The corrosion on Mercedes’ vans always amazes me, you regularly see 2 year old sprinters for example with rust scabs coming through the paint on the outside, but generally underneath they are sound, but that van is very crunchy indeed
We had a fleet of Mercedes sprinters as soon as they turned 4 years old the rust started and it was also in patches all over the place and it spread quickly. Even Transits never rusted as quickly as Mercedes do.
In 1976 I bought new Leyland Marina van and it rusted just like your Vito! At 6 months old scabby rust from under paint in random places!!! But mechanically sound!
Hi Alan, that is a good lot of life you got out of it,and maybe some parts of it will live on for awhile,I bet you will miss it, let us know what you replacement will be,,
My in-laws have one of these (but the bus version) at the farm. We condemned it a few years ago due to rust. Still use it to collect fire wood on the farm.
I had a Seat Alhambra Y reg from new. After 10 years it had done half a million miles on the clock. Same engine and gear box, clutch at 300,000 turbo similar time. Just regular servicing and cam belt/ water pump replacement. Brilliant car 1.9 diesel.
As you say, they are not designed to last bodywise. Designed to do 200K plus miles in 6 years. And the chassis cabs then used for mobile homes and they rot out in the same way as they don't have the rust protection in them. Not to mention that Merc's of that era are well known for tin worm problems. At some point you usually have to admit that you are fighting a loosing battle...
You got to grow up indeed. The same as I did four years ago when I scrapped the shitbox MK1 and moved into the palace MK 4. I forgot about the shitbox pretty soon and it felt like finally being mature at the age of 48. Go for it champ, you'll find a new and better car
Great video mate, enjoyed it, My brother had the earlier Vito and it rotted very quickly, I think he said they were made in Spain and didn't appear to have much paint, He p/x it for the later Volkswagen, I think similar to yours, had it for a while and then suffered diesel run away ! 😳 Luckily he was able to get it in sixth gear and stall it before it hand grenaded itself !
Can't believe you don't buy a mondeo, you know them inside out, and you can knick all the spares from work🤣
The corrosion on Mercedes’ vans always amazes me, you regularly see 2 year old sprinters for example with rust scabs coming through the paint on the outside, but generally underneath they are sound, but that van is very crunchy indeed
Hey!
We had a fleet of Mercedes sprinters as soon as they turned 4 years old the rust started and it was also in patches all over the place and it spread quickly. Even Transits never rusted as quickly as Mercedes do.
Allen
In 1976 I bought new Leyland Marina van and it rusted just like your Vito! At 6 months old scabby rust from under paint in random places!!! But mechanically sound!
Hi Alan hope you and the family have a good weekend
I bought a 2001 ' Y ' Mk5 Escort 55 van at 50.5k miles which I bought from BT in 2005 for £3,
aww sad day, RIP Vito, to be fair it has done well. great video as always alan, nice to see monica too, plus you got a cheeky feel!! 🤣🤣🤣
You’re a good guy 👍 Moni is a gem too, I’d buy you a pint if I ever see you in a pub near me 😀
Good stuff Alan and Monika, You knocked a good twist out of that van, its a pity about the tin work, but yes it deserves a rest at this stage👍🙂
Hi Alan, that is a good lot of life you got out of it,and maybe some parts of it will live on for awhile,I bet you will miss it, let us know what you replacement will be,,
Your car park twirling reminded me of our old Fiat van, we did the same as quickly as we could & got the oil pressure light to come on :)
My in-laws have one of these (but the bus version) at the farm. We condemned it a few years ago due to rust. Still use it to collect fire wood on the farm.
I had a Seat Alhambra Y reg from new. After 10 years it had done half a million miles on the clock. Same engine and gear box, clutch at 300,000 turbo similar time. Just regular servicing and cam belt/ water pump replacement. Brilliant car 1.9 diesel.
As you say, they are not designed to last bodywise. Designed to do 200K plus miles in 6 years. And the chassis cabs then used for mobile homes and they rot out in the same way as they don't have the rust protection in them. Not to mention that Merc's of that era are well known for tin worm problems. At some point you usually have to admit that you are fighting a loosing battle...
You got to grow up indeed. The same as I did four years ago when I scrapped the shitbox MK1 and moved into the palace MK 4. I forgot about the shitbox pretty soon and it felt like finally being mature at the age of 48. Go for it champ, you'll find a new and better car
A few years after this one was made they started galvanising them, they seem to be better built than most other rivals.
Great video mate, enjoyed it, My brother had the earlier Vito and it rotted very quickly, I think he said they were made in Spain and didn't appear to have much paint, He p/x it for the later Volkswagen, I think similar to yours, had it for a while and then suffered diesel run away ! 😳 Luckily he was able to get it in sixth gear and stall it before it hand grenaded itself !
Hi Alan nothing last forever they all get to the stage were it uneconomical to repair it’s served you well great vid 👍