Looking for a new vito

[BTB 500]

I think it is a SWB mate. I had to look twice, as it's not as immediately obvious as usual, but it looked shorter than my old bus.

Check the image I posted above, showing the 3 lengths. The Compact (now called L1) is very short behind the back axle, which is why there's no room for a spare underneath. The Long / L2 and Extra Long / L3 are longer behind the back axle, with the L3 getting an insert between the side door and back axle as well (hence it has a longer wheelbase than the other two). This is the one for sale ... definitely a Long / L2:



This is a Compact / L1:



And the Extra Long / L3 you posted:

 

[peter11thompson]

I think it is a SWB mate. I had to look twice, as it's not as immediately obvious as usual, but it looked shorter than my old bus.
This one is a LWB, for your comparison Peter11thompson.:

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The SWB ones used to have the spare stored in the van, the LWB under the rear (so no valuable loadspace taken up).
Hth

Looking at how they have racked out the back I’d say the wheel slots under the racking maybe

 

[peter11thompson]

Check the image I posted above, showing the 3 lengths. The Compact (now called L1) is very short behind the back axle, which is why there's no room for a spare underneath. The Long / L2 and Extra Long / L3 are longer behind the back axle, with the L3 getting an insert between the side door and back axle as well (hence it has a longer wheelbase than the other two). This is the one for sale ... definitely a Long / L2:

View attachment 151352

This is a Compact / L1:

View attachment 151353

And the Extra Long / L3 you posted:

View attachment 151354

Right okay that’s good then. I’d rather not have the wheel in the back

 

[Phil1968]

They still put the spare wheel inside on the SWB ones, it is in my 2020 one Just to add, the very first one I had was the mid sized wheelbase, so the spare wheel was under the floor on that one. I happened to notice one day that the spare wheel was missing from underneath, whether it had fallen off or was stolen I'll never know. But just bear that in mind, I think you can get an aftermarket cage that makes them less liable to theft.

 

[m80]

You need to lift the tailgate, to access the hex bolt, to crank down the spare wheel cage.

 

[Phil1968]

You need to lift the tailgate, to access the hex bolt, to crank down the spare wheel cage.

It must've fallen off then, although I don't remember the cage hanging down, or there even being one. Was about 20 years ago though.

 

[BTB 500]

They still put the spare wheel inside on the SWB ones, it is in my 2020 one Just to add, the very first one I had was the mid sized wheelbase, so the spare wheel was under the floor on that one. I happened to notice one day that the spare wheel was missing from underneath, whether it had fallen off or was stolen I'll never know. But just bear that in mind, I think you can get an aftermarket cage that makes them less liable to theft.

There was an MB recall to modify the spare wheel cage - I had it done on mine shortly after getting it in 2007. As m80 said you need to open the tailgate to lower it, so it's decently secure.

 

[BTB 500]

They still put the spare wheel inside on the SWB ones, it is in my 2020 one

There's no SWB Vito - just standard wheelbase (L1, L2) and long wheelbase (L3)! But they do get advertised as all sorts of things, which causes a lot of confusion.

The Compact / L1 can only carry a spare internally (or on the roof rack ). The other two have room for the wind-down cage behind the back axle ... the only ones I know of that don't have that are the Sport-X versions with Brabus wheels, which AFAIK just get a sealant kit (like many cars) instead. Possibly the back bumper is different on those and doesn't clear the wheel holder. Not a cost thing as you only ever get a steel spare anyway.