Looking to buy a Rapido 999M Mercedes 2.2 - Cambelt, Tires, and Thoughts

[Tony68000]

Me again, still looking for our first motorhome...

Strongly like a Rapido 999M 2007 plate, Mercedes 2.2 auto, that I've seen.

History looks great. Previous owner done very little milage in the 7 year's he's had it (I've just spoken to him, the dealer passed my details on and I'm very grateful for him calling me and giving me it's real history).

The only concerns I have - he's never changed the tires, and never changed the cambelt. Total milage is around 22k.

Can anyone tell me if this does actually have a cambelt and what the interval might be?

Also, I understand tires should be changed every 5 years regardless? Is that right?

This is from a dealer, so I'm either looking for them to do this work, or to knock the price down if sold without these being sorted.

If you have any other thoughts on a Rapido 999M, I'd also be super grateful

-Tony.

 

[Al-Di]

chain drive, tyre,s are consumables so I would have them changed

 

[CazPaul]

I have heard Mercedes A class Rapidos of that era are a nightmare to get access in the engine bay, for any work/repairs etc.

 

[Rapido925M]

Sounds a trifle under-powered BUT you need advice from someone who knows the vehicle

My 2.7 Mercedes has a chain so no problem

Gordon

 

[Jamesh]

Defo the cambelt and tyres for winter...

Can the merc 2.2 be chipped?

Cheers James

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[KUSKUS]

We had Rapido with 3 litre Merc engine , no cam belt chain driven .Had engine re map , amazing performance and great on fuel , wished I had kept it.

 

[Tony68000]

Sounds a trifle under-powered BUT you need advice from someone who knows the vehicle

My 2.7 Mercedes has a chain so no problem

Gordon

Read a review saying the ‘new’ 2.2 was about the same as the older 2.7 Cdi engine. I think it was talking about the 2007 models. Previous owner got it remapped as it struggled changing gear when towing, then got a new ECU.

My car is a 2.2, so pulling/pushing around a 3.8t motorhome does sound a lot, but will I need more than a 2.2? I can’t see myself driving it like I do my car. Serious question, I don’t want to buy something if this will be an issue.

 

[Tony68000]

Defo the cambelt and tyres for winter...

Can the merc 2.2 be chipped?

Cheers James

Yes, it’s been done.

 

[Tony68000]

I have heard Mercedes A class Rapidos of that era are a nightmare to get access in the engine bay, for any work/repairs etc.

Probably the one place I’ll keep away from do ‘van’ mechanics work on these, or specialise MH mechanics?

 

[KUSKUS]

I have the Mercedes 2.7 in a 4.6 tonne Hymer and it goes like a train, if the 2.2 is similar performance you have nothing to worry about.

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[Scotch mist]

i Used to run merc sprinters, I had a 2.7 it was 5 cylinder & was a wonderful engine , then they started using 2.2 with 4 cylinder , it went well but no where like the torque of the 2.7 , just had to rev the 2.2 more to get power

 

[makems]

We had a 2.2 auto Rapido 99something.
no problems with lack of power at all. Up and down mountains in Morocco like a mountain goat.
change the tyres!
ours were 6 years old when this happened on a Spanish motorway (in the pissing rain of course)

 

[GAVLAD]

Personally, I'd inspect the tyres very closely before replacing.
If there's any sign of cracks around the walls or inside the treads, then I would change them.
Obviously, if they're worn, replace them.
Regarding the date, apart from showing when the tyre was manufactured, it doesn't give you a true indication of when the tyre was put on a vehicle.
I bought 6 x new Michelin Camper tyres and when I checked the date on the tyre, they were 2 years old.
The garage informed me that the tyres were brand new off the shelf from their supplier - which was correct.
They also informed me that the production line is switched, so they don't produce Camper tyres all of the time, so do them in batches so that suppliers stock pile.
Ask the former owner if it was stood in storage for long periods of time and whether they moved it?
Alternatively, will the dealer budge on the price in order for you to factor in 4 x new tyres?
I can't help regarding the Merc engine size etc. as I went with Fiat.
I was very tempted by the Rapido based on a Merc with double floor. They're very well built.

 

[KUSKUS]

Thought the Mercedes Rapido was on a single floor , mine certainly was.

 

[Rapido925M]

Alternatively, will the dealer budge on the price in order for you to factor in 4 x new tyres?

I would be looking at 5x new tyres!

Gordon

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[GAVLAD]

Thought the Mercedes Rapido was on a single floor , mine certainly was.

maybe I'm thinking double bed
I did look at them at the time. They're very nice.

 

[Podney]

Good choice

Change the tyres.

 

[Tony68000]

Thanks for the input everyone! As always you've helped me massively.

Strangely, an almost identical MH has appeared, 2007 999M, this time with the 3.0 auto engine, new tyres and £2k cheaper. Seems a better base spec as well, as has 'leather' seats, alloy wheels, etc. History looks good, not a single advisory on any MOT. Dealer seems great too. Got real positive vibes from this one. Going to view tomorrow!

 

[Silver-Fox]

Thanks for the input everyone! As always you've helped me massively.

Strangely, an almost identical MH has appeared, 2007 999M, this time with the 3.0 auto engine, new tyres and £2k cheaper. Seems a better base spec as well, as has 'leather' seats, alloy wheels, etc. History looks good, not a single advisory on any MOT. Dealer seems great too. Got real positive vibes from this one. Going to view tomorrow!

Being nosey what sort of money are they fetching these days.

They are good Moho and possibly better screwed together than some of the newer stuff.

 

[KUSKUS]

Please have a good look under the front wheel arches, on our Rapido 2007 on mercedes chassis there was no seal and consequently water was able to spray up to the internal wall board , I only noticed when moving around in the motorhome that there was a knocking noise on nearside corner, turned out to be the dashboard fixing to wall board was rotten.
Although it was out of warranty I took it back to Travelworld and after a bit of negotiations they agreed to repair free of charge. Clearly it was like that when they sold it me.
Initially they wanted £2000 to fix it.

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[Tony68000]

Please have a good look under the front wheel arches, on our Rapido 2007 on mercedes chassis there was no seal and consequently water was able to spray up to the internal wall board , I only noticed when moving around in the motorhome that there was a knocking noise on nearside corner, turned out to be the dashboard fixing to wall board was rotten.
Although it was out of warranty I took it back to Travelworld and after a bit of negotiations they agreed to repair free of charge. Clearly it was like that when they sold it me.
Initially they wanted £2000 to fix it.

Thanks for the tip. I’ll check this, if I know what I’m doing….

 

[Tony68000]

Being nosey what sort of money are they fetching these days.

They are good Moho and possibly better screwed together than some of the newer stuff.

Seems £40k for the 3.0 and £42k for the 2.2.

 

[KUSKUS]

There's a small cover on the Left hand side on the lower part of the dash in there you can actually see the side of the wallboard if you remove some of the stuck down insulation.
Take a small torch and don't be afraid to have a good rummage around in there.

 

[Silver-Fox]

Seems £40k for the 3.0 and £42k for the 2.2.

Seems a reasonable price for what I consider a quality van.

 

[bobandjanie]

Thought the Mercedes Rapido was on a single floor , mine certainly was.

We had a 2007 Eura Mobil a class on a Mercedes chassi that had a double floor, 2.7 engine pulled like a train even towing a Smart on the trailer. Bob.

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[lauraswlk]

Checking your tire age is easy to do. Just look for the manufacture date or date code, which usually begins with “DOT”, followed by a set of numbers. To find out the week and year your RV tires were manufactured, check the last four digits of the code.
A tire can last about 5 to 7 years.

 

[Reallyretired]

I have a Rapido 999M with 3L manual rated at 4,000kg MGW. There is no timing belt to change, and although access through the 'letterbox' at the front is difficult, my garage doesn't have too much trouble, largely accessed from underneath I think. Goes like the clappers but don't expect too much mpg, I reckon I get about 23mpg. Great van though, I have had mine for 13years now and haven't seen anything I prefer.