Buying advice for V-Class

[maxinewill]

Just wondered if anybody has any views on the not so pretty but very practical V Class - we are thinking of buying one for the family but dont know much about them - Any advice appreciated.

Thank you

 

[jaymanek]

theres a lot of unreliabilty problems with the V im afraid. Just do a search on this forum and youll find a range of experiences...

There have been problems with electrics mostly. I would check everything twice over with a fine toothcombe before you buy one, if its gonna go wrong, it probably will have in the first few years, so check history. I would makeusre you get a decent warranty aswell if you get one..

To be honest, i dont say this about many mercs, but look for alternatives if you can!

 

[mark999]

I agreee do not even consider the V-Class. I bought ours (C220Cdi) New in march 2000. We owned it for 3 years and 18,000 miles.
From day 1 we had serious problems Poor brakes, steering vibration.
Other problems included clutch replacement at 8K, 2 new air suspension pumps (£700 each if not under warranty). faulty central locking, oil level sensor, suspension links. leaks from window and door seals.

Apparently mercedes were well aware of the problems, I spoke to a guy who wrote a piece on his V class in Topgear duffers section. He was contacted by an ex Mercedes regional engineer who confirmed this. Apparently dealers were encoraged to take V Classes with the promise of beeter models eg SLK.
No mercedes employee was allowed a V Class as company car due to the unreliability and high depreciation.

I have had a VW Carevelle for 6 months now and am highly delighted with it. would you believe it is 6mpg better on fuel than the Merc, from an engine that dated bask to the Audi 100.

 

[markp]

just seen your message may be a bit late now but as a merc employee DO NOT BY ONE a lot of more reliable cheaper alternatives especially if you're thinking of buying an early onr ('T' 'R' 'S' reg) :cry:

 

[piestore]

v class

Hi

DON'T EVEN THINK OF IT

 

[dieselman]

It looks like a general thumbs up then. :cry:

 

[Vito113]

Don't do it!! Buy A VW!!!!!

Buy a VW Caravelle? way better!!!! And that's what an MB Commercial sales manager told me!

I bought new a V Class auto in 1998, (had to as I needed something that could take a wheelchair at the time). Its been 86,000 miles of fun and games!!!
Within 3 months automatic gearbox developed intermittent fault and was replaced. ECU replaced at 12 months. New drive shafts at 42k miles? ouch!. New radiator at 48k miles. All brakes including discs replaced at 52k miles. New polybelt tensioner at 60k and now its in for repairs again as the water pump has failed at 83k miles!!!! Central locking has played up from day one and still does not work properly and gearbox still goes funny once and a while.

We take ours down to Italy and Switzerland every year? its a great way to travel on holiday, but just too may things go wrong as well as too many rattles, that its more like owning a Ford than a Mercedes.

Giving up on it now!

Best regards

Andy