Looking for Viano information - and Hi!!

[TheJokerR]

Hi Guys,

First post! Virtual round of beers to everyone!
I posted this over at Benzworld, but I have since realised that it's an US based community, so I hope that I'll find more like-minded-people over here. *wave!* Been using the search function here to, but it didn't really return anything relevant to my questions.

I've been trawling the net here looking for information about the Viano, but I find that the information is very scarse.
The reason for all this is that I'm looking to upgrade my current "motorbike transporter" to something that doesn't require serious DIY work all the time. I'm also not looking to do many day-to-day miles in the car, but rather long motorway stints in one go. Across UK or even UK to, say.. Germany, Scandinavia or Spain. Typically loaded with mine and my missus' motorbike in the back, along with all the gear required. 80mph, quiet, comfortable, fairly economical.

Anyway, a few questions that I'm trying to find answers to.
1) How's the Viano's reliablility? Any things that needs to be avoided?
2) The older Vito/V-Klasse (638??) had issues with the rear air suspension? Has this been solved on the Viano (639)?
4) Same with the old(638) vs. the new (639); automatic gearboxes? I've understood that the old automatics should be avoided? Is this still the case with the newer cars? What do I look for?
5) I've found that the 2.2 manual sneaks under the "punishment" tax bracket down to £204 per year. Can someone confirm this?

Any other information that you can shed, would be very much appreciated! I'm sure I'll have more questions, but let's take these first. Terribly sorry if they've been asked before, but I just couldn't find anything with the search function. What I did notice however was that someone, can't remember, sorry, had some awful experiences with the Vito/V-Class..?! Any more information on this, is appreciated!


Thanks!!

 

[BlackC55]

1, not very relaible
2, The Vianio suspension is ok
3, newer auto's ok. Get the ATF changed at 40k

The build quality is actually much better than the 638 but they are still not that good. The transporter is a better van.

 

[BlackC55]

Oh and try www.mbclub.co.uk as there are some Vianio owners on there.

 

[Blobcat]

The transporter is a better van.

Which is why I bought a Caravelle.

 

[TheJokerR]

Thanks, BlackC55 and Blobcat. The Caravelle is on my list, but it just doesn't "do anything" for me. I'd like to have a car, not a van, just like the Espace. But more and more is pointing towards vans, and the Viano seems quite car-like for a van-based MPV.
Caravelle just seem to get more and more votes.

Thanks again!

 

[Blobcat]

Thanks, BlackC55 and Blobcat. The Caravelle is on my list, but it just doesn't "do anything" for me. I'd like to have a car, not a van, just like the Espace. But more and more is pointing towards vans, and the Viano seems quite car-like for a van-based MPV.
Caravelle just seem to get more and more votes.

Thanks again!

I bought the Caravelle in May last year, it was one year old and looking around they really hold their money. I found loads of the SE's with 150K-180K miles on for £15K-£18K that were all from the airport transfer business. I couldn't find as many Viano's available however they were cheaper but the residuals didn't look good. If high mileage Caravelles are still worth money then I'm happy that if I have to sell I will still get something back. We only get ~26mpg average which isn't great and I'm still getting the dealer to look at it, they think it is partly due to the diesel heater. One of the electric doors stopped working but apart from that nothing else in the year. Full service was £258.05, the tyres are high load and quite expensive £200 for a pair, although they did last 20,900 miles on the front and the rears are still going strong.

 

[TheJokerR]

Blobcat, I noticed last night that the Caravelles aren't cheap. Good that you see it form the sales perspective. The bottom has fallen out of my Espace... no surprise there then.

My friend has got a Transporter (-05 I think..!?) and we've been in it quite a lot and it's not bad at all. Do you have any comparison between the ride/comfort of the Caravelle vs. the Transporter. Reason for asking is that this is really where the Espace spoils you rotten. It's quiet, comfortable, roomy, plush suspension, but still precise. (Let's not talk about the mechanical bits please. :Oops.
I've been around the Nürburgring in the Caravelle. It's very van-like, but not too bad, I guess. :lol:

Is it worth paying extra for the big diesel (in the Caravelle) in your opinion?

Thanks!

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Ncap

I doubt if any of these has an NCAP score - having vehicles re-designated to avoid inconvenient rules is well known in the auto industry.

If you research cases of multiple fatalities in the UK in the past year, an uncomfortable number of these feature people carrier type vehicles. And in several cases, there were no survivors.

Don't want to cheer you up too much, but if the plan includes long range cruising at 80 mph, it is a consideration.

 

[TheJokerR]

Don't want to cheer you up too much, but if the plan includes long range cruising at 80 mph, it is a consideration.

I ride motorbikes on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. I've been living on over time since I was about 21 years old. However, I do appreciate the concern. Thanks!

 

[Blobcat]

Blobcat, I noticed last night that the Caravelles aren't cheap. Good that you see it form the sales perspective. The bottom has fallen out of my Espace... no surprise there then.

My friend has got a Transporter (-05 I think..!?) and we've been in it quite a lot and it's not bad at all. Do you have any comparison between the ride/comfort of the Caravelle vs. the Transporter. Reason for asking is that this is really where the Espace spoils you rotten. It's quiet, comfortable, roomy, plush suspension, but still precise. (Let's not talk about the mechanical bits please. :Oops.
I've been around the Nürburgring in the Caravelle. It's very van-like, but not too bad, I guess. :lol:

Is it worth paying extra for the big diesel (in the Caravelle) in your opinion?

Thanks!

The 174 has some "Go" and I embarrassed a Scooby Do in Halifax on Monday, he then took a short cut which put him back behind me after a very dodgy overtake to some lights. I couldn't stop laughing.
Suspension wise it cannot compare to my E320 and does show it's van heritage on concrete motorways. It is comfortable enough to drive though and I've done quite a few 300+ mile journeys in it 5 or 6 up and got out at the other end with no aches.
It also tows my trailer with 1200GSA on without missing a beat, the fuel economy doesn't alter either with the trailer on.

 

[TheJokerR]

Blobcat, very much appreciated! Especially your honesty - typically you only get positive points when asking.
I had an R1200GS for 18 miles in the same amount of months. Loved it!