Vito 114BlueTec Urban Edition Auto (W447) Mods.

[Deleted member 113659]

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.

On a side note the V-Class in full spec is truly stunning. It embarrasses Ford’s Tourneo.

 

[m80]

On a side note the V-Class in full spec is truly stunning. It embarrasses Ford’s Tourneo.

Yes, I have the horn but tooo expensive for my usage.
An advantage I'm seeing so far is that the Viano and the V are ideal taxis, many if not most Vianos are clearly clocked. The V's I've seen look to often show a genuine high mileage.

I'm guessing that those that do this haven't developed their software to combat the MB protection, 'yet'.

 

[Deleted member 113659]

Had a price back from Jack at Royal Steering Wheels.
From this:

To this:


Perforated leather sides. Smooth leather top & bottom. Stitching colour of my choice. (Grey/silver?)

He’ll send the wheel. I’ll change everything over and send my old one to him.

£170.00

I’d like to add the chrome trim to the wheel but the only ones I can find online are the cheapo ones:

For Mercedes-Benz Vito W447 2014-2023 ABS Matte Steering Wheel Decor Cover Trim | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for For Mercedes-Benz Vito W447 2014-2023 ABS Matte Steering Wheel Decor Cover Trim at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

Will look for something of better quality.

 

[Deleted member 113659]

I’ve just given the van a good old wash and wax.
First time I’ve noticed that there’s a good few Very tiny (Less than 0.5mm) rust spots coming through the white paintwork.

It seems MB commercial vehicles are still falling foul this this. Another thumbs up for Ford as I’ve never had this with any of their vans.

 

[Bellow]

Not sure is this will be well received but - how about new steel wheels in a diameter that opens up tyre choice?
Full disclosure - I'm not a fan of alloys. They are too vulnerable to damage and leak prone IMO. And, again only my opinion, vans look better on steels. They are the work boots to the ballet pumps that alloys are.

Think also of the times with a trailer behind, you have no option but put a wheel up and over a kerb just to get parked. Or thump through a quarry pothole collecting materials. Steel with a reasonable sidewall is your friend there.

And to customer presentation. Style over substance or substance over style - which swings customers in your favour?

 

[Deleted member 113659]

Not sure is this will be well received but - how about new steel wheels in a diameter that opens up tyre choice?
Full disclosure - I'm not a fan of alloys. They are too vulnerable to damage and leak prone IMO. And, again only my opinion, vans look better on steels. They are the work boots to the ballet pumps that alloys are.

Think also of the times with a trailer behind, you have no option but put a wheel up and over a kerb just to get parked. Or thump through a quarry pothole collecting materials. Steel with a reasonable sidewall is your friend there.

And to customer presentation. Style over substance or substance over style - which swings customers in your favour?

Ohhhhhhh you cruel man you!!!

All very valid points that I can’t really challenge. BUT like a child who has his heart set on some pointless toy I’ll no doubt (tentatively) go ahead.

A few points.

I wouldn’t bother buying new steal wheels purely to give more tyre options. The existing steal wheels are 4 years old and rust blisters everywhere. I know wheel trims are a cheap Solution to this but I think they look dreadful.

I had Alloys on my last 2 trannys and had no issues with the work I asked of them. Maybe aided by a little bit of luck but even so it’s given me the confidence to repeat the process on this van.

 

[Bellow]

Ohhhhhhh you cruel man you!!!

All very valid points that I can’t really challenge. BUT like a child who has his heart set on some pointless toy I’ll no doubt (tentatively) go ahead.

A few points.

I wouldn’t bother buying new steal wheels purely to give more tyre options. The existing steal wheels are 4 years old and rust blisters everywhere. I know wheel trims are a cheap Solution to this but I think they look dreadful.

I had Alloys on my last 2 trannys and had no issues with the work I asked of them. Maybe aided by a little bit of luck but even so it’s given me the confidence to repeat the process on this van.

Better received than I expected!
New steels would freshen the 'look' - at about £40-50 a pop? Paint them before fitting and they'll stay fresh longer.
Agreed on the wheel trims - horrible things. (But look at what they are attempting to emulate!)
My coat is on......

PS.That steering wheel looks good - and will be lovely in your hands. Doubt that it would need any further ornamentation - the rim contours are feature enough.

 

[m80]

I think I prefer the darker steering wheel.
The upgrade looks pretty much as I had done for the 1st Vito in Nov 2015. That was by a place in Glasgow for £209. It's followed me through 3 vehicles and 50k miles later still looks good.

I would've thought your steering wheel would sell well, if you could source a cheap shabby one, or offer exchange for a shabby one.

 

[BTB 500]

I’ve just given the van a good old wash and wax.
First time I’ve noticed that there’s a good few Very tiny (Less than 0.5mm) rust spots coming through the white paintwork.

Are you sure that's not surface contamination of some sort? What's the bodywork warranty - it was 12 years on my W639!

 

[Deleted member 113659]

I think I prefer the darker steering wheel.
The upgrade looks pretty much as I had done for the 1st Vito in Nov 2015. That was by a place in Glasgow for £209. It's followed me through 3 vehicles and 50k miles later still looks good.

I would've thought your steering wheel would sell well, if you could source a cheap shabby one, or offer exchange for a shabby one.

The darker steering wheel is my existing one! It’s not leather, just a horrible plastic feel.
Bottom image is the recovered one.

 

[Deleted member 113659]

Are you sure that's not surface contamination of some sort? What's the bodywork warranty - it was 12 years on my W639!

I’m not sure Bill. Not something I know much about. How could/would I remove them if they were surface contamination spots?

 

[Deleted member 113659]

I’ve been talking remaps with a mate. He’s flagged up the fact that when I got my transit mapped the van didn’t have a DPF on it.
I was very happy with the map and the company who did it.

Does anyone know if this map is suitable for the Vito? Any potential DPF Concerns? 2.1d currently tuned to 136hp. I also need to take cost into account. I understand that they’ll be much bigger, better companies out there but there is a budget to all this.

Quantum Tuning - Your Vehicle Details

 

[BTB 500]

I’m not sure Bill. Not something I know much about. How could/would I remove them if they were surface contamination spots?

Something like clay bar should remove them I think, if that's what it is. I'm no detailing expert but I'm sure I've heard of this before. Is it possible the van was parked near where grinding or welding was being done? Maybe take some close-up pics and post in the Bodywork or Detailing section here?

I'd be really surprised if you had rust coming through on a 4 year old van ... Vitos have been pretty good since they started galvanising the body panels (around 2005).

 

[Deleted member 113659]

Something like clay bar should remove them I think, if that's what it is. I'm no detailing expert but I'm sure I've heard of this before. Is it possible the van was parked near where grinding or welding was being done? Maybe take some close-up pics and post in the Bodywork or Detailing section here?

I'd be really surprised if you had rust coming through on a 4 year old van ... Vitos have been pretty good since they started galvanising the body panels (around 2005).

thanks for that Bill. I’ll maybe post a wee pic later.
Van not been exposed to anything like that. Not been out of the garage for 14 weeks.

 

[m80]

Yep, try the clay bar. If you do the whole van you are likely to be impressed with the result.
It takes time and is helped lots with using ample water. From a bucket dip, wipe, dip again.

Assuming you remove the blemishes wash it off and use a good polish to protect.

It was the darker steering wheel rather than the silver more glitzy I think I prefer.

 

[Deleted member 113659]

It was the darker steering wheel rather than the silver more glitzy I think I prefer.

So you’d not change the wheel to the leather one?

 

[m80]

So you’d not change the wheel to the leather one?

It's not the leather I'm commenting on, it's the centre.
I can see both might be attractive but I'm certainly not seeing the eBay linked wheel as any better.

As for the leather upgrade, the matt of the Royal steering wheel does look nicer and looks to have a better quality appearance.
Is the original shiny from use? It may be that a clean might matt it up again??

 

[Deleted member 113659]

It's not the leather I'm commenting on, it's the centre.
I can see both might be attractive but I'm certainly not seeing the eBay linked wheel as any better.

As for the leather upgrade, the matt of the Royal steering wheel does look nicer and looks to have a better quality appearance.
Is the original shiny from use? It may be that a clean might matt it up again??

Ahhhh, Got ya now. You mean the chrome trim v’s the Existing black?

No, the original was always like that. Cheap plastic appearance.


yeah. I may well leave that. @Bellow agrees with you. You guys have much better taste than I. That’s the point of this thread. To take advice.
(But I’m still getting my alloys! )

 

[m80]

Hey, it's your motor, your dosh, and it's only an opinion.
Bear in mind whenever I say I would like to spend a few quids on my Vito Mrs Me tells me not to spend the money. She's bigger than me so she must be right, and her style (or lack of it) must be rubbing off.
Not that I'm bigger than you.

 

[Deleted member 113659]

Hey, it's your motor, your dosh, and it's only an opinion.
Bear in mind whenever I say I would like to spend a few quids on my Vito Mrs Me tells me not to spend the money. She's bigger than me so she must be right, and her style (or lack of it) must be rubbing off.
Not that I'm bigger than you.

haha. Made me smile that did.

TBH I don’t mind spending on my van. (Or tools for that matter) as it earns me money.