The Mercedes Vito Is A Bargain VW Transporter Alternative With One BIG Problem

3 reasons why you should buy a Vito instead of a T5... But be careful of the one Big issue with the Mercedes vans. This once lovely camper van conversion has morphed back into its original form as a builders van.... but I still love it.

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[alouisschafer]

The major advantage of a Vito compared to a T5 is the drivetrain in my opinion:
The OM611 in the 99-03 Vitos and practically identical OM646 successor engine in the 03 to 2010 Vitos is just a really solid motor.
Bulletproof timing chain, dead simple engine layout (i4, single turbo) and there are really no known mechanical failures apart from leaking injector seals which is a fairly simple fix.
The 3.0 V6 the OM642 is also known to be in the Mercedes hall of fame when it comes to their best diesel engines.
In the passenger cars these engines last forever but IF fitted in these commercial Vans they need to work harder and run hotter.
So caution is advised. If the engine had regular oil changes with 5w40 or 10w40 it will most likely be alright but a beat up rig with no service history, a ton of miles is probably just plain worn out.
Mercedes in house Automatic Transmission is also a lot more bulletproof than the Autoboxes you occasionally find in a T5 if you want to go for an automatic transmission.

Of course a T5 with a pre Euro 4 1.9TDI and manual transmission is equally good at first glance but id argue that the OM611 and 646 is the better engine ultimately. The timing chain in them lasts virtually forever while a 1.9TDI has a timing belt that needs changed every 100.000 or so Kilometers or every 10 years at the latest. A snapped belt or skipped teeth will grenade the motor.
Also the "Pumpe Düse" unit injectors on the 1.9TDI are more cumbersome than the standard Bosch solenoid valve injectors on the Mercedes Diesels, they last a long time while the PD injectors can go bad earlier and they are nor cheap or easy to replace.
Another known problem is the fact that the head of the 1.9TDI is aluminium while the injectors are hard steel. And with unit injectors there is a lot of downward force applied to them via the camshaft with each injection. Can you guess the failure mode already?
The injectors will work themselves into the cylinder head, wont seal up anymore and "tip over" slightly which ruins the injector seat. It rarely happens to these engines and some run for half a million miles without this ever happening and others suffer from his failure at 200.000 miles.
If this happens you are usually able to get the injectors to seal back up with the right techniques (using slightly! thicker seals, glowing them out to soften the copper, use ultra high temp sealant in the installation) but the cylinder head is on borrowed time then.
It ultimately comes down to Mercedes sporting a Bosch commonrail fuel injection system that is ultimately superior to VWs Pumpe Düse System.

VW switched to the 2.0TDI commonrail in T5 Vans from 2009 onward but those early 2.0TDIs are to be avoided they have many problems like junk EGR systems and intercoolers.

I don't really want to steer anybody's purchase decision too much but if I was given a Vito and a T5 both in good condition and with the same mileage I would take the Vito for the aforementioned reasons.

[paulbrook]

Great video, I’ve owed VWs, transits, Vitos, but the best hardest working bullet proof van is the Toyota hi-ace, mine had 246k on the clock and still drove well 🤷🏻‍♂️

[bungfupanda]

I've owned my 2007 Vito 115 sport for ten years now, it's been bulletproof in my ownership, I've had a couple of minor issues but they were easy fixes. It's taken me across Europe, taken my bikes to track days, been on holidays in it, oh and it was my place of work and office for seven of those ten years. Mine is rapid for a van and returns 38-40 mpg on long runs if I keep it under the motorway speed limits. Being a 2007 mine doesn't suffer with corrosion like the earlier W639 models. I thoroughly recommend the Vito, over the other manufacturers offerings, even as a sixteen year old van its quiet inside and drives waaay better than other vans half its age and mileage, even the standard sound system is well above average. Two sliding doors are worth their weight in chocolate biscuits. Things to keep an eye on are the propshaft, front suspension condition and geometry, wheel bearings, injector seating washers do fail, when they blow get the washers replaced as a matter of urgency, use toyota avensis diesel seating washers and the problem never returns. Top tip, get your parts from a MB truck dealer, they supply Vito parts at refreshingly lower prices than you would expect and under the prices motor factors charge, particularly service & consumable parts. A great van that deserves to be as respected as much if not more than the VeeDub, particularly the honking T5. Thanks for putting the Vito up there! 👍🏻

[Brucecarmaintence]

I used to Work for Mercedes for over 25 years, these are good vans, you’ve summed it up perfectly, the rust was a big issue at Mercedes back then, think it was the water based paints that were used it was actually embarrassing when customers came in with their vans showing you the rust, it was unstoppable at the time, but they are good looking, versatile vans. I’ve owned a lwb one and loved it, I used to work in the parts and have sold just about every part of these vans, I’ve always liked them, and definitely good for converting into a small camper,
Cheers from Edinburgh, ( I’ve subscribed to your channel).

[dox]

Had a Vito W639 Sport now for 4 years, turned it into a day van with insulation, vents, carpets, rock & roll, new seats, ICE, and loads of subtle but useful mods, serviced it and looked after it and I can tell you, it’s so worth it. It goes like stink, handles great, never ever left me stranded and yet if I feel like it, park up and have a tea, take in the view, sleep, then in the morning, embarrass a few cars down the motorway.

[carmanbazza]

I have a 2009 Vito with no rust at all, 100% reliable and 50 mpg motorway driving @56 mph. Love it.. good video 👍

[waterbowman]

I have a 2013 116 and love it for its versatility with performance. Changed the rear 2+1 seats for single viano seats and can drive to the beach with 4 people a 10'6" SUP paddleboard stashed down the middle + tons of other kit no need for roof racks, ladders go in etc....and it's a compact! Auto gearbox is a massive win. Tailgate bootlid is another favourite of mine I can sit on the back of the van and get changed or brew up a tea in pouring rain. Not converted her at all like you need the convenience of taking seats out and hauling loads to the tip but still throw an old mattress in and sleep in her occaisionally😂 130k miles and no rust issues

[plumb-bob]

As an owner of a few transporters currently a t5, ive always thought the vito was a no brainer alternative, ive read anything after 2006 has better rust proofing, they look really smart and are mechanically solid. Saying that if you do your homework and buy the right vw you should be fine, stay away from the big power engines. Never had any issues with mine. 😊

[garyguest]

Rust was caused by Mercedes having a partnership with Chrysler until 2007 & using the cheaper American metal.. It’s the same with all the Mercedes of that period.
Basically If it says Chrysler Benz on the VIN by the door then best walk away..

[pturnerj]

I’m a VW fanboy but this is a great video. You are a very engaging presenter and well edited.

[MihaiCbr]

Thank you for all the information, it really helps me decide which van should i buy in irder to convert it into a camper. I've watched and read a lot of opinions of Vito vs Tranporter, but here i've found the truth, in your video and in the comments section. Thanks a lot! New sub here.

[channex]

I had W638 which I loved apart from the rust, Then I got a 2011 W639 Sport X which had no issues with rust as it was a late model and converted it into a camper van, I really loved that van the only reason I got rid was it needed a timing chain which I was going to do at work myself as I was a Skoda main agent diagnostic technician but I lost my job during Covid and then the insurance shot up above what I was willing to pay. I keep toying with getting another now though as it was a cracking van, I could practically drift it around roundabouts it handled that well!!

[diegocanecorso]

What’s funny is the only actual engines that are a Mercedes engine is the 2.1 diesel and the actual hand built AMG engines every single other engine is actually a Renault

[peterdann]

We have a 2006 vito 2.1 with 214000 and still going strong, must say, its 17 years old and still driving 100 percent. Strand, city of capetown

[ericedge]

I'm an ex-VW Service Manager and can confirm that Transporters are overrated junk - I genuinely pity everyone who buys one, or even dreams of owning one.

[IronMountainx]

I can trump you on this absolutely hands down.
I have a Nissan Elgrand van its got 4x4 with diff locks, 250 bhp V6, full luxury leather interior with bose sound system, surround cameras and electric drop down TV's.
Twin electric sliding doors, rear seats swivel to make a lounge are with tabe in the middle, its a 7 seater with space for luggage.
I paid £7200 including all the import costs form Japan. Its a 2009 with 46k miles and full service.
Its goes like hell with a 3.5L V6 sounds wonderful and blows away every single VW transporter 'sport van' it have ever met 😁

[DF-uqir]

Had a Type 1 Vito from nearly new (18 mth old) for 11 years and totally loved it.
It was a panel van originally, and I got it professionally converted to a crew cab, with removing rear seats.
Yes, it was an absolute rust bucket, but only from the door trim down to the sills. I resprayed those areas myself, and it looked like new for a further 4-5 years before I sold it on to another VanFan.
I drive a Ford transit custom, crew cab these days, but it is in no way as much fun to drive as the Vito.... that could easily pull 120mph on the Autobah. 😉

[ttmadness]

Had a 2005 vito for about 4 years. Loved it and was mechanically bullet proof and I know its still on the road now. Went all around he country in it towing our caravan. I eventually traded it for an E class estate which I have now. Thats also bullet proof aswell. Its a great car and very comfortable. But you know what I still really miss the old vito. Id have another in a heart beat.

[TyronePatOne]

If you're after an automatic, the vito is the clear winner. Proper torque converter box, well proven and reliable, 40mpg with a rear wheel drive, it has no equal. Vw DSG is excellent too bit you're going to have to renew a clutch eventually. It also has problems with it's mechatronics.

[danmuygallo]

The vito is the best van I owned, but I had to down trade for the citan for fuel economy. I like the rear wheel drive too, but it's shit on wet grass with no weight in the back, and there is always the possibility of overloading it, so you keep the drive but lose your steering. Fun and games.