? With what you have now spent on the Van, you've got a van in good nick to a reasonable price. I would be looking at from £4000.- upwards, for a similar one if I was looking today. Labour costs are astonomical nowadays... you won't get past that in any respectable Garage today. Diesel motors will run for ever..., but unlike Petrols, they need regular love and servicing..., just saying, I learnt the hard way.

[@leephillips282]

hi mate the same thing happened to me I got a low-mileage ex british gas van first long drive I noticed the flywheel had gone 700-pound bill and yes i did buy a lemon 😭

[@ourmicroadventures]

Oh no! Sorry to hear that. You all sorted now?

[@leephillips282]

yeah mate working to get the back done and ready for easter weekend @@ourmicroadventures

[@matthewhedges1932]

Sounds like a good price to me, quite cheap for all that work.

[@millinutz]

Yes indeed, I thought exactly the same!

[@bettyourcampervan]

New sub! Great video 👍 looking forward to the build

[@ourmicroadventures]

Thanks for subscribing! Plenty more content coming up! Share with your friends if you think they would be interested 😊

[@bettyourcampervan]

@@ourmicroadventures will do 😁 check us out too 👍

[@johnhatfield1070]

Could have stayed in bed and breakfast for a month and a half for an equivalent price. A Citroen Berlingo drove me to despair with all the incured costs etc. Two bits of advice for holidays. 1/ National Express coaches to destinations with Bycycles, or , 2, A weeks package holiday in Benedorm outside of school holidays. Learn from a Motorhome/Campervan owner who has been bent over and shafted so much he’s still sore years later!

[@surveypeople]

National Express with bicycles? do they let you take bikes on the coach? something I've always wondered. Please let me know if you've tried it. 👍