Thinking of purchasing a V Class

[Madferrit]

Sold my G Wagen over the weekend and now one car down...

As i have a growing family I am contemplating a V Class. I also need a van so i'm hoping the V will cater for both.

Anything i should look out for before purchasing?

Here are a few points i have thought of already..

Spec has to be Ambiente
Either a V230 or V280. The V220 Cdi seem to be very rare. Also LPG would be ideal but don't seem to be too many about.
Leather, and Auto a must, as is 7 seats
Colour, i'm not too fussy, as long as the colour combination looks good.

Thats all i can think of. Any other advise??

 

[glojo]

We had the V 220CDI Ambiente Automatic and the wife loved it, loved the driving position, comfort and the climate control.

It did however have a terrible un-cureable vibration. I don't know if this was caused by the diesel engine or transmission. Mercedes-Benz were aware of the 'design' fault and stated that they were not going to carry out any further development as the V class was being phased out.

This vibration was not found throughout the range of vehicles and only reared its ugly face very sparodically, but they could not guarantee me that any replacement vehicle would not have this horrible problem.

This issue would only arise when the vehicle was stopped at a hazard and was in Drive. In other words there was no vibration when the vehicle was stationary with the engine running and the gearbox in either Park or Nuetral, it did not usually show itself when you first put the gear into Drive, but stop at traffic lights or roundabouts etc and the whole van would vibrate. Quite literally, not just a gentle diesel vibration but a jelly wobbling, teeth rattling horrible vibration.

Mercedes-Benz acted straight away and acted in a very fair, responsible fashion and the problem was resolved in a satisfactory fashion.

I wish you luck with your choice, but please be aware of this known problem.

Good luck,
John

 

[Madferrit]

John,

Many thanks for the info.

I'll be sure to look out for this "design feature"