Mercedes Vito or Sprinter?

[spunkyjunior]

Hi all

I am in need of a van and i am torn between the Vito and the Sprinter.

I only need a vito sized van but when i look at them to buy second hand there are a lot with engine probs.

I have driven a sprinter and they felt great to drive but may be too big for me.

So what i need is your choice and why?

if you have mpg on vehicles and load (weight) that would also help

do you know if there are any common problems with these vans?

pros and cons for each van?

I am really grateful for your help on this as im so indecisive

Lewis

 

[norfolkbilly]

Just read your question so I made a member to reply specialy.
Best personal advise I can offer is "Get a Ford!" my sprinter has done 165k and is just coming to three years old. It has been back in the garage or needed roadside assistance,brokendown 14 times with faults from injectors,5 times,before modified upgrades were available 2 x engine management system replacements (takes over a week for spare to come from Germany) fuel pressure faults and numerious EDC intermitant shutdowns (some unexplained) and the latest was I reported a noisy wheel bearing and that the horn was still not working from new and that the glow plug warning lights stayed on for 5 mins after starting.So in it went again for repairs (under warranty) ended up having complete back axle as the bearing was not the fault but the diff assembley was naff.Each time it fails me it has cost me at least £200 as I have had to arrange for couriers to deliver my customers goods.I have had a replacement hire van while some work has been done but I still had it to pay for and then claim the money back from the dealer.
I did very soon after purchase ask for a refund or replacement vehicle but no joy it seems once you part with the £2300.00 cash and no part exchange in the deal your stranded.
Other problems I have encountered which you don't fully notice at the time of purchase because you are more impressed by the newness than the practicalities are The seats are better suited to 5'2" ladies and the lack of room for foot movement is a sure way to develope DVT's as I have.The silly things like the chrome emblum on the steering wheel blinds you the moment the sun shines.No external squeegee rubber on side windows so in cold or misty weather you can't just wind down and up the window you have to stop to clear them this is also the same to remove side splashes from rain (can be dangerous as it impairs vision.The rain water of the windscreeen is forced to the top 2 inch of the side windows so you can not drive in the rain with the window open even when the direction is from the opposite side.There is a very awkward area thats just near to fifth gear and the indicator stork,you have to keep your thum tucked in at this point otherwise you can activate the indicator stork while changing up.The sun blind is fixed forward,The area of the radio gets so hot I warm up my pies there.the heater downward supply is lost in the draughts caused by the vents in the bulkhead and the circulation pattern.In winter I have had to drive with a blanket over my legs.The rear tail lamps last about 1 month.and my design faults go on and on and on.......
However,it's big and carries my customers goods well and when running its ****** fast! and it isn't to bad on fuel either.The very best point is I have rian sensative wipers ( no window judder)
Now it's almost out of warranty I am going to modify it myself by changing seats and fitting Led lighting and removeing bad bits and adding my personal pimping.
If only Van manufacturers would produce the goods to suit the customer who are involved for 15 hours a day. oh! nearly forgot the sprinter has a great pen holder and behind the seat somewhere to put your drink bottle or newspaer or map maybe,"I could have used that space to move the seat back more" Anyhow enough said now I'm starting to get stressed out.
I am about to publish on a spare page on my web site ( www.van2u.co.uk/mycrapsprinter.htm ) all repair and fault sheets from the dealer and the correspondence between us will be there to show the poor service this van has produced.
Look at others first, "its not all about the name.........."

 

[norfolkbilly]

Sorry I mis-typed the initial cost it should read £23,000.00 but I am sure you all read it as this price anyhow.

 

[cubicincubi]

Volkswagen Transporter wipes the floor with the Vito. I've had both. The Vito was shockingly poor.

 

[spunkyjunior]

Thanks billy and cubic i am going off the vito gonna look at the VW Transporter...

thanks billy that was quite a read i appreciate you signing up to help me out..i will test drive a sprinter this week and will bear in mind everything you have said... billy have you had any other vans that you would recommend instead of the sprinter

 

[GlenW]

i would never go for a ford van....very poor for breaking down, i would have the renault traffic, best van on the road in my opinion, we have 3 of them now!

 

[norfolkbilly]

Hi all,

just following up on my previous comment.Renault vans are fine I have had a few over recent years.

To return to my comments about my sprinter,After picking it up from the dealer now fitted with a complete rear axle at a cost of £1800.(covered by warranty) Tested the van empty and it sounded fine.

I then next day loaded up deliveries to the weight of 800 kgs and set off on my journey. The very first roundabout produced the same rumble to the one it was taken in for previously.

I phoned the garage up and said " the noise is still there can I bring it in now for you to examine while loaded"

"yes please do so" so I drove the 40 miles to the garage and sure enough they took it out and the road test result was "yep definitly a wheel bearing" it will have to go on the ramps for more investigation.

I sat in the waiting room for a long time untill the service desk operative came to me with a half grin like smurk and said "would I like to come through to the workshop and look at what they had found."

So I did and on arrival I was confronted by four mechanics and someone in a suit and the desk chappie, "See here Mr ******* look at this, this is your problem, you have a faulty tyre although the tyre is clearly like new it has a sever flat spot on it possably a manufacture fault."

I now felt as if I should have found this myself and was just a little uncomfortable with the audiance.

Trying to hide my embarassment, the best comment I could think off at the time was, "I suppose I should have found this before making yet another complaint against the van,"

Yes! was the reply from the guy in the suit, "it would have saved a lot of time"

I replied, " well isn't it a good job your qualified technicians didn't find it when it first come in last week, otherwise I would not have had a complete rear axle fitted to put right my faulty tyre "

"Thank you for your help guys,I may keep the van another year now it's got a new back end on it "
suddenly, I was the only one smiling.........

With that I phoned the tyre people up and they were happy to replace the faulty tyre free.

So alls well that ends well eh!....................................

 

[davebox]

Up until now, this level of service seems to have been quite the norm. I've had a thought (Now look, this does not happen often so please be patient) can we have a name and shame thread along with a good service thread?
Idea being to give brief testimonials about your garages.

Nothing better than showing up the garage concerned. May even challenge MB's into providing a service of acceptable quality when presented with written (printed) complaints or back slapping. If each complaint was logged the individual could give the MB garage (or indi) the chance to visit and comment on the post concerned.
I for one wish I had taken more notice of the dates and everything that was said word for word from day one.

I know someone that has a sprinter driven every day delivering parcels. He does not rate the van well. Maybe I should point him to this site. I'll give him the address on Monday. His choice then.