v280 reliability

[e36bob]

Can anyone tell me is the V280 as reliable a vehicle as the w124 series that I currently drive.
I have seen one advertised on Ebay with full spec, and I really fancy an mpv with the hopefully merc quality thrown in.
Thanks for any replies in advance

 

[SL Boy]

Having had a 124 and a V280 I can tell you the answer is no. The V Class, built in Spain, is nothing more than a converted Vito van. The Vito is a fine van and very reliable - the conversion isnt. The 280 uses the old VW Corrado engine and they were renowned for blowing up; they are as unreliable in the V as they were in the Corrado.

We also had problems with the suspension, gearbox and aircon. The electrical system had a mind of its own and the central locking used to lock the car at random without any user intervention. It did it once with the keys inside!

The V 230 has one advantage over the 280 - the 230 though noisy is the typically unburstable Mercedes engine. It has all the other disadvantages.
We also had a 230 which the dealer had to buy back after it spent more time in the workshop than on the road.

If you buy this car you may be getting merc quality thrown out!

 

[e36bob]

Thanks to SL boy for his insight into the v class .
If there is any doubt about the reliability, given that the w124 class is so good, then I will not let my old workhorse go .
Seems a shame that mercedes cannot build an MPV the size of the vito, with the same drive train that has served them so well for years.
Better the devil you know!!

 

[SL Boy]

My advice would be to hang on to your 124. I even know of people who are back to buying 124s having had reliability problems with their 210s and 211s!!

 

[PINBALL]

Thanks SL Boy, youv'e done me a favour there too, I was always wondering how good they were, and why the dealers seemed shy at offering any rational reason for them not selling them anymore.