Vito 120 CDi

[ridway]

Hi

Just bought myself a new 120cdi Vito Dualiner which I take delivery of in April. I did a lot of research before I finally picked this one. Im really looking for info from anyone who has owned one for a while for some feedback on how it performs, reliability, enconomy etc. Or am I going to be disapointed? Are the MB autoboxes reliable? I have never owned an autoboxed vehicle before.

Rich

 

[Sprint'n'Go]

You lucky, lucky guy.

This is the latest V6 CDI engine with a 5 speed auto and is pretty new to the Vito line up so their isn't really any history to pass on yet.

Commercial motor magazine did a road test in the 7th Dec 2006 issue if you want to get a back issue of this for your perusal.

The engine is putting out 204hp and 440Nm of torque according to the merc website although this contradicts the CM review which has it at 201hp or 210hp depending where you look on the page. Also the merc website had the engine capacity displayed as 2148cc so both parties have made mistakes.

According to CM the V6 Vito makes rapid progress and the performance would be brutal without the auto box to calm things down a little. Suprisingly, they claime to easily acheive a 40+mpg figure for the unladen vehicle providing you don't drive it like a hooligan, this is impressive for the size of engine.

Enjoy......

Just re-read your post and I think you will find the auto box is a good one provided you service it correctly, The accepted rule now is to make sure the gearbox oil and filters are changed between 40-60k. Non of this sealed for life rubbish please.

 

[ridway]

Steve

Thank you for your comments. I too spotted several anomalies in various places about the specification but I think some parties were originally getting it confused with the V5 and older petrol versions.

I thought it may be a long shot finding any users as I only found out that this model has been around for a year in the UK unlike the 2,200 cdi range.

Anyhow Im feeling confident about the 120 even though I know very little about MB Commercials. Through the glitter of the showroom I have been treated exceptionally well, test drives across the range were very good and a 111cdi demonstrator for a week impressed me. Then a drive of the 120 just sold it to me.

As an aside I started looking at a petrol Transit. The reason for this was for conversion to LPG. From this I came across the Vito123 and thought WOW when I read the spec but what about the warrenty if i convert?! So I ended up with the 120 XLWB to as you say mellow the MPG.

Hopefully a converted man

Rich

 

[SFI]

Vito 120

Hi,
How is your 120 going now? I collected mine beginning of March. Like you after doing a lot of research and having previously owned a 110. At first drove like a dream and I was in Vito Heaven. However, now a different story. About 4 weeks ago (beginning of June), it started mis-behaving big time. The auto gear box was not changing gear properly. Took it into my local stealership, where they put it on the diagnostic tester which found nothing wrong. However, when they took it for a test drive accepted that there was a problem. They thought it may have been the torque converter. Which meant the gear box coming out so that it could be replaced. Whilst waiting for them to get the part in from abroad, my van deterioated. It lost all power and went into get me home mode. I phoned the garage for advice, who told me to switch off the engine and start again. Anyway, the part eventually came in and was replaced. However, the problem remains. It was put on the diagnostic tester again, which now recognises that there is a problem and the mechanic contacted MK who said that the have replaced 18 valves (to do with the release of exhaust emissions). So yet again we are now waiting for a new part which is not available in the UK or Germany! We do have a few other problems with it, but this one really is the pits. Hope you are having more luck with your 120.

 

[ridway]

SFI
Well, not to bad. No probs with the engine apart from a niggling hunting when you accelarate on a really light throttle. It went back for this and they fitted a new EGR valve (took a fortnight). Seemed ok for a couple of days and then started again. Generally Im quite pleased with the vehicle. The engine - problems aside, is magnificant. Fuel consumption is VG for vehicle and engine size; and the torque!! need I say more.

I've now done 6k and Im waiting for other bits to go wrong before I take it in again.

All in all happy I think, hope you get your problems sorted soon.

Rich

 

[SFI]

Hi Rich,
Just a quick update on our 120. It has now been into the garage 8 times to try and resolve the problem!! It now seems that Mercedes are recognising the problem and it is occuring with more vehicles including the dealerships own 120, so it confirms our complaint. Our van was in the garage last week, as Mercedes asked our dealer to perform more checks which required specialist tools which needed to be ordered in. We are now waiting on them to decide what to do next. We have said it has got to the stage where we would like a replacement van. However, the dealer has advised against this as the fault seem endemic to this van. Althogh very disappointed with this fault that just wont go away the dealership have been fantastic and for that reason we would still buy Mercedes.

 

[Neil Mellor]

Vito 120 Dualiner

My Vito has been back ten times regarding engine power loss and gear changing . I read that this is not uncommom .
I have requested a replacement vehicle as this consistent fault has been dragging on from May .
I have been informed by the dealers that a fix will be available from January 08 .
Durring its vists to the dealers it has sufferd body damage by them which has required repair and not even the offer of a loan vehicle durring the four days required to fix it.

 

[SFI]

Sounds like you are having a worse time than us. We must say that despite all of the problems the dealer has looked after us really well, supplying us with a courtesy car each time the van has been back to the garage. We were last contacted just over a week ago to be told they were still waiting to hear from Mercedes as to where they go from here. It is so disappointing to have these problems after thinking that we had bought the best van on the market and it is only due to the care and attention that we have received from our dealer that we would ever consider buying a mercedes again. I must say that the dealerships do vary a lot and we purchased it from one some distance from us due to a competitive price, but their service was very poor compared to our local dealer.

 

[SFI]

vito 120

Has anyone had their power loss/ gearchange problems rectified yet?:?:

 

[ridway]

ECU EGR O2 sensor mod/alteration/recall

ECU is now updated,other bits changed and would you believe all the problems have gone. Still like the 120 have now done 21,000. just had first service and set of tyres. Although the dealership have taken a while to sort it, thanks to Merc, to get there, they've done it. I think this problem is just one that sneaked in post production and merc were just a bit slow to respond. All credit to Northside dealership they have been helpful in trying to resolve and get to the bottom of the problem.

Its just the cost of diesel that hurts now...

Rich

 

[Burhany2k]

Hi,
I bought the vito 120cdi 6 weeks ago in mwb in black with the 17" alloys and full chrome.....its a dream to drive...it way out-performs all other vans...i even out-paced a vw touareg..he wasn't 2 happy...i have so far driven it 10,000 km and had no problems. ....it is now due its 1st service...does any1 know a descent site selling vito accessories....?

 

[fastmerc]

Hi, new member. Bought 120 cdi elwb in silver with the full sport kit in april. Now done 13k miles. How are you doing with your fuel. My tank is 74 ltrs and driving good i get 350 miles including yellow reserve, driving fast i get 320 including reserve.
Great van and i don't really mind the fuel, its just that i can't compare it to anyone else as i don't know anyone who has one. Let me know, cheers

 

[darren dutnall]

Hi,
I had delivery of my 120 in May 08 white fully loaded! What a van!!! Done 9k miles and im get about the same 350 miles including reserve the computer says its doing about 29mpg on averege!
(Does anyone know where i can get a brabus sport x bumper!?)

Regards
Darren

 

[Mercedes-Sprinter]

THey are starting to get a little bit cheaper on the second hand market - I found 13 Vito 120 vans for sale here with a Sport starting at £14,650

 

[vitoblack]

Update:
Still got the Vito120, still like it. 95000 now from new. DPF removed and remap (see other post elsewhere).
Not had any more problems with EGR or surging, gearbox fine, burns no oil between services, still cannot find knocking from front suspension (strut tops?) anyone got any suggestions? New air con condenser (stone) Generally pretty reliable. Still sounds good
4th set of tyres, due fifth service, cd player jammed, rear wiper inoperative, third brake lamp intermittent. number plate lights intermittent
Nothing too expensive to date

Rich

 

[ridway]

Mileage update from new

Still got the Vito 120 CDI XLWB 07 plate. 110,000 miles now

New suspension rubbers, drop links and ball joints on the front 87k
New rear springs 105K
DPF removed and remapped (best move ever) 96K
New air con condenser stone puncture 93k
New air con compressor 109 K
Hose blew of intercooler ( scariest thing ever thought engine was terminal)
5th set of tyres
6th service
never had to put any oil in other than cx at service
ATF changed @ 90k
New exhaust clamps old ones rusted away

All the early life issues with bad idling, EGR never came back after recall 5 or 6 years ago.
28 mpg U/40mpg max, still love to drive it

Rich, Derbyshire

 

[Milu]

Hi guys. New member here!
Recently got a Vito sport x 2008 model
Like it lots but finding I'm worrying about every little noise or strange behaviour.
I'm not sure why but I've got in my head that these are a bit temperamental ..
It's driving good,I've fitted 20" wheels and lowered it too. Had new shock tops and bearings fitted because it felt a bit loose when steering/ parking. Anyway it feels pretty good although not completely knock free.

I seem now to have a little shunt from the gearbox when coming to a stop. Vans on 80k with Fsh but I'm wondering whether to get a gearbox oil change done?
Am I just being paranoid lol?

 

[alexbetts]

hi guys do you still run 120,s i love mine when it works ,, vw drivers r always taking the mick through the unreliabilaty associated with these vans