Auto-Trail with a Mercedes 316 CDI base?

[Eddiex]

I've posted this in the 'Questions' forum but thought I would repeat it here in case some of you do not read that page!

Can anyone offer any advice on the Mercedes 316 CDI based Autotrails?

I've been looking at Fiat Ducato's but the Mercedes has caught my eye. I understand that, like many vehicles of this age, rust can be an issue. I know I need to be mindful of damp in anything that I look at but was wondering if anyone can give me any pros or cons of this as a base vehicle? A million courier drivers seem to have made them work hard!!
Many thanks.

 

[Speve]

Had a 2004 Autotrail Cheyenne 696 g a lovely van engine will pull for ever however it did roll about a bit on the merc chassis.
when we sold her they told me a likely place for damp is around the joint of the superstructure to the cab particularly under the bench seats either side, they did find a little but nothing that worried them as they would rectify it before selling on.
we were lucky as the merc cab had hardly any rust But area bit prone to it
good luck with your search if you find a good one it will last a long time built much better than the new generation of vans.