The Motor Forum

Dr. Hfuhruhurr

Serious test drive this - Berlin to London and back over the weekend, the outward journey empty, the return loaded. The rental company tried to palm me off with what they called an upgrade, namely a high-roof Sprinter, but I pointed out that for a long autobahn journey, that would not be what I would call an upgrade, as it would be slower and thirstier, and I didn't need the extra space.

First impressions: the Vito now has the same infrared "key" as Mercedes cars: this one also had a six-speed 'box (which I was very glad about), but no aircon (which I wasn't). I know we had a thread about this recently, but 2100 km in mostly very hot weather in a vehicle without has convinced me more than ever that it's a necessity, not a luxury.

I'm not normally a fan of cars with raised driving position, but it's interesting to experience the contrast with my car, and how you get to see a different view of people driving cars as you overtake them. Suffice to say if Belgium had Matt Lucas lookalike contest, the man himself would struggle to get in the top three!

I was a bit concerned about the British leg of the journey, driving a left-hand drive van on the "wrong" side of the road, but the huge door mirrors gave a splendid field of view, though there was a worrying blindspot when cars were alongside the load area on the right, and angled junctions were also tricky, as were roundabouts, though I managed not to sideswipe anything.

On the autobahn, it was sensationally good - I managed to wind it up to 183 kmh, and it would cruise at 160 - 170 with no problem, albeit taking some time to get there, except on the laden return journey, when long hills would take their toll. It certainly gave me an insight into the guys who do it professionally, and how keeping up momentum is essential, so you always curse (loudly and fluently) the incompetent clowns who pull out in front of you, or who take forever to overtake, then move over and accelerate away from you. So while tailgating is obviously not to be encouraged, you do start to realise why WVMs are prone to it.

Obviously, on the shuttle, I got to ride in the high vehicle carriages, which are echoing cavernous vaults of metal, though in my case, mostly full of Espaces and big 4x4s which are too tall to fit in the double deck coaches. Got the third degree from French customs on the outward trip, slightly disappointing them when they discovered the back was empty. Stopped at the services at M20 J11 and realised why - after hundreds of miles at motorway speed with the window open I had somewhat "mad" hair and red eyes, so looked slightly deranged.

Overall conclusion: modern mid-size vans are seriously good vehicles - comfortable, refined, quick and potentially well-equipped (the handbook revealed an option list that wouldn't be out of place on one of Mercedes' cars). My lead-foot driving didn't do much for economy though - my first tankful (all autobahn) returning 25 mpg. This is in keeping though - I never seem to get good economy from diesels - I guess round town is where you get the good figures, and maybe driving at British (or even Dutch) motorway speeds, but if you try and make progress, the economy nosedives.

"him" · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:22 am Post subject:

Have you got one sunburnt arm now?
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Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:58 am Post subject:

Yes, but it's the left one ...

Boxer6 · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:02 am Post subject:

Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:06 am Post subject:

Oh, and just for woof woof, it had the Mercedes style parking brake, which is an abomination in a manual vehicle ...

Boxer6 · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:11 am Post subject:

To return to "sensi-mode" for a minute - the Vito was on our dog-walkers shortlist when he was looking for a replacement van a few months ago. He discarded it for too much FG (he has 8 dogs to fit in!) and opted for a Peugeot van of some kind.

Personally, I have liked the Vito's appearance and spec's for a long time; so much so, that I had considered one in addition to my CR-V before I got the Spec. B instead. My preference would be for what I call the "Combi" version - i.e. second row of seats but also a fair-sized load area for the dogs. Bit of FG in the form of Air-con as Nick says, and there we are - sorted!

question now is- will that version fit a Blackbird XX in the back?!?!
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Guitar Zero · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:13 am Post subject:

Shame you couldn't have hired the 3.0 V6D Vito or the 3.0 I5D Transit
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Previous convictions :

2006 Focus ST 2.5
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2002 Focus 2.0 zetec
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Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:36 am Post subject:

Boxer6, even with a second row of seats, the load area would still be vast - easily big enough for a bike.

GZ, yeah, was reading about the engine range in the handbook (for something to do during the tunnel crossing), and the V6 diesel would be amazing. They also do a version with the 3.5 V6 petrol.

Guitar Zero · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:44 am Post subject:

The 3.5 V6 petrol is for the Yanks isn't it ?

Merc sell their vans branded as Dodges in the States IIRC
_________________
Previous convictions :

2006 Focus ST 2.5
2001 BMW 520i
2002 Focus 2.0 zetec
1999 Fiat Punto

Blarno · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:51 am Post subject:

TimR · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 5:09 pm Post subject:

I had one of these on hire last year and it seemed ok but as the good Dr says the foot operated parking brake is a joke.

Can't vouch for it's top speed but the one I had coped pretty well with a rutted, unmade farmtrack at 45mph.

I looked at Merc Sprinters a couple of years ago and the bigger engined ones - usually with a designation ending 12 I think - are rare as rocking horse shit on the used market.

Frank Bullitt · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:04 pm Post subject:

I hired a Sprinter 311 luton van to move house and it was incredibly slow - I was looking forward to some outside-lanery but even empty it didn't want to go more than 70 and felt quite perilous - no doubt 110bhp and the tall body were guilty on this one.

I remember reading a few years ago that a Sprinter 316CDI was loaded to 7.5t and taken onto the autobahn; as they hit 210km/h on a downhill section somebody decided a limiter might be a good idea.
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Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 7:48 am Post subject:

When I was a student I drove Merc Lutons for a bakery during the holidays - uphill it was as much as you could do to keep moving at all. That's why I didn't want the "upgrade" at the weekend. And given that the Vito was only one up from the base engine, I thought it went pretty well - on the outward journey when it was empty, it was almost unstoppable, though I had to remember not to treat slip roads as I do in the Porsche - I'm sure I managed a hot hatch "wheel in the air" moment at least once.

The Vivaro I hired a couple of years ago was the same, though since that was in the UK I didn't quite test its performance the same way.