Nowthen. I've come round to the idea that my three children won't stop growing and that the Octavia is getting cramped. As much as it pains me I'm going to have to get something with more cabin space. I don't want a people carrier as I'd rather chew my own leg off than have a slightly taller car that's not actually much bigger than my current car.

We live on the coast in Scarborough, have Dalby Forest 20 mins away and the North Yorks Moors 10 mins away. I have this romantic idea of having family days out in a camper style van, but not a full blown conversion. I know there are vans out there that have front seats that swivel round and a fold out table. We could get the kids, bikes and all the other related stuff in behind the rear seats and make the most of living where we are. As much as I love the Octavia, it's the wrong vehicle to abuse in such a way and I'm too precious about keeping it clean.

So, does anyone have experience of such vehicles and what they are like to live with? Here's a link to VBH testing the VW and Merc on a track,

I'd want the 130 or 174 version with possibly a remap as I've got used to a bit of poke with the Octavia. I'd miss the vRS, but know that a growing family needs more space. Any advice, opinions are welcome.

Cheers,

Andrew.

Get a VW California. They're amazing. Twin hob, sink, 2 double beds, storage, etc. They also do a Beach version with a lot less crap. Buybuybuy!

VW T5 174 BHP sport line all day long over the Merc. Then get the interior converted. You can the do as little or as much as you want. Oh and post pics on here when you do.

Have a look when you are out and about at the bodywork condition of mercs that a a few years old and compare it to same age t4/5's then decide

Having driven several T5s and owning a Merc Vito.. I'd have the Vito every time I'm afraid.

Have a look when you are out and about at the bodywork condition of mercs that a a few years old and compare it to same age t4/5's then decide

+1

I'm amazed at the number of not just rusty but riggled with rot Mercedes Vito's I've seen.

Edited 14 May, 201214 yr by silver1011

Vito's are made in spain from old sardine tins

The FWD models handle like a blamonge sitting on a jelly, can't speak for the RWD models.

Transporters are better designed.

The Early T4's are to be given a wide berth though - most have had a very hard life and bit long in the tooth now.

The best Transports are the T25's - they have the engine in the right place, and power to the right end (eg the rear of the vehicle) with 50/50 weight distribution.

FYI Transports come in 4x4 versions too

Yep, my mate had an ex police Vito on a 54 plate that looked like the hull of a supertanker, rust streaks and spots all over it.

As some have mentioned, Vito's tend to rot quite easily. I'm told that's because of the type of metal Mercedes uses, some lightweight crap. Now as long as the paint and anti corrosion coats are fine, there's no problem. But once there's the tiniest scratch, you're buggered. Ours have survived pretty well. Number two has slight surface rust in the rear, but its fine otherwise. All are 2007's with between 80k and 100k on the clock.

If you look after it the Vito will serve you well. We haven't had any issues with 'em. Ours are modified 111 CDI's btw. But to tell you the truth, I'd still go for the VW. The police uses them over here, and if VW survives those barbarians, they'll survive anything.

Basing my opinion of the actual drive of base models, drove both, and id say 100% the Transporter..

The Vw just felt a lot better in every aspect . But we all have out own preferences. Best bet, get a drive in both vans and take it from there

G

What's up with a transit? Haven't seen one mentioned?

What's up with a transit?

They're just don't have the 'image'

Very good vehicles, metals a little bit tinny compared to the Transporters, much better than a Vito though.

Personally I think they have a better cab layout.

imo they handle better than either a current Transporter or Vito.

- also available in 4x4

They're just don't have the 'image'

Very good vehicles, metals a little bit tinny compared to the Transporters, much better than a Vito though.

Personally I think they have a better cab layout.

imo they handle better than either a current Transporter or Vito.

I agree, good workhorses. But little image for the private market.

We have loads of Transits, but we won't have the Mercs because the life on them is too short. They just don't last long enough before they start to look rough and need an amount of bodywork on a regular basis.

If it was my choice, I'd go for the VW for personal use.

One of them would make a nice Day Van.

If you need ideas, have a look for the SBMCC. (Self Build Motor Caravanners Club)

Good knowledge base on their forum, but you need to join.

Just to clarify I was talking about the new shape Vito not the old FWD ones. I'm surprised at all the negativity, mine has 235k on the clock and looked fresh, it was a really smart van and was so much better to drive than a Transporter.

I guess people's opinions are based on the bodywork mostly and the amount of upkeep to keep it looking fresh I suppose.

I'm sure if you look after either very well they will last quite a while... It's possibly the amount of 'looking after' that people don't really like.

I guess people's opinions are based on the bodywork mostly and the amount of upkeep to keep it looking fresh I suppose.

I'm sure if you look after either very well they will last quite a while... It's possibly the amount of 'looking after' that people don't really like.

Agreed. Its a high maintenance vehicle, but its also relatively cheap, so people treat is as a throw away equipment.

I hate threads like this! Im now clock watching until lunchtime when I plan to check out some Transporter/California reviews and forums. I love the idea of a California that I can pack the family and luggage into and head around europe for a month in the summer. This thread has skewed my thinking on the ideal vehicle to do the family holiday juants in now!

A Merc Vito rusting after 3 years is not on, I wouldn't expect that on a cheap van let alone a "Premium" van. If we're talking accident damage just left then fair enough, but not from normal use. We had a old vito at work, it was a shed, but survived longer than the rest of out shuttles (transit, ex London cabs, vectra). It went ok, prob due to how much of it was rusting away.

I have driven a couple of Transporters recently. Borrowed a mates 1.9 130bhp 2006 van. It was part loaded with tools and stuff but still felt quite nimble & pretty quick for what it is. I was also suprised about how refined & comfortable it was! Fairly quiet, my mate rather drive it than his 2006 Astra. More recently we had a 61 plate Transporter 9 seater, not sure which engine but it had a DSG box and bloody flew. Also was in a lush gold/bronze colour.

Matt- might've been the 2.0 BiTDi 180. Twin-turbo version of the 2.0... very quick!

Wow, wish I'd had more than 10min in it now. Lol

They're just don't have the 'image'

I disagree.

We have a VW Transporter T30 SWB - had it 8 years now and its brilliant. Test drove the Merc but wasn't as good as I expected so stayed loyal to VW

Its the 105bhp 1.9TDI in our with 5-Speed box. Reliable, looks good for business and carries a good amount.

Mercedes should be embarrased...

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/archive/index.php/t-16705.html

This was just one of hundreds of entries after a quick Google search of 'rusty Vito'.

It seems to be restricted to certain production years though...

Mercedes should be embarrased...

Some people get unlucky.

We had one (and only one!) and it used to break down more often than any other vehicle, including the Renaults and LDVs.

Out of 80 on the fleet at the time, it was honestly the least reliable.

I believe we were unlucky, but it put me off paying more for the pleasure of owning one.

Its not just the vito's that rust badly,the sprinters are just as bad,i did some work on a vito & i wasnt that impressed to be honest,it was a auto,just wasnt a nice drive,last thing i heard was it needs a new engine as the injectors have seized in the head & merc cant get them out & have knackered the engine! Transporter for me!