Vito Questions.

[jellyp]

Hello.

Hopefully you can help as I dont own an MB yet, but am starting to look.

My daily driver is a Navara, and its fine, infact I like it, but am starting to think of changing it for a Brabus Vito Dualiner. (I no longer need the towing capacity, and I could do with more load space) Actually, a huge barrier to selling is the fact that I dont do many miles. <8000 pa , so my 55plate Navara has 55k miles and to swap like for like would require a chunk of cash to get a slightly newer plate but no less miles, and probably no better looked after as I like to keep my cars shiney.

As for the Brabus Vito, I like the styling, and it has as many toys as my Nav, and whilst I probably dont need the power and speed, it'd be nice (as a petrolhead who has to drive a commercial vehicle)

So.. a few questions if you would please:

1. This list HM Revenue & Customs differentiates between "Car" and "Van" as the "Luxury Seating Pack" . Whats that please? I dont want to buy one then find out its a Car for VAT purposes. I asked one vendor about the status of his, he said "Ask MB" , so I did, and their answer was that they consider them ALL to be commercial, but HMRC didnt, which again, wasnt that helpful.

2. Not been to look at any yet, but do they all have the rails for a 3rd row of seats at the rear under the carpet? Or is do-able? This would be a really handy feature for very occasional use. (Am thinking that on the rare occasion I needed to move people to drag an extra set of out seats out of the garage would be a distinct bonus)

3. Buying, what do I need to look out for? Am assuming a sub 70k miles model will be hardly broken in given its got a 3.0L V6 diesel. (Fuel, whilst a consideration is not top of my list as I dont do many miles) But are there any areas that I should look at in particular. Sadly my budget wont stretch to new or nearly new, probably looking 5years old ish.

4. Saw the 5th Gear test where they said it was hampered by intrusive TC. But.. really... for road use... is that an issue? I doubt it.

Am sure when I start to look (properly) there will be other questions, but any help right now would be massively appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[BTB 500]

Hi & welcome! We've had a Vito 120 Dualiner for 6 years.

1. Can't help with that I'm afraid as we run ours as a private vehicle (although it's a commercial as far as road tax is concerned). Never heard of 'luxury seating' ... ours has the optional comfort seats, if that helps?!

2. A Dualiner doesn't have any fittings for 3rd row seating but I'm pretty sure they can be retrofitted. There are some good Vito mod. threads on here - run a few searches.

3. They are pretty good quality-wise, the front window regulators go so check both windows work smoothly. Ours has had 2 glowplugs go so far so check the glowplug light goes out after starting. A few have had rust on the tailgate where the optional chrome trim above the numberplate has been badly fitted, so check that carefully. Front wings are plastic, all body panels from approx. 2005 onwards are galvanised. They wear the outside edge of the front tyres, so check how much life is left in them. I don't think the Sport X gets a spare wheel, btw.

4. That was rubbish - an unladen RWD with lots of torque on a wet track ... what did they expect? On a drier or straighter track it would have thrashed the VW (which has much less power). No issues whatsoever on the road - there is simply no other van to compare it with (V6 auto). Test drive one and see what you think.

 

[ringway]

Pretty much what Bill has said.

The tailgate corrosion is the only gripe I have with my 120 Sport and if I'm honest about it, I don't think it is that common a fault, but do check, nonetheless.

Mechanically, I have had very little go wrong with mine. Just a pressure sensor that caused symptoms of a blocked DPF, so no complaints from me on the score.

As Bill said, there are a few good modding threads on MBClub. Zenman and BIG 'UN and the members who have made some very nice additions.


Oh, yeah, that 5th Gear test against the VW Transporter... Nice vans that they are, they haven't a hope of outgunning a 120 Sport.
As BTB, I a V8 (and V6) petrol in my fleet, but still always enjoy driving my Vito. It's a great van and probably the best all round vehicle I have ever bought.

 

[jellyp]

Thanks Chaps. Really useful.

Sorry about mentioning the 5th Gear thing, I guess its a raw nerve for some. I didnt at all think it was an issue, especially for my driving - if I want some "fun" , I have a "play car" in the garage anyway. (Also a V8, Ringway )

To be honest, its going to take an impressive test drive to shift me from my Navara, not that its the "be all and end all", but I have electric everything, and it ate 1500miles across Northern France last week and has been equally at home in local traffic since I got back. And its probably about stopped depreciating, given my low mileage. But your reports appear to indicate that I will be impressed, so will give one a go.

I need to hammer down the "Commercial Vehicle" thing, on the link in that list I posted it does appear that "Luxury Seats" is the differentiator between car and van, and it would be foolish to choose the wrong one.

BTB500, thanks for the tip on seating, I'll have a browse. This would be a big bonus versitility wise. Although 95% of the time it'd be a work vehicle, being able to be pressed into occasional people carrier mode would allow us to reconsider our other motoring needs

thanks.

 

[zenman63]

If there are no seats in the back then the bolts and holes will be missing.
If you need that extra row then look for the travel liner spec or a vito that had that option new.
Failing that it can be done at a cost with factory parts.
There all commercial unless you go Viano, this is then the luxury model.

 

[BTB 500]

Just to add that I spent nearly 11 hours in our Vito 120 today driving back from the South of Germany (only two stops - one for fuel and the other at the Eurotunnel). Not many vans I'd want to do that in ... the V6 is smooth & quiet and has plenty of power for the autobahn We got 30.3 mpg overall which IMO is OK for a big old bus with an auto gearbox and a DPF. That was five-up, with loads of luggage (including 4 dogs ).

When we got home I was even in a fit state to unload, unpack, then mow the lawn!