1997 Mercedes-Benz Vito 110 TDI from Belgium - Comments

Hi, I just bought a 2000 110 CDI Vito to convert into a camper. I wish I had found this site before, I might have thought twice.

I have a problem with the heat in the engine; the temp gauge doesn't budge above 40, and as a result, I think it's pumping twice as much fuel into the engine (expensive). Has anyone else had this problem?

Also the heat into the cab is just not great; are the 2 problems linked? Thanks.

I'm glad we're not the only ones.

I run a building contractors, we purchased a Vito 110cdi auto brand new from MB. on an 03 plate. It has now done around 120k, not huge mileage.

It's had the following:

Rebuilt gearbox and torque converter - £3100

8 injectors - £1600

Suspension parts - £400

New battery - £125

New glow plugs - £200.

Plus the usual seals in pressure regulator, glow plug box thing, brake switch etc.

Plus bills for over £2000 for servicing and fault finding.

It has been in and out of the garage more than any other vehicle I've ever owned. We have it serviced on the button every time, and still it doesn't work. Again this morning it didn't start, having only come back from servicing 2 weeks ago.

It has cost me so much time and money, as you can understand, being a builder with no van is a big issue.

It also doesn't go above 3000rpm.

I am going to go and look at these vacuum hoses and bolts that hold in the injectors, and a couple of other bits suggested here. If this doesn't fix it I'm going to set it on fire.

We also run an X reg VW Transporter with 160k on it. That thing is fautless. Never ever goes wrong and has less rust.

I also drive a 2005 E320 Cdi estate that I've had from new, which although it's a nice car, has had a lot of problems, mainly electrical - phone system, parking sensors, false warning lights, going into limp mode, heater packed up.

The E-Class is going, to be replaced with either an Audi estate or a Nissan pick up.

I will never again purchase a Mercedes Benz. I have driven E-Class estates for the past 11 years and they are getting substantially worse with age.

One little thing I was told by a dealer re Vitos is to check the rear brake bulbs, as if they're incorrect or out, it will limit the revs, this may be for autos only though.

I have got a 2000 112CDI... bought it back in Nov 2005, and all I can say is what a bag of trouble.

Shortly after getting it new battery, totally dead, then a new dashboard cluster as all instruments died while driving, and then coming back to life.

The internal heaters are rubbish.

Glow plug failures, but have not changed them as it hasn't affected the starting.

Front half of the exhaust went - £900 plus fitting from MB, which could lead to replacing the rear £900, so found a place in Rickmansworth to put a stainless on for £600.

After this, noticed excessive smoke and the exhaust tune changed. Wouldn't go past 3000rpm - there is an un-written feature, when you start the Vito they are limited to 3000 rpm until you press the clutch!

Disconnected a sensor in the top of the engine bay and reconnected it - seemed to fix the problem, but it kept going wrong - replaced with new - didn't fix it.

Managed to get the fault code - vacuum sensor - had this replaced, was OK, then over Christmas it went again. Took it to MB who found a broken wire to the sensor - since then this has been OK until last week - I now have the Black Death with fumes in the cab...

Friend had same problem and MB called it a porus head and over tightened his injector - game over - new recon engine £3600.

All the amount of rust is terrible. Bonnet and slam panel are terrible.

Now looking for another van - are the newer CDI's any better? VW look good, but expensive seeing as I need 5 or 6 seats!

Also had an ML CDI 03 - engine died on motorway 4 times, headlights came on full beam, AC problem and broken steering joint all in 1 year - oh and new discs and pads on the first 12000 mile service - yes they are heavy on brakes!!!

It's about time MB sorted their act out.

I have a 2000 Vito 108CDI.

I am suffering all the issues-

1. won't rev above 3000rpm

2. injectors been rebuilt twice

3. intake system full (and I mean FULL) of carbon goo.

Also have a problem that is very confussing-

Once the engine is warm it starts to blow the dreaded blue smoke out the back, but its not all the time only once every 4 or 5 miles it blows a huge cloud, after this it clears up for the distance then repeats its self again.

Had the thing in a million bits to sort out the issues but the last one has me stuck any help info@evolution4x4.co.uk.

But if it didn't have these issues it would be great, it drives superb (when its running properly, which is rare)

If I can say just one thing "DO NOT BUY A MERCEDES BENZ" you will regret it I PROMISE YOU. They might look pretty, but mark my words, they will R U S T AND C O S T Y O U!