Vito Traveliner vs Dualiner Advice

[danhar707]

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Hi, Newbie here, sorry if I'm using the wrong forum.

Looking for a bit of advice on choosing the right Vito for our needs...

It's decided we want more space than our Audi A6 Avant can offer, with growing kids, camping trips, motorbikes, mtn bikes, etc. Started looking at Transporters, quickly realised they're a bit rubbish and over-valued...so Vito dualiner or traveliner it is!

We're a family of four - two small kids. The idea is basically to have something ~50% as refined and useable as an everyday car as the 3.0TDi Audi, while having a big flexible space at the back for weekends away and beach days our, etc. Also voyages to France. The alternative is some kind of camping trailer on the A6, but I hate that idea. So... Van/Car thing with integral trailer.

Got about £15k to spend on a used one. Private cash buyer. If you know a good one for sale, please get in touch.

Choices:
1. Dualiner or Traveliner?
We really like the Dualiner Sports in general and particularly the clever folding rear seats.
I can see how these will allow us to make the van into an occasional 1-night camper for our family (wife & I and 2 small kids.) I'd make something up involving wood and bits of upholstered foam, which would live in the garage when not needed. We have joiners in the family!
However, nearly all dualiners are for sale +VAT, which doesn't make good value for us. If I wanted to sell a year later, I've got to take the hit on ~£2-3K of VAT if I want to sell to anyone in the trades.
Traveliners however often come up ex-VAT; but... does anyone know if the middle row of seats fold? I'd just need the backs to fold, not the whole lot able to tilt forwards like the dualiner. With a traveliner, I'd just sell the back row on ebay or something...and then presumably have something very similar to a dualiner...or are there other differences?

2. 2.2CDI or 3.0 V6 CDI
Were used to a nice smooth V6 in the A6 3.0 TDi multitronic; but we both didn't mind driving a 2.2CDI. I think the balancer shafts help a lot. There are some nice 3.0 vitos around. All I really need to know is... what can I expect mpg for a 2.2 one and for a 3.0 one on mixed driving? And, are there any major faults/flaws to watch out for on either engine?

3. Auto or Manual
Again, used to wafting around in a CVT auto with a torquey 3.0TDI. Its like a (fast) magic carpet, TGV-train, seamless acceleration to licence-loosing speeds, butter-smooth (apart from initial pull-away), so hard to beat. We drove an automatic Vito with 2.2CDI and it was, erm, ok. Basically needs another gear, then it would be ok+. Also drove a manual - we were both surprised at how civilised it was.
I'd take either.. it hinges on: are there any major faults/flaws with either?

Any/all advice welcome.

 

[GordonTarling]

Cue BTB500.

 

[danhar707]

Hey all, bought one... Went for a dualiner, 2.2cdi, auto in pebble grey. So glad I went for auto - suits vehicle well, relaxed waft-matic mobile - perfect for our needs. You do occasionally have to give the stick a little tap to the right to make it upshift, else it hangs on to gears a bit too long, but I can forgive that.

Used it to take me an a mate to a motorbike trial with 2 bikes in the back, held up using load lash points. Went well - really chuffed that the van made it up some rough, rocky and wet grassy banks without any trouble. And that's with some cheapo chinese tyres fitted. I was a bit worried about the rear wheel drive before that little test.

Wife likes it too - no trouble parking thanks to the rwd tight turning and parktronic.

 

[danhar707]

By the way, I am on the lookout for some dualiner rear comfort seats.... Anyone?

 

[BTB 500]

Congrats. on your new purchase. I agree re. the auto box, which 2.2 variant did you get (109/110, 111/112, 115/116) and what length (Compact, Long, Extra Long)?

We've had ours nearly 10 years now and it's a great vehicle - we have 3 kids and 8 dogs Traction does seem to be surprisingly good (considering there's not a huge amount of weight over the rear wheels when used as a 'car') ... I've driven it out of muddy (even flooded!) fields where others needed to be towed out. Parktronic is definitely worth having as it makes a big difference in car parks etc. My wife drives ours more than I do.

The comfort rear seats are very handy (with the 2+1 split, flip/fold, individual reclining backrests, etc.) - hope you manage to find a set.

 

[danhar707]

It's a 113cdi Long. The seller was a non-franchised MB commercials specialist. He was very straight up about his process: buy ex lease dualiner vans from auction, which are often Boggo basic spec, so if needed he adds sportX front splitter, paint to bumpers, film tint to rear windows, bars, and new alloys (cheapo ones unfortunately).

Our van appears to be just off a 5yr Lex lease and seems to have been an odd spec: it has clear glass, std seats, and I guess had steel wheels and black bumpers, yet it has parktronic, AC, auto box and nice metallic paint! The seller added alloys and bars and I guess bumper paint and film.

It's also got just one comfort seat - the drivers one, with one armrest. Why someone would do this to lease van and leave the seat in, I don't know.

 

[danhar707]

By the way, for anyone pondering... Imo, the 113 is easily powerful enough for day van duties. No regrets about not holding out for a 116. I don't think I'll bother remapping the engine. If I did, I reckon it might need a stiffer torque converter in the auto box, else it'll just rev too high on heavy throttle pull away.

 

[Mei]

By the way, for anyone pondering... Imo, the 113 is easily powerful enough for day van duties. No regrets about not holding out for a 116. I don't think I'll bother remapping the engine. If I did, I reckon it might need a stiffer torque converter in the auto box, else it'll just rev too high on heavy throttle pull away.

Hi newbie here. I know this is an old thread but came across it as I'm in virtually the same position. Wondered who the specialist you bought from was? Cheers Mei