Mercedes Marco Polo Latest Info 2017

[Billy]

Everything the T6 should of been, those rear seats look more comfy than the Cali rear bench seat.

 

[Michael G]

I don't really mind the missing bling in the Cali. In fact I think that is part of the whole deal and the heritage of the California. To get out in nature in a practical camper, meet people and to be without the niceties back home. Back to basics. We use our van to go climbing, go mountain biking and skiing with our 2 kids. I would not want a luxury van in those situations I would be too worried about the car. The Cali offers a functional van for us to get out more together. The Marco Polo may have its own segment but my feel is that it is missing the Cali spirit.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Everything the T6 should of been, those rear seats look more comfy than the Cali rear bench seat.

Agree
The 2 & 3 seater could both do with some improvement. The seat is at least 10 years old with no improvement in the T6 from what I can see. Surely things have moved on from its first inception...???

Looking at the link above, the van interior looks far more practical than I first thought. Obviously would like to see one in person, but from the most recent pictures I think it looks very robust with a nice modern touch. California materials work very well but things have definitely moved on in the last 10years.

 

[Digger]

The MP is nice and will suit many. From my perspective the Cali fits my purposes and I am happy. That is what matters. If not happy then buy something else that fits your needs.

 

[Ciki62]

California is a LOT more practical. Not so luxury but simpler and more useful for everyday living.
bTW. How you move from right seat to left and from front seats to the back with this super nice middle console in the Mercedes.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[soulstyledevon]

My California has been practical, that I can't deny.
However the vehicle was released in 2003 and has barely changed in the last 14 years with the T6 taking us another 6-7 years forward. Volkswagen have been lazy not updating the interior. A new dash only updates 5% of this expensive vehicle. More consideration should have made in the rear of the T6.
I guess the lack of competition maybe the problem. The Marco Polo can only be a positive thing on the California and fingers crossed finally forcing VW to up their game.

 

[Digger]

My California has been practical, that I can't deny.
However the vehicle was released in 2003 and has barely changed in the last 14 years with the T6 taking us another 6-7 years forward. Volkswagen have been lazy not updating the interior. A new dash only updates 5% of this expensive vehicle. More consideration should have made in the rear of the T6.
I guess the lack of competition maybe the problem. The Marco Polo can only be a positive thing on the California and fingers crossed finally forcing VW to up their game.

Apart from maybe leather as no cost option what would you change in the vehicle? I think it not only looks smart but is truly functional and dare I say attractive. My only quibble would be the sliding cupboard doors but silicone lube is all that is required.

 

[Roger Boeken]

My California has been practical, that I can't deny.
However the vehicle was released in 2003 and has barely changed in the last 14 years with the T6 taking us another 6-7 years forward. Volkswagen have been lazy not updating the interior. A new dash only updates 5% of this expensive vehicle. More consideration should have made in the rear of the T6.
I guess the lack of competition maybe the problem. The Marco Polo can only be a positive thing on the California and fingers crossed finally forcing VW to up their game.

I believe the 'new dash 'as you call it adds much more than 5% change. What can/needs to be changed in the ktichen ? A fridge is a fridge, the standheater is as good as it gets, a gas stove and a sink what more can we wish for ? Not changing things can also be an advantage : many companies make accessories that fit multiple generations of the cali and when you need a spare part you don't have to specify year and month it was built hoping they still have it for your car... The order books are filled for at least another year , why should they change one bit ?

 

[soulstyledevon]

Apart from maybe leather as no cost option what would you change in the vehicle? I think it not only looks smart but is truly functional and dare I say attractive. My only quibble would be the sliding cupboard doors but silicone lube is all that is required.

The seat could be made more comfortable for sleeping. The multiflex could be improved, different finishes on interior plastics, improvements to the roof to help avoid trapping the fabric. The blinds could be improved, the handbrake fouling swivel seats is another issue, has roof corrosion been sorted...??? Roof bed could be made more comfortable.
Still lots that can be improved.
The T6 got a shiny dashboard and some extra lights. It needed a lot more...!!!

 

[steve and lisa]

Agree @soulstyledevon that the MP looks much more modern, the Cali now looks very dated, they should of made more changes to the T6 rather than just change the seat fabric (still grey) also what colour is everything else? Floor, blinds, ceiling lining, all grey!! The Cali is supposed to be a fun vehicle so why is it all grey?

Also people saying they don't like bling? Yet reading people's spec list most people seem to order the shiny dashboard?

I like the MP and have been talking to dealers who will have demo's before the spring, can't wait to see one in the flesh.

 

[jess]

Love the idea of curtains instead of blinds, much easier to customise to fun colours and the Cali blinds are a very fragile design and are very expensive to have repaired out of warranty

 

[HectorPascal]

Ladies and Gents,

I would like to say that I have no personal agenda other than the fact that I believe my wife and I will invest in the camper van 'experience' and I think that we will thoroughly value the asset as all of you manifestly do.
It is clear too that you don't need the latest and glitziest to enjoy the life and that life is probably actually better for being free of the worry of scratching, vandal damage etc.

The one thing that I have a hang-up with is the cost of the VW and what you get for that money - well-meaning folks on this site urge us to stop dithering, splash the cash and enjoy and whilst I do understand that, we are in the position where we have plenty of time to choose because I am still working and we see this primarily as a 'marker purchase' which will give us a new focus when we have every day to ourselves.

To be quite frank, I do think that VW have rested on their laurels and traded on the VW heritage and lack of credible competition. Having rented a Cali for a week, there were plenty of little things in the fixtures and fittings which were poor. The basic mechanics of the machine are superb and probably better than the Merc and I have no doubts as to the corrosion resistance of the VW. We had planned to rent another Cali in a few months for a trip to France as a final decider but I think that we will now rent a Marco Polo (MP) instead - this must be possible form Mercedes Stuttgart or similar.

I normally keep my cars for a minimum of ten years on the choose-once-choose-well principle. This purchase will be longer than that and I will definitely not be upgrading just to have the latest gizmos so I intend to take my time and make the best decision I can. I am communicating our thoughts on this site because it has been of immense value so far and because I think others may be interested. I would hate to think that I am upsetting people who have committed to VW and I will desist if I get enough feedback. After all I might be joining their ranks. Which ever brand we settle on it would seem to me this site would still be essential reading.

Here is another little gadget that we liked on the MP - a hose/shower outlet to clean boots/dogs maybe even humans. I would have thought this was an 'essential'.

 

[Borris]

A First Class Cabin or too much bling?View attachment 18487[/QUOTE
VW heritage
the Cali, it doesn't have any campervan DNA at all. I may be wrong but I suspect that this may effect its long term resale values.

Any way I enough from me, the Archers has finished so I better go and do some work.

 

[Borris]

Ignore my last post. Something went wrong and I lost most of it. I can't be bothered to do it again.

 

[Jabberwocky]

I believe the 'new dash 'as you call it adds much more than 5% change. What can/needs to be changed in the ktichen ? A fridge is a fridge, the standheater is as good as it gets, a gas stove and a sink what more can we wish for ? Not changing things can also be an advantage : many companies make accessories that fit multiple generations of the cali and when you need a spare part you don't have to specify year and month it was built hoping they still have it for your car... The order books are filled for at least another year , why should they change one bit ?

You make a very good point. A full order book speaks volumes.

And are we seeing a "grass is greener on the other side of the fence" syndrome in these posts? The two biggest problems with the MP if it will replicate the issues reported in the V Class forums? Rust and the auto box - sound familiar??

 

[Digger]

Regards those who are unsure as to purchase of a California the best advice anyone can give is get what you want. Do not be swayed by others choose what suits your lifestyle best.
If the Marco Polo is your choice excellent and enjoy. I looked at the Westphalia Club City Joker and hated it. My choice. My decision was to stick with a brand I am now on my 5th transporter based conversion, a late 2016 Ocean which suits my use better than I can describe. Remember it is all about enjoying life not worrying about trivia.

 

[Adamvanman]

I think we are missing the point of this thread, the MP it selling more than the California in Germany now, I also see the Marco Polo has also been voted best compact camper two years running as well.

The only reason the order book for the Cali is full in the UK is that the MP has only just been announced and there was no competition before.

I will be looking at the MP once it appears in the showroom, seems a bit odd people are slating it before anyone has even seen it.

 

[Gary&Heather]

That's one vehicle I will be looking at as well.

 

[cundf]

I can't see that the MP is a real Camper! The only thing that MP outselling the Cali is that the interest rates are so low. People buying everything at the moment. As I said before the chairs in the trunk is a no go for Camping. Have of the trunk is blocked by them. Not a good solution in the MP......

 

[larrylamb]

The only thing that MP outselling the Cali is that the interest rates are so low.

How does that make the MP more popular?

 

[GrannyJen]

I think we are missing the point of this thread, the MP it selling more than the California in Germany now, I also see the Marco Polo has also been voted best compact camper two years running as well.

The only reason the order book for the Cali is full in the UK is that the MP has only just been announced and there was no competition before.

I will be looking at the MP once it appears in the showroom, seems a bit odd people are slating it before anyone has even seen it.

I agree,

however MB have not helped themselves. I've been on their "info list for 12 months and the only info I've had is on the new E Class. I can't wait to sit in one, even live in one, I love the competition, at present for me it does not quite make it against the Cali but I'm open to persuasion.

 

[Ambler]

Be warned there is a lot of variability in MB dealers.
Avoid Stratstone and Mercedes Retail.
Marshall are the best I have encountered so far.

 

[Borris]

A First Class Cabin or too much bling?View attachment 18487

Very snazzy although perhaps a little too much of the ponced up coctail bar look about it for my liking.

I love the standard leather seats. Just what you need in a campervan. Once the kids and the dog have done their worst, a quick whiz over with the wet wipes and hey presto, back to normal. Why VW don't offer them, I shall never understand.

The floor lighting is pure bling. Should the captain declare an emergency, I am quite confident that even the most spatially challenged of passengers would be able to find the main exit door without it,

All that shiny piano black plastic might look good in a little used DINK's perfect show kitchen but I suspect it will start to look second hand very quickly in a camper van. I think MB designed this interior for Herman und Helga mit OCD. You know them, they used to put all their toys away in their original boxes. And another thing! VW have been very clever with the Cali interior in that each face lift has included only a very minor change to the interior colour scheme. Therefore no Cali, regardless of it's year of manufacture, looks that outdated. Yes the MP looks fresh and avantgarde at the moment but could that shiny black plastic start to look very old hat in a year or two, especialy if it's been scuffed and scratched to hell by your average Cali crew?

Then there's the external styling. Mercedes have produced some very pretty cars in recent years. They have also produced some right old munters. E.g I once owned an R class which I had purchased mainly for towing. Whilst it was very comfortable with more than adequate power, it won the prize for being the ugliest vehicle that I have ever owned. IMO the V Class is not quite that bad however the designers seem to have spent all of their time on the front end. By the time they got round to the rear it must have been Friday afternoon!

I have actually driven a V Class, before we decided to buy our Cali although not the MP and I can report that it is a very spacious and comfortable vehicle. It is also a quiet and smooth ride. Despite my criticisms, I will certainly have a close look at the Marco Polo if I ever decide to replace our Cali. By then I hope they will have ditched the black plastic.

 

[larrylamb]

Why do people like the shiny black dash in a T6 over the T5 dash but dislike the Marco Polo units??

 

[2into1]

Why do people like the shiny black dash in a T6 over the T5 dash but dislike the Marco Polo units??

^ best question this week!