Mercedes Marco Polo - Thoughts

[Carbonio]

Has anyone bought a MP, what are your thoughts?

We are going to see one today but would love a 4Matic version. I’m awaiting a reply on if M-B will be introducing one to the UK

What do you think the depreciation will be like on these, it will be a long term keeper I think anyway.

[Globs]

Not got one, but thoughts:

I read this
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/features/53000-me...

and wasn't impressed. It's a standard rock-n-roll bed side kitchen job with a front elevating poptop for a lot of money. The VW Kepler One is more expensive but has significant, genuine advantages (loo + layout + resale).

All the sprinter conversions I see appear to be rusty white vans, so I'm not a big fan of Mercedes, plus a long term investment is diesel is questionable for a converted vito.

If I was shopping for a small camper (and I sort of am which is why I'm browsing these threads LOL) I'd be aiming for a 2 year ownership in diesel - which would be a new Trafic Crewcab (£22k delivered) and a reverse elevating poptop (£3k fitted). Then I'd put a loo and possible kitchen pod in the load space at the back, sleeping upstairs.
Then in 2 years the petrol/hybrid vans will be available and sorted and I'd start thinking of Westfalia, or if I decided to go bigger I'd go for a Murvi Morello or Vantage Sol instead.

Just my thoughts, subject to variation

[Carbonio]

We’ve looked at the Kelper and it tried to fit too much into the space. We don’t need a fitted toilet or shower. An outside pop up or onsite are enough. Don’t fancy taking a crap in the van.

Also like the beauty of the seats/downstairs bed been abke to move forwards to give a much bigger load space or even removed.

[Carbonio]

BTW - The Marco Polo is a Westfalia, Merc own them now.

[Globs]

All noted, but what benefits does it have over any other rock-n-roller van?
I.e. what do you get for the extra cash?

[Carbonio]

Globs said:

All noted, but what benefits does it have over any other rock-n-roller van?
I.e. what do you get for the extra cash?

It’s based on a V class so Mercedes safety features. It’s the only camper with a 5 Star rating I believe.

The cab could be pulled strait out of my CLS, I do a lot of driving in the dark and it’s a very nice place to be.

The build quality is a lot better than the VW, the only other competitor I’d consider. The Ocean is due an update soon and it’s going to have to be bloody good to stop people moving over to the Merc.

[Globs]

Sounds great and you obviously like everything about it!

Just out of interest, why were you asking for thoughts?

[DonnyMac]

It's head and shoulders above the VW Cali.

When you spec yours get the Aux hot air heater - do not get the Aux Hot Water, it's not what you think it is, even if the dealer thinks it's a water heater it's not, it's an engine pre-warmer with a byproduct of 'some' cabin heat limited to a few times a day.

You'll be impressed I'm sure.

Don't be tempted to buy a used one right now even though they're at a fair discount for demo's - they're not selling because they're the wrong spec for the UK (Aux water instead of Aux air) + all customer vehicles delivered also have cabin mood lighting (separate to the kitchen mood lighting) and another set of cup holders in the centre as standard - so come resale if it doesn't have those you'll be discounting hard for the sake of waiting a month or two now.

Carwow is offering 7-9% from list.

[DonnyMac]

Oh, I forgot to mention there are no plans for a 4Matic version in the UK apparently, something to do with the 4x4 system not conducive to RHD conversion.

www.marcopoloownersclub.com is a fairly new group but a good source of information.

[ReallyReallyGood]

If you’re near Mercedes Benz World at Brooklands they (did) have one on display, can’t go inside it tho.

[DonnyMac]

They've got two - you can't go near the one on display at the top, but you can press all the buttons (after requesting the keys) to the one in the dealership on the ground floor (if it's still there).

[AllTorque]

Got one on order and very excited. Much nicer inside than the VW, and I envisage fairly similar depreciation. Main reasons for buying this rather than something bigger were:

a) two x 2m beds. I'm 6ft4 and couldn't lie straight in a caravan or in a panel van conversion (e.g. ducato) so the Merc beds felt like luxury. Auto pop-top is cool.

b) size - easily used as a second car. We've got an R Class at the moment which has been brilliant, and the MP will carry on the mantle admirably.

c) Quality - felt much nicer inside than any Transporter conversion (often costing £40k+). Via CarWow, we're paying about £50k which although alot, ticks most of our boxes.

Don't care about the toilet - will be on campsites mostly.

[DonnyMac]

Ya-da, toilet -

[AllTorque]

Ps that Kepler One looks lovely too, but £65k+ and beds only 1.9m. Nice tho!

[Carbonio]

Globs said:

Sounds great and you obviously like everything about it!

Just out of interest, why were you asking for thoughts?

I’m asking for the thoughts of people who have bought one after purchase.

I also asked about expected depreciation, this can be gauged from guaranteed future value for those who’ve got it on PCP etc.

Edited by Carbonio on Monday 5th March 10:30

Edited by Carbonio on Monday 5th March 10:31

[Carbonio]

Thanks for the reply guys.

I’m a member on the MP forum so had picked up with regards to the heater, lights and cup holders, though the demo I saw had cup holders in the doors.

My only worry is the demos will pull down the price of second hand ones if we need to get out of it for any reason. We’re looking at long term ownership but I always say that. I’m on my 7th car in 9 years and looking at losing a shed load on the CLS.

With regards to the 4Matic I’ve heard different views, though the dealer I saw at the weekend said nothing in the update for this Q mentioned it. 4Matic would be very appealing though.

[anyideas]

ReallyReallyGood said:

If you’re near Mercedes Benz World at Brooklands they (did) have one on display, can’t go inside it tho.

The Showroom has one too which you can explore.

I ordered mine from Brooklands and pick it up in a few weeks, cant wait.

I went from a VW Camper conversion into this, I did look at the California but the MP is a nicer vehicle IMO and cost less.

[tankplanker]

AllTorque said:

Ps that Kepler One looks lovely too, but £65k+ and beds only 1.9m. Nice tho!

I quite fancied one till we went inside both the MP and the Kepler and was quite disappointed with the interior space for the money, the wife gave them a flat no to both.

We are looking at a Ducato conversion instead, either the Warwick XL or the Neo as both work out to be much more van for about the same money - both have a bed about the size of a super king. Obviously you can also go another step up and get a full blown brand new Motorhome for about the same money with even more room but even less practical for days out than the Ducato.

We plan on hiring both a Ducato conversion and a similar sized motorhome to help us decide, the Ducato is booked for Whitsun.

[Carbonio]

tankplanker said:

quite fancied one till we went inside both the MP and the Kepler and was quite disappointed with the interior space for the money, the wife gave them a flat no to both.

We are looking at a Ducato conversion instead, either the Warwick XL or the Neo as both work out to be much more van for about the same money - both have a bed about the size of a super king. Obviously you can also go another step up and get a full blown brand new Motorhome for about the same money with even more room but even less practical for days out than the Ducato.

We plan on hiring both a Ducato conversion and a similar sized motorhome to help us decide, the Ducato is booked for Whitsun.

I'll be using mine as a daily vehicle traveling around 85 miles into London and back so it's the perfect size for me.

[Globs]

tankplanker said:

quite fancied one till we went inside both the MP and the Kepler and was quite disappointed with the interior space for the money, the wife gave them a flat no to both.

We are looking at a Ducato conversion instead, either the Warwick XL or the Neo as both work out to be much more van for about the same money - both have a bed about the size of a super king.

Pricing for campers is quite interesting, I researched a bit about the difference in Class A, Class B, Class B+ and Class C campers and it does explain some of the mystery - but not all! This is what I found out:

Class A is the full custom body - like a bus, but can also be the short Hymers etc
Class B is the full van - of any size.
Class C is the cab + chassis with a caravan built on the back: cheaper for more space than class B
Class B+ is a Class C without the over-cab part.

I don't really know why the little class Bs are the same price as big class Bs, possibly economy of scale and the fact there's still only 1 fridge, 1 loo, 1 kitchen etc. For instance a Murvi Morello is cheaper than a Kepler one. But - ironically - the Morello can only transport and sleep 2 whereas the Kepler does 4.

Then the Class Cs are big and cheap as the cab+chassis base is cheap and the rest is caravan tech, so you get more space for your money, but they take more room and always look like campers. probably best to hire those.

So as a use-for-everything a small class B scores and looks the best in the drive for the 360 days a year it's not being used, but of course as soon as you want to use it as a hotel room space and layout dictate. I'm a bit torn between the small and large class Bs, the problem I have with the Class A and C is the 'camper in the drive' syndrome. Plus a small class B would actually fit in the garage LOL.