Hi
I recently bought a second-hand V Class 220  Auto for use with a relative.

Lovely to drive, but V Class are complicated (as are most vehicles
nowadays).

I have read elsewhere they are prone to electrical faults and that is my
experience. Ours had pneumatic rear suspension which  developed a fault soon
after we bought it. I know the previous owner had had to replace the
compressor, the vehicle has a wheelchair lift which will put considerable
extra load on the rear suspension when in use. I was looking to have to take
it to a main dealer for diagnosis but decided to have look and found a
faulty solenoid valve. Seems to be OK now.

Heated rear is not functioning and thermostat has gone. Engine management
system may have failed in the past.

I found some sites with comments and advice from users on the web but have
lost the addresses due to a computer crash. They all mentioned electrical
problems.

There does not seem to be any sort of independently produced workshop manual
or software.

Would I buy another one? I would seriously consider it at the right price,
for me without self levelling suspension although for a wheel chair user who
is sitting over the back axle it may give a smoother ride.

Rear door aperture height is low for seated wheelchair user entry.

I believe pressure should be put on car manufacturers to release information
that will allow vehicles to be maintained by non franchised mechanics once
the model has reached say 4 years old

It will not be long before residual values on computer driven vehicles
plummet faster as people realise theses complicated vehicles are expensive
to keep going.

I don't see it happening though.

David

I have a Vito van [that is esentially what the VClass is]  with the 110CDi.
When it goes it goes well. It is horrendously unreliable though, needing a
new engine and brake discs before hitting 50,000 miles. This is not
unreprisentative. Rust is also a problem with paint particularly thin at the
panel edges. It is not a match for Renault or Vauxhall vans or even the
similar Nissan vans.
Consider a Ford Galaxy or VW Sharan as they are plentiful and cheap and
better.

Huw