Viti / Viano help

[A210AMG]

Hello

My brother is considering a Viano or a T5 VW and he has asked me to ask what to look for / whats good / bad and which one to go for including mpg.

I think the shape he will be look for is the Viano (15k to 20K) but some still seem to be listed as a vito (to me this is the older shape?)

He's not too bothered on auto or manual (depends on fuel)

I don't know much about them only is seems there are not many engine choice?

Seems either a 115 ? which is a 150bhp 2.2Cdi or a 120 which is the 3.0V6 204bhp? ish

Are there any other engines, which is the most economical?

Generaly any help would be great.

Thanks

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Viano is essentially a Vito traveliner with whistles and bells on.

At that money he wants to be looking at the V6 CDi; VW can't offer a direct rival to that power output iirc the most powerful they make is 170bhp.

Economy-wise with the V6, expect 25ish mpg local and 35-40ish on a run (although I'm sure different drivers get more/less). Mercedes have never been good at making fuel-efficient vans...

 

[A210AMG]

Hello

Thanks your right the VW is 170bhp, but also it has the 'cool' image that the merc doesn't seem to? Even the Brabus X ones....

He's not really interested in performance but if the 2.2cdi did 35 - 40mpg he would be more tempted by that? but I guess none are 'that' good?

if the v6 auto does do 35 - 40 mpg at 70mph then thats pretty good?

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Hello

Thanks your right the VW is 170bhp, but also it has the 'cool' image that the merc doesn't seem to? Even the Brabus X ones....

He's not really interested in performance but if the 2.2cdi did 35 - 40mpg he would be more tempted by that? but I guess none are 'that' good?

if the v6 auto does do 35 - 40 mpg at 70mph then thats pretty good?

The old Transporters have a bit of a following, but I don't think the latest generation does?

If he is really bothered about economy then he maybe needs to look at other van manufacturers IMO, every Vito I've had in has been shocking on fuel eg 2.2 CDi Vito 115 did about 20mpg.

What will he be using it for and how old are the vans he's looked at?

 

[st4]

Get a Vivaro!!!

 

[BTB 500]

I only get 30-31 mpg from my V6, with the cruise set to 75 mph. But ... it's far more refined than the 4-cyl engines, and has an auto gearbox as standard. So it's not just a question of extra power & torque.

As already mentioned the Viano is the full-fat 'people carrier' version of the Vito - the VW T5 equivalent is the Caravelle. They are basically more plush inside with more flexible seating etc. Mechanically they are identical to the van/minibus versions.

As SPX says the key question really is what he needs it for.

 

[A210AMG]

Hello

His idea is a people carrier sometimes (4 adults and 2 children) and then for weekends away use it as a motor home 'type' van (his idea is not to fit a kitchen etc but the awnings you can leave up next to the van)

The newer VW's still have that 'following' and from our limited searches there appears to be lots of extras you can buy for a T5.

The seating is very handy also with some model being on runners, I'm not sure the Merc do this or was an option?

We did sit and try out the latest Viano at the Geneva show (the pearl?) very nice, still a van from a driving point of view but and quite a plastic dash etc but a useful bus.

 

[BTB 500]

Pretty sure the Viano has flexible (rail mounted) seating. The Vito versions don't - ours has split/fold/flip/recline mid-row seats though, which are pretty handy. We normally run it with 5 seats but I've had the 6th back in it for a couple of weeks while we had a visitor staying.

I actually like the T5 a lot, and would potentially have had one if there'd been an engine closer to the M-B's V6. But a lot of VWs only seem to have a single rear sliding door (think the second one was a cost option), and there seem to be some doubts now about the VAG 2.0 diesel engine: http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/127547-law-spares-availability.html