Yes I always thought that but having had a look the merc is an L319 & production started in 1956 whereas the Hanomag F series started in 1967 until 73 when merc bought them out?
Much the same reasons I love them , and with having problems yet again with a fiat engined motorhome the 33 year old vario I've got sitting in the drive waiting is becoming more and more appealing.Hi John,
I can't comment on anyone else's reasons for buying/wanting a Vario, but I'll give you mine.
The main one is reliability. Like loads of others, I've had lots of issues with modern cars/vans. A Vario is simple and well built, with an engine nicknamed "the million mile engine". Basically, if looked after, they go on forever.
The second is the floor space. Mine is 7.4m long, with a load space of 5.4m long and 2m wide = 10.8m2. My current LWB Boxer (6m) has a load space of 3.7m long x 1.83m wide = 6.75m2. There are quite a few different lengths available, longer and shorter.
Third is the height. Great ground clearance (plus rear wheel drive) gives loads of space for tanks etc underneath, plus a nice high driving position. Also I can have the windows open and most wouldn't be able to see inside.
Lastly, I just love them. The look, the sound, the build quality, the simplicity and how they drive. Always have. I like all the old Merc vans and the Vario was the last of them. Don't think there's anything like them now built sadly.
The downsides are they are a bit more to run (around 22mpg seems the average) and like most Mercs, are prone to rust. I was lucky with mine as most of the bodywork had already been sorted by Northernraider (who I bought it from). It's definitely a vehicle to buy with eyes open, as a lot of YouTubers have found out the hard way.
Another plus or minus might be the weight. These are a 7.5t truck. On the minus side, you need a C1 licence to drive it. On the plus side it has a payload of well over 3t
I'm sure others have different opinions, but these are mine.
I get the simplicity absolutely, my first Hymer was a 1990 564 with the 2.5 Fiat chassis-simple, mechanical, and basically bulletproof. My next Hymer was a 2006 655 Starline so a Mercedes Sprinter 2.7 with a Sprintshift gearbox, rear wheel drive, again fairly bulletproof but we are now into vehicle electronics. Current Hymer is an Exsis 414, only 6 meters long based on a 2.3 Ducato so fully electronic. My last VW Golf was ruined by VW’s ‘emissions fix’ it had done 140,000 miles when they ‘upgraded’ the software, kept going into limp home mode after that and no one could prevent it from doing it so I traded it in……. Simple works for me but I would need an automatic since a heavy clutch would be a problem since I broke my left hip last year-at 74 it ain’t going to get any better than it is now unfortunately.Hi John,
I can't comment on anyone else's reasons for buying/wanting a Vario, but I'll give you mine.
The main one is reliability. Like loads of others, I've had lots of issues with modern cars/vans. A Vario is simple and well built, with an engine nicknamed "the million mile engine". Basically, if looked after, they go on forever.
The second is the floor space. Mine is 7.4m long, with a load space of 5.4m long and 2m wide = 10.8m2. My current LWB Boxer (6m) has a load space of 3.7m long x 1.83m wide = 6.75m2. There are quite a few different lengths available, longer and shorter.
Third is the height. Great ground clearance (plus rear wheel drive) gives loads of space for tanks etc underneath, plus a nice high driving position. Also I can have the windows open and most wouldn't be able to see inside.
Lastly, I just love them. The look, the sound, the build quality, the simplicity and how they drive. Always have. I like all the old Merc vans and the Vario was the last of them. Don't think there's anything like them now built sadly.
The downsides are they are a bit more to run (around 22mpg seems the average) and like most Mercs, are prone to rust. I was lucky with mine as most of the bodywork had already been sorted by Northernraider (who I bought it from). It's definitely a vehicle to buy with eyes open, as a lot of YouTubers have found out the hard way.
Another plus or minus might be the weight. These are a 7.5t truck. On the minus side, you need a C1 licence to drive it. On the plus side it has a payload of well over 3t
I'm sure others have different opinions, but these are mine.
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
I wouldn't be so sure - the tyres look well inflated, and there's no debris under it. My neighbours left a car outside in the road and after 18 months it was obvious it wasn't moving from all the dirt under it (Silly sod SORN'd it, and woke up one morning to a big yellow DVLA clamp!). Wherever that old Merc has been it hasn't been sat there for long.
Another reason that I like them, is the complete lack of tumblehome.Hi John,
I can't comment on anyone else's reasons for buying/wanting a Vario, but I'll give you mine.
The main one is reliability. Like loads of others, I've had lots of issues with modern cars/vans. A Vario is simple and well built, with an engine nicknamed "the million mile engine". Basically, if looked after, they go on forever.
The second is the floor space. Mine is 7.4m long, with a load space of 5.4m long and 2m wide = 10.8m2. My current LWB Boxer (6m) has a load space of 3.7m long x 1.83m wide = 6.75m2. There are quite a few different lengths available, longer and shorter.
Third is the height. Great ground clearance (plus rear wheel drive) gives loads of space for tanks etc underneath, plus a nice high driving position. Also I can have the windows open and most wouldn't be able to see inside.
Lastly, I just love them. The look, the sound, the build quality, the simplicity and how they drive. Always have. I like all the old Merc vans and the Vario was the last of them. Don't think there's anything like them now built sadly.
The downsides are they are a bit more to run (around 22mpg seems the average) and like most Mercs, are prone to rust. I was lucky with mine as most of the bodywork had already been sorted by Northernraider (who I bought it from). It's definitely a vehicle to buy with eyes open, as a lot of YouTubers have found out the hard way.
Another plus or minus might be the weight. These are a 7.5t truck. On the minus side, you need a C1 licence to drive it. On the plus side it has a payload of well over 3t
I'm sure others have different opinions, but these are mine.
That's a good point. Makes building a van a lot easier and gives a lot more usable space
)Subscribers do not see these advertisements
Its a great word, sadly little used and especially useful on vans/motorhomes. Also a really good quiz question(I had to Google tumblehome
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
That looks like hyathinth blue, a factory colour.
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
You could fit a servo assisted clutch pedal?I would love one but only with the auto box which do exist according to Tam, but not many about I think , went to look at one in Norwich area, a while ago, was in fab condition but couldn’t live with heavy clutch, and as I like a lot of space, probably should just get a Mercedes’ Atego base with a auto gearbox and then bring it to you wissel
This brings back some cherished memories for me. In the early 70’s I had an Austin J2, I converted it and welded the top half of an Austin A40 on top. It was admired (loose term) everywhere it went. I have a photo of it somewhere, if I can find it I’ll post it here.
Nah, only a proper auto box will do lol
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
He's been trying to sell that now for 18 months ..he even raised the price at one point . But anyone serious about buying one of those would do the same as he did . Buy it in Germany for half that price
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
If it was 10k it might be worth putting up with the ugly but at 20k plus the 10-15 required to convert it you'd already be in a major loss as it would never fetch 30k finished
He had that van at £35000 a while back, surely no chance at that price.
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
Hope not we need a detailed build thread lol
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
Why would that matter? He ain't building it for meHe's probably gone into hiding as he's heard that Tam's bought another Merc!
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
Lol the only reason he's building the one he has is because it's now his , he not building it for me.Yet .....
.... you said that last time!Lol the only reason he's building the one he has is because it's now his , he not building it for me.
I bought one to build myself not have someone else do it
I do but I also dont know why folk keep saying that Dave's worried about me buying another van lol. He kindly offered to hell me out putting the euramobil back to original after bodjit bills carnage but he wasnt ever building my vario for me, I want to do it myself that was the point of it..... you said that last time!
(you do realise I'm just pulling your leg don't you!)
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
Join us or log in to post a reply.
To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun
Join MotorhomeFun
Join us, it quick and easy!
Log in
Already a member? Log in here.
