KLee
New Member
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2013
- Messages
- 2
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- UK
- Your Mercedes
- Mercedes SL 63 AMG / 2013 / 5,461 cc
Hi All,
I've been looking into buying a Mercedes Viano conversion. I like the idea of a van conversion and Mercedes Viano seems to tick all the boxes. They look classy, yet discreet, from the outside and spacious and very luxurious on the inside.
Ideal for both work/client meetings while out on the road and family days out (the kids will love the integrated PlayStation too).
After a little research I discovered that Brabus aren't the only Viano converters on the market.
There's a company in Turkey (Tremo, I think) but wasn't really sold on their quality.
There's obviously Brabus (the big boys in this field). The Brabus Viano looks good, but very expensive. I also think the peripherals (fold-away tables, on-board computer, heating controls etc) look a little too plasticky (if that's even a word ).
Yes, they're built in Germany, but they have a couple of dealers in the UK, so I don't see this as a problem.
I then discovered Carisma Auto Design, based in Colchester. WOW, totally blown away with their work!!!
IMO they look to be the UK version of Brabus, in terms of quality (if not better, going by the pics on their website) but almost half the price
What am I missing?
Surely this difference isn't just because of the Brabus brand, or maybe it is? Perhaps it's because I'd be buying through a Brabus dealer rather than buying directly with Carisma?
It's not like Carisma are new kids on the block, they've been around since 1998 and have a VIP client list by all accounts. I also love the fact the Carisma Viano V1 is hand-built here in Britain, I'm a bit patriotic like that.
Have I struck gold with this find, or have I just missed something obvious?
Price aside, which do you think looks better? (Carisma V1, followed by Brabus Viano).
Carisma V1 examples...
Brabus Viano examples...
Thoughts welcome,
Thanks,
I've been looking into buying a Mercedes Viano conversion. I like the idea of a van conversion and Mercedes Viano seems to tick all the boxes. They look classy, yet discreet, from the outside and spacious and very luxurious on the inside.
Ideal for both work/client meetings while out on the road and family days out (the kids will love the integrated PlayStation too).
After a little research I discovered that Brabus aren't the only Viano converters on the market.
There's a company in Turkey (Tremo, I think) but wasn't really sold on their quality.
There's obviously Brabus (the big boys in this field). The Brabus Viano looks good, but very expensive. I also think the peripherals (fold-away tables, on-board computer, heating controls etc) look a little too plasticky (if that's even a word ).
Yes, they're built in Germany, but they have a couple of dealers in the UK, so I don't see this as a problem.
I then discovered Carisma Auto Design, based in Colchester. WOW, totally blown away with their work!!!
IMO they look to be the UK version of Brabus, in terms of quality (if not better, going by the pics on their website) but almost half the price
What am I missing?
Surely this difference isn't just because of the Brabus brand, or maybe it is? Perhaps it's because I'd be buying through a Brabus dealer rather than buying directly with Carisma?
It's not like Carisma are new kids on the block, they've been around since 1998 and have a VIP client list by all accounts. I also love the fact the Carisma Viano V1 is hand-built here in Britain, I'm a bit patriotic like that.
Have I struck gold with this find, or have I just missed something obvious?
Price aside, which do you think looks better? (Carisma V1, followed by Brabus Viano).
Carisma V1 examples...
Brabus Viano examples...
Thoughts welcome,
Thanks,