[Pittmonkey]

Thinking of getting a newer van and been looking at the Mercedes-Benz Vito Compact 109 -111 New Shape.

Anyone use one of these for WFP.

What are its good points and what are the bad points. Is there an issue with the cargo floor re: water/corrosion? Seem to remember reading a thread recently about a floor problem in a Vito.

Any help appreciated

Wayne

[Topclean]

ive got one 55 plate, good van drives like a car (111) carry 500 ltrs + loads of extras every day no problem, ive always got leaks, dosnt look like its corroding yet however i have procter coated it.

the problem i find is that having 2 side loading doors restricts pole carrying but im sure there are ways round this. also there seems two be a problem with the central locking and electric windows every now and then. (ive heard this with the old vitos to)

short wheel base is not big enough in my opinion, spare wheel is mounted in the rear of van which also causes lack of side panel space.

GOOD VAN THO

[Mike_G]

I have a 04 xlwb vito and touchwood I have had no problems with it at all. The only possible one is that under the ply lining on the floor there is part of the wiring loom so to prevent any electrical mishaps make sure it is sealed from water.

[Topclean]

This might have somthing to do with my electrical problems, do you no wether this is the same in the short wheel base?

[Mike_G]

Yep think so. Under the ply in the middle of the floor there is a connector with 8 wires going to it I guess if it is wet that might cause a problem.

[scud]

  Mercedes deisels go through injectors very regularly, they are expensive to replace to, I speak from experience.

   I would not have another Merc of any variety.

[eclipse]

ive got to agree with scud  i wouldnt have another mercedes in any shape or form
i have a 52 plate vito (i know your looking at a newer one but its still a vito)

my problems in the last year

rear suspension coil snapped
front coil snapped
low pressure fuel pump replaced
high pressure fuel pump
had to have it re-coded
glow plug relay failed
they hate water (the slightest stonechip will turn into a rust patch)
apparently the panels are made from different quality metal to the cars
and now i recon one of my injectors is playing up



glow plug light stayed on and i was told that it would be a faulty glowplug but i was warned not to change plugs as they have a nasty habbit of snapping in the head  (i bit the bullet and they did change ok)

and most important the aftersales of my local mercedes dealer is shocking

id spend a little more and get a movano
i only got mine as it is the custom crewcab model

[Alex Gardiner]

I did look at a new SWB Vito and decided that the VW Transporter had better specification, reliability and payload.

[rscleaningservices]

YOU WANT A RENAULT TRAFFIC BY FAR THE BEST VAN OUT THERE  !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WELL FOR ME THAT IS MIND YOU THE MASTER WOULD BE GOOD AS I FIND MINE JUST THAT BIT TO SMALL WITH THE FED MACHINE HENRY HOOVER AND TRYING TO FIT THE PETROL MOWER IN IS ABIT OF A KNIGHTMARE ....

[robbie14000]

Hi, had mine 4 years and it is a wreck (rust bucket)
It,s got 2 more weeks then its going to the tip.
Never a vito again for me.
Cost me fortunes every year.
 U live and learn.
Got a vivarro which is not bad with a 650 system in but struggles alittle to pull.
Got a peugeot boxer with 500 L tank and jetter which is fantastic.
Going to go for a transit I think/heard lots of good things about them
just thought i would share my wonderful experience of owning a vito.
Thanks
Robbie
Clearshine Ltd

[JPWC]

VW T5 Transporter, best van in their class by far, actually prefer driving the van to my car.

[seandyer2003]

Im looking at a few years old transits at the minute, 260-280 swb... Can pick one up pretty clean for a few grand... Sticking my 650 litre tank in and just gonna use it as a delivery system i think, might stick a di in for emergencies?

Any thoughts on them - transits that is ... Dont fancy a new one as it means payin on finance at £200 a month plus same again on insurance for me as only 21...whereas the older ones are only 100 a month to insure for me, and once paid for is free 

[scud]

 In truth any of the new mocern common rail deisels are always going to be troublesome atsome point or other.

  If you are on a budget the best bets are the pre common rail Transits, they seem to go until the body has given up and rusted away.

[Spruce]

Im looking at a few years old transits at the minute, 260-280 swb... Can pick one up pretty clean for a few grand... Sticking my 650 litre tank in and just gonna use it as a delivery system i think, might stick a di in for emergencies?

Any thoughts on them - transits that is ... Dont fancy a new one as it means payin on finance at £200 a month plus same again on insurance for me as only 21...whereas the older ones are only 100 a month to insure for me, and once paid for is free 

Hi
The 260 Transit has a lower payload than the 280, I think its just under 900kgs. Whatever, you will be pushing toward overload with a 650 litre tank and all the gear, full tank of diesel, etc. Other problem with lighter payload vans is that they are also easier to overload an axel by incorrect weight placement. So although the van may come in on overall weight, axel overload is just as bad according to the powers that be.
Spruce

[seandyer2003]

So go for the 280??

[sair]

just bought the 115 sport x  crew cab , for window cleaning  absolutely lovely

if you send me your phone number i ll send pictures of the set up in the back gives you an idea what will fit in and what space you have

i have a 400 as thats ample for me but the 650 is the same floor layout space

next week i ll be be fitting the hot water heater

tony 07944 227635

[dave.e]

Hi tony any chance off pics on here so i can have a look aswell because ime thinking off another one cheers dave.

[Pittmonkey]

If I was mainly commercial I would probably go for the Traffic/Vivaro. I'm 99% domestic and find my Dispatch ideal size for Cul-de-sac's, Ave's etc. I would look at the new Dispatch/Expert 1200kg but didn't want to spend that much. The reason I liked the Vito is it's possible to get a modern looking van for around £5k. But having a modern looking van is not much use if it ain't up to the job. (Hence the original question)

Some of the older Vito's surprisingly look tired and rusty not what you would expect from the Germans. Thought the newer model would have some positive feedback but 

I'm a big fan of VW having had Golf's in the past and can appreciate the build quality and general reliability. The transporter really does hold it's value and so far, have seen very little for sale.

Wayne

[eclipse]

And now with my vito

i have just gone to move the van......... turn the key in the ignition and all it says is "start error " reading up on the internet it would seem that the van now needs recoding


my advise steer clear of any mercedes commercial vehicle

[niceandclean]

I had a Vito for another business i had. Was 52 plate, i got it with 128k on the clock when it was 3 years old. Sold it to a friend with 192k on the clock end of 07 and he still has it with about 215k on it, only things that cost me and him is the general service items! I bought a new Vito last August, only thing that ive paid out on is 2 new tyres, great van. 25k servicing as well.