Jack for W639 Vito

[Vclass]

We have a Vito Compact which means no spare - just a pump and some sealing slime. After a puncture while on holiday in France, I think we need a to carry a jack at least, might get a wheel too for those long distance trips.
What the are recommended jacking points (for changing a wheel) and if I get a scissor jack, what shape should it be at the top? I am not thinking of getting a genuine MB jack btw.

 

[zenman63]

Get a small bottle jack and use the rubber jacking points at the end of the sills.
Forget a scissor jack!
Theres a guy on ebay selling sprinter bottle jacks like this new cheap enough.

 

[BTB 500]

You must have a Dualiner with the comfort pack then? AFAIK all other 639 Compacts have an internally-mounted spare (plus a jack).

 

[sherco450]

We have a Vito Compact which means no spare - just a pump and some sealing slime. After a puncture while on holiday in France, I think we need a to carry a jack at least, might get a wheel too for those long distance trips.
What the are recommended jacking points (for changing a wheel) and if I get a scissor jack, what shape should it be at the top? I am not thinking of getting a genuine MB jack btw.

you want to go for an external jack to mount into the van jacking points it will leave you alot more ground clearance if you are on an uneven or unsealed road . the earlier model jacks will do the jobs . suprised that you dont have a spare. compacts and people mover vito's down here must have a full size spare and a jack to pass road worth certification

 

[Vclass]

Yes, I was surprised about no spare - didn't consider the matter at first since our last one - a W628 - had the spare out of sight behind the rear axle. Then we chose the vehicle and by then it didn't seem a big enough reason not to buy it. I thought they might have put one inside (at least a space saver) and it's only BTB 500's post which has informed me that having the comfort pack is what loses the spare.
Also - Murphy's Law - in the 10+ years we had our W628, we never had a puncture and I we never ever even took the spare out. Now months into the new one and we get a puncture in the front. Call me paranoid but I don't fully trust sealing slime - I use it on my Mountain Bike and success rate is only 95%.
So this raises another point. If we had another puncture on a front tyre, and assuming we had a jack, would it be safer to drive with the "sealed" tyre on the back? (just in case it went down again)
Or should I definately get a spare?

 

[sherco450]

Yes, I was surprised about no spare - didn't consider the matter at first since our last one - a W628 - had the spare out of sight behind the rear axle. Then we chose the vehicle and by then it didn't seem a big enough reason not to buy it. I thought they might have put one inside (at least a space saver) and it's only BTB 500's post which has informed me that having the comfort pack is what loses the spare.
Also - Murphy's Law - in the 10+ years we had our W628, we never had a puncture and I we never ever even took the spare out. Now months into the new one and we get a puncture in the front. Call me paranoid but I don't fully trust sealing slime - I use it on my Mountain Bike and success rate is only 95%.
So this raises another point. If we had another puncture on a front tyre, and assuming we had a jack, would it be safer to drive with the "sealed" tyre on the back? (just in case it went down again)
Or should I definately get a spare?

l guess it is a bit of bad luck .You can drive for years without getting a puncture but when it does happen ,in my case l have had 2 puncture at the same time , you may want to look at a space saver or a slimmer wheel with a mb stud pattern as a spare it may fit under the rear seats( if it allows depending if you have an open frame design.) roof rails and squeezing a spare between sliding door and seat is another option if you cant find a place for it

 

[BTB 500]

The Compact 639 has the spare mounted inside the rear of the van, hung on the side wall. With the comfort pack the interior trim panelling prevents this, so you just get tyre sealant instead.

The Long version is only fractionally bigger but has space behind the back axle for a normal under-slung wheel carrier. I would always recommend that version unless overall length is absolutely critical. We use our Long as a family car and it's fine in car parks etc. (it does have Parktronic though, which obviously helps).

We tow a caravan so a proper spare is a must-have IMO.