Mercedes Viano - work tool
Discussion
Recently bought this Viano from Stratstone Mercedes in Leeds. It is a 2013 long wheelbase Ambiente with the 2.2 motor, and 8 seats. It replaces a 2005 VW Transporter shuttle which I put 25k on in a year before selling for this.
I've had the Viano about two months now, and first impressions are generally positive. It is automatic so is infinitely nicer to deal with traffic in, and performs reasonably well given its girth. I've set the speed limiter at 100mph for licence preservation reasons, and it seems to butt in to that in no time, also the NVH is noticeably less than the VW.
It is averaging 33mpg at the moment, that is a fair whack of motorway mixed with central London Traffic.
If I was to find fault then it has terrible traction on anything other than smooth tarmac, compounded by lots of weight with none over the driven axle, skinny tyres, dim auto box and over intrusive traction control. The Transporter was a veritable mountain goat on muddy tracks and wet fields, this Mercedes is very likely to make a huge drama of some flat wet lawn.
Here is a few pics taken the other day, they're not great but at least show the size of it etc.
I've had the Viano about two months now, and first impressions are generally positive. It is automatic so is infinitely nicer to deal with traffic in, and performs reasonably well given its girth. I've set the speed limiter at 100mph for licence preservation reasons, and it seems to butt in to that in no time, also the NVH is noticeably less than the VW.
It is averaging 33mpg at the moment, that is a fair whack of motorway mixed with central London Traffic.
If I was to find fault then it has terrible traction on anything other than smooth tarmac, compounded by lots of weight with none over the driven axle, skinny tyres, dim auto box and over intrusive traction control. The Transporter was a veritable mountain goat on muddy tracks and wet fields, this Mercedes is very likely to make a huge drama of some flat wet lawn.
Here is a few pics taken the other day, they're not great but at least show the size of it etc.
Needed something newer for work reasons, and pretty much disliked the VW from day one. I had the 174 BHP shuttle, the T5's all seem like crazy money for what you get, if I was looking for a camper or day van thing I'd be looking for an early Viano that had already had the rust done. I understand they are much better rust wise after 2007, but seem to me to be a much better all round package than the VW's without the dubious surf dude / dub lifestyle price hike.
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