Mercedes-Benz Viano (2004 - 2014) 2.2 CDI Ambiente 5d Tip Auto (Long) (2007/57) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Says you are a taxi driver lol or someone who needs alot of space for a tribe! The badge makes you feel better though.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

Its big!

Would you buy this car again and why?

I`ve had 4 and am expecting an extra LONG next week. Should be great!

What are you likely to buy next?

same again. without hesitation. I did take a Chrysler Grand Voyager in part ex, the stow n GO seats are amazing in that.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchise

Did you buy this car new?

Yes

What price did you pay?

£24,000

When did you buy the car?

June 2007

Did you get a good deal and why?

Yes, if you scour the net on merc website for 3 mnth old demos, the daft dealers who buy them in 6 seats otherwise known as comfort, cant sell them very easily. Why? well 98% of buyers down the line are executive taxi drivers. They want 8 seaters to cram more occupants in for the money. I have had three of these 3 months old to 6 mnths. Paid 23 to 26k for them 2.2 cdi long 6 seaters. Then because we fit a ramp prior to purchase for our disabled child we are allowed to have the vat removed from sale price at source. NOTE you can not reclaim vat afterwards. You need to adapt vehicle then pay for it. Then its can be zero rated for vat.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

disabled chariot

What was the dealer like?

Merc dealers are fine when they think they are selling, when they say they`ll ring you back after they have checked out the internal database or with a line manager. They seem to just not bother ringing back to say NO offer not accepted or we couldnt find another vehicle out of courtesy. Also watch them on warranty work if they find out something maybe your fault instead of telling you they carry on job to prove it was your fault. They tried to give me a bill for £1400 for warranty work because a slight pinch of a wire loom on a ramp was likely cause of shorting out. Didnt give an opportunity for ramp fitter to see his work either. They did not get paid!

What's it like to drive?

Very good, back end I think would loose traction in ice or snow. Its slips easily on our heavily gravveled drive. But in dry and wet it grips really well.

What's it like to park?

Brilliant, you can get sensors (parktronic) fitted for £550 or you can do it yourself, there only £70 and easily fitted in 1 1/2 hr. Powerpoints to hook onto are plenty in the back.

Have you had any problems with the car?

not much

What's most practical about your car?

STOP PRESS IF you have a few bob, a disabled occupant and dont want to be ripped off or look daft in a motability mobile look no further. The track system in back of a Viano is same as Disabled tracking for securing a wheelchair with restraints. Use q`straint as unwins dont quiet fit by fraction of a mill. All you have to do is fit a ramp, buy a double point inertia seat belt and qstraint seat belts and you are done. The ambiente also has air suspension standard on the back and lowers down 3" to lower the gradient which is not to bad anyway for when you push the wheelchair up. You can have free driving if you buy well and change each year like we do. If you can get 7 or 8 seater on a deal the its easier to sell to taxi folk afterwards too. 6 seaters will sell but take a little longer

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

pop up table comes with 6 seater or 7 seater option NOT the 8. Reason is there is no where to slide it out of the way as the 8 seater is bench. No gaps between the seats like a 6/7 would have for it to be stowed.