I spent £1000 fixing a Citroën Berlingo. Immediate 500-mile roadtrip! Contains flooding...

[@jameswalker7874]

Spending £1,000 on it is money well spent. £1,000 doesn't get you much in cars now, and you now know you've got a good reliable car that you actually know and like. And you've saved scrapping a car that could be fixed and given more years of life.

[@stippolyte]

Definitely.Whos to say that if Ian went out and got a new(er) vehicle, he wouldn't have the same/similar issues in 12 months or so. Definitely "better the devil you", spend the money on Bella to keep her on the road ( and @misshubnut happy).

[@HowardLeVert]

@@stippolyte My thoughts too, but there are some who would point out what is known as The Sunk Cost Fallacy.

[@HowardLeVert]

A thousand quid got me a crusher-dodging Toyota Yaris that has had over fifteen hundred quid spent on it since I bought it in December... and last week the heater matrix emptied its contents into the driver's footwell. Now, I need that car for work so it'll be repaired, but I am wondering if it will pass its next MoT as I am quite convinced the last one was, shall we say, suspect. So I have the scary prospect of a car with a stack of new and expensive bits on it heading for scrap.

[@paultasker7788]

Would never have thought a car built to provide cheap spacious family transport would be the choice for a long trip. Although you have got Betty who might be even better apart from the running costs? Bet you're glad you didn't take her in all that water with rear wheel drive! I think those mark 1 belingos are better than later ones. More simple.

[@MrButtonpresser]

Exactly. A perfectly serviceable vehicle back on the road for not much cash.

[@tomwinch9107]

Happiness is keeping a well loved car on the road! Light wallet, happy heart ... Great to see Bella back to towing Bob and keeping you comfortable though the monsoon!

[@brentboswell1294]

He forgot the towel. Douglas Adams is smiling upon you from heaven, my friend 😂

[@jackhewitson1884]

I’m so happy that Bella has made a return. I love these cars as they are cheap and extremely practical. If I ever was to drive and have a family a Berlingo would absolutely be on the top of my shortlist.

[@rogerbrennan4170]

I would echo the sentiment, that you're a wise man spending money on what you know you have. You know exactly what you have and what you haven't fixed yet,(what ever is likely to wear out), so a programmed spend for her future, and hopefully no more surprises! I wish you many more thousands of happy miles in Bella!

[@colinmoss7343]

Ah the joys of camping in the rain. Last time I packed up was in a downpour like that . Shorts, flip flops and light jacket turns set of dry clothes in the car helps for a better drive home. Great video , thanks.

[@wgeddis]

Definitely one for for Wet,Wet,Wet fans 😁 Nice to see Bella back again too.

[@stephenlynch3411]

Berlingos are great, very comfy. Well worth the money you spent. The old ones are my favourite too! Need to get one again.

[@zubeystinzen540]

I purchased 5 litres of dipetane 2 yrs ago & I put it through all of my diesels especially my Mk5 transit camper as the Bosch ve pump loves it, I'd recommend it to anyone with a diesel vehicle 👍

[@stippolyte]

I've been using Miller's eco max since I got my first diesel in 2017. Not done any tests on mpg, longevity etc but it (2.8 4pot) is noticeably quieter and smoother on idle, picks up better and revs freer. Miller's also seemed to be one of the more cost effective additives £/litre dosing. Certainly better at keeping smoke down on heavy throttle use - quite frequent when towing near 2.8t uphill 😂.

[@fiftyracer192]

You can use it on petrol too and even in your kero tank for your boiler!

[@rf8640]

I swear by Dipetane

[@caw25sha]

20:17 Boy Scout lore says that if you touch the inside of a tent to check it's not letting water through then it will start to do just that.

[@chrispop99]

Yep; that's a Rookie mistake!

[@roseybut]

I think it's no body's business how and on what you decide to spend your money on. Bella is, however, excellent channel content. Welcome back and long live Bella!!

[@brianlaunchbury4491]

Great to see Bella back. Things that you love can get expensive but they give something special back.

[@KirksAudioSanctum]

I paid £600 on my Mazda to make sure she would stay on the road! Mind you there are only 24 left on the road, and mine had the same issue rot! Back for a retest tomorrow, should pass with flying colours. This is why we love our old cars, mate. I'd still keep the Forrester! Sounds like you have had to do the same work I have done on my Mazda 323F. All front brakes replaced. And I also had a pair of shocks, springs and complete suspension on the back. Look at it this way, it is all done now, just happy driving to enjoy what you have. I saved a Mazda, I feel good about it. And it looks fantastic!

[@mad-FrenchS203]

Mazda 626's great cars too that also like to rot, apart from that they will drive through hell and still run.

[@CauliflowerMcPugg]

It's great to see Bella back on the road. That was an adventure. 👍

[@Mrcento]

The way the market is, you're 100% correct to be putting the money into what you have and making it solid. Throwing money at something else is just going to bring you a new set of problems needing money thrown at them.

[@andrewmoorhouse687]

The Berlingo seems basically a sound car, so I’d say it’s £1000 well spent. Things like the broken spring aren’t surprising with the state of our roads, particularly on an older car. I think it’s quite admirable saving a car from the scrapheap like you have. Besides, you’re not losing money in depreciation, so it’s not really cost you anything otherwise. Sometimes it’s not about the money if you really like something. A small point, but I really like the colour combination. It suits the car. The colourful interior with its green seatbelts is a delight. Cars are mostly so dull these days, so it’s great to see something with a bit of joie de vivre for a change.

[@davidjack825]

sound apart from engine issues

[@lucythemoggy1970]

bella has given you and the family lots of happy memories going away on your trips, and that is priceless.

[@Mighty_Metro]

This video pleases me immensely!!! Great to see Bella back in regular service. Well done on persevering with her.

[@oliverp4115]

Thing is there is nothing that can replace one of these unless you spend £3k+ for a cheaper b9. Then you don't know what you're getting. I've got a 2002 2.0 with paint falling off. It keeps going and whilst I'd like something better I don't want to part with £15k or finance. Does the job. Swallows kids, bikes, rubble. Rolls over UK roads with ease, can hit every pothole going. I'll thrash mine up any rutted track and if it breaks it breaks, but it's based on a van use on building sites. Solid little thing. Wouldn't mind air con and central locking though.

[@wolfmouse]

We had a C4 Grand Picasso up until May when we replaced it with a C4 Spacetourer. So comfortable and economical for long journeys, regularly visit our son in Newcastle and a holiday round Scotland last year completed trouble free. Two of our sons also have C4 Grand Picassos, so ideal for families too.

[@Turnbull50]

I like the solo trips

[@mattphillips4419]

I drove from Haverfordwest to Hull in rain like that (with suitable breaks). It's absolutely exhausting driving on heavy rain, I feel you have to concentrate so much harder. I bet it's worse when you're towing. Great to see the old pair back together again, glad it went well!

[@meirionevans5137]

Great to see Bella again. Btw, slide-in camper kits on a certain auction site from around £475

[@grayfool]

That rain looks like one of our tropical storms. Yikes! Good ol' Bella, doing sterling service.

[@aliacoms6014]

Recently bought my first Citroen, a C3 Picasso diesel, and I do like it very much for the same reasons,...comfort and fuel economy, soon to have cam belt replaced and an oil leak investigated, so like you I will be splashing the cash!

[@cameronwalker640]

Glad to see Bella back on the road plus always nice to see bob in a video, being useful for many more miles once again get in there berlingo 🎉.

[@Jwnewall]

I left a comment on the video when you said you didn't know what to do with Bella, where I said I was about done with mine too. Very glad to say I've bit the bullet and kept her going. Interestingly enough, my spring snapped badly too, drivers side just like yours! Had the strut mounts changed too as they were causing heck of a noise. I would have gone to the Berlingo meet but currently in the pickle of doing my HGV license. So glad to see her back on the road!

[@JakobKsGarage]

Please keep it running. The original Berlingo is just such a nice car ❤

[@JPF90374]

I thought you'd lost the love for the Berlingo, so glad to see Bella back in action. Had a 400 mile round trip in Our Berlingo this weekend which makes me a little nervous as it's now 21 years old but once again it aced it.

[@andyh4449]

We are still running a Berlingo van,wifey loves it and why not 😊hope Bella has many more miles in front of her 👍👍

[@Technaudio]

People that don't get Berlingo's have never had a Berlingo. Such an amazingly versatile car. I had one for a couple of years, acquired from my Dad who'd had a slight mishap when someone sideswiped it, and insurance wrote it off. All it needed was 2 doors, which I replaced (couldn't get two silver doors, so I ended up with those in that oyster pearlescent kinda colour - it looked ok from a certain angle!) I was going to buy a Bootjump camper conversion unit for it, but ended up buying a bit of a ropey (I knew it was ropey) Mazda Bongo for about the same price! Kept that for a year, then bought a less ropey (and more expensive) Bongo, which I still have 7 years later. It's like a bigger, less efficient Berlingo!

[@martinkupka3575]

Glad to see that you decided to repair Bella, cause I´m one of these fans you mentioned. We never count money we spend for cars we love: I just put about 600 € into repairs on my Vauxhall Astra F which might be worth about 800 €.

[@Finnthedude]

Douglas Adams would be ashamed of you, forgetting your towel. 🤣🤣🤣

[@terryatkinson899]

I worked for the guy responsible for developing dipthane, it was stuff we were dubious about back in the day and could have got 5 gallon buckets of it for nothing 🙄 Hard to believe it is still going and has helped me pass several nct tests. Definitely works.🤗👍🇮🇪

[@Thwoorp]

Ian, glad to see the dream team back together. I'm obsessed with waterproofing things, so I was skeptical that the Aquatex for Isabella awnings would do much for my second hand EBAY awning, but it's been beading water off for months. For windscreen rain repellants: Gyeon Q2 Quick view. It's one of the easiest treatments to apply I've found.

[@HubNut]

We like to just let canvas do its thing.

[@sebastian0107]

It's called 'The Columbo Factor'. Remember him, driving his old, trusted Peugeot 403? These are usually the most satisfying cars to keep. They may not be the prettiest, but they get you there and you don't have to worry to much about a small dent or scratch. They're like that old comfy coat you like to wear the most, although your cupboard is filled with a dozen newer ones. As tempting as that Subaru might be, I understand your choice.

[@adgecutlerofthewest]

Ha ha, all the joys of a good ol' downpour. I was driving Brian the Invacar two Sundays back through a huge cloudburst and thunderstorm. He coped remarkably well but the dynastart found powering the blower, headlamps and wipers to be labourious and visibility due to "limp mode" wipers and no windscreen air vent made for an even more exciting outing!

[@Daz_Stap]

It’s great to see Bella back in action! She’s my favourite f your fleet.

[@WatfordWobble]

I'm pleased you got home safely with the conditions of the rain.

[@jdtseventyfour]

I’m equally guilty of spending what others would class as crazy money on repairing my wifes 2004 pug 307. I spent £600 last year for the mot as it needed new rear brakes (the discs contain the rear wheel bearings (because French) so are expensive. Plus, it needed a calliper and some welding (for the first time I might add). So, he’s not doing bad for a 20 year old. Last year I replaced the clutch and timing belt myself. He’s currently on roughly 140k so isn’t doing bad for a 1.6 petrol. As others have said you can find bugger all these day for £1000 that is decent and we’ve had the Pug since August 2018 so I know exactly what its had done in that time. So for me it’s a no brainer. Great video about the Berlingo, Bob and the shows you attended. Wow Cholmondeley Castle. Last visited in 2016 (I think) for the ‘Pageant of Power’ which sadly no longer exists. Thanks for sharing your adventure with us all! Funny you should mention wheel bearings the Drivers side on the 307 is being replaced tomorrow lol.

[@beneast2933]

So strange to see you stuck in very familiar traffic in Stow just up the road from us!

[@jys160]

Glad to see Bella back in use, Cholmondeley castle is less than an hour from where I live we could have met up, shame about the weather.

[@conradharcourt8263]

Of course it's important to know where your towel is. Glad that Bella lives on, undoubtedly a useful vehicle.

[@johnstenhouse7031]

Hi Ian, yes I was watching you trip through Stow. Nice to see you my friend

[@torresalex]

I knew Bella could do it! I'm very happy you're not giving up on her, she's fantastic. Before she joined the fleet, I thought Berlingos and the like were OK cars, but your experience with her have proven these are soddingly good cars, much better than SUVs and crossovers. I'm smitten.

[@dangavel1283]

My wife could not handle the Forester seats, after 30 mins she could hardly walk when she got out after our test drive ...she has existing back issues but I've heard other people say the same about that era Foresters. Glad Bella is doing well. Very practical car when its working !

[@allanriches9381]

Glad to see Bella doing the work again

[@shepshepherd]

Huzzah for Bella, a car which has made me see Berlingos (and Partners) in a whole new light. I quite fancy a Partner Quiksilver myself.

[@MrButtonpresser]

Lovely. Up with this kind of thing! Bella is looking her namesake.

[@PieterB76]

Great to see the Berlingo back in action. And I agree: the level of comfort Citroën is able to stack into their cars is quite amazing, also the non-hydropneumatic ones. It makes them relaxing cruisers suited for long-distance drives. As a life-long hydropneumatic Citroën-driver I also was surprised about the comfortable suspension and seats when I drove my brother's Xsara Picasso for the first time (long time ago) and his current C4 Picasso does a great job as well in that regard.

[@thomasalbrecht5914]

Coil springs became prone to corrosion when cadmium bases rustproofing was outlawed. The products used since are less toxic, but also less efficient, and eventually the coil will start rusting. The little cups Bella wears on the lower extremities of the coil spring were installed as part of a recall in the early 2000s. The springs will break during low speed manoeuvres and at the lower extremity, which is stressed as you turn the steering wheel lock to lock. The cup prevents the spring bit to spring outwards and pierce the tyre. With the cup, you don’t feel the broken spring.

[@sebastian0107]

Very well explained! They tend to snap a lot on older FWD-cars under the conditions you described. I always cringe when I see people maneuvering to lock-position, and then pull out a parking space full throttle. You can almost hear them snap because of all the torsion going on ...

[@isaacplaysbass8568]

It makes total sense to invest £1000 on your Berlingo; it's a know quantity, and you know that if you take care of her she'll last a good deal longer for many more miles of marvelous motoring ;)

[@OwenHolmes-qt8zq]

Great to see Bella back operational. Sadly, I wasn’t able to make it to Chevrons, but looking forward to some future Berlingo meetings!

[@jamesmcneill9285]

Loving seeing Bella back on the channel.

[@1Haloninja]

Glad you got her home!

[@richardbas2948]

I know about that rattling noise! I had that when I was holidaying in France! Then I had a tip of one of the other caravan drivers, to put some extra tick grease in/on the ball-coupling and it worked a treat! 😊

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Great to see Bella Back and think it was worth the money in getting her sorted. A excellent little roadtrip aside from the weather.

[@5pot4pot]

£1000 well spent! Great to see Bella back….if a little soggy. I do love your roadtrip vlogs. Brilliant. I hope you’ve eventually dried out.

[@bulkheadlamp600]

I was in the garage working on my Commer Auto-Sleeper on Sunday, as I have for the last two years, listening to the rain bouncing off the roof - luckily no leaks. I'm fairly local to Colmondeley and Tatton park and have been to a few wash-outs at both, must be the Cheshire climate - or just me😁 I'll be at Rustival in the BX GT so hopefully say hello sometime during your busy schedule. Great that Bella is feeling healthy again, perhaps we should see her back on the dyno soon hopefully to move her up the leader board, maybe😉 Oh and the strange flat topped hill you saw - thats Frodsham Hill. There used to be a big wooden helter-skelter up the many moons ago.

[@oojimmyflip]

Citroen wheel bearings except for 2cvs get noisey when the cars are left standing without use for a long time, it will get quieter, or the wheel will just fall off, one or the other.

[@RoadUser100]

Best Hubnut line ever: It's not mould, it's just falling apart. 😂

[@janfranciswielgus5454]

We love Bella well done Bella pulling bob

[@scragnut]

I spent a bit more on that on my Vectra Elite estate in the six years I had it but I loved the car. The heated seats were especially good. I get spending out on a car you love driving. Genevieve the Grand Scenic got us to Goodwood Revival and back with no drama yesterday and she’s so comfy for long journeys. Great to see Bella back!

[@paultaylor9652]

I live in the northwest and expienced that weather last Sunday, also in the middle of June around Shrewsbury, it just comes out of nowhere and driving isn't a thing you want to do when it happens. Looking forward to the follow up videos next Mr HubNut.

[@Grimwriggler]

Money well spent Ian. I recently coughed up big money on a 2000 Rover 45 L after the diesel pump broke for the exactly same reasons you are keeping Bella on the road

[@I-T-S-M-E]

It’s a car you like and it’s good to see it back. Going forward you’ll know what and what has not been done to it so seems money well spent to me

[@TonyCottrell-iv2qv]

I was a bit annoyed with myself for missing Cholmondeley - it's local to me- so I was quite glad to see it was such a washout!

[@tug1345]

I found your comments about seat comfort in the Subaru interesting, ever since starting driving I've prioritised seat comfort on the main basis of buying a car, and after learning to drive the supermini type cars of that time was late 80's to early 90's stuff, so Metro, mk 3 fiesta, polo, Citroën ax, pug 205, some of them wasn't available in my area and price range, I ended up with a mk 3 Escort which I kept 5 months, since then I've had many Volvos, with the odd Honda Accord, Vauxhall Omega, Ford Sierra and Renault 21, the Volvo was always the best for me, and since the late 90's they've done some of the best stereo systems which is a nice bonus

[@paulrainbow9438]

Those Conways are really cosy in the rain, as long as you don’t need the loo or pack up!

[@alastairwarwick4754]

Whipping through France on Eurostar last week I did see a lot of Berlingos of this gen merrily doing Berlingo things.

[@martinneumann7783]

It’s good to know that she’s back; the French lady with the green dress… 🇫🇷🥰🇫🇷

[@vivianhughes9347]

Absolutely delighted to see Bella back. Love the M49s. Bella is the car that got me watching your channel as I had one myself. And didn't she do well through all that weather?! Loved the video - thanks for posting. Looking forward to seeing your video of all the Berlingos at the fest. I would like to go to the next one. Cheers, Vivian

[@percyob1]

Lovely to see Bella back. Great vid. Shame about the washout but your videos never are.

[@99AmethystZJ]

Bella did great, what a horrendous journey back and shocking show weather😮. .well done, I'd have been straight into a cosy b&b or hotel by that point!😊

[@anticat900]

90's Citroens and Peugeot of the time were so nice and soft riding with comfortable seats too.

[@rudecomb2006]

Remember having a new clutch done on me fiesta cost me more than the cars worth but still got it fixed. And when mot came up needed welding and other stuff still spend money the car lasted me 7 years until I gave it up

[@leonb2637]

The French did make some comfortable cars in their seats and suspensions. Yes, you spent 1K but it is simple, easy to fix, roomy, cheap to fuel, rides good, reliable, and can pull your camper. On top of that you have something fun, different, and fits in with your eccentric and eclectic collection.

[@simonwells5319]

Right with you there Mr.Hub.If you like the vehicle then jolly well keep it in as best a condition as you can.I love my 407SW and will keep her for another couple of hundred thousand miles yet.

[@steveosshenanigans]

Oh how i miss the rain in England, sometimes……..x pat now living in Australia

[@PicRic]

I like your style. I'm a van fan too. We recently had your rain here, 'cept it all arrived at once! Just like a Hollywood movie with waves of rain as if from fire hoses. Gonna watch your bus episode now.

[@markmeadows9838]

Great vlog again 👍🏻 good old Bella and Bob 👊🏻👍🏻

[@terabyte1695]

i had a berlingo 2.o hdi and that van was amazing,then my father in law had a berlingo from new and drove it many times to cornwall and kent not a hint of bother and high MPG was obtained, service it each year and you have a good car.

[@Electrowave]

I had to replace all the springs on my Smart. I never had to replace springs years ago with old bangers I bought. Mostly tyres, batteries & shocks. More recently I've only once had to replace shocks (on the Smart again..)

[@stepheng8779]

Don't think you're mad at all. No-one has to justify what they spend their own money on, do whatever makes you happy, one shot at this game make the best of it 👍

[@richardhughes9074]

My own crazy collection caper has started !!

[@Itachi_PT]

25:07 Wrexham FTW.... Epic journey thanks for the share... 😅😅😅

[@MapleMarmite]

If you have to spend a grand on something, I think you directed it well. A lot of positive points on that vehicle to justify it. A removable camper setup would only add to its contributions to the channel as field accommodation. Would also be good content to film the process of building it. 👍🏻

[@revolution1one]

My great grand parents lived in Cheshire before they immagrated to Canada. Cool to see a little bit of it.

[@firsteerr]

my dad jsut got one , and is loving it its easy to get in and out of and he doesnt race anyone with it

[@happyhermit2022]

Uff...I've no idea how anyone lives in the UK...great upload but.. everything is always wet, mouldy or rotting...you are braver than I am 😊

[@lesklower7281]

40 mpg towing a very good reason to keep Bella running and that £1000 you spent on Bella very well spent also you pointed the Citroen DS station wagon l did see one a couple of months ago on my favourite car spotting road the John Oxley bypass in Campbelltown N.S.W. Australia

[@oojimmyflip]

In the last year I had it I spent 3k on my 1998 Xantia estate to keep it just one more year. It had given 18 years trouble free service up until that point.

[@davidflamee]

Never thought i'd see a spot of kayaking in a HubNut video, what a downpour that was!!! Do hope you get chance to test drive a Kia Niro hybrid at some point, 60 plus mpg, I think you would be impressed with the ride too. Bella and Bob are behaving beautifully lovely to see them out and about again.

[@terencehawkes3933]

Rubberized undercoating is just a poultice under which rust hides, creeps, and rots everything. Ziebart undercoatings were rubberized. Here in Ontario, Canada Ziebart was the subject of a class action lawsuit because it was actually worse than leaving the original metal exposed.

[@ClaudeSac]

Yep. It is not a solution, at most it is expensive camouflage.

[@cjmillsnun]

Indeed as Matt (Furious Driving) has found to his cost with his Merc

[@rogerfowles5822]

I used to tow with a 2.0 Diesel Xsara hatch, better than you might think

[@samharvey6194]

My non turbo forester could only dream of such mpg figures 😂😂😂 it was thristy for how slow it was lol 😂

[@HubNut]

Yeah, my old Legacy non-turbo could not top 27mpg even if I was gentle!

[@samharvey6194]

@@HubNut funny going to a fiat panda now and £20 gets me so much further lol

[@Lisa-yc3vg]

Hey again another great video , thank u

[@johnmoruzzi7236]

So just a rust repair and replacement of a few important consumables for Bella. Looking and driving well ! Hopefully the sticky calliper accounts for a few of the missing horses on the UpNDown dyno….

[@thomasfrancis5747]

The big flat hill behind the pub is Beeston Castle. Where you were was the wettest day in the area since at least 1950.

[@JamesAllmond]

It's good to live in a part of the world where the weather and conditions thereof aren't trying to eat one's vehicle alive! We have to try to make them rot that fast!