My first ever Mercedes and I’m impressed
Discussion
Sorry if you have came in here expecting a juicy classic, or a fully loaded AMG, your in for a disappointment. It’s neither classic, exciting but this is PH and we all like something differently
I’ve had a van for years started off with an Escort progressed through various Incas, Caddy’s and latterly up until middle of 2017 I had a T5 that sadly had to go as I needed cash to finish house things.
Fast forward a year in the leased M140i which went back on Friday. With the R32 still in the body shop, I needed a replacement and an off chance comment on the Pistonheads forum some months ago eventually bagged me this sheddy looking Vito for not much cash.
Looks lovely doesnt it, travelled to London from Aberdeen for THAT.
A 1 owner from new ex sparkies workhorse that hadn’t seen soap and water since forever. Inside wasn’t any better and the wife wasn’t too impressed about having to sit in the mess for at least 7 hours on the way home. Sorry Mrs MRT
It’s safe to say I’m a BIG T5 fan, I’ve had 2 and they have both been fantastic vans so why all the way to London for an old s
tty looking Vito you may ask, clue is in pic no 3, 120 CDi so that means the OM 642 V6 engine from the C Class and auto box. Perfect. Like hens teeth in a van too, plenty dual liners etc but these with the V6 lump are T5.1 money, this was ropey 85bhp T5 ?money. Given the looks it’s hardly surprising but I like a bargain and I like a challenge. The fact it has 204bhp as standard swung in its favour too. Map to around 240bhp so that will be happening
This had a lot to live up to....
It’s rather well specced too, Comfort seats, Air con, Auxillary heater, Leather multi function wheel, Auto lights, wipers, electric folding mirrors etc, only thing missing is cruise. £22 on e bay and some coding that will be rectified next week. ?
Pics now after a wash and polish
I found some later W447 Vito wheels on Facebook so I’ve fitted those purely as they were a cost effective option rather than paint the original wheels.
Yesterday I fitted new ARB bushes and links to cure a slight tattle at the front, I think the steering column UJ needs done too.
This week it’s getting a B service, glowplugs and auto box fluid flush carried out, mechanically it appears to be pretty good but I’ll know better once my Merc guru has had it on the ramp
Looks wise it’s a bit bit of an improvement to say the least. It’s never going to win any beauty contests, it’s still a “20 footer” but it’s great for what it is. The bodywork, despite the dents, break in attempts and scratches is remarkably rust free too.
I plan to fit alloys, towbar rear seats, carpet the interior and twin seats up front. Side windows will be fitted soon and I may tidy bits of the bodywork up in time. If I do get the bodywork sorted I will likely remove the locks and fit a 2010 on front end with Xenon lights.
Safe to say I’m a big fan of this thing, certainly wouldn’t swap it for a T5 in a hurry, that’s something I’d never ever thought I’d say
I’ve had a van for years started off with an Escort progressed through various Incas, Caddy’s and latterly up until middle of 2017 I had a T5 that sadly had to go as I needed cash to finish house things.
Fast forward a year in the leased M140i which went back on Friday. With the R32 still in the body shop, I needed a replacement and an off chance comment on the Pistonheads forum some months ago eventually bagged me this sheddy looking Vito for not much cash.
Looks lovely doesnt it, travelled to London from Aberdeen for THAT.
A 1 owner from new ex sparkies workhorse that hadn’t seen soap and water since forever. Inside wasn’t any better and the wife wasn’t too impressed about having to sit in the mess for at least 7 hours on the way home. Sorry Mrs MRT
It’s safe to say I’m a BIG T5 fan, I’ve had 2 and they have both been fantastic vans so why all the way to London for an old s
tty looking Vito you may ask, clue is in pic no 3, 120 CDi so that means the OM 642 V6 engine from the C Class and auto box. Perfect. Like hens teeth in a van too, plenty dual liners etc but these with the V6 lump are T5.1 money, this was ropey 85bhp T5 ?money. Given the looks it’s hardly surprising but I like a bargain and I like a challenge. The fact it has 204bhp as standard swung in its favour too. Map to around 240bhp so that will be happening This had a lot to live up to....
It’s rather well specced too, Comfort seats, Air con, Auxillary heater, Leather multi function wheel, Auto lights, wipers, electric folding mirrors etc, only thing missing is cruise. £22 on e bay and some coding that will be rectified next week. ?
Pics now after a wash and polish
I found some later W447 Vito wheels on Facebook so I’ve fitted those purely as they were a cost effective option rather than paint the original wheels.
Yesterday I fitted new ARB bushes and links to cure a slight tattle at the front, I think the steering column UJ needs done too.
This week it’s getting a B service, glowplugs and auto box fluid flush carried out, mechanically it appears to be pretty good but I’ll know better once my Merc guru has had it on the ramp
Looks wise it’s a bit bit of an improvement to say the least. It’s never going to win any beauty contests, it’s still a “20 footer” but it’s great for what it is. The bodywork, despite the dents, break in attempts and scratches is remarkably rust free too.
I plan to fit alloys, towbar rear seats, carpet the interior and twin seats up front. Side windows will be fitted soon and I may tidy bits of the bodywork up in time. If I do get the bodywork sorted I will likely remove the locks and fit a 2010 on front end with Xenon lights.
Safe to say I’m a big fan of this thing, certainly wouldn’t swap it for a T5 in a hurry, that’s something I’d never ever thought I’d say
Croutons said:
Silly question perhaps but how do you find insuring a van for non- van purposes? Years ago Adrian Flux loaded me right up for that with a chavvy Astravan, but that may have not been helped with the childish neons, lowering kit, GTE kit etc 
I have never had much problems insuring my vans, the T5 was with brentacre and they were happy for me to modify things as long as they were informed. Which they were This is on a traders policy at the minute, and will remain so for now.
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