04-02-2016, 11:44 AM
How about a 2016 MB Metris Cargo Van!
I have a window covering business and our 15yr old 175k mile GMC Safari isn't proving reliable enough. We're shopping for its replacement. I took it to the shop for a few repairs, borrowed a MB Metris for a couple days and put ~120 miles on it. Looked like this one:
![[Image: 6a00d83451b3c669e201b8d1296fc5970c-800wi]](http://cars.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b3c669e201b8d1296fc5970c-800wi)
This is a unique vehicle in the US. What we have are full size monster vans like the Ford Transit, Dodge ProMaster (this one is FWD), GMC Savana. They weigh 4500+ lbs, drive like a utility shed, and get 12 MPG. Then we have little 4cyl FWD Mr. Paint Pig wagons like the Ford Transit Connect, Dodge (Fiat!) ProMaster City, Chevy Shitty, and Nissan Eggmobile. Nice to daily drive, 25+ MPG. But all of them are a little smaller and shorter than the Astro/Safari, and that's the wrong direction for my needs. FWIW a large minivan like the Dodge Grand Caravan is the closest thing but they stopped selling the stripped down "Tradesman" version last year. :dunno:
Enter the Metris:
![[Image: Attach2675_20160328_151317_zpsji6pe0pq.jpeg]](http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e19/ecpreston/Attach2675_20160328_151317_zpsji6pe0pq.jpeg)
This is a RWD
, ~3500lb 
, turbo :o , 25+ MPG :thumbup: van with height and width similar to a Safari/Astro, but as long inside as some full size vans. Approx 8.6 ft to the front seats, which I really do need. It somehow has crazy load capacity and towing capability too which I don't need, but it does occur to me this thing could haul a fleet of motorcycles.
My impressions:
>Seating position is comfortable but oddly high. The dash and steering wheel are very low and A-pillars are thick and in my field of view. I wish I could lower the seat like 6 inches. Odd but liveable.
>The upscale dash, controls, steering wheel make me feel important.
>The cargo version transmits all kinds of sweet road noise, including fun raspy turbo.
>And that's road noise, but no chassis noises. Smooth ride, tight suspension, sounds and feels stiff and well built.
>Real 7-spd auto with paddle shifters is one of the best autos I've driven. Usually in a good gear, holds a gear for a few seconds if you get on it, and paddle shift overrides work great.
>Power delivery is impressive and with no load it's quick. Turn off the traction control and goose it at slow speeds for hilarious lack of grip even though independent rear suspension is trying its best. Likely I would get in trouble. In a VAN.
>I'm assuming driving in snow would be horrible, which would likely hold me up a few days a year.
>Brake is overboosted and really hard to get anything less than 50-100%.
>The passenger mirror is unacceptable. I cannot fathom why, but it seems to be flat glass instead of convex, ie, objects in mirror are NOT closer than they appear. The view and blind spot on that side is lose-a-whole-truck horrible which is extra bad when you don't have side windows. Is this to force me to add the blind-spot-detector package or die?
>91 octane recommended, which seems like a big miss for what might be used as a fleet vehicle. Says 87 is "ok", which I put in and could tell no difference. But I'm awaiting a response from MB on the result of extended use. Unless paying 20% more for fuel is going to net me 20% better fuel efficiency, then no thanks.
>Even on 87 octane had no trouble getting 28 MPG highway and returned 26 in mixed use including driving like a maniac. The Safari my mixed use is about 17.
>If I had to work on it, the underside was not crowded, and it has the most accessible engine I've seen in a van. A little concerning though that the ECU is on top of the engine, hopefully MB knows what they're doing...
>Cruise control is an option, but one I'd have to go for. Turbo + high seating position + composed ride = I'm going 20 over everywhere.
>If I had 6 kids (and didn't kill myself?), the passenger version is pretty sweet too. I'd prefer that over most minivans, with option for sliding doors on both sides.
Overall I'd much enjoy driving this thing every day over my Safari. We'll see... there's not much else to choose from!
I also drove a full size, long wheelbase Dodge Promaster. Diesel. Worst Thing Ever. Nothing to discuss. I can think of no good comment other than I could live in it if forced to. Oh I take that back, the side mirrors were good. Worst, slowest, this-has-to-be-broken transmission and throttle response I've ever experienced. Might as well have been driving a semi.
I have a window covering business and our 15yr old 175k mile GMC Safari isn't proving reliable enough. We're shopping for its replacement. I took it to the shop for a few repairs, borrowed a MB Metris for a couple days and put ~120 miles on it. Looked like this one:
This is a unique vehicle in the US. What we have are full size monster vans like the Ford Transit, Dodge ProMaster (this one is FWD), GMC Savana. They weigh 4500+ lbs, drive like a utility shed, and get 12 MPG. Then we have little 4cyl FWD Mr. Paint Pig wagons like the Ford Transit Connect, Dodge (Fiat!) ProMaster City, Chevy Shitty, and Nissan Eggmobile. Nice to daily drive, 25+ MPG. But all of them are a little smaller and shorter than the Astro/Safari, and that's the wrong direction for my needs. FWIW a large minivan like the Dodge Grand Caravan is the closest thing but they stopped selling the stripped down "Tradesman" version last year. :dunno:
Enter the Metris:
![[Image: Attach2675_20160328_151317_zpsji6pe0pq.jpeg]](http://s36.photobucket.com/user/ecpreston/media/Attach2675_20160328_151317_zpsji6pe0pq.jpeg.html)
This is a RWD
, ~3500lb , turbo :o , 25+ MPG :thumbup: van with height and width similar to a Safari/Astro, but as long inside as some full size vans. Approx 8.6 ft to the front seats, which I really do need. It somehow has crazy load capacity and towing capability too which I don't need, but it does occur to me this thing could haul a fleet of motorcycles. My impressions:
>Seating position is comfortable but oddly high. The dash and steering wheel are very low and A-pillars are thick and in my field of view. I wish I could lower the seat like 6 inches. Odd but liveable.
>The upscale dash, controls, steering wheel make me feel important.
>The cargo version transmits all kinds of sweet road noise, including fun raspy turbo.
>And that's road noise, but no chassis noises. Smooth ride, tight suspension, sounds and feels stiff and well built.
>Real 7-spd auto with paddle shifters is one of the best autos I've driven. Usually in a good gear, holds a gear for a few seconds if you get on it, and paddle shift overrides work great.
>Power delivery is impressive and with no load it's quick. Turn off the traction control and goose it at slow speeds for hilarious lack of grip even though independent rear suspension is trying its best. Likely I would get in trouble. In a VAN.
>I'm assuming driving in snow would be horrible, which would likely hold me up a few days a year.
>Brake is overboosted and really hard to get anything less than 50-100%.
>The passenger mirror is unacceptable. I cannot fathom why, but it seems to be flat glass instead of convex, ie, objects in mirror are NOT closer than they appear. The view and blind spot on that side is lose-a-whole-truck horrible which is extra bad when you don't have side windows. Is this to force me to add the blind-spot-detector package or die?
>91 octane recommended, which seems like a big miss for what might be used as a fleet vehicle. Says 87 is "ok", which I put in and could tell no difference. But I'm awaiting a response from MB on the result of extended use. Unless paying 20% more for fuel is going to net me 20% better fuel efficiency, then no thanks.
>Even on 87 octane had no trouble getting 28 MPG highway and returned 26 in mixed use including driving like a maniac. The Safari my mixed use is about 17.
>If I had to work on it, the underside was not crowded, and it has the most accessible engine I've seen in a van. A little concerning though that the ECU is on top of the engine, hopefully MB knows what they're doing...
>Cruise control is an option, but one I'd have to go for. Turbo + high seating position + composed ride = I'm going 20 over everywhere.
>If I had 6 kids (and didn't kill myself?), the passenger version is pretty sweet too. I'd prefer that over most minivans, with option for sliding doors on both sides.
Overall I'd much enjoy driving this thing every day over my Safari. We'll see... there's not much else to choose from!
I also drove a full size, long wheelbase Dodge Promaster. Diesel. Worst Thing Ever. Nothing to discuss. I can think of no good comment other than I could live in it if forced to. Oh I take that back, the side mirrors were good. Worst, slowest, this-has-to-be-broken transmission and throttle response I've ever experienced. Might as well have been driving a semi.
The only thing that stops a bad guy with a van is a good guy with a van