2000 Mercedes-Benz Vito vito 113 2.0 petrol

Summary:

Great van, but petrol engine is expensive to run

Faults:

Ignition wiring shorted

Horn and starter disabled.

General Comments:

Owned this from new and been servicing it myself from day one.

Front drivers and passenger bench have been replaced by leather swivelling ones from a Ford Galaxy. Rear has up to four detachable leather seats from same car.

Designed and fabricated seat anchoring brackets from 6mm u-channel T6 aluminium with high tensile bolts, bolted through floorpan. The rear seats latch on and off. Rear seats have retractable three point seat belts from a Saab. Took me several weeks to get it all to work (never again) but worth the effort for the occasional extra convenience.

Didn't know you could insure extra workers - will check into that. Also curious how the partition can be removed legally...? Mine's replaced with an aluminium barrier cage that needs to be replaced with the original every inspection!

Petrol engine is great performer, but thirsty and at present pump prices expensive.

Thinking seriously about LPG conversion!

Otherwise, hope to keep it running for another couple years at least as it's bags of fun to drive.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 11th August, 2005

28th Aug 2005, 03:32

Apparently - there is now a source of side windows for Vitos in Singapore.

Petrol Vitos are very sad - since the Diesel is fantastic for fuel consumption. (Except I guess you have an automatic petrol).

Several changes of rules at LTA make Vitos an interesting choice.

1998 Mercedes-Benz Vito 108D 2.2

Summary:

Mega handsome MPV bully boy - Fast too!

Faults:

Clutch Cylinder leaks - no spares! $500

Expansion tank repaired - no spares!$200

Brake discs all replaced $200

Side Door fell off (Just a bolt)

Rear view mirror fell off ($6 glue repair)

General Comments:

Incredibly cheap 2nd car @ $11K for 3 years COE. Road tax is $500.

Very fast for van

Low consumption - on cheap diesel!!

Maroon Vito Van - registered in my sole proprietorship. Very easy for PRs and citizens.

Removed partition - Legally!

Just fitted on my Vito van some tasteful 16 inch alloy original Mercedes sports rims - formerly sitting on a Mercedes CLK - that has upgraded to 18" rims. Second hand rims with second hand sports tyres $700 for 4 pieces, including balancing etc etc.

Fitted rear external mirror. $35.

Fitted two 8" eletrical oscillating fans - quite ugly - but important in the back. 2x$25.

Now working on the 19" LCD TV with surround sound and DVD. $1200

Cars have wimpy 8" screens - on a Van - we can go the whole hog!!

Have to find 15-19"computer screen LCD with a 12V external transformer. This is cheaper than by an LCD TV with unnecessary sound and tuner.

Alternatively Shinco has a 15" TV with built in DVD player for $1200 - still with a 12V transformer.

In the back I have a plain black vinyl two seat sofa - Brand new from Turf City - $299 -- nicely wedged between the rear wheel arches - so perfectly legal since not bolted to the floor.

I have a nice carpet - from India on the floor.

Privacy window film for $45 was DIY fitted last evening.

I also pasted on my new 70kph sticker $2.50 and my "8 pax" sticker.

To be legal I paid NTUC $50 to insure any 5 workers in the back of my van.

... So now we are again, despite single impoverished income, a two Mercedes Family.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th April, 2005

5th Apr 2005, 14:27

Thank you for your very nice review. I must apologize, though, and say that I am extremely concerned for your safety, because of that couch you have in the back of your van, which is not bolted down. It sounds like your van is very nice, but no matter how nice it is, you are still bound by the laws of Physics. I am sure you know Newton's law, a body in motion will stay in motion...inertia. That is a formidable thing, that you cannot get around no matter what. If you get into a frontal collision, that couch is going to come flying forward, most likely flattening any passengers in the back of the van, before plowing through your drivers and passengers seats (momentum equals mass times velocity) and flattening anybody sitting there. I do not mean to rain on your parade, and/or discourage you from setting up your van the way you want it (it sounds like you have it looking pretty nice), but there are safe ways to do it, which are well worth the effort. I am very fearful that there might potentially be dire consequences from the way you are proceeding with things now. I do not like to butt my nose into other people's projects, but I happen to be an engineer, and I felt your safety was in jeopardy, which compelled me to speak up. I strongly encourage you to please think about it, and always make safety your absolute number one priority. Best of luck!!

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