[Closed] Mercedes Vito - Would you??

Rust was always a Vito thing, wasn't it? Metallic paint not as bad though.

[i]It's got 150k on the clock[/i]

[i]£12,000[/i]

That's a lot of money for a van with that mileage!

Yup, but it's only three years old.

All motorway miles, and my weekend use should bring the mileage back into touch with something closer to average if I offload it in three years at 6 years old with 180k on it, was part of my thinking....

Hence asking the hive mind what they think.

Have you driven one? I thought the older ones felt a bit heavy and also the rear wheel drive has pros and cons. I certainly found T5s of the same vintage to be nicer to drive. I'm not sure what year they started galvanising the bodies, worth checking that as they used to rust badly.

ggI would try to forget about the "motorway miles" part as you never really know what it got up to, especially when delivering "large parts" does that mean it's had a ton sitting in the back for three years?

FWIW, we had a 2012 Vito for a couple of years. Put 70k in it iirc, problems were a faulty DPF (fixed under warranty) and sticky rear calipers as they don't like brake dust. No rush (as you'd expect for a 2.5 year old vehicle) including around the sizeable stone dent/chip it had on the bonnet. Our was a 113 and drove well, a 116 should be very good

tomd - Member

Have you driven one? I thought the older ones felt a bit heavy and also the rear wheel drive has pros and cons. I certainly found T5s of the same vintage to be nicer to drive

We're of the opposite view, both think that the T5 we have now is a bouncy, rolly, wallowy mess in comparison to the Vito. The 140bhp T5 also seems less grunty than the 136bhp Vito. Gear box in the Vito's better too imo, but maybe the steering in VW is slightly better (tbh the bearbox and steering are marginal between them). The Vito needs the comfort seat though, the standard one is shit

Galvanised bodies for donkey's years now, so rust should be sorted. I also think that sounds expensive for the mileage. Is it +VAT or is it included/not needed?

I was tempted by the Vito, but my main concern was the rwd and going camping/winter conditions. I'd read that it was 'flummoxed by grass, it doesn't have to be wet either". That was it, I bought a Vivaro

VAT included, as being sold by a multi-national business (Ex JCB service van).

I'd read that it was 'flummoxed by grass, it doesn't have to be wet either"

I'd be questioning the driver rather than the van in that particular example, but obviously it's not going to cope as well in properly slippy conditions. We had winter tyres for ours, the missus was all over the highlands through the winters without an issue

Yes, & I have. We have an '06 ex-RAC Vito. It's got 138,000 on the clock (bought it with 106,000 miles). No rust - I think they started galvanizing the vans around 2004/05/06 depending on the exact model. So far as I can tell, ever since then, they've been on a par with VW's etc. I've had ours for about 3 years now and apart from a propshaft £500 we've just had tyres, oil etc. Live in Aberdeen - it's not great in the snow but is on a par with the neighbour's FWD Audi since we put winters on it. I would echo what other people have stated about motorway mileage....it being a service van (like the RAC one) it's likely been full of tools all of it's life which will add wear and tear. Another thing to consider (though less likely for a JCB one) is that ours has a "special" diff with a low ratio, presumably for easier towing of broken down cars (it's not really special, just optional). I would check your one doesn't have that as it'd ruin a 116. Mines the low powered one & I'm quite happy chugging around at 50 - 55 mph so not a major issue. I think it's a great van but I've not owned any of the other options. I'd have one again though.

Oli.

Oh, and £12k does seem pricey. I think we paid £3,250 for ours.....(I realise that was a bargain - long story)

Fully galv from 56 plate. My 56 is clean, no rust. Nice to drive, use it as my daily driver, about 8k a year and had it about 5 year. Very happy with it.

I lowered it and it handles far better with 30mm drop Eibach springs, no more wallow or tucking in at the front. Still handles reasonable loads fine.

I'd look around a bit more myself.

Also worth considering other vans. I was curious what crew cab Vivaros go for now and this is the first one I found...
http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/used-vans/vauxhall/vivaro/2011-vauxhall-vivaro-2-0-cdti-lwb-6-seat-crew-van-one-owner-with-full-history-diesel-nottingham-vfpa-8ac905124cff076e014d0ae055fd0fed/bodytype/combi-van/registrationyear/2010/max

A few notes

1) Paint isn't an issue. As mentioned above re galv.
2) Mileage isn't an issue - I have customers doing 50,000 per annum and its not engine and gearbox that give issues. The 116 (160bhp) is the 2.2CDI which is essentially the same engine/gearbox in sprinter that is good for 3-400,000mls. The thing is other parts will need maintained to get that. Shocks, steering racks etc will wear out regardless, so even though engine & gearbox will be good don't discount the other bit.
3)Someone mentioned the propshaft. They do sometimes go out of balance. Don't buy a new one from Merc for £6-700, pay a company in Lancaster who rebalances them for £150.
4) Drive of a vito wipes the floor with T5. It is soo much more civilised its not even close.
5) Vito is a properly trimmed vehicle to the same level as the Viano wich is sold in the car garages for £40k plus. The T5 is a van with a set of seats thrown in the back. Metal panels ahoy
6)RWD against FWD - Cant answer this because I ran transporter for 8yrs and Vito for 5yrs and I never struggled in either. The guy getting confused with grass in his vito doesn't see the ASR button on the dashboard. THIS TURNS IT OFF so that you can happily drive it as normal on grass. If you don't then it will indeed detect the spin on grass, deduce it needs to do something and cut traction to the wheel with grip (So you don't go anywhere). Mercedes designed this system decades ago and is on a more advanced version than any other manufacturer who are soon to be forced to have it as standard (Paying Mercedes for the privaledge)

Now advice time. Consider the Viano second hand. They are usually higher spec, lower mileage and cheap because the VAT element is attractive on the Dualiner Vito for business users so less so on Viano. You don't get the van type back but that can be dealt with.

ALSO, I know of a 11 plate 116 with 24,500mls on with HUGE spec (Xenons, Command, Met paint, Alloys, Leather) which will be available in August/Sept for about £11,500 to 12,500+VAT privately. (I have just ordered £30k plus replacement for him)

Do I need to worry about the engine/gearbox falling apart??

No

Merc engines are their major plus point. I'm just selling my 330k mile, 15 year old sprinter. Other than servicing its only ever needed some injector seals and a clutch in all that time. Gearboxes are rock solid although the cable-operated gearshift can go out of adjustment, but I've only had to adjust them twice in that time.

Rust isn't a concern on anything post 2007

I'd read that it was 'flummoxed by grass, it doesn't have to be wet either"

My SWB sprinter struggles on grass/mud/snow and the vito will have similar weight distribution. In snow mine can't cope with climbing the camber of the road when you're pulling out at a T junction - a consequence of having the engine in front of the front axel and no weight over the driven wheels, so on softer surfaces the front wheels sink in and the rears skate on the surface and can't push them forwards. Just putting some weight in the back helps. I switched to winter tyres and left them on all year round and aside from the softer rubber having a more cross-ways, less radial tread makes a big difference on grass etc and its been a issue that I've just been able to forget about since I fitted them.

Drive of a vito wipes the floor with T5. It is soo much more civilised its not even close.

I have.

Got a Vito Sport 115 on a 57 plate. I bought it privately at about 5 years old with about 34k on the clock for 12 grand. It's only got just over 40k on the clock now because I rarely use it (work from home and it's a second vehicle mainly for biking trips away).

Anyway, I find it comfortable to drive. Pretty civilised all round. Had no hassles with it. The radio/speakers are a bit shite so may get upgraded soon.

Mine has 5 seats (two at the front and a row of three in the back which fold up). Plenty of space for bikes and weekend away gear - although there are usually only two of us.

A double air bed also fits quite snugly in the back if you want to sleep in there.

Now advice time. Consider the Viano second hand. They are usually higher spec, lower mileage and cheap because the VAT element is attractive on the Dualiner Vito for business users so less so on Viano. You don't get the van type back but that can be dealt with.

.. and thats why I love STW. Hadn't heard of / considered these in my search for something van-ish as children and hobbies outgrow an S Max. Thanks for the tip!

Thanks for all the input so far, much appreciated.

So bottom line is that it will be good, but £12k (£10k +VAT) is too much.

Any suggestions as to what I should try and chip it down to??

Ive had two a 111 and a 115,both lwb's & now got a VW,i would have another one in a breath !,my 115 had a 200bhp re-map & would do 35mpg and 130mph..

it had 98k on when I sold it,and I miss it...loads..

FWIW the ASR button on centre of the dash will only disconnect temporeraly with one push, to disconnect it fully you need to press it for 10 seconds on position two of the ignition switch, to re activate press the button for 10 seconds again until you get an audible click.

Have a 116 Sport and love it! Awesome.

Have a word with thelittlesthobo, he is a great guy to work with and helped with our van purchase.

Has worked with vw and merc commercials. Very helpful.

I have a T5 Kombi -used for work, its an older one with 176bhp engine and LWB the Merc 116 is the likely replacement.The Merc drive realy well and are very reliable these days.
T5's have lots of issues, DPF failures , driveshafts,Leaking side windows, gearbox and turbo issues are commonplace.
But Owners love them and are blind to dynamic shortcomings, I shake my head everytime I chat to an new owner who has changed from a proper car to a T5 and has convinced themselves that they make a good daily driver.

The 140bhp T5 also seems less grunty than the 136bhp Vito.

my 130bhp 2.5 T5 pulls better thatn the newer 2.0ltr 140bhp engines, too.

the 174bhp T5 is a monster. a colleague had his chipped to 230bhp. a van shouldn't be that quick off the line!

We've got one at work, it's a Brabus (?) 'Sport' one with, allegedly, over 200BHP, auto, leather, climate control etc etc. It's still a van. Cheap plastic everywhere, very noisy. Fast, though. We've also got a 4wd T5. Even more like a van (although this one's had a hard life). I just don't get this obsession with German vans.

Gogg - Rust is an issue on vitos, more so than other vans. It has got better in the last couple of years but at the auctions I go to vitos are showing rust much more significant than other vans. It is much less prevelant on vans with metallic paint. All the new shaped vitos from 2004 have been galvanised, just not well enough.
In terms of price 12k is a lot, your theory of reducing the relative mileage over the next few years but at 180k it will be worth little to most people. I'd be paying single figures if it was me.

They have a posher badge - that's it really. Ours have been company vehicles, otherwise would have likely looked elsewhere

Rickmiester, thanks for the mention. It's been a few years and was great fun dealing with you.

Think I may have been involved with Gavgas too (Hart)

V6 is now discontinued in vito so top output from 4cylinder is now 190bhp. But fuel economy is now genuine 40mpg plus. I did some rather silly speeds in demo to Penrith and back and it still averaged 40mpg. It's the new 7tronic box (not new to merc). It is astonishing.

When the new brabus is launched (there is also rumours they will move from brabus to AMG) they reckon 220 bhp similar to v6 will be easily achievable.

130bhp 2.5tdi is a big lump of a 5cylinder engine. It will feel faster than the 2.0tdi 140 4cylinder

Similar, the V6 feels faster than the 4cylinder in the merc (it's putting out 30bhp more as well). But the lower power 4cylinder is faster due to the gearing.

Manufacturers just can't get these big engines clean enough to meet emission standards anymore

The Short wheelbase sprinter is a better van and usually for less money too. We have an extra long wheelbase one of an older vintage and its awesome!

I've got a 2006 extra long 120cdi I've had from new.
Very few problems. It's done 146k now and still runs perfectly.
No rust at all.
Make sure you get one with the factory comfort pack.
The auto box on mine is very good, it's very quick.
We drive to Austria at least 3 times a year and wouldn't consider going in my wife's Lexus, Vito is miles more comfortable for long journeys.
If you get an extra long, bikes will roll straight in the back behind the rear seats, I've had 7 in no problems.
Mate had one, then bought a 2012 T5 Sportline and hates it, noisy, rattly, much more like a van. But the T5 looks like the A-Team van so is way cooler.

TheLittlestHobo,

I test drove the new 9 seater a few weeks back, really good.
The handling feels a little sharper and the seats are better.
Love the new auto gearbox.
They've quoted me £32k + vat for a heavily loaded new 190bhp dual liner (safety pack, captains seats, rear cam etc)
Reckon it's worth waiting for the new Brabus? Only thing is I would want an extra long and they didn't do it in the old SportX.

I thought VW Transporters were the best vans? Why are you getting a Vito?

Seeing as no-one else has asked, why not look at Traffic/Vivaro etc? More van for your money. I replaced my Vito (which was actually a great van to be fair) with a Trafic, and I feel like I got a lot more for the money.

If the decision is Vito yes/no though, then go for it - they're excellent 🙂

Who told you it was motorway miles?

The seller?

Hi Colp

Currently all dealerships are running the launch demos from Mercedes. Probably be the case for next 3mths. They are all Crystal Meths White (That's what I call it) Waste of money IMO. They all have every safety aid under the sun, £1400 LED light packages etc etc.

The handling on the Tourer you demoed is a little different to the Crewvan (New Name). There is now 3 different suspension settings.

Panel Van - CF0 = Standard Suspension for load carrying
Crew Van - CF9 = Adds comfort springs front & rear
Tourer - CF7 = Comfort Suspension allround improves comfort, reduces noise and more car like handling.

Basically I am just advising making sure you drive a crewvan so you have properly compared them.

Seats are lovely aren't they. I have leathered my demo seat for less than £1k and they are great.

The Brabus is still up in the air. We are not holding our breath for it tbh as typical merc get the basics out then suddenly realised the special models need sorted. Even then a Brabus is only a standard vehicle that has wheels etc fitted in UK. It isn't tuned in any form over a standard 120CDI. If you want ExLWB then just get it ordered tbh.

Not touting for business but email me the spec and I will make sure you keep your local dealer honest 😉 Also, if its of any interest I have a 53 page document which has a lot of the technical info for the new model which is a Mercedes internal only. You didn't get it from me 😉

I have an 02 Vito, it's been a very reliable van over the 10 years I've owned it.
Rust is really getting the better of it now.
I'll be in the market for a replacement soon, I will look at both dualiner and kombi.
I think the Vw has more comfy seats, should that sway me? Don't know!
Slightly prefer the vw looks , but like the dual doors on the Merc.
Feel perhaps better the devil you know , mechanically the Vitos been
Sound, with only one break down last year , the dreaded stuck in injectors!
Metallic paint seems to help with the rust, so I'll definitely go with that next time.

I think the Vw has more comfy seats, should that sway me? Don't know!
Slightly prefer the vw looks , but like the dual doors on the Merc.

Comfort pack should have them on a par.

Extra sliding door is a relatively cheap (iirc) option for the Transporter too.

Just make sure to get a tailgate on whichever one you end up with!

Sprinter comment earlier was interesting. Would definitely be a better van, but if you have to use it as a daily driver it'd be a right pain in the arse.

Also worth noting that a standard Vito is lower than a Transporter. It's enough of a difference to get into a lot more car parks

I've owned a Vito and vowed never again. Utter rust bucket.

Back in a T5 now and it's better in every way- apart from the tax that seems to come with the VW badge.

Personally, I won't have any other van. That is until something different comes along- the current offerings just don't cut it for me.

As the Vito comes with dual sliding door as standard,
this is a plus for the Vito as I'll be buying secondhand.
Legend ,
Whats the benefit of the tail gate over barn doors?

99% of vito dualiners come with tailgate unless the customer asks for double doors.

They offer cover when talking and sitting at the back even if its raining a bit. Its generally the choice to have as the double back doors tends to be for people who like to forklift into the back of their vehicle. Remember these are primarily commercial vehicles. If they are having to use a forklift then they tend to have quite worn back ends on the floor, bumper etc.

Oh the flipside is that you need more space to open a tailgate and less room to open double doors

YETIboyJAY - Member

I've owned a Vito and vowed never again. Utter rust bucket.

Back in a T5 now and it's better in every way

An older pre-galvanised one or newer one?

Intrigued by the second point, what do you think's better about it?

Whats the benefit of the tail gate over barn doors?

It's a very handy built in awning for sheltering from shitty british weather! Had 3 vans with a tailgate - would miss it terribly if I went to barn doors.

Legend
Yeah , that does seem a plus, having only ever owed a barn door Vito, I
Was looking at a tail gate version next time with that point in mind!

You can also get tailgate tents for the real all-weather setup too 🙂

My one was a 2002 so pre-galvanised id expect. However a buddy has a 2011 model one and it looks rough. Little rust spots all over the tailgate edge for one thing.

For me it felt much more like a van than the T5 does. Could be because mine is a nicely spec'd Kombi but it's like a big car not a commercial vehicle which for me the merc's are. Like the tilted over steering wheel- just feels more 'bus' like.

I also feel the gearbox (6sp manual) is far smoother than those found on the Vito's I've driven. Engine wise the Merc's are spot on though.

Final thing- the load are on the T5 seems bigger. I'm not sure if it is, but it does seem more square.

TheLittlestHobo
May be interested in the van you mentioned coming up for sale.
I tried to email you for details but have not had a reply
If you could send me details that would be great.
My email is in my profile.
Cheers
Paul

I am sorry, I need to speak to the customer before I pass on any more details than I listed. Its his vehicle and not part of my deal. I will ask him closer to the time if he wants me to pass on any details.

Not on here to tout for business, just thought it would give the OP an idea of what is about if he looks around.

Thanks for the info by the way, I'll get in touch when I'm a bit closer to ordering.

TheLittlestHobo, I didn't think you were touting for business, I thought you were offering some expert advice, which apart from the crap jokes is the main reason we all use this forum isn't it??