[Statesboro]

While its been popular to think of the Metris as our V-class the reality is that the Metris is really little more then a Mercedes Vito, the proletarian version of the V-class. Little work went into adapting it to North America...

From Car and Driver:

Only two significant changes were made to make the Vito—er, Metris—palatable to North American buyers: The center console, which can house a manual shifter in the Vito, was ditched in favor of two Big Gulp–sized cup holders, and the Vito’s diesel engines will stay on the other side of the pond while the Metris instead gets a gas-powered 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and a seven-speed automatic.

 

[warren]

The default approach with most vehicles that come over from other markets to america is almost always big cup holders lol

 

[Greenmanedlion]

The Metris is indeed a Vito. Anyone who thought this was a V-class was dreaming- that's equipped like an E or S and priced like it.

For $35k or so you are getting a minivan sized vehicle built a Mercedes-Benz truck. That's what it is and what it was intended to be. That's why I ordered one.

 

[tcp]

Greemanedlion, you ordered one already? When do you expect delivery?
I'm on a long work trip in Geneva and the Vitos I've seen look pretty darn nice to me.
tcp

 

[warren]

Greemanedlion, you ordered one already? When do you expect delivery?
I'm on a long work trip in Geneva and the Vitos I've seen look pretty darn nice to me.
tcp

Do you notice any euro-specific things going on with the Vito that north americans might not get with the Metris?

 

[Greenmanedlion]

I ordered it from my local dealer. It was essentially an order before orders opened- I hope I get it in early October. It is a better suited replacement for my terminally ill Ml350. I was using my ML primarily as a cargo van, one of the reasons for its poor condition.

 

[Statesboro]

I ordered it from my local dealer. It was essentially an order before orders opened- I hope I get it in early October. It is a better suited replacement for my terminally ill Ml350. I was using my ML primarily as a cargo van, one of the reasons for its poor condition.

Was the dealer able to provide any more information regarding when they'll be in stores?

I'm also wondering what the allocation will be like per dealer, how difficult will it be to get a test ride in one?

 

[Greenmanedlion]

My dealer, or rather that salesman, tried to convince me mine would be in with the demo models. But I had him thinking time was very pressing and he might have been blowing smoke. I expect October early to mid for my delivery.

My car has a bad oil leak, collapsed engine mounts, rusty rear springs, plus a lot of little problems.

My understanding is demos will be in in mid September. Supposedly only 7 are allocated for my dealer this year, but demos are supposed to be brought in first. I doubt a ride will be hard.

I wasn't that interested in a TD. I woulda liked one but I've been driving Benz cars since I was 17 and I bought a Swiss cheese '76 240D for a few hundred. I only had two vehicles on my list- the Metris and the Sprinter. My wife (this will be our only runner) decided the Sprinter was a bit big considering she is still studying for her license.

So I was buying a Mercedes no matter what, and if this measures up to the Sprinter in basic drive solidity and overall handling prowess it'll be fine.

 

[tennispro]

I wasn't that interested in a TD. I woulda liked one but I've been driving Benz cars since I was 17 and I bought a Swiss cheese '76 240D for a few hundred. I only had two vehicles on my list- the Metris and the Sprinter. My wife (this will be our only runner) decided the Sprinter was a bit big considering she is still studying for her license.

I've always admired those W123s. I still own a W126. There's just something about Mercedes-Benz.

 

[tcp]

Do you notice any euro-specific things going on with the Vito that north americans might not get with the Metris?

I didn't notice anything that crossed my mind as particularly eurocentric. I am pleased that giant cupholders are the only thing they say is different as, alas, if they really were adopting it for the US market you'd think they'd put in wider seats. There is a fair space between the two front seats which I'm looking forward to as it would make walking into the back easier (the Ford Transit Connect fills that space with plastic, gearshift, etc.). It really looked quite nice and I've seen quite a few of them around town here in Geneva.

 

[Greenmanedlion]

I didn't notice anything that crossed my mind as particularly eurocentric. I am pleased that giant cupholders are the only thing they say is different as, alas, if they really were adopting it for the US market you'd think they'd put in wider seats. There is a fair space between the two front seats which I'm looking forward to as it would make walking into the back easier (the Ford Transit Connect fills that space with plastic, gearshift, etc.). It really looked quite nice and I've seen quite a few of them around town here in Geneva.

The seats are quite wide enough for my 330lb frame. Or the ones at NYIAS were anyhow.

 

[Greenmanedlion]

I've always admired those W123s. I still own a W126. There's just something about Mercedes-Benz.

That was a W115 actually. I also had a 82 240D, a 85 300D and a 85 300TD. Not to mention a 116 '79 300SD, a '95 202 C220 and a '95 W124 E300 diesel that I still own.