In January 1967, Mercedes-Benz introduced a new series of cargo vans and minibuses. The series was called T2 . The first models were L406D and L409.
Initially, the T2 index meant that cars were produced exclusively in Düsseldorf. Unlike, which was produced in Bremen.
Mercedes-Benz T2 was produced in Dusseldorf for almost 20 years. In total, about 500,000 cars were produced between 1967 and 1986. And kits (chassis) on the basis of which cars were assembled were sold to Spain, Argentina, Turkey, Iran and Tunisia.
Another T2 production plant was located in Barcelona, but not in the capital of Catalonia (Spain), but in the South American state of Venezuela. The cars produced by the Venezuelan company were called Mercedes-Benz Clase L3.
And the T2 is still produced at the Force Motors plant in India.
Mercedes-Benz 609 (1996):
Nice model
Hello. I recently bought a Mercedes-Benz 609 and decided to leave a review after a couple of months of owning this unit. The car is needed for work. I work as a driver, so I took a truck model. The purchase was made through a friend. In general, the truck cost me 520,000 rubles, which is a very small price compared to similar models. In terms of age, the car is 16 years younger than me, namely 1996. It boasts a 4.3 liter diesel engine with a power of 136 horsepower. Comfortable and cozy interior without frills. In general, everything you need for loading and unloading operations. The car is 16 years younger than me in age, namely 1994. It boasts a 4.3 liter diesel engine with a power of 136 horsepower. Comfortable and cozy interior without frills. In general, everything you need for loading and unloading operations.
Frequent breakdowns
Now for the technique. During the 4 months of owning the Mercedes-Benz 609, I did not identify any serious technical problems. As the previous owner said, he did major repairs six months before selling the car to me, and to this day the car feels in perfect order. If the car needs any spare parts, finding them will not be difficult. But in general, the car is absolutely unpretentious to maintenance.
The only thing that once scared me was the vibration. When driving at a speed of 60-80 km/h, an incomprehensible creaking sound appeared, and when you released the gas pedal, the creaking disappeared. There was also an incomprehensible vibration throughout the cabin. I racked my brain for a long time, but in the end I turned to a car repair shop. The reason was identified instantly: the driveshaft needed balancing. Typically, this happens after repairing or replacing the cardan. As it turned out later, it was repaired before me.
While browsing the Internet, I learned about another common problem with the Mercedes-Benz 609 - many car owners reported frequent bridge breakdowns. But its repair is not difficult, and spare parts can be taken from any model of car of the T2 family. Overall the car is very solid.
Advantages:
- The main advantages include high-quality suspension in terms of the ratio of rigidity and smoothness. The car has high cross-country ability. It can be used to reach truly hard-to-reach areas without much effort. In my case, Mercedes-Benz 609 is the best option. As noted above, the machine can do without major repairs for a long time, while still performing its functions perfectly. In general, ease of use, functionality and accessibility are its advantages.
- You can also highlight the paintwork, which is much better than that of the same domestic manufacturer.
Flaws:
- The car has practically no disadvantages, with the exception of frequent bridge breakdowns. Perhaps, after 4 months of ownership, I have not yet had time to see the car from all angles, but now I have only positive emotions.
If you want a reliable truck with the best value for money, the Mercedes-Benz 609 is the best option. Over the years, this model has shown its best side and has received the best recommendations from its owners.
Mercedes Vario 612D (2001):
Good model
I bought a Mercedes Vario 612 a year ago in Moscow, I bought the truck used. The purchased car was produced in 2001. During the operation of the vehicle, I have not yet encountered any special problems or malfunctions, so I believe that the Mercedes Vario 612 is a reliable and very efficient vehicle that allows it to perform the tasks assigned to the truck. The car has a powerful 4.4 liter turbodiesel with a capacity of 150 l/s, this power is quite enough for all the work that I do with this car. The Mercedes Vario 612 is equipped with a 6-speed gearbox, which allows you to change gears very smoothly and without difficulty, which is one of the advantages of this model.
Advantages:
- One of the advantages that initially catches the eye of the Mercedes Vario 612 is its attractive appearance; it cannot be confused with any other car. High build quality ensures that all parts are securely and confidently fastened and can last for quite a long time.
- The manufacturer of the Mercedes Vario 612 paid great attention to driver comfort. The installed seats have various adjustments, which are very effective and comfortable when driving over fairly long distances. In addition, a new control panel has been installed, which is very informative and convenient for the driver.
- During the operation of the Mercedes Vario 612 model, I was pleased with the heating system and the installed ventilation system, which work smoothly and very efficiently. This is convenient when using the car in the warm season.
- I also really liked the high reliability indicators of the car. Although I operated the car in rather difficult conditions. In addition, the car has high ground clearance, which is very convenient and distinguishes it from many other models. Simplicity and ease of control are also advantages of the Mercedes Vario 612.
Flaws:
- During the operation of the Mercedes Vario 612, even in rather difficult conditions, I did not identify any particular shortcomings. I would like to note that the price is quite high, but given the large number of advantages of this car, this is not an obstacle to purchasing it. In addition, spare parts for the car also have a fairly high cost, which is not very convenient for me.
Advantages and disadvantages of the Mercedes 609 cargo truck
In comparison with earlier models, as well as with domestically produced trucks, the Mercedes 609 has a number of differences and advantages. Firstly, the body structure of models produced since 1986 has an anti-corrosion coating, as well as an elastic coating on the bottom and wheel arches, which improves corrosion resistance and creates additional sound insulation. Secondly, trucks in this line have high load capacity and endurance. Thirdly, the ease of carrying out repair work and selecting spare parts.
The fourth feature is a powerful and economical engine. On average, a Mercedes 609 consumes approximately 13-15 liters per 100 km. But the main thing that was emphasized was increased safety.
Of course, along with the advantages, the car also has disadvantages. These include the inaccessible position of the fuel filters, the weakness of the driveshaft crosspieces and the rear axle.
Mercedes Vario 512 (1997):
Good model
I purchased a used Mercedes Vario 512 in 2010, manufactured in 1997. Engine 122 hp for 2874 cc. Classic van. The car was needed for our business of transporting vending machines, which we sold and were engaged in their maintenance and repair. The car is very convenient for these purposes and fuel consumption is relatively low.
Advantages:
- If we list all the advantages of the Mercedes Vario 512 truck, then the first thing I like most is its very attractive appearance, which no other truck has. The car has a very stable and at the same time effective all-wheel drive, which is simply necessary in some cases. The car is very easy to maintain and I have never had any difficulties with spare parts, because there are a lot of stores where you can buy the necessary spare part. The car does not require frequent and expensive maintenance, which is very economical.
- The Mercedes Vario 512 is very easy to drive, even when it is loaded, it is easy to drive. It holds the road thoroughly, even in winter. Quick response to steering wheel turns is very convenient for city driving. In terms of maintenance costs, this car is ideal for both city and rural areas.
- Fuel consumption is quite high if you use the car in urban conditions, but considering that the car is a cargo vehicle and fulfills its assigned duties as fully as possible, this is quite acceptable. The spacious and comfortable interior of the car is also one of the advantages of this model. The car is not afraid of difficult areas, because it overcomes even the most difficult areas without problems, thanks to its fairly high ground clearance. It handles well in winter on fairly slippery road surfaces.
Flaws:
- I did not find any critical flaws in the Mercedes Vario 512 car model, but some aspects could have been better. The first thing I don’t really like is the not very comfortable interior and the stiff suspension. I also don’t really like the fuel consumption in urban conditions, but the car fully lives up to the expectations placed on it and is very easy to maintain.
To summarize, then the Mercedes Vario 512 is a very practical and technically sophisticated car for performing a variety of tasks that does not require frequent and expensive maintenance.
Engines
As standard, the MB Vario 814 was equipped with a Mercedes diesel engine model OM904LA, which has the following characteristics - a 4-cylinder with 12 valves with a volume of 4.25 liters and a power of 152 horsepower and 2.2 thousand revolutions per minute. Subsequently, it was equipped with very reliable and invulnerable engines of the same volume. But the nine hundredth series has different powers of 122 hp, 136 hp and 170 horsepower. Subsequent modifications of the more “weighty” Mercedes 814 cars were equipped with significantly more powerful turbocharged engines (240 l/s, capacity 6 liters), with direct fuel supply and equipped with an intercooler.
Mercedes Vario 609 (1989):
Good model
I bought my first foreign-made truck 5 years ago - in 2011. Before that, I trusted exclusively domestic cars, not because I was such a patriot - for reasons of expediency. After all, repairs and spare parts for our cars are much cheaper than for foreign cars. However, recently I began to notice that the malfunctions that regularly occur in Gazelles have a negative impact on my business and disrupt work schedules. In addition, when communicating with colleagues, I became convinced that many of them decided to switch to foreign cars and almost no one regrets it. Thus, my decision was ripe, after which I turned my attention to the Mercedes 609. The car was produced in 1989, I bought it in 2011 - the car was exactly 22 years old. For a truck, I must say, the age is quite acceptable, but, of course, I was mentally prepared for the fact that I would have to invest in maintaining the vehicle in working condition.
I chose the Mercedes 609 for my main job - cargo transportation. I work mainly in the south of the Leningrad region, transporting a wide variety of cargo to Pskov, Novgorod, throughout the Leningrad region, etc. At the time of purchasing the car, the mileage was 260,000 km. First of all, I checked for oil leaks and made sure that all the car systems were completely sealed. At the moment I have been using the vehicle for 5 years, I have driven 130 thousand km (with a little tail). And I have my own opinion about this car, which I want to share.
The first thing to note is the reliability of the engine. The 4-liter diesel power unit is simple and reliable. During all this time, he did not require any actions suitable for major or medium repairs. I only changed the injectors about 2 years ago and the car began to pull perfectly again and fuel consumption decreased. I also had to replace the clutch (at the same time I checked the condition of the gearbox). It’s gratifying that the cost of spare parts is comparable to the prices of our Gazelles. Repairs were also inexpensive. What else? Spent some money on new tires. The first year I drove the one I bought as a car. Then I took a new one, along with the disks.
Last year I rebuilt the brakes, just before the start of winter, and at the end of 2015 I rebuilt the suspension. That's probably all that my Mercedes 609 required for smooth operation, and also an oil change - oil filter, air filter and antifreeze.
I use the car quite intensively. There is a lot of work, you have to travel both around the outskirts of St. Petersburg and over relatively long distances. Handling is quite decent, the steering wheel feels good under your hand. The visibility from the driver's seat is excellent; everything on the road is visible, which adds confidence during operation.
Of course, the machine is not new, it doesn’t have many of the newfangled “bells and whistles” that are now widely used (I think - to increase the price, first of all). I'm happy with everything so far. Mercedes 609 is a simple and reliable car, but it requires constant maintenance.
Mercedes Vario 508:
Good model
The Mercedes 508 is exactly the kind of car about which you can say that an old horse doesn’t spoil the furrow. This vehicle began to be produced in 1980 and throughout its production, there has been continuous and constant demand for this model. It has established itself as a reliable and powerful workhorse, for this reason a large number of these machines still drive on the roads of Russia and Ukraine. I myself have been using this car for more than 5 years and am very pleased. I will list the main characteristics of my car.
Main characteristics of the Mercedes 508:
- Transmission: automatic
- Drive: front
- Body: flatbed
- Fuel: gasoline
- Engine: 3.8L
Additional characteristics:
- Five forward gears and one reverse
- Hydraulic brake system
- Maximum vehicle load capacity: 2 tons Tire sizes: 6.50 x R16
- Electrical system: 12W
- Dimensions: 5.6x2.4x2.00 m Total weight 4.6 tons
- Load capacity: 2 tons
Other unique characteristics of my Mercedes 508:
- Add. cargo space heating
- Additional benches were made on both sides of the body
- Radio station installed
- Water supply installed
- Additional lighting lamps were made - on the ceiling
- Built into the walls, additional retractable tables
- Built-in nets, various other loads can be transported
- Thermal insulation and sound insulation of the interior of the car
As you can see, this model is truly unique and inimitable, for this reason, many car enthusiasts have been using the Mercedes 508 for several decades and are unable to part with it. There are still many spare parts on the market, as well as these models, and so far the statements of car enthusiasts are only positive. Few similar models from the Mercedes company, real “hard workers”, workhorses, were produced before and after the Mercedes 508, precisely for this reason it is so popular, reliable, strong and durable.
I have some minor complaints about the dynamics, it turns out very interesting, with two tons on “board” almost nothing changes in the dynamics, I would say that even if empty it drives like it’s loaded. During this time I replaced the rear wheel studs and rear brake linings a couple of times. The cabin still amazes me with its size; in general, it’s an excellent workhorse with very acceptable fuel consumption and minimal problems. I’m very glad that I bought this car and now I also can’t part with it, so friends, this is an excellent “mer”, I recommend it to everyone to buy!
Mercedes Vario reviews
The quality of all cars is characterized not only by technical characteristics, but also by reviews of their owners. Mercedes Vario is no exception. I will describe my impressions of using this car. So, let's start with the initial sensations that I experienced when I sat behind the wheel for the first time. It was snowing that day, and I had to face the first difficulties on the way home in my new car. Firstly, the tires on the car were both summer and semi-bald. I almost got swept off the road, oh, that rear-wheel drive Mercedes Vario. At the gas station, I didn't find the gas cap at first. It is also located on the left, but is quite heavily camouflaged. You can't open the gas cap unless you open the driver's door. This is very convenient, in particular, it provides excellent protection for your fuel from thieves. Another unpleasant thing that I immediately noticed was bad light. But the driver's seat is simply excellent. It is pleasant to sit on it, there is a lot of space for the driver, there is room to turn around. From the driver's seat you can see almost everything, the overview is excellent. However, the mirrors are still not large enough, and the steering wheel is a bit low. In general, the interior is very nice and spacious, there are 3 hatches inside. There is a lot of space, there is somewhere to put things if necessary. The multimedia system is made with buttons, the screen is not touch-sensitive, and the acoustics will not suit avid music lovers. But on the other hand, it is quite simply translated into Russian. The radio picks up waves very well. Now let's go through the technical specifications. It can be noted right away that the sound insulation has not been improved; at idle speed, the Mercedes Vario engine is noisy, and vibration appears throughout the entire car. As the speed increases, the vibration disappears. Fuel consumption averages 11 liters. A few more positive aspects are good traction and elastic suspension. Mercedes Vario repair may be required if you want to correct some of the shortcomings. If you install studded tires, the brakes will work perfectly even on ice. In general, the Mercedes Vario is a great car, I really like it.
“Indestructible” Mercedes Vario 814
Mercedes-Benz Vario is a special example of the line of light-duty cars from Daimler Benz AG, which successfully combines and complements each other with good visibility, ease of operation, versatility of use, with sufficient load capacity (up to 4.4 tons) or van volume (more than 17 cubic meters) . One of the Vario models is the Mercedes-Benz 814, which has adopted almost all the positive features of its parent model. By the way, it was on the basis of the Mercedes-Benz 814D Vario that the most famous 5-ton Mercedes 813 Atego was created. And partly the subsequent line of medium and heavy Mercedes trucks, such as Zetros, Unimog and Axor.
Mercedes Vario 814:
Good model
The Mercedes Benz Vario is not a bad truck at all. But, before reading reviews about it, you should understand why you plan to buy it. Mercedes Benz Vario is suitable for those people who need a good car for transporting goods. This car is universal. It has a large and spacious body, as well as rear-wheel drive and good ground clearance. Of course, a lot of negative reviews are written about this car, however, I still decided to buy it and I admit, I did not regret my choice at all. For the transportation of goods - just right. He helps me a lot in my work, so to speak, he is my workhorse. Unfortunately, finding a Mercedes Vario 814 in Russia without mileage turned out to be very difficult. I only found two. However, they did not suit my configuration - they were short. Although one of them looked simply excellent - a black car with a spacious interior. It looks very stylish and beautiful. And yet I had to direct my search to German sites. And here I was right. I was looking for a Mercedes Vario 814 with a 4.3 engine that would work with rear wheel drive. The body itself should be long, not short. Spacious and roomy interior and body, with good furnishings. After some searching, I found a very good option. A white truck with the right specs, but it's short. Be that as it may, I decided to look at this option and was disappointed in it. In fact, there were a lot of scratches on the car, it turns out the car was damaged, and the mileage was not low. After I saw another offer, I went to look. I really liked the original seat configuration in the car. They can be scrolled around their axis. The side door does not have automation, and the mileage is not great - 65,000 km. Fuel consumption 9.8 l. The purchase of this car, including duty, cost me 36,000 euros. I was pleased with the car.
Advantages:
- Four-wheel drive
Flaws:
- —
Description
The Mercedes Vario is an ordinary middle-class truck. This model differs from others from its “native” series. It is considered one of the extraordinary light-duty trucks. “Vario” was made using such technology that the car turned out to be comfortable, easy to see and multifunctional. The load capacity is 4.5 tons. The machine can act as a variety of equipment. How can you use Mercedes? A van, a bus, a chassis, a chassis with a body, a platform of various types - the Vario model can be all of these.
Mercedes Vario 612:
Good model
I would like to leave a review about my car. The Mercedes Vario 612 is not even a bad car, however, let’s take a closer look at it. My car is black, produced in 2007, has a 3.0 diesel engine, a manual transmission, and a leather interior. Rear-wheel drive, electric side doors. The price of a new car is about 3 million rubles. Of course, every car owner prefers a different design for their car, but I really liked mine. This car was made in Spain, the assembly is excellent, everything is in place, without squeaking. The plastic panels are hard, but they look expensive and stylish, although this is not so important for such a car. The car's engine is quite noisy, but fuel consumption is good - 12-13 liters, at a time when the car weighs almost 3 tons. There were some problems with the box. More precisely, with silent blocks, they broke quite often, of course, this is not a serious problem, but still, the extraneous knock when moving and stopping is not very pleasant. The rear-wheel drive Mercedes Vario 612 is its main advantage. It is very helpful especially in winter. In general, there are 7 seats in the cabin including the driver. The middle row of seats can be rotated, removed and placed as a table, or even the backrests can be positioned as a sofa for sleeping. This is very convenient, but also time-consuming; it’s better not to transform the seats alone. The big disadvantage of the interior is the lack of small drawers for things. The interior and engine heating system is very good. In winter, you can put the car on heating for 20 minutes and drive in an already warm interior. Very comfortably. Another significant disadvantage of this car is its high cost. The updated models already cost about 4 million rubles. It is very expensive. Not to mention Mercedes Vario spare parts, the replacement of which costs a pretty penny. I had a problem when the electric side door began to have trouble opening. Diagnostics revealed deficiencies worth 50,000 rubles. You can imagine how much it will cost to repair a Mercedes Vario in case of more serious problems.
Advantages:
- Economical and high-torque diesel
- The presence of an automatic machine and its smooth operation
- Nice and spacious interior
- Volume trunk
- Roof rails
Flaws:
- Price!!!
- Cost of maintenance at an authorized dealer
- Transfer case silent blocks
Exterior
The design of the Mercedes 814 fits perfectly into the harsh requirements of the middle of the last decade of the last century. At that time, angular forms with sharp, broken and memorable features dominated. The time of eco-design, with its sleek, smoothed outlines, has not yet arrived.
A high-strength steel two-door cabin with a large, one might say huge, windshield with 3 “windshield wipers” and large, prominent mirrors, one of which shows the “dead” zone. A massive black bumper, with a radiator grille of the same color, “gills” for blowing dirt off the doors and the same branded star. The roof is available in both regular and “high” versions. The frame can be used to install regular, including tilt, and special bodies (for example, for towing cars), all-metal and other vans, a minibus body, and so on.
Mercedes 815:
Good model
I have extensive experience in operating Mercedes-Benz vehicles. I have purchased many cars, even imported them from Germany, and I consider only this brand to be truly worthy. Of all the cars designed for transporting cargo that I have seen in my time, I want to focus on only one - the Mercedes 815 Vario. It is designed for all occasions, you can work perfectly on it and even go on vacation with a company. This car has a lot of advantages, however, there are also disadvantages. For example, the high cost of Mercedes Vario spare parts. Replacing the right hub cost me 24,500 rubles, despite the fact that the problem was only in the bearing, but it can only be replaced together with the steering knuckle. I have accumulated considerable mileage on the Mercedes 815 Vario. I traveled both to St. Petersburg and Sochi. I traveled 2200 km to these cities. Fuel consumption on the highway is from 13l - 16l. depending on the speed you develop. Excellent road grip is simply pleasing. The car drives like a car, the only difference is the noise in the cabin. It starts to feel especially good when driving on bad roads. This constant knocking occurs due to the fact that the body is very voluminous, so it is simply impossible to fix the problem. Although it goes along the highway very smoothly, it does not run into small irregularities. The car is very playful and will take even the most difficult turns. Mercedes Vario is a great car for all occasions. It is worth noting that if minor problems appear, it is better to immediately carry out diagnostics. Otherwise, one problem will pass on to others along the chain and serious repairs of the Mercedes Vario may be needed. Otherwise, this car is perfect for our roads and has excellent grip on the highway. Overall, I was pleased with the performance of this model, so if you are planning to buy it, I think you will not regret it.
Advantages:
- Large comfortable car
Flaws:
- Expensive spare parts
Specifications
All models of the Mercedes 609 series have a powerful diesel engine with a volume of 4000 cm3, which has a mechanical in-line injection pump with an extended service life. The maximum torque reaches 266 Nm.
Depending on the year of manufacture and modification, cars of the T2 line have the following characteristics:
- As mentioned above, the engine power of these cars ranges from 86 to 105 horsepower.
- Gearbox: mechanical or mixed type; 4- and 5-speed.
- Number of passenger seats: from 2, can be increased to 7 (for example, a dump truck from 1991, an onboard vehicle from 1993).
- Steering: “screw-nut” with or without hydraulic booster.
- The carrying capacity differs depending on the modification of a particular model: 3 tons (van 1988, dump truck 1995), 5 tons (flatbed vehicle 1993), up to 8 tons (van 1991).
- Chassis suspension: leaf spring.
- Number of axles: 2.
The cars are equipped with rear-wheel drive, the wheel formula of which is 4x2. The drive axle is equipped with a hypoid transmission and a cross-axle differential lock.
Mercedes 512:
Good model
Today I’ll tell you about the Mercedes 512 Vario car. I didn’t buy it myself, but a good friend of mine did it, and I helped him with it. The decision to buy a new car came to my friend suddenly; he ordered it at a car dealership without warning anyone. At the time of ordering, these cars were just traveling to Russia, so we had to wait for a certain time. When we had the car, my friend asked to pick it up from the dealership, I did not refuse his request. As soon as I saw the Mercedes 512 Vario, I was stunned. The whole car and the interior look very beautiful and comfortable. The color is white, the interior is roomy, it’s comfortable to be in, everything is at hand - all together, it’s just wonderful. When I got into the cabin, I was disappointed for the first time - the seats are very hard, although they look quite nice. The seats are only mechanically adjustable, however, the range is still not wide. You have to sit in an uncomfortable position, like in a chair. But the steering wheel is much better. The rim on it is thin, the steering wheel itself can be adjusted in length and height - very convenient. The entire interior is made of plastic, it is worth noting that it is of excellent quality, there is a small glove compartment. There is no Mercedes Vario engine temperature scale on the dashboard. The automatic transmission lever is covered with a leather cover. When driving, the gas and brake pedals are heavy. It will be difficult for women to drive such a car, although not everyone will agree to drive a van, which is probably why it was created specifically for men. But, this is just the beginning. As you know, the roads in Russia are very bad, there are many bumps and holes, and each of them seriously reverberates when driving, and at the same time there is a lot of noise, most likely due to the empty body. But it is equipped with air suspension. The engine growls loudly when driving. Consumption from 11 l-17 l. In general, I can’t say that I liked this car. Not comfortable enough, and the price is very high for such a car. Spare parts for Mercedes Vario are also very expensive. In general, I didn't like this car. I wouldn't dare take it for myself.
Advantages:
- Turning radius.
- Your guests will not fall asleep during the excursion.
Interior
The 814 cabin can accommodate a maximum of 3 people, and in some modifications there is also a sleeping place behind the seats. The inside of the cabin is quite spacious, but cozy, and the thoughtful arrangement of all truck controls allows the driver not to strain too much at the workplace.
In driving the Mercedes-benz 814 truck, electronic systems are practically not used and its operation is simply outrageous. The steering mechanism has a 2-spoke, fairly large steering wheel, power steering and a ball joint. An ergonomic “dashboard” and a seat with a pneumatic drive; an analogue tachograph is installed on top. The navigator is easily located on the dashboard. For an additional fee, the cabin can be equipped with a berth and an independent heater.
The level of sound insulation in the cabin is quite good. But you can’t do without additional heating in cold winter. Since the cabin glazing area is very large. The electrical wiring is very reliable.