Vito 108cdi tuning/remap

[BK127]

Hello. My ancient 108cdi dayvan's power output is adequate, at best. Would anyone out there know if it is possible to remap these engines? I know that the 108, 110, and 120 all used the same powerplant, but were the differences in output merely down to electronic mapping, or was there also a mechanical difference, e.g. cam lift?

if it would just be a case of changing an ECU, would there be any disadvantages to consider, e.g. poor fuel economy, premature stress/wear, etc? I am not seeking to create a light-commercial dragster, merely to have a vehicle which will ascend hills with a little more enthusiasm.

Thanks in advance - all answers gratefully received.

 

[BK127]

Hmmm... I've done a little more reading. It seems that I would need o have the new ECU programmed to the exact specs of my vehicle, to match injector codes, etc. Perhaps it would be easier to get my own ECU remapped for more power and torque...

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I've known a few 112's that have been remapped to 150 bhp and I never heard of any problems.

What year is your Vito?

 

[BK127]

It's a 2001. Bog-standard, as far as I am aware. It has enough zip when everything is on the level, but hills always mean foot-to-the-floor...and wait... Fuel economy is poor too - averaging 28mpg at best on a run.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I have my own business that buys and sells vans and the advice I give to prospective Vito owners is if you pay for your own fuel and do a lot of mileage, you need to know that they are woeful on diesel. If someone else is paying for your fuel, go ahead.

The Sprinters (with the same engine as the Vito) do about 20mpg if you're lucky, I'd say that you're doing well to get 28 on a run to be honest. A good friend of mine who's a self employed tiler cut his fuel bill in half when he sold his 03 Vito 108CDi.

 

[BK127]

Yes, it would appear that I made a slightly hasty decision in buying this van, and the news just keeps on getting better!

In time, I have tried to get used to the wobbly handling, white-knuckle understeer, and frankly terrifying brakes. Oh, and the bizarre driving position, apparently engineered for an Orang-Utan with curvature of the spine. Mine also sports the standard Vito extras, i.e. bodywork composed of 5-6% rust, and a narcoleptic instrument panel that sleeps most of the time, waking only to inform me that I am doing 120mph whilst stuck in traffic.

Ah well. Mine is an ex-Traveliner with quite a nice dayvan conversion, and I'm utterly out of money at the moment anyway, so I guess I'm stuck with it. The bloody thing makes me angry though, for being so poorly designed and executed. Even more so, in light of the vehicle which it replaced: a 1993 Volvo 850, which cost me £300, went like a rocket, ran faultlessly for 30,000 miles, and was the most comfortable thing I have ever sat in.

Which van did you friend switch to after his Vito?

 

[Deleted member 37751]

You mean like this;

 

[BK127]

Ha ha. Yes, except mine would be reading 7,00rpm at tickover, too. And the LED readout is kaput.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

He part exchanged it with me for a 2005 1.7 Vauxhall Corsa Combo and has done 30k trouble free miles in it (obviously besides servicing and tyres). Only thing he struggles with is the size, so he's wanting a Vivaro now.

The Vito cost him an absolute fortune over the two years that he owned it, but it was his first ever van so he didn't know any different, bless him... Here's a picture of it, it had TWO resprays;

 

[BK127]

Funny thing is, I read somewhere that the W638 Vito is based on a VW Transporter platform, albeit with different engines and bodywork. Yet the VW is so highly rated, and the Vito not so... how did Mercedes get it so wrong?

 

[BK127]

...and I know that this depends somewhat on budget, but - in your capacity as a van dealer - what would you recommend as a Vito alternative in the sub-£6-7k bracket?

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Funny thing is, I read somewhere that the W638 Vito is based on a VW Transporter platform, albeit with different engines and bodywork. Yet the VW is so highly rated, and the Vito not so... how did Mercedes get it so wrong?

Laziness and cost cutting in essence.

I don't think Transporter was that much better to be honest, it gets romanticised more so because of one of the strongest diesel engines made was put in it; the 1.9 TDi.

You will find 638 Vito fans, but they're mostly the surf crowd and the 'rat look' crew.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

...and I know that this depends somewhat on budget, but - in your capacity as a van dealer - what would you recommend as a Vito alternative in the sub-£6-7k bracket?

The 639 Vito was a vast improvement on the 638, but it still has too many common faults for what they cost, in my opinion. For £6k you would be looking at a 2006ish 115 which does about 20 to the gallon in the real world.

Although we're on a Mercedes forum and I own a Mercedes car, I've got to say that if I had to spend £6k of my own money on a van (I was a carpenter by trade before starting my business two year ago) it would be a Vauxhall Vivaro; They are a dream to drive, servicing and parts are very reasonable and you get 40+mpg quite easy. The only thing that lets them down so to speak, is the most powerful van is 'only' about 140bhp whereas you can buy a Vito with 204bhp, but you obviously suffer on the mpg.

 

[BK127]

Always rather liked the look of the Vivaro/Trafic/Primastar. Heard about some gearbox issues though - have these been sorted out, or were they never there?

I certainly hear you with regards to servicing and parts - two areas with which I am dreading making a closer acquaintance in the future, given M-B pricing. And there is no excuse for a modern diesel to be returning only 20mpg, particularly in a light commercial.

I have heard that the engines in the Trafic/Vivaro/Primastar range (is there a difference between them?) are very economical. Definitely a bonus. Do the Vauxhalls have the same Renault/Nissan range of engines as the other two marques?

 

[Deleted member 37751]

The Vauxhall has a different engine to the Nissan & Renault. The Nissan Primastar is quite literally a Renault Trafic with Nissan badges.

Allow for a gearbox rebuild about 120-150k miles, but the 639 Vito is the same in my experience.

 

[BK127]

Some very useful information there. I'll remember to be in contact when I am hunting for a replacement for this miserable Vito.

Meanwhile, I've enjoyed the chat. Love your avatar too, btw - it's years since I've seen that photo, and it's a classic. Cheers, and take care.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Some very useful information there. I'll remember to be in contact when I am hunting for a replacement for this miserable Vito.

Meanwhile, I've enjoyed the chat. Love your avatar too, btw - it's years since I've seen that photo, and it's a classic. Cheers, and take care.

Same goes pal, I'm glad to help.

A few of my relatives were there the day that my avatar was taken, so I like to show how proud I am of them.

 

[samwisethecat]

Yes, it would appear that I made a slightly hasty decision in buying this van, and the news just keeps on getting better!

In time, I have tried to get used to the wobbly handling, white-knuckle understeer, and frankly terrifying brakes. Oh, and the bizarre driving position, apparently engineered for an Orang-Utan with curvature of the spine. Mine also sports the standard Vito extras, i.e. bodywork composed of 5-6% rust, and a narcoleptic instrument panel that sleeps most of the time, waking only to inform me that I am doing 120mph whilst stuck in traffic.

Ah well. Mine is an ex-Traveliner with quite a nice dayvan conversion, and I'm utterly out of money at the moment anyway, so I guess I'm stuck with it. The bloody thing makes me angry though, for being so poorly designed and executed. Even more so, in light of the vehicle which it replaced: a 1993 Volvo 850, which cost me £300, went like a rocket, ran faultlessly for 30,000 miles, and was the most comfortable thing I have ever sat in.

Which van did you friend switch to after his Vito?

That sounds like the exact description of my day van conversion except i also got leaking fuel injectors :-(