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Vito Model Number & Year List?

AtomicUK

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Mar 7, 2019
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Viano Avantgarde
Can anyone direct me to a complete list of Vito variations over the years please?
I am trying to narrow down what I should be looking for and not finding a W model and triple digit varient list.

Thank you.
 
Mercedes-Benz Vito - Wikipedia

This might be a reasonable starting place.

The problem is there are so many variations. Vito / Viano might have basic extras or a whole lot fitted. It was dependant on the preference and willingness to spend by the original buyer.

A basic list, that I'm feel others will comment on.
W638 up to 2004.
W639 from 2004 - 2014.
But this was improved as a facelift in 2006, with nano paint and galvanised body panels (but some panels are plastic). The inside had a level of facelift but the only real change, in my mind, was the speedo. But the facelift should be less prone to tin worm, but no guarantee.

The range in the Vito is from the panel van, that being usual 3 cloth seats up front with a (removable) bulkhead behind. A typical van config.
The Dual Liner might, now w/o bulkhead, might have 2 or 3 seats on the first of the rear rows, there can be 2 rear rows. These can be leather or cloth.
The traveliner is a bit more plush and might see carpets and 2 rear rows of seats.

Rear seats can be into specific floor rails, or could be into a more flexible set of 4 floor rails that run longer into the rear floor.
There are captain seats that can be fitted into various configs in the rear rails. There are bench seats of 3 for the rear.
The front can have 2 captain seats or a bench of 3, but always a permannet fix.

You might want to consider, steering wheel control, parking sensors, heated seats, electrc seats (uncommon), sun roof/s, MB's own Comand navigation (I prefer Andriod set ups).

Engines, aside from petrol variants (more coomon in the Japanese imports) were a 2.1 CDI but in 4 power forms. These would also have different diffs affecting the revs per mph, some being more suited to town driving, other being better for m'way cruising. The 3.0CDI is a lovely smooth and quiet engine, but guzzles fuel at approx 20% more than the 2.1.

Some Vito were registered at N1 (commercial), even the more plush Traveliner can be. This can restrict the legal speed permitted but reduce the annual tax.

You didn't ask an easy question, sorry.
It might be better to state your desires of a Vito and see what people suggest.
 
Mercedes-Benz Vito - Wikipedia

This might be a reasonable starting place.
You didn't ask an easy question, sorry.
It might be better to state your desires of a Vito and see what people suggest.

That was an extremely helpful answer, thank you.

So this is my situation, I have had three MB and loved them all.
A 2011 313 Sprinter 9 seat Splitter conversion
A 2008 109 Vito Camper van conversion
A 2011 122 Viano Avantgarde

Due to changes in my health ( a serious leg injury ) I had to sell the 313 & 109 manuals and go for an auto that I could get in and out of front and back.

The 122 is an excellent vehicle, but not really serving me how I want equipment wise.
It also ate a lot of money and would free up capital after the purchase of another Vito.

So....I am now trying to find one that tickets all my new life boxes:
a) I need up to six people on board.
b) I need good cargo space for musical equipment (ideally separated from the passenger cabin) so a LWB or XLWB would be needed.
c) Engine needs to pull that weight (the 109 camper had no power on a hill with just two on board!)
d) I need a reliable (as best can be) version not prone to known faults. (The 313 Sprinter had a horrendous DPF issue that took a main dealer three attempts to resolve (twice at their cost after the initial £2k bill)
e)I would like it to be as plush as possible (ie Sport X rather than the 'paint splat' pattern seats)

f) The final criteria might be a tricky one.
VOSA inform me that the combined weight of vehicle and a trailer cannot exceed 3.5 tonnes (or I would require a standard national good operator license.

My budget can run from £5k up to £13k so I think that puts me in a 2007 - 2011 area.
Phew! - Sorry about that long list, but that's what I am trying to establish. :D

I have been told be someone to just look at a 115 ( a 639 I assume?) or a 116 (a 447 I assume?) but would very much welcome advise.

Thank you in advance. :)
 
Some you already know owning the Viano V6, all V6 come with a DPF.
The seat versatility is something you are aware of from the Viano, although if health is an issue the bench 3 seats are heavy to lug in and out.
I don't know what you have in the Viano but the 3 seats splits to 2+1, the 1 is out easy enough but the 2 seats are heavy. I prefer the single captain seats. Not as heavy for in / out and easier to store.

On the drive I still have my troublesome Viano V6, a lovely motor but caused too many issues, some DPF related. So my daily drive is now the Vito dualiner.
All seat leather, 2 heated captain seats up front, I prefer the 2 seat set up up front and heated is a must for us.
The Dualiner can come with facility for 2 rows in the back. mine has just for 1 row.
I haven't seen the four long seat rails in these but that deosn't mean they all don't.
The treveliner is more likely to have the rails.
As long as you have facility for 2 rear rows you can have 6 seats, they are interchangeable from one floor system to the other, since I have both types out there I tried it. So the possibility of selling what you have and don't prefer and changing for the preference on eBay is strong.

The 115, I've had 2 are a good strong engine. The 1st a 2007 traveliner was mapped at new and has more power than my present Dualiner, so I intend to map.
There was an option for the 3,723 differential which is far preferable, to me at least, as it means m'way cruising is less revvy. Your Viano has a 2.923 diff and revs even less, the difference being about 12% between the 2 mentioned. Other diffs can rev up to 14% more on the auto.
It's well worth checking the VIN data card to see which diff it has.

The best ever achieved from the Viano was 32mpg, the 115 can return 42mpg, both gentle driving and cruising at 58mph over a couple of hundred miles. Both same auto 5 speed box.

My choice to go for the present motor wasn't accidental. It has the earlier 646 engine that is far more reliable than the later 651 2.1CDI in the 447. But the 651 is more powerful and economicaL
 
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silly pc, that's not finished.
I've fallen out with the 642 V6, the DPF being a large part of my displeasure.

The traveliner is possibly more likely to be a bit more plush, but tbh interogating the advert and VIN will tell what it has goodies wise.
For me steering multifunction controls is good, and factory fit parking sensors, especially the front as those after market are difficult to cause to be speed initiated, if at all.
If you find a motor with Comand but change to Andriod you lose the cluster clock update, and there is no manual option. You've to reconnect the battery at midnight for correct time.
If no Comand when new this isn't an issue.

Having a sunroof will mean a better o/h light unit I beleive.
Not all Vitos have an oem alarm and the light cluster is the give away, the movement sensors are located within it, as you will likely have with the Viano.

From the registration you can check on the .GOV site to see what tax class it is, M1 is a car, N1 is the cheaper commercial, but your likely aware of this from the Sprinter.
There are 2 periods when even cheaper tax than the £260 is possible, that's during 2006 for a euro 4 vehicle (DPF was an option a new) and 2009 for a uero 5 vehicle (but that'l mean a DPF), tax is then £140.
The downside is being restricted to 60mph on A road dual carraigeways, but as I cruise at 58 it's no odds to me.

I'm sure there is more, but maybe you ask.

Oh btw, my earlier 2007 115 towed a 1.1 tonne boat about 150 miles, and a 780kg boat about 250 miles. No issues with the weight.
That one I bought at 294k miles and sold running well at 330k miles.

The kerb weight is approx 1,850kg, do you need to carry / tow more than 1,650kg more?
 
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Wow, unbelievably helpful thank you!
A lot to absorb, but I will be back later with more of these if I may ??? :D
 
You mention the length.
The compact leaves little space behind the 2nd row of rear seats, and aslo means any spare wheel needs to be carried inside.
The Long is the same wheel base as the compact but the spare is now underslung behind the rear axle.
The extra long has approx 10" longer storage behind the rear seats, it has a longer wheel base and again the spare in underslung.

I've had 2 ex long and now in the long it does feel a little shorter inside. So far Iv'e only noticed a little difference in the drive and parking is no easier. I've always had the sensors and reverse cam anyway.

A significant difference can be noticed between the Viano when downgrading to the Vito.
There is (not always) a darker trim in the Viano, the Viano will likely have better finish with wood style finishes. The higher pillar covers are cloth covered rather than only plastic. The front seat bases have extra covering. There will be carpets front and rear. There is extra sound insulation. I even noticed that my Viano has an extra prop shaft damper that the Vito didn't. But you get bigger mirrors (with no indicators).
The Viano always has the better cluster and steering whell controls.
 
Apologies M80, I don't know your name, but you are being incredibly helpful I really appreciate it.

To pick up firstly on a few things you mention.
Do I gather from what you say that that the DPF issues only relate to the 642 V6 engine and that a 4.0 would be free from this?

You praise the 646 engine (which I assume is DPF free?), which models / years has this?
Is this correct? - 2003–2010 W639 Vito 115 CDI, 2.2 CDI

To clarify, I won't want 2 back rows, so 5 seats might be my maximum if I were to have better seats fitted, i.e. two front, three rear and these would remain fixed, segregated from the cargo behind a divide.

Heated front seats is a must (I also have a back issue)

Good fuel / rev cruising on motorways is another must, I did 40,000 one year, so cruise control is essential.

Internal trim quality such as I have in the Viano is not required, but it needs to look good (i.e. the Sport X seats or similar)

Interesting you say about the Comand feature. My Viano has a non standard radio so I have not been able to find a way to reset the clock or the related display. Worse still, my headlights seem stuck in the up position causing 9/10 cars to flash me at night (it is with Mercedes next week to fix these issues as they promised to do that pre deliver...)

Towed weight will be under 1000kg, possible only 500-600kg, but all in vehicle and trailer, I cannot exceed 3500kg for fear of a VOSA tug.

If I can get by with a LWB rather than an XLWB I would prefer that. Even a sportier looking MWB would be a nice surprise if it could manage my requirements?

A Vito dualiner sounds a strong contender from what you say, what years was this issued and in what variants?

One final key thing, I need to avoid London (and other Cities) emission issues as I will need to be in and out of these places, so need a compliant vehicle (Euro 4 or 5?)

So I hope this helps narrow my search window and again, thank you for your time and help with this. :)
 
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Just read that to avoid Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), it has to be Euro 6 so that may 'not' be possible in what I am looking at?
 
The 642 V6 CDI were all fitted with DPF's, I'm sure some will have been removed, but to drive one having this done (or the cat removed) is now illegal. Some may consider the risk of a £1,000 max fine acceptable, I don't really blame them.
'I believe' the wiring looms of the 642 are also suspect for many faults experienced.

Sorry don't understand the 4.0 engine.

The 646 may have a DPF, the data card can confirm if fitted or not. Around 2004 the fitting of them was an option when new, certainly on a C class as that was my first experience of the flippin' things.
My 2006 Vito, with the 2.1 646 engine is classed as euro 4 GRIII (whatever the GR bit means), it has no DPF and never did.
Because it's registerd during 2006 and euro 4 I have the £140 p.a. road tax advantage.

To summarise that, a euro 4 vehicle may or may not have a DPF, the 474 on the data card is the easy was to interrogate, some sellers may be reluctant to provide the VIN, if not I don't travel to view as I prefer to do as much of my leg work from my pc. MOT history is a biggy for me and for that the latest V5 number is needed.

I haven't seen a Vito w/o cruise and limiter, I believe it to be standard.

Heated seats are a rarity on earier Vito's, and sometimes may just be the driver seat. Comfort seats with lumber adjustment was an option, it helped a little.
At some point I will be replacing my seats with ML seats. Still heated, the electric adjustment allows for just a little forward / rearward movement to change my sitting postion on a long drive. I fitted to the ML 163 seats to the earlier 115, they were a great improvement and Vito drivers seats are usuually shot anyway.
I hope to find the ML 164 this time. Both ML types have the seat memory switches within the seats so just need the 12v supply.
The heaters on the 163 were a switched configaration of the 12volts, the Vito is a 5volt lo heat and 12volt hi and I expect the later 164 to be compatable.
It is possible to use a voltage comparator to match the 163 seats up, and I'm playing with one of those now.

The later euro 5 vehicles will have a DPF, the 447 'I believe' will all have this. I would expect most post 2010 vehicles to have, and I think by 2012 although a DPF wasn't compulsory it was just about the only way, then, to meet emmisions regs.
Now of course we are into euro 6, that comes with Ad Blue, and NOX sensors. I'm reading with great sympathy of the problems these are starting to see.
But the later the car the more dependant it becomes on software updatesand SCN coding of new components. In general a dependancy on the MB diagnostics that can communicate online with Germany, and continually drain your pocket when you have managed to get the troublesome vehicle recovered to a dealer.

The 646 has changed it's style slightly over the years but in it's original and very similar form has been fitted since about 1998. Well proven, less complicated, more working space under the bonnet. But more diesely than the 642, but on the Vito certainly, much better fuel economy.
Many 646 (style) engines have been to the moon and back. There is one advertised at the mo with around 750k miles, other things must be rattling like heck though.

The 651 was being fitted in the Vito from 2010. It is known for timing chain issues, largely down to failing auto adjusters is my belief. When the chain jumps a plastic cog you might be unlucky and need an engine rebuild. Plastic water pumps and even plastic intake manifolds are other issues.

I would suggest that there is advantage from finding a Vito, all Viano's will have full seat rails, with either the full rails or the 2 rows of seperate clip in points. Some rear seats, I believe, are bolted permantly. The full rails and clip in points will both accomodate the same seats, although the clip in points may restrict the rear row to being a bench of 3.
The full seat rails, 4 of 'em, and the inner rails are shorter, will give maximum versatility, and can even accomodate wheelchair anchor clip ins, as well as additional clip in luggage clamp down and tie down points.

The height of your headlights aren't adjusted, The level sensors, underside rear, cause your rear air suspension to level the Viano and so the headlights, if set correctly, will aim correctly. I would consider that your auto levelling is faulty, rear sensors or possibly compressor.
You can manually adjust the rear air suspension from inside the tailgate, designed for easier loadiing, that was Mum in wheelchair for us. The buttons are o/s at chest height. You need to keep the raise or lower pressed for a few seconds. Lower first and see if you feel it fall against you leg. Then try to raise and listen for the compressor and the feeling of it raising. That should prove the compressor to be ok as a start.

Your towing weight and all up weight is no issue for a 115, and well within VOSA limits.

MWB?

The Traveliner is a better looking Vito due to the long rear black windows (if tinted). The Dualiner looks like a sort of confused van.
I believe it was made as long as the rest were, it's the extra's chosen at new that seem to make the big difference between basic or nicer.
As said, in the Vito, heated seats aren't common. Multi function steering that also marries to the same clocks as your Viano, aren't so common. OEM parking sensors also not common, but fitting rear sensors and a reverse cam to an Android system isn't a problem. Front sensors that aren't oem are, well a nuisance. The oem initiate at below around 10mph and is the best way for them to work.

In truth after a Viano if you end up with a somewhat basic Vito you will feel like someone has nicked some of your motor.

For London you will need euro 6 to be anywhere inside the M25 shortly. I think April sees the £12 per day penalty for Central London, other sheep councils to follow.
 
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I must confess I am still a bit lost, these were 4 I was looking at, which are avoid or continue?
2008 Vito 120 3.0 V6 Sport Dualiner LWB
2011 Vito 2.1 116CDI Dualiner LWB
2011 Vito 3.0 122CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Dualiner Long
2012 Vito 3.0 122CDI Dualiner Sport X LWB
 
So 3 are the 642 V6, with DPF,
the 116 will be a W447, less reliable and with DPF.

Others will say I am too paranoid about the 651 I'm sure.
May rave over the 642 V6, and I understand why.

Really you need to decide your priorities and then start what can be a long and frustrating search.
You could have taken a look at my 115 Dualiner to see how it might or might not fit, but Licolnshire is good 'ole trach. I used to fly out of Strubby weekly.

Edit, the 116 will still be 639 but with the 651 engine.
 
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So 3 are the 642 V6, with DPF,
the 116 will be a W447, less reliable and with DPF.

Others will say I am too paranoid about the 651 I'm sure.
May rave over the 642 V6, and I understand why.

Really you need to decide your priorities and then start what can be a long and frustrating search.
You could have taken a look at my 115 Dualiner to see how it might or might not fit, but Licolnshire is good 'ole trach. I used to fly out of Strubby weekly.

Thank you, so which years of 115 should I be looking for?
 
Up to 2010.
as soon as the headlights change to square style with DRL's the engine will be 651, or 642 as that started 2005 and is still being fitted.

The problem is that as most Vito's were work horses finding a reasonable mileage example in nice condition is very difficult the older you go.
Mine at 115k miles looks to be geniune.
Front and rear parking sesnors,
both front seats heated,
multifunction steering wheel,
1 sunroof.
And for me tailgate is essential.
But it isn't a nice example, it's been well used to say the least.

If I do manage to renovate to good condition it will be a very rare example, of Vito. Viano's are far more common with the pretty bits, but now cost £540 p.a. tax.
 
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Up to 2010.
as soon as the headlights change to square style with DRL's the engine will be 651, or 642 as that started 2005 and is still being fitted.
Thank you - do you have any images of yours you could share?
 
Just one minor clarification about speed limits. Normal 'car' speed limits apply to a Vito Dualiner provided the kerb weight is under 2040 kg. If so it qualifies as a 'Dual Purpose Vehicle' - the definition of this is based purely on weight, number of seats, number and position of windows, etc. I know a few 3rd party websites do refer to tax classes but this isn't official - per the .gov sites all that matters is whether it physically qualifies as a DPV or not ... there is never any mention of the tax class on the V5:

Speed limits

There's actually an error on that page as the weight limit for a DPV is 2040 kg unladen (kerb weight). Not 2 tonnes laden weight. The correct definition is here in summary form:

Car-derived vans and dual purpose vehicles

And the full specification is in the Construction & Use Regulations here:

The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986
 
Just one minor clarification about speed limits. Normal 'car' speed limits apply to a Vito Dualiner provided the kerb weight is under 2040 kg. If so it qualifies as a 'Dual Purpose Vehicle'

Thank you for that.
 
More than happy to be educated here,

Speed limits - GOV.UK
It does say, as well as most vans having a lower speed limit than cars,
that "Vehicles under 2 tonnes (loaded) weight may qualify as a car derived van or dual purpose vehicle".

Mine is listed as 1,846Kg kerbside weight, unsure if I should add or include 75kg of fuel there,
my weight, not a lot of it 70Kg + some clothing, say 75Kg.
This leaves 79Kg if on a weigh bridge. More often there will be a few tool boxes, or an inflatable dighy, outboard and food for the w/e.
So if we take actual weight I believe the 2 tonne is soon passed. But as the vehicle is listed max weight 2,940Kg I would imagine any plod would refer to that and say my speed should be restricted.

Maybe clarified by the sentence
"designed to weigh no more than 2 tonnes when fully loaded."
Speed limits - GOV.UK

While the V5 doesn't specifically state the tax class it does term 'Vehicle Catagory'.
The Dualiner is N1, this is supported on the .GOV site for checking if a vehicle is taxed, and that site doesn't show the Co2.
The V5 also shows the Dualiner as a panel van.

The Viano is Catagory M1 and does show the Co2.
The Viano is described as a Van / Side windows.

Car-derived vans and dual purpose vehicles - GOV.UK
The paragraph above 'Speed Limits' states that on the V5 under Body Type, if it is recorded as anything other than Car Derived Van than it is subject to reduced speed limits.

I'm still of the opinion that N1 means commercial and subject to lower speed limits.
If registered as M1 it's a car.
 

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