[Closed] Mercedes Vito's anyone got one? Thoughts please

i think the VW incarnation (Transporter) is generally considered to be better value and have better running gear and engine

Basically a small sprinter. Think they have the same engines and bits. Cracking turning circle and merc vans are always pretty bob on. I have not had one long enough to clock up some serious miles but battered plenty of sprinters in my time and they are top notch.
Don't know about fuel economy as it they have all been company motors and not really paid any attention to mpg. Logically they would be slightly better than a sprinter mpg wise with them being smaller, lighter and a tad more stream lined.

I think... ❓

Need to keep an eye open for rust - bottom of the doors etc.

Thanks chaps, i have been looking seriously at the VW's but they are quite a bit more money for what appears to be the same thing. I only started looking today at Vitos and i was surprised by the price of them second hand so thought i would run it through the STW forum test to see 🙂 Also i need one with a tailgate and loads of Vito's have them compared to equivalent VW's

VWs are dearer for a reason. Most vitos I've seen have got more rust than a fishing boat, this is because as they are built in Spain the anti corrosion is non existent.

Vw's comand strong money but resale beats mercedes hands down.

Good vans, I'm on my fourth.Early models suffered rust problems,but I my last two were fine.good on fuel and pretty nippy to drive.comfy and loads of room.my only gripe is not enough cup holders!

Also VW Transporters have their fair share of rust

In a word don't. They are horrid to drive, rear wheel drive so get stuck easily in damp fields etc, mpg is very poor 32,mpg from my lwb 111 (where as both my t5 transporters would do 40mpg), rust is a huge problem on them - less so with metallic ones, they are noisy, not very comfy. They share very few bits with the sprinter apart from the the engine which is generally good for high miles but the rest of the van isn't.

I've had lots of different vans and only kept the vito for 3 months as it was so unpleasant. If you want better value than a transporter (residuals are very high on these vans, the previous t4 versions are worth silly money) then look at the vivaro or trafic vans (all made in the same factory in luton, same engines etc only trim pieces and badges change).

I wouldn't touch a merc again

I dont own one, but have driven most of the modern vans through work, and the Vito is one of the worse IMO. Not very nice to drive, loads of body roll and that stupid foot handbrake thing. VW Transporter miles better IMO.

Also VW Transporters have their fair share of rust

Not in my experience. Some older t4's were prone to a bit around the front screen and fuel filler cap but on the whole they're the best on the Market for non rusting.

vito is a very safe van , the stability program on the new ones is incredible, some lwb transporters have some mechanical niggles around 60k miles, which is suprising i know. I know of 3 that have had water pumps go at around those miles and of those 3 ,two also had driveshaft problems. The 174 bhp one is a thirsty beast but dont half shift and passenger legroom in the vw is cramped if you are nomal height. The traffic/primastar/vivaro is ok too. Better legroom than the vw for passengers and higher equpment levels for your dosh, like cd payer aircon, esp, elecric windows etc. Regarding the other comment about vitos being rear wheel drive , that is wrong. They come in both front or rear drive, however i think lwb is rear only.

Rear wheel drive is more fun in the wet. It brightens up a dull drive.

Init.

rusty, made in spain, and not great if you're tall.

ps if you are still after a love/hate, I've just stuck one on the classifieds!

Thank you all for your posts very helpful, my first choice is a Transporter and i will continue to look at that option i think as my first choice, need to test drive a Vito to compare to VW.

Don't rule out the Fiat/Peugeot/Citroen equivalents.

All mark 2 vitos are rear wheel drive, the mercedes website says this as well.

Unless you can show me different jimithenomad?

My uncle has one and he loves it. He got windows and made it like a camper so he can park anywhere to sleep and it just looks like a van to anyone walking by.
The rear wheel drive is good - get the dealer to take the limiter off. He lives in the highlands and it has been great in the snow and ice - take it easy (as you would ni any motor vehicle) and it is great, gets up the steep hills no bother.
I've heard about the rust on the older models but he has had no problems with his.