[Vadim]

I just came back from Europe. It was very interesting and very informative trip. I did stop by at Raimo super store few Mercedes dealers and Lufthansa cargo. Got all my questions answered. Ready to share this info with fellows Metris victims/owners.

 

[Bluemerc]

I just came back from Europe. It was very interesting and very informative trip. I did stop by at Raimo super store few Mercedes dealers and Lufthansa cargo. Got all my questions answered. Ready to share this info with fellows Metris victims/owners.

Do tell, what do you have to share??

 

[thedannas]

Victims/owners? What gives...

 

[Vadim]

Victims/owners? What gives...

We are the victims of Daimler AG phobia. US market for Daimler AG is very important. USA by far the highest SUV selling market of Mercedes Benz G, GL, GLE, GLC class in the world. Buy bringing Vito and V-class with all available options to the USA Daimler AG rightfully afraid to disturb the sales of the SUV vehicles. This is why we will not see anytime soon the appearance of passenger V-class or 4X4 Vito/Metris with all the bells and whistles in USA. Forget about diesel and it's 47 MPG economy as well. This is why we are the victims/owners. Sad but true.

 

[Vadim]

Raimo store that I stop by was just a few kilometers south of Frankfurt airport. Huge 2 floors store with huge garage bays for onsite modification of campers and vehicles. Pretty much everything is in-stock or within 24 hours order delivery. If you have German or EU address they have no problem shipping anything there. NO shipments to the USA. I wish they would open the store or begin shipping to the USA.
Got proper parts numbers of comfort rear seats 447 950 01 02 EUR 2244.08 X 2 EUR 4488.16 + VAT (may or may not be refunded after passing ZOL(German Customs Services)) EUR 852.75 Total parts EUR 5340.91
Each row weight 93 kg. and measures L 154 sm. W 79 sm. H 107 sm. Takes 24 hours to order, it is well packed for shipment overseas. 2 peaces will fit air cargo pallet. Cost of shipment EUR 1600.00.
V-class front grill consists of 2 parts 447 888 00 51 and 447 888 01 23 Total with Vat EUR 277.47 Box sizes 108 sm X 24 sm X 11 sm Brutto 0.5 kg. and 108 sm X 30 sm X 11 sm Brutto 1 kg.
I can write for days. But it would be easier to answer the questions.

 

[thedannas]

In my mind, its been that way since 2003 when VW stopped selling Eurovan in the US. As a happy 1990 VW Vanagon owner with camper conversion until 2002, I'm just glad to see that there is now at least some mid size van for sale in the US. Our lifestyle is back to where we want to have that kind of van again.

VW T5 California or MB Vito camper would be my ideal, but its not coming because of as you say, they want to protect the SUV market. Personally though, I think there is a market for this. The Sprinter/Roadtrek/Sportmobiles are just too expensive, I think the MB Metris is a more affordable sweet spot. I got my Metris cargo van for 31K with almost all options and if I spend another 30-35K for the conversion, still well under 6 figures that the Sprinters et all want.

There are 3 Reimo distributors starting up in North America. I'm not a handy guy, so I'm looking forward to getting started on converting my 2016 Metris Cargo van next year thru one of them. Looking to hear from anyone who is farther along in doing a full on camper conversion. Don't think I could handle buying parts, dealing with the import issues and installation myself.

I wouldn't call it being a victim, more of an economic hostage, trying to build out what they won't sell directly.

 

[Rishi44]

Raimo store that I stop by was just a few kilometers south of Frankfurt airport. Huge 2 floors store with huge garage bays for onsite modification of campers and vehicles. Pretty much everything is in-stock or within 24 hours order delivery. If you have German or EU address they have no problem shipping anything there. NO shipments to the USA. I wish they would open the store or begin shipping to the USA.
Got proper parts numbers of comfort rear seats 447 950 01 02 EUR 2244.08 X 2 EUR 4488.16 + VAT (may or may not be refunded after passing ZOL(German Customs Services)) EUR 852.75 Total parts EUR 5340.91
Each row weight 93 kg. and measures L 154 sm. W 79 sm. H 107 sm. Takes 24 hours to order, it is well packed for shipment overseas. 2 peaces will fit air cargo pallet. Cost of shipment EUR 1600.00.
V-class front grill consists of 2 parts 447 888 00 51 and 447 888 01 23 Total with Vat EUR 277.47 Box sizes 108 sm X 24 sm X 11 sm Brutto 0.5 kg. and 108 sm X 30 sm X 11 sm Brutto 1 kg.
I can write for days. But it would be easier to answer the questions.

Have you ever thought of importing a v250d into the US? There's a company called G&k automotive thay can handle all the necessary EPA stuff including emisisons. I've about to reach out to them as well. Or, do you know whether the OM654 diesel engine will make it into the metris?

 

[Vadim]

Have you ever thought of importing a v250d into the US? There's a company called G&k automotive thay can handle all the necessary EPA stuff including emisisons. I've about to reach out to them as well. Or, do you know whether the OM654 diesel engine will make it into the metris?

In this world, I am not sure if Daimler will ever bring diesel engine again to NAFTA market. As far is importing the V-Class to USA, well it is a mess that I do not want to go through. In the early 90's i was importing G-class to US, in 2000 i was the first US owner of Sprinter. Local dealers will not service imported automobile, I can bring parts from Europe, but now days it is not just parts it is software and much much more. BTW I own 2015 V-250 in Europe and every time I go back to Europe I enjoy every second driving my V-Class.

 

[herbma]

Bringing comfy seats to USA

Got proper parts numbers of comfort rear seats 447 950 01 02 ... Cost of shipment EUR 1600.00.

Would you elaborate the shipment process and where to order these seats? I am seriously considering doing this, even if I have to fly to Germany for it. (Flight fare has been reasonable for a while...)

Hope these question are specific enough. Thanks in advance!