Mercedes Vaneo (2002 - 2006)
BY ANDY ENRIGHT
Faced with the problem of how to convert all of the buyers of small estates and mini-MPVs to the three-pointed star, Mercedes designers came up with the Vaneo. Its by no means the most elegant looking vehicle on the block, but it gets the job done in a solid no-nonsense manner. In many respects, its the very antithesis of Mercedes extreme power and premium pricing philosophy, offering an affordable and modest vehicle to those who still harbour some residual badge snobbery. Loosely based on the long wheelbase chassis of the A-class supermini, the Vaneo makes an interesting used buy.
Although it never really caught the British publics imagination, the Vaneo is surprisingly rugged and soaks up miles very well.
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Remove the rear seats and youve got 1810mm of length in the rear cargo bay. You wont want to repeat this procedure too often, however as they are rather heavy. Remove the front passenger seat and you can get items up to 3000mm long inside. Socially inept windsurfers may well have found their nirvana.
Load the Vaneo up with people and paraphernalia and it rides very well, but such is the firmness of the springing that when its empty, the ride quality deteriorates somewhat and feels slightly commercial. A seven seat option is available for those who run six a side football teams and/or are gifted procreators, but most will be content with the five seat version which is one of the rare offerings in the mini-MPV class that can not only seat five but can also transport the accompanying luggage. Full marks to Mercedes there. The modular seat layout, two wide opening sliding doors and tailgate give easy access to the large interior and an optional pull-out compartment floor makes loading simplicity itself.
The Vaneo is reasonably well equipped, with standard features such as ESP electronic stability control, Brake Assist, twin front and side airbags and the proven sandwich-body construction pioneered by the A-class.
Prices for the 82bhp Vaneo Family kick off at just under £8,000 for a 52-plated example with the 1.7-litre CDi diesel and the 102bhp 1.6-litre petrol equivalent costing around £300 extra. Youll need around £8,500 to land a 1.
9-litre petrol model in Trend trim with Ambiente and Family variants fetching another £300 again. Insurance for all Vaneo models is inexpensive, opening at Group 7A and topping out at a hardly intimidating 8A.
A full Mercedes dealer service history is absolutely essential, especially for the most recent models whose lengthy warranty effectively for the life of the car is dependent on proper servicing by an authorised agent. Check that all the accessories work and watch out for cosmetic damage which can be expensive to correct. These are popular family cars, so check for wear and tear in the rear. Also look for the usual signs of wheel kerbing and poorly repaired accident damage.
Unlike many manufacturers who concentrate on a plush cabin and skimp on the out-of-the-way bits in order to create a good first impression, Mercedes have bizarrely adopted the alternate approach with the Vaneo. Despite the lacklustre plastics quality of the cabin, the mechanicals are very tough indeed. Dont judge this book by its flimsy cover.
(approx. Based on a Vaneo 1.6 Trend) Allow around £40 for a set of front brake pads and £25 for the rear and about £175 (excluding catalyst) for a factory exhaust system. A full clutch replacement would cost around £175, a radiator is about £135 whilst a starter motor can be up to £250.
A new alternator would be in the region of £445 and a front headlamp would cost about £95.
Four engines feature in the Vaneo line-up, but most will opt for one of the two 1.6-litre petrol units on offer, respectively developing 82 and 102bhp. Theres also a range-topping 125bhp 1.9-litre petrol powerplant.
As in the A-class, these units are eight, rather than fashionable 16-valve in configuration. The engineers apparently rejected the multivalve approach on the grounds of size and weight and, sure enough, both powerplants are about 25% lighter than equivalent engines, a difference that makes the car feel livelier than their respective power outputs would suggest. The more powerful 102bhp 1.6, for example, makes sixty in 11.
1s on the way to 111mph. As well as the standard manual gearbox, theres also an auto box and something between the two a manual without a clutch. There's no doubting, however, the hi-tech credentials of the 1.7-litre direct injection turbo diesel. This 91bhp engine uses 'common rail' diesel technology to produce an impressive balance between power and economy, averaging nearly 50mpg. Whichever option you choose, in true Mercedes fashion, you can select it in one of three trim packages - Trend, Family and Ambiente. Various lifestyle packages are also available, with names like Carry, Dog, Cycle, Surf and Winter that obviously sounded good after a long marketing lunch. Still, it seems Mercedes are playing the lifestyle card with major conviction.
Dont let the uninspiring looks and twee name put you off. The Vaneo is well built and offers a surprising amount of space in its compact footprint. It wont win any beauty contests and inviting people for a spin in the Merc might be a recipe for disappointment, but to know a Vaneo is to love one. Surprisingly good.
