V220 cdi Advice

[Bluegrass]

Hi,

I'm looking to replace my E320 CDI for a V220 CDI to accommodate a larger family.

Is there anything I should look out for and how reliable are they?
Also do the rear seats fold flat and what are they like to drive?

Thanks.

 

[mark999]

Best advice is dont touch a V-Class I had an 00 220Cdi from new and it was totally unreliable. But a VW caravelle or Toyota Previa

 

[BlackC55]

Do not buy one. They are terrible cars/vans. Built in spain badly. They suffer with everyting. Electrical issues, suspension. Any thing with the engine that goes wrong is a nightmare as space is restricted.

I use to be the ony one in my old MB workshop that used to touch them as most of the techs hated them with a passion because they are so bad.

The diesel is the better of a bad bunch. The V280 has a VR6 engine in it. It has vw/audi stamped on the dipstick!!

Oh yeah the gearchanges/gearboxes are cr4p too.

 

[psmart]

Just had a look at warranty direct, the info they give is:
Reliability Index 225.29
Average Age 5.30

Average Mileage 58027.45
Time off the Road 3.84

Average Repair Cost £498.98
Air Conditioning 1.48

Axle & Suspension 28.15
Braking System 8.89

Cooling and Heating System 11.85
Electrical 20.74

Engine 5.19
Fuel System 11.85

Transmission 8.89

The average value for the reliability index is 112, anything below is more reliable, anything above is more unreliable. The V-Class is very unreliable according to them.

 

[cat-uk]

omg i wish i saw these post before i bought mine - had nothing but trouble with it, just get one thing fixed and another problem pops up putting it off the road AGAIN!!

 

[47p2]

I had a V220 CDI for 11 years and covered 200k in it, sold it to my mate who has now clocked up another 25k and it still keeps going without any problems. Neglect is the biggest problem with the V-Class closely followed by poor driver techniques.

The air compressor usually lasts 3 years before giving problems, mine lasted 5 years and the second one another 3 years before I changed it over to coil springs for piece of mind. Glow plugs will burn out but mine was never started on the glow plugs even in -17c we had during the last couple of winters and it never failed to start first turn of the key.

If you manage to find a good one then they can and are good vehicles, but at the age they are now most have been neglected and run into the ground.

 

[type49]

I had a V220 CDI for 11 years and covered 200k in it, sold it to my mate who has now clocked up another 25k and it still keeps going without any problems. Neglect is the biggest problem with the V-Class closely followed by poor driver techniques.

The air compressor usually lasts 3 years before giving problems, mine lasted 5 years and the second one another 3 years before I changed it over to coil springs for piece of mind. Glow plugs will burn out but mine was never started on the glow plugs even in -17c we had during the last couple of winters and it never failed to start first turn of the key.

If you manage to find a good one then they can and are good vehicles, but at the age they are now most have been neglected and run into the ground.

You must have bought the best V class in the country!! I remember when these first came out & to this day, they've been nothing but poorly made, unreliable & horrible to drive - even when new - imagine 10 years on
I'd rather wait for a bus......in the snow.....at 3 in the morning.


DONT BUY ONE

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

They are poorly made but a well looked after one can be nice, they arent the most slick but if the rear suspension fails you can put a manual spring kit in which is a cheap alternative and erradicates any future faults.

I have one on my books which has been converted into a caravan and does regular trips across europe. I have just put a spring kit in that and there isnt much else wrong with it.

 

[47p2]

You must have bought the best V class in the country!!

I did have the best V-Class, it was the first diesel model in Scotland and it was a darned sight better than the Viano I now have. It was never unreliable, never failed to start never broke down and apart from the usual consumables it never caused me to dip my hand in my pocket. As I said the drivers of these vehicles are a lot to blame, they thrash them within an inch of their life and expect them to keep going. With a little preventative maintenance and regular checks they are excellent vehicles and I would have no hesitation in owning my old one back again

I'd rather wait for a bus......in the snow.....at 3 in the morning.

Hope you don't have to wait too long then