MB VITO van and import regs
 

Any of you have first hand experience with the MB VITO van? I discovered these diesel powered machines on ebay.de and have become interested in importing one (if possible).
I seem to remember that you must meet current emissions and DOT regs when importing to the US. How hard would one of these be to pass? I know they have "certified" conversion shops and such, but how much of a hassle would it be to do it myself?
Even if the VITO van is not allowed in the country I see many other very cool diesel vans ect that may be easier to convert?
What are your thoughts?
Anybody import a vehicle recently?

I have driven in one.... it was a burgundy/maroon color, and I really liked the feel. It was a manual.. not automatic. The feel from a passenger view was good... it was quiete inside as well. Its a very handsome looking car. However, I do think it will be tough to get it to the US. The lights are one thing since the fronts didn't have orange reflectors, but will need to double check. But emmisions, etc are another

I think the general consensus is that Vito vans are not as good as the Sprinter vans. The Sprinters are available already in the US so wouldn't require importation. However, I think the smallest version of the Sprinter is bigger than a Vito. I have seen some Vitos for sale on Ebay in the US.

The general consent in Germany is that the Vito is just a piece of crab.

I wouldn't even think about buying one here in Germany, importing one to the US is just a big waste of money.

The predecessor, the old MB 100, isn't even going into export, even the junkyards don't take them.

MB 100 and Vito (the old and the new one) were produced in Spain.

The Sprinter is a different story. They do have a problem with rust (they are build to last like seven years) but mechanically they are strong.

But if you look for something the size of the Vito look for the VW Vanagon or something japanese.

Kind regards
Eberhard

Ahhh, Good thing I checked!
I liked that they were diesel and I had the opp. for free shipment to US. but the idea has been scrapped :rolleyes: SPAIN???? no thanks

I will look closer at the sprinter. Those did have my eye, but that 25K price tag will have to slip down quite a bit, mabe I can find a wreck somwhere for a good price. All those fed ex vans running around - sombody is bound to do somthing! :sun_smile

There have been a couple of Sprinter wrecks for sale on Ebay. There's a Sprinter group at Yahoo. My 409d is the precursor of the Sprinter. It has a NA 617 diesel. There are a few of those around the US, but not many. There are tons in Europe. Mine was brought in as a grey market van.