Mercedes Vario automatic gearbox any good?

[Croftylad]

Hi all. Thinking of replacing the transit with a Vario. Have seen a great minibus for sale to convert but it has an automatic gearbox. In fact most of the buses have these gearboxes. Are these a robust and reliable unit? I want to head out to Africa at some point and don't want problems!
Any one got any experience of these units?
Thanks Antony

 

[flyinghigh]

If it’s a genuine automatic box with torque converter then they are reliable, ( if maintained correctly) if it’s the tiptronic ( robotise manual) then i would leave it alone, IMO

 

[RichardHelen262]

Merc auto boxes are a superb gearbox and very smooth,ours is a sprinter with auto and you cannot feel it change,I also know a disabled guy that does European courier work with a sprinter auto and put over a million miles on his last van

 

[skippy]

Considered buying one last year from Germany during moment of madness. Only 4 speed gearbox also lower ratio diff for city use.Problems try rocking an auto if bogged down approx 5 tons could be awkward to get a tow diff locks only on tippers or low ratio axle.
Decided to leave idea for now.

 

[mark61]

The Vario was around a fairly long time. It could be a 4 speed auto or 5. I'm fairly certain all 4 speeds were Allison auto's, but not sure about the later 5 speed options.