Modern Light Commercials.

I just saw this thread for the first time and advise you NOT to buy the Mercedes ute. It is made by Volkswagen, although having said that, VW might be better.

I have had a Mercedes Vito van since 2007. It has done 360,000 kilometers and is our family car. It has only been fully loaded twice.

All you are paying the premium price over the coast of other vehicles is the three-pointed badge. Quality and design is no better than cheaper brands.
While it was still under warranty, the auto caused to whole vehicle to shake so badly that it was undriveable. The dealer replaced the valve body that he said cost $1800. Six weeks after the warranty ran out, the shaking started again. I took it back to the dealer and told the sales manager that I did not care how much it cost to fix, I was not going to pay as I reported the fault under warranty. They kept it for five weeks, saying they could not source a new box. BS, they were on the production line in Germany. I believe the delay was caused by a fight between the dealer, Mercedes Aust. and Germany, over who was going to pay for it. At about 350,000 it needed another new auto.

The design of the glow-plug wiring is so poor that when a glow plug fails, it burns out the timer/indicator thingy, so you have to pay over $300 for a new one. A mate who is into electronics, says it would be simple to incorporate a way to prevent the damage.

The fasteners of the side sliding doors work loose every now and then and the workshop charges heaps to adjust them. Now I do it myself in fifteen minutes with a ring spanner.

The dealer-installed trailer wiring caught fire and burnt out an $800 "computer."

The ride when less than fully loaded so as bad as an unloaded 1960's truck before sprung seats, etc.

Etc., Etc., Etc. Why hav'nt I sold it? The handbrake likes it!.

All the continentals are bad news,from what I hear......friend traded a big Toyota van on a low miles used Benz van,quickly became obvious why it was traded with so few miles....The Toyota had been trouble free,except for rust in the roof join...He went back to Toyota,they offered a wreckers price for the Benz as a trade.

Hino FC ??

90's Hino Fc, sorry double post

Morris

I think you will find the new Mercedes ute is a Nissan Navarra underneath - nothing wrong with that but if you don't want the name and a few doohickeys you may as well have the Nissan for $10,000 less.

They say they are bringing the next model out with a Mercedes engine but I doubt it will be an improvement on the Nissan engine (which is basically a Renault design).

The Mercedes is certainly not VW - they are mortal enemies eg Holden/Ford.

Lang

I've driven Mercedes vehicles for the last 25 years and my current ML for 13 and 160,000km. It now has 245,000km on it and it has never let me down.

I've had no hesitation on jumping and driving 4,000k's in a week and didn't bother to check the oil, just chucked fuel at it.

I've just purchased a replacement for it and its another Mercedes ML.

I believe you do get value from a Benz if you hang onto it.

My wife drives an Mercedes SLK55 and wouldn't swap it for anything, and she can have anything if she wishes.

The X type was designed in collaboration with Nissan but thankfully doesn't get the Navarra engine. What a piece of crap.

We used one for escort work (trucks not women) and after blowing up 2 engines in 50,000k sent the car to the wreckers.

When in business as a motor insurer we had clients die in all prestige car makes except one. That's why we drive Mercedes.

Zuffen

I will second the ML Mercedes. My wife is on her second. The first did 240,000 with only an electric seat failing. The current one has 180,000 and never had a thing done to it except brake pads. Great to drive.

Lang

191229Su-Melbourne'HeraldSun'-Eastlink-vans.
The forensic team attending to a fatal shooting on Eastlink.
Roderick

200105Su-Melbourne'HeraldSun'-emergency.supplies-van. Bringing in a range of supplies to Buchan after fires had receded.
191223M 'Canberra Times', Land section (covering rural news): Carevan. (two photos).
This operation spreads donated food to homeless people. It has used two caravans as service outlets; I'll put those views with vendor vans.
Here are its workhorse collection/delivery vans.

Roderick

Roderick

Volkswagen reveal modern Kombi van concept
news.com.au July 9, 2019
The Volkswagen Kombi van is one of the most recognisable cars in the world, and now the German brand has updated it for the 21st century
video: Are you the perfect driver? If not, here are some road rules you mightn't have known about and have probably broken.
Volkswagen has revealed a modern take on a classic, one that combines old school design with modern technology for a car that has appeal across generations.
In some ways it’s futuristic Apple thinking injected into the shell of one of the automotive world’s true classics.
The one-off “Type 20 Concept” doesn’t mess with the classic styling of the Volkswagen Type 2 split-window Kombi, instead focusing on what lies beneath the metal.
For that, Volkswagen’s American division enlisted the help of Silicon Valley, leaning on its former Electronic Research Laboratory that has morphed into the IECC, or Innovation and Engineering Center California.
The Volkswagen Kombi Type 20 concept keeps the car’s retro charm but installs modern tech.
Senior vice president of Volkswagen’s newly-formed IECC, Nikolai Reimer, said the Type 20 Concept was about showcasing cutting edge technology while reflecting on the heritage of the German brand.
“The Type 20 is a fantastic example of how we celebrate our heritage while striving to advance our technology.”
Instead of an air-cooled boxer engine there is a 90kW electric motor and a 10kWh battery pack for short emissions-free driving.
The Type 20 concept features a holographic display.
Instead of traditional mechanical suspension there is an air suspension set-up devised by Porsche, one of the Volkswagen Group’s brands. The suspension can automatically raise the car as the driver approaches, making it easier to get inside.
The Type 20 Concept also has an artificial intelligence computer chip produced by gaming giant Nvidia, something that allows biometric identification by using facial recognition.
There’s even a Star Wars-like holographic display creating 3D images on the dashboard, taking the infotainment game to the next level.
The so-called “Conversational Digital Assistant” uses microphones to decipher natural speech from the front and rear of the cabin. There’s even an external microphone outside the car to pick up voice commands.
The mirrors on the Type 20 concept have been redesigned.
Purists will, of course, notice some changes to the iconic Type 2 design, particularly with the colours. Fluorescent orange highlights are like nothing seen on cars in the 1960s.
The mirrors and wheels are also a new look, designed to reduce weight and add a touch of modernity.
While the Type 20 Concept will never be produced, Volkswagen is currently developing various electric vehicles as part of a push to electric mobility. One of those includes a modern all-electric interpretation of the classic Kombi.
MORE: This proves electric cars aren’t boring
< www.heraldsun.com.au/motoring/hitech/vol...5c4d01c00a060a796867 >

190711Th-Melbourne'HeraldSun'-VW_Kombi (three photos)

200203M-Melbourne'Age'-halal-meat-delivery (photo and article)