New bike van, Vito or transporter?

Anyone own or owned either a merc Vito or vw transporter. Can’t decide between the two. Anyone got any advice or tips on which one to go for.

I thought that vitos were, er, susceptible to rust no?

Just about every one that I’ve had a closer look at has had issues this way. And on 3-4 yo vans to.

Anyone got any advice or tips on which one to go for.

Yes, learn to not be a sucker and swallow all the branding/marketing bollox, and just buy a transit. It may be too late for you though.

Neither and deffo no a transit !

Peugeot expert or citroen dispatch or there new counterparts without all electric toys . No less reliable than vitos or transporters but cheaper to fix as they share alot of common componants with car models !

A confirmed transporter fan here – have had three over the years.
When it’s been time to change, I’ve test driven transits and vitos for comparison. For me, Vito felt tinny (poor build quality) and poorly specced. Bad rep for mechanicals too, and the nearest Merc dealer is a long way away. We have a fleet of Transits at work and they’re good honest workhorses. Transporter feels more car-like to drive though, which swung it (position, dash layout etc). So for me, ranking goes:

1. Transporter
2. Transit
3. Vito

I just bought a van for the business but with festivals and bike weekends in mind. I got a Renault Trafic Sport in the end. So far I loves it.

The elephant in the room on all ‘what van’ threads on STW is the Toyota HiAce, probably one of the best vans out there 😉

Having said that, if you want to covert it at any time to a day van or camper, the VW Transporter has a huge range of aftermarket bits.

VW transporters are a tad cosy with 3 of you in the front, value for money are Vauxhall Vivaro, Nissan or Renault version, if money permits go for an 07 or upwards as its a much better engine with no cam-belt issues, pre 56 plates are ok but have a few issues that the newer models don’t. I have a 56 plate 98’000 miles runs like a dream & fits 5 bikes in the back in 2 racks.

do yourself a big favor and buy a transit….. hundreds of them about, and hence cheap spares and lots of readily available knowledge through forums or even just down the pub.
this country is built on the transit van…. just ask yourself why there are so many around.
yes…. the transporter is nice van…. but expensive… especially for spares. and they do break down… i know of someone who recently had to write off a 2006 transporter because the timing belt snapped and it was deemed too costly to repair!!
transits changed over to timing chains in 2003 and even when they do go… a recon transit engine is affordable.
the question is do you want an honest, sensible vehicle which admittedly may give the impression that your a pikey (does it matter what people think?)
or do you want a trendy, pay through the nose, (i’m bothered about what people think) lifestyle vehicle?

Cheap parts for a transit hahahahahahaahahahah not fixed one then ?

Dads is more new bits than old – its an 08 and has serious electrical gremlins – thankfully its leased and goes back in march

Had several old smiley face transits which as you say cheap to fix cheap to buy before this and when he needed a new one didnt even consider it – brand new transit

Worst move ever

I’m a transporter fan personally. Had traffics and transits for work, prefer my transporter hands down. Driven my brothers LDVs and Movano thing more than enough, and further than I would like.

Depends what you’re after, if you want a proper work van, transit for sure, more room for three up front, more van like.

If you want something as a day van that you can sleep in and fit bikes in, then transporter every time.

I quite like the look of a Vivaro or similar badge engineered thing, but you do hear of a lot of injector issues with them, costing thousands to fix. You certainly get a lot more for your money than a VW, which I’ve all but discounted with my 10k budget for a new (to me) vehicle next summer. Might just go with an S-Max instead as it’s family friendly and the seats fold flat so it may as well be a small van.

Everyone I know who have a VW love it.

Everyone I know who bought a Vito regretted it, uncomfortable seats and ride, and relaibility seems to be the main issue.

Me.. I have a Fiat Ducato…proper commercial van so built like a truck…the transporter, vito’s, trafic’s etc use normal car engines, gearboxes etc.. so prone to going wrong..

I used a friends 2.8jtd ducato for 2 years as a shuttle bus, bar a couple of electrical faults (minor) it does 50k a year pulling people and bikes up alpine roads and hssnt missed a beat… I was so impressed that I got a MWB Ducato 2.3 jtd with air con on a 55 plate with 30k miles for £6 grand and will easily outlive any transporter given the work it does.

It is however flippin huge

The Vito’s are better value for money as less specialists around who want to turn them into day/surf vans/camper etc, the VW T4 and T5 have more street credibility. If it’s a case of just wanting to stick a bike in the back then go with a Vito, if you want a bed and a sink and something that looks nice go with the VW.

I drove a Vito for years for work, it was never looked after particularly well and in 8 years I don’t think anything ever broke on it but you could see it rust in front of your eyes. Look around at the first model and all of them are rusty. They may have improved since however.

the transporter is nice van…. but expensive… especially for spares. and they do break down… i know of someone who recently had to write off a 2006 transporter because the timing belt snapped and it was deemed too costly to repair!!

Yep, they can break down but no more frequently than average. And you can avoid any timing belt issue by plumping for the 2.5 (130 or 174ps) rather than 1.9 (90 or 104ps) – 2.5 is cog-driven so not belt to snap or chain to stretch.

I’ve driven Transporters (T5s), Transits of various ages, a recent Vito, and numerous Vivaros and the Transporter is the nicest to drive but the Vivaro/similar-badged is a close second IMO.

If you don’t need something quite as big and can live with 2 seats then the Transit Connect is a brilliant van. T230 model (biggest connect) is almost as big as the smaller transits, vito’s etc but quite a bit cheaper.

I’ve owned both mark 1 and 2 vitos, t5 transporters, mark 1 and 2 vivaro/trafic and others. The transporters are definitely the nicest to drive and most comfortable with the new vivaro’s a close second. The latest vito I had was a 150bhp dualiner model with 6 seats and I only kept it 6 months as it felt so nasty to drive. Uncomfy, flimsy, poor handling and rear wheel drive in a van with little weight most of the time is just a pain. The transporter I had with 165k on in 2.5 years still felt nice and tight and was great to drive.
I’m just about to sell my current vivaro (07 plate, sportive with 118k on it) for 5.5-6k for the same money you’ll struggle to get a t5 transporter. That’s the big problem they have so many people want them for the badge that prices are silly. I’d go for a 1.9 over the 2.5 as they’re quick enough and despite being belt cam they are much more reliable than the 2.5s and parts etc are very easy to get as it’s the same 1.9 engine used in all vag cars.
Vivaros problems are nearly all gearbox related. Mine’s just had the box recon’d and fitted, The older models are worse for it but the newer 2.0 engined ones are still worse than other similar vans. The older models have clutch issues to but they’re with the actuation cylinders not the actual plates themselves. Not heard anything ever about injector issues with them but like all high pressure injection modern diesels they will have some.
If you have any other specific questions feel free to drop me a mail.

The issue with Vivaro/Trafic injectors is that they can seize into the cylinder head and removal can ne very costly. This seems to be caused by rainwater running into the depression in the CH and is supposedly fixed on the 09 and later models by a new drip tray.

Don’t own either but have heard feedback from those that do. Merc not of same quality as cars, reliability issues. VW used by business for moving about lots of stuff and good for towing. Unless you need/want a full size van you can do lots with smaller vans or medium sized 4wd with removal seats (eg we had prior shape Rav4 which had big volume with seats out and was a ‘proper car’ when required)? For what it’s worth I’m a massive VAG fan, they make great cars and are worth the modest price premium

Vw out out of those 2 but vivaro much better value

Please don’t buy a Vito. I hate them with an intense passion due to the constant stream of tweets from pro riders and journalists etc. of the “just off to walk the dog in the @TheVitoSport” variety. Must be about 10 a day on average. A glorious illustration of how social media / viral promotion methods can have the exact opposite of the intended effect and make you completely despise a brand.

Ive a Transporter, but not the van....Its the 9 seat Shutle lwb and still has ehough boot to put bikes in……. 😛

Watch out for turbo`s, drive shafts. Would recommend though……. 😛

saw this recently, thought it looked fab, it was a VW, the bike rack was Halfords, rest of it he built himself.

As a Vito owner, I’d recommend the Transporter. The Vito engine and transmission is excellent but the bodywork is terrible. Also, check out the insurance costs before you leap in and buy a van. Very few companies will insure a van as a privately owned vehicle and the costs are huge compared with a car. My insurance is £450 fully comp or £300 TPF&T for a 45 year old with no accidents or convictions, 9 years no claims, living in SW Surrey.

You’re also required to drive at 60mph in 70 limits. Oddly, if you convert it to a motorhome (bed and cooker) you can drive the same vehicle at 70mph and the insurance is way less.

I’ve got a Transporter 2.5 130 and a Fiat Scudo 120 also owned a Vauxhall Vivaro SWB and a Connect 230.

As everyone says above it depends on your budget and requirements, Out of all the vans the Transporter is the nicest drive, followed by the Fiat, then the Connect and worst of the lot was the Vivaro.

As for reliability, The Transporter has done 40k with no problems thus far, the Fiat has 75k on it and has got a small gremlin which needs looking at centering around the front left wheel, the Connect had done 64k when the clutch, DMF and gearbox all called time, also one of the injectors was failing which meant it got disposed of rather than fixed, the Vivaro only managed 50k miles in which time it had had 3x ECU under warranty, a Turbo, an intercooler and numerous other mechanical issues, complete money pit!

I’ve never had a Vito but the ones I’ve driven have been deeply uncomfortable and rusting like old boats at only 3 years old, a real disgrace to Mercedes, I’d not have one for free! (well, maybe for free but not a lot more)

You’re also required to drive at 60mph in 70 limits. Oddly, if you convert it to a motorhome (bed and cooker) you can drive the same vehicle at 70mph and the insurance is way less.

Not quite correct – changing the classification does bugger all for speed limits in vans/campers. There’s a lot of conflicting/incorrect info online on this. Correct about insurance reduction though: our van tripled in value when converted, but insurance halved…

Only vans up to 2000kg max laden weight can use the same limits as cars.

Vans/campervans OVER 2000kg max laden weight (i.e. all Transit-sized vans – I’m not aware of any with a max laden weight of <200kg) are restricted as follows:
Single carriageway = 50mph
Dual carriageway = 60mph
Motorway = only place you’re allowed to do 70mph

See links:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Roadsafetyadvice/DG_178867?CID=TAT&PLA=url_mon&CRE=speed_limits
http://www2.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/speedmanagement/vanspeedlimits.html
http://www.smartdriving.co.uk/Driving/DefensiveDriving/Speed/UK_Speed_limits.html

ive just put a deposit on a 2008 new shape transit 140

im selling my Transporter T4 – just listed it on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160708329811&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:GB:1123#ht_500wt_1202

new transit seems lively on test drive, only swapping cos I should be seen to be in something newer for business use

i’m a transporter fan but i do appreciate you pay for the name, if i had to have something else vito would be at the bottom of my list.

if they don’t die of rust then the engines blow up!!

have a look at traffic/ primastar / vivaro.

I bought brand new VW Transporter Kombi earlier this year after saving up for nearly 2 years. It was our dream vehicle and we had wanted one for ages.

We finally got enough money saved up to be able to afford one and managed to get a really nice new T5 Kombi in metallic paint with alloy wheels and all colour coded from a VW main dealer. It looked fantastic and we thought all our Christmas’ had come at once.

It only lasted 800 miles though before it turned into a bit of a nightmare with numerous problems….

It had:

1) A clunk from the steering rack
2) Leaking Kombi side windows
3) Factory paintwork faults which required over £700 of paint to fix
4) A creaking dashboard
5) Poor radio reception which meant that I HAD to listen to Radio 2
6) An out of alignment drivers door

It definitely wasn’t the vehicle I thought it was going to be and after nearly 7 weeks of constant phone calls and e-mails; I finally got a refund from VW.

On the plus side, it had loads of room and drove just like a car; it’s a shame that the VW quality seems to have gone.

I really hate my bosses vito, I hate the gear shift – clunky, not comfy – steering wheel is not centred to the drivers seat, central locking only works when it wants, rusty as hell.
He is supposed to be replacing it in the new year with a vito dual liner so keeps windings me up telling me he is selling my van (tranny connect) and I am having his, ain’t going to happen!!!!

transporter over vito any day, although you’ll get alot less for the money.
or buy my nice swb sprinter for £2500 ish, only 112k miles, tinted windows, lovely 😉

a11y, its not that simple on the van/speed thing. A conflict of info on weight, type approval and VIN plate info. Its not worth getting into it on here but has been done to death on other forums…

Even traffic officers are not clear of all the differences, nor are vw when I asked them…

I understand that T5 outsell Vito 5:1 and there must be a reason for that….

And while we are at it… Caddy or Caddy Maxi… ?

rickmeister, yeah I’ve seen plenty of discussion on Brickyard and vwt4forums to know it’s pretty complicated. Lot of conflicting info. I’m still unclear myself but I go with what’s on the DVLA/DFT website as they’ve (you’d hope…) the highest chance of getting it right…

But it’s a whole separate discussion.

Transporter > everything else 😀

Aye, we picked it apart via VIN numbers and some T5’s dont fit into either camp… very grey area.. anyhow, as you said, move along move along!

i have to say im a vw fan but thats because i own old 1970’s bay window campers.. although my work van is a transit sport. as much as i love the vw’s i cant bring myself to pay the extra 10k for a new one!
my transit sport has more toys and gadgets than inspector gadget himself.i love driving it and its one of the few new vans that still feels like a van to me!
i must say though, a transit doesnt have the build quality of a vw or a merc.like most say here transits are alot cheaper and i think are great value!!!
i did drive my mates merc vito sport the other day and i must say it was very nice but i found the engine noise something else from it. when using the hands free people found it very hard to hear me!!
i think ive dribbled enough now but thats my views. haha…..

I asked a similar question on here a while back. I finally got the courage to sell my beloved landy and search for a van.

Decided on a vw in the end. Really loving it, car like to drive, i’ve soundproofed, insulated and carpeted the back and it’s very very quiet now with a half bulkhead.

Well after much Internet searching I’ve finally found a garage local that has both in so gona have a closer look tomorrow
Thanks for all your help, I guess either van could have its issues. Luck of the draw maybe?

I wish I would have never sold my T4. so if you can grab one of those, do it. Don’t waste your time on a new Transporter.

Although! I recently got into a ford escort 55. Can fit 3 bikes in without breaking them down. Just perfect.