kikkthecat
MB Enthusiast
Firstly you dont buy a Trend model. The Ambiente is approx £2800 dearer but for that you get
Full leather interior including steering wheel and gear lever
Burr walnut trim
Automatic 5 speed with tiptronic
Cruise control with speedtronic
16" Alloy wheels
Air conditioning
Multi function steering wheel
Rear air suspension with self levelling
Electric fridge which sits nicely between the 2 front seats
As for engines, it has to be the 3.0. I have a 2.2 which I was quite happy with but having done 11000 miles with a 3.0 while mine was in for some electrical repairs I'm not impressed now I've got it back. As Bill says the fuel consumption is not an issue, I get 34 average and the 3.0 did 30.2 average over 11000 miles. But the difference in noise levels, smoothness, refinement and power is immense. Yes it will cost a little more to service but in my opinion the advantages far outweigh the costs.
I'm due a new one in December and won't be looking at anything other than the V6.
Full leather interior including steering wheel and gear lever
Burr walnut trim
Automatic 5 speed with tiptronic
Cruise control with speedtronic
16" Alloy wheels
Air conditioning
Multi function steering wheel
Rear air suspension with self levelling
Electric fridge which sits nicely between the 2 front seats
As for engines, it has to be the 3.0. I have a 2.2 which I was quite happy with but having done 11000 miles with a 3.0 while mine was in for some electrical repairs I'm not impressed now I've got it back. As Bill says the fuel consumption is not an issue, I get 34 average and the 3.0 did 30.2 average over 11000 miles. But the difference in noise levels, smoothness, refinement and power is immense. Yes it will cost a little more to service but in my opinion the advantages far outweigh the costs.
I'm due a new one in December and won't be looking at anything other than the V6.
If running costs are important to you then buying nearly new would make sense.
New 3.0 CDi Ambiente Long £33.5k
2007 3.0 CDi Ambiente Long 10k miles £23k
That's a rather eye watering £1/mile depreciation! Servicing and fuel costs seem rather insignificant with these examples.
New 3.0 CDi Ambiente Long £33.5k
2007 3.0 CDi Ambiente Long 10k miles £23k
That's a rather eye watering £1/mile depreciation! Servicing and fuel costs seem rather insignificant with these examples.
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TheJoker
Active Member
Thanks kikkthecat! I have read about your problems with the 2.2 and your impressions when you were given the 3.0.
Thanks very much for your insights. I'd love a 3.0... we'll see what happens. Noise (in the cabin, or is it coupé?!) is a big factor for me as we tend to do trips that are 8h door to door, mainly motorways.TheJoker
Active Member
Thanks Will! Yes, the first years depreciation is terrible on these cars and these days. I'm not looking at a brand new. I don't do very many miles on an every day basis, but when i do the miles, I do plenty of them in one go.
I've been looking at Autotrader and a MBs own site etc, but I am yet to decide what "level" of car I want, or, rather deem worth paying for (i.e choose the size of the black hole). 
That one on Autotrader you linked to is very nice and a very good example. It's a bit far away from me though. But there will be others, should that type be the one I go for.
Thanks again!
kikkthecat
MB Enthusiast
Noise levels are not much different around town for either car. It's at tickover and at speeds above 60 where the 3.0 is very noticably much quieter.
nick mercedes
MB Enthusiast
Vitos/Vianos have to be one of the rustiest vans on the market, I was behind an 04 plate one at the traffic lights the other day, and it was about ready to be scrapped.
For long life a Sprinter might be a better bet.
Vitos are a very badly build vehicle.
Early 639 chassis Vitos (and therefore Vianos) weren't galvanised. Later ones are, and have a 12 year bodywork warranty.
TheJoker
Active Member
Thanks!
I just popped by Hemel and they had a 2.2 Viano, that unfortunately had been sold. I still managed to convince them to fire up the engine so I could listen to it, and yes. even at idle it's a noticeable difference in noise (not sound, just noise level). Hmmmmmm..!
TheJoker
Active Member
Correct me if I've misunderstood this, but pre 2005 ones are 638 chassis (Vito/V-Class) and non-galvanised and 2005 onwards are 239 chassis (Vito/Viano) and ganvanised. Pre 2005 I will not get.
That's as far as I know.
Yes you have misunderstood!
The first shape Vito/V Class was the 638 chassis, and none of those were galvanised.
The 639 is the new shape Vito/Viano. Early ones of those are NOT galvanised, and they do rust ... particularly around untreated chip/dings (usual story). A dog training friend of mine has a 53 plate 639, which is definitely not galvanised.
Later 639s are galvanised and are fine. I believe this was introduced on vehicles built in 2004 ... so 54/05 plate would probably be OK, but I would personally want confirmation of this before buying one. As mentioned, my 07 plate (actually it is entitled to wear a 57 plate!) has a 12 year bodywork warranty.
TheJoker
Active Member
Thanks for correcting me and providing that information! I might have fallen for my own conclusions and ended up with a "prematurely" rusting car! 
