Vito 114BlueTec Urban Edition Auto (W447) Mods.

[Deleted member 113659]

After having the Vito now for 4 years I've decided its time for a little TLC (AKA pimping). I was going to order a brand new van but this one has only done 18k miles in 4 years so seems a waste to shell out for a brand new one.

Plans bits are:

• Alloy Wheels.
• Engine re-map (from 136bhp to 190bhp)
• Front & Rear bumpers painted body colour (white)
• Steering Wheel wrapped in leather (Jack @ Royal Steering Wheels)
• Rear LED aftermarket Light units.
• Front LED aftermarket headlamp units. (Maybe)

All comments/advice welcome and needed.

Ant

 

[Deleted member 113659]

First and most simple (I think/hope) are the Alloys.

I've had my eye on these for a good while now but unsure if to go 17" or 18":

Alloy wheels Ronal R51 8x18 ET45 5x112 76 Titan - TyreLeader.co.uk

Buy your wheels Ronal R51 8x18 ET45 5x112 76 Titan at the cheapest price on TyreLeader. Available sizes to be checked on our site.

www.tyreleader.co.uk

OR do I stick to MB originals but accept 17":

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I understand the ebay wheels have very poor tyres fitted (?) but these can be changed to better/legal ones.

Ideally I'd like the 18" Ronals but happy to hear thoughts before ordering.

TIA

 

[BTB 500]

TBH I think 17s look OK and will give a slightly better ride. If you go with eBay wheels you need to be sure the rims are genuine & rated for the Vito's max. gross weight ... obviously the tyres need to be too, whatever wheels you use. Also check your insurance as not all companies are happy with mods (even small/simple ones) on vans.

 

[Deleted member 113659]

TBH I think 17s look OK and will give a slightly better ride. If you go with eBay wheels you need to be sure the rims are genuine & rated for the Vito's max. gross weight ... obviously the tyres need to be too, whatever wheels you use. Also check your insurance as not all companies are happy with mods (even small/simple ones) on vans.

Thanks for that Bill.

I know the genuine MB wheels are/were offered on my model of Vito so was assuming they are load rated?

The Ronals (17” & 18’s) are defo loss rates and although they’d work out more expensive it would give me the freedom to select better quality tyres.

 

[BTB 500]

Yup genuine MB or other with a TUV certificate etc. will be fine ... problem is on eBay you are never 100% sure what you are getting The Ronals look pretty good.

 

[poormansporsche]

Mate. Have a look on eBay.de if you are after Ronals as there are a couple of resellers that sell substantially cheaper than you can get over here.

By the way you don't want those, you want the ronal r50s ball polished

 

[poormansporsche]

 

[Deleted member 113659]

View attachment 97615

nahhhhh. Too ‘A Team’ ish.
I like the Ronal 51’s. @C36fan (Bruno) pointed them out to me years ago. I’m and I keep going back to them. Just need to decide 17 or 18.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

Will you lower the suspension?

 

[poormansporsche]

I had the R50s on my van for 5 years and didn't break them which is saying something da da da , na na da da !

Id personally would have aftermarket Ronals any day of the week over OEM mb Ronals

 

[Deleted member 113659]

Will you lower the suspension?

After 3 months of lockdown??? Most certainly

 

[23 Romeo Tango]

How about this Ant, it shouldn't take much of a budget to have your Vito looking similar.

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[Deleted member 113659]

How about this Ant, it shouldn't take much of a budget to have your Vito looking similar.

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I can just see my customers faces when I rock up in that to rip out their bathroom!

 

[BIG UN]

6 yes's from me,
get it mapped
Colour coding 100%
19" wheels
Steering wheel deffo
Lights fair enough..
Once you have done the easy bits, then we can talk about some proper retro fitting!!

 

[Deleted member 113659]

6 yes's from me,
get it mapped
Colour coding 100%
19" wheels
Steering wheel deffo
Lights fair enough..
Once you have done the easy bits, then we can talk about some proper retro fitting!!

Thanks Ian. Good t have your input.

Not ordered Wheels yet so would appreciate a few suggestions from you. However, as I’ve always liked those Ronal 51’s your suggestions will have to be awesome.

I thought 18’s would be the max I’d want so 19’s

It’s also down to cost too. The 18” Ronals are £600 so that’s a good guide.

 

[Dave Richardson]

Good luck with your project Ant, Just don't forget the photos as you progress mate
Dave

 

[m80]

Hop I'm not muscling in here,
Do you consider the 447 Vito to be a great improvement over the 639?

It's just that I've looked at the dash layout and find it uninspiring.

 

[Deleted member 113659]

Hop I'm not muscling in here,
Do you consider the 447 Vito to be a great improvement over the 639?

It's just that I've looked at the dash layout and find it uninspiring.

This is my first MB van so I can’t compare the 447 to the 639.

This is going to sound silly seeing as I’m about to spend a good few grand on the van but I don’t rate it much. I’ve had 3 transits from new. When I was ready for a new van Ford didn’t make an Auto version (they do now!) Which led me to the Vito. IMHO it’s no where near as practical value for money as the Ford. The only advantage is that the Vito is an awesome towing van. (Maybe down to the RWD?).

If I had £25k burning a hole in my pocket I’d be ordering a New LWB Auto Custom. But I don’t, so will tweak the Vito to make it a little more pleasing. It’s been well looked after and low mileage so it’ll be money well spent.

 

[m80]

Many thanks for that.
I rate the Vito, I've had 2. The worst really is that I travel more often light load and the suspension / ride is a bit hard.
The Viano is a nicer ride but in the earlier 639 the tax is extortionate. In the 447 the V class tax becomes acceptable but I can't justify the expense of one of those, even as appealing as they look. So I thought I would seek 1st hand experience.

It's difficult to put value on knowing your vehicle and feeling confident it will serve.
I don't blame you for sticking with it.

Thanks it looks like the 447 Vito remains off my list till I can stretch to the V.

 

[Deleted member 113659]

Many thanks for that.
I rate the Vito, I've had 2. The worst really is that I travel more often light load and the suspension / ride is a bit hard.
The Viano is a nicer ride but in the earlier 639 the tax is extortionate. In the 447 the V class tax becomes acceptable but I can't justify the expense of one of those, even as appealing as they look. So I thought I would seek 1st hand experience.

It's difficult to put value on knowing your vehicle and feeling confident it will serve.
I don't blame you for sticking with it.

Thanks it looks like the 447 Vito remains off my list till I can stretch to the V.

Please don’t take my word for it. There’s many more knowledgeable members here that adore their 447’s. I’m just a commoner Ford lover.