Posts
108
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Woodstock, GA
US
Edited Date/Time
5/14/2021 4:22am
I wanted to give anyone interested a little feedback on a new option for a motovan. I've been looking for a small van but one big enough to load-up two bikes and gear, along with being able to fit in the garage. Unfortunately none of the other small vans were big enough to get two bikes and gear in that back. That's until I saw some positive feedback on here about the Metris. This van drives great loaded up on the road! I get about 25 mpg with the cruise on 75 mph. In addition, no annoying down shifting into over drive on the interstate. I just drove down to Daytona and back from Atlanta and it didn't down shift once with the cruise control not even on any up hills. I want to do some work to the inside but have gotten there yet. Not a lot of after market stuff available yet since it's the first model year here in the states. The pictures below are showing only one bike in there loaded up but it holds two with all the crap you need. It's a tight fit with two bikes but it works. This is one of the best moto related purchases I've ever made.
The Shop
I WANT one! Ha ha.
If they had it in AWD I would have driven one home that same day. As it is, I have to keep my F250 until we get rid of our horse and then I can pull the trigger on a Metris (need to trade in the F250 to get the Metris).
Its kinda killing me though as my local MB dealer has bunch of 2016 models on what looks like some decent discounts. He said his 2017 models are on the way and he needs to move the 2016's. I'm thinking we won't get rid of the horse until the fall and all these screaming deals will be long gone by then. I've said it before and I'll say it again, that damn horse...
Meanwhile I guess this will give me time to decide cargo vs passenger version. Leaning towards the base cargo model, but there are benefits to the passenger model as well. Just kind of hard to resist the low price on the cargo model. Usage will be as daily driver, moto hauler, occasional weekend moto camper. Maybe a long moto trip or two in there as well.
Anyway, thanks for posting up guys, great to see that the Metris makes a decent bike hauler. -Eddie
The biggest consideration is whether or not the vehicle was ever sold new in the US. If not, its almost impossible to import them in unless you are prepared to go through full EPA compliance and mountains of paperwork and money.
I did a lot of research on bringing vehicles into the US from Canada into WA State last year and unless the vehicle is 25 years or older its virtually impossible to do so legally or in any way that makes financial sense. I don't know anything about Cali's regs on stuff like that, but from what I've read it looks like CA is even stricter then WA State.
Vehicles 25 years or older, no problem importing them into WA State from Canada, I just bought a killer 1973 Triumph 750 from Canada into the US last year, easy peasy. Yeah me!
The lack of headroom is my biggest complaint with the Metris sized vehicles, along with no AWD version in the US. But I also value being able to park the thing in my home garage as well as commercial garages. The pop top resolves the standing room issue nicely as well as providing additional sleeping quarters (not a need for me).
If I can get a Metris this year I'll be talking to the outfitters that install the pop tops to see how much it would be for just the pop top, I think I recall people saying around $8k over on places like Expedition Portal. Still spendy for my budget but I think its worth it.
And I wish I was more handy and patient with fabricating, I've seen some amazing home conversion pop tops on vans using old VW camper tops, etc.
Same story with fabrication too. I know I could do it all, if I wanted to spend a year on it. But I want to use it more than work on it, so it's got an appt with a conversion outfit.
I am planning on selling the horse trailer and rv this year and getting a Metris which can stay in the driveway.
And thanks for the tips on the pop top, the electric does sound like the way to go.
Pit Row
I've just clocked up 17000
Plus it sounds like the Metris fits dirt bikes better, interior cargo height wise, again need to confirm. This is key for me, I want the bike and all my stuff inside and don't want to hassle around with getting the bike in it. If I can more or less just roll the bike into the Metris I will be thrilled. So far everything I am seeing says this is doable. Not sure on that with the Transit.
So far everyone I have talked to about both of these models loves them, raves about how nicely they drive, especially when compared to the old E series van which many found a hassle to keep pointed straight down the highway.
And thanks for all the great input everyone! I'm getting closer to pulling the trigger on the Metris, I think I have the Rubic's cube of vehicle shuffle board figured out here at home and I may be able to snag one before I sell my F250. Yeah me!
Metris Specs:https://www.mercedes-benz-vans.ca/files/en/data-sheets/2016_Metris_Cargo_Van_Model_Sheet.pdf
Ford Transit Commercial specs: http://www.nor-calvans.com/pdf/ford-transit-brochure.pdf
Standard US garage door height: 7 feet (84 in/2.1 meters)
Basically it came down to feeling like I was driving a minvan (which it basically is so I don't know what I was thinking). I was under the impression that is would be more like a small truck, but it felt like the minivan's we drove our kids around in for years. Also, the mirrors are bad, dangerous bad IMO, the passenger side especially. I'm sure that issue could be fixed but it was very surprising how dangerous it felt.
My big mistake was not taking it out on the highway for a test drive, my test drive was local streets only. Once out on the highway on the drive home from the dealership I immediately felt like it wasn't going to work for me.
And I'm not trying to discourage anyone from buying one, I still think they are great, and I will chauk this one up to my bad for not test driving it on the highway, but just thought I would follow up since I had commented here a number of times. -Eddie
@Metris owners
- is the 126" long enough? Looking at available inventory I see more of the 126" around with the features I want.
- what would you do different on your Metris?
- what are your favorite mods?
- is a cargo version mandatory?
- anyone do a pop top?
Thanks!
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