Know what would be a great add-on? That tablet they have on the s-class, so you could control and have an overview of all your stuff in the car from anywhere in the back or outside. Bit like a Google nest display/tablet for smart homes.
Well that was a very detailed tour and demonstration Nick - very well presented! Amazing features and technical Glamping on the move. In my view the price of these kind of campers are pitched highly from other renowned manufactures too. So in all due respect , with all the advanced technology and included extras the Mercedes holds their own stance in this market. But I would advise anyone to rent something similar first to see if this travelling style and facilities suits before buying any new or used camper van👍
Hi Nick, yes looks and drives great,I was thinking to get one, even I did test drive and in the end, ended up buying EQV, of course I regretted but it was too late, Southampton Mercedes refuse to swap it, and now driving EQV, but still thinking to get roof done and buy back seats to convert it. will let you know how's goes.
Oh cool! I’ve covered the EQV before! That’s a good and very practical car! Just obviously bear in mind if you add weight to an EV it’ll affect the range 🤓 but an EV camper van? That would be interesting!
Great video! I went fulltime vanlife last year. I sold my apartment and bought a smaller electric van. It allows me to work on the go, and I am loving it so much that I am now eyeing the Marco Polo or, rather, an EQV camper so I can have friends over for weekends on the 'second floor'. Thanks for a great review. I wish both VW and Mercedes would not trying to milk out the last of Diesel for so long, though. Electric really is the way to go-especially with campers.
Thank you! Maybe? I mean while I was there, Mercedes themselves (from Germany) pointed out that it was for the front windscreen. It had two small metal attachment points at the top for the sun visors (I believe). I didn’t use it in the end though.
Good review Nick , the price though is just insane, it's that price because it's got the badge on. I could buy a lot for less and I've read a few reports now that Mercedes profits are dropping more than they'd like. The prices they're charging is putting potential customers off and they're going elsewhere. A prime example is their ev range and i know you've already highlighted that in another video. They've already discontinued the EQC in the Uk. Plenty of other vehicle's of similar range but for much less. I think long term they need to be more realistic. Cheers Nick
It looks a very nice little camper. However for that price you could stay every night in a hotel for 2/2.5 years, or for £20-30k less buy a proper motorhome. Seems pricey to me despite all the luxuries. I reckon they should drop some of the pointless gadgets and reduce the price to 50-70k bracket, but what do I know?
2 - 2.5 years, jeez well when you put it like that 😅 But I guess it’s on wheels so can go anywhere and it’s kind of like two cars in one. Motorhomes may be bigger but you’ll have the added issues of parking manoeuvring in towns etc
@@npolearyReally? I have a 12yo mwb vauxhall movano that's vastly better equipped than that Mercedes, for the van and conversion it cost me less than 20k, I've travelled all over Europe in the last three years and never once have I had an issue with parking or driving in towns. Anyone who buys this Mercedes has more money than sense...
@@npoleary Here's the thing, a Mercedes Marco Polo is about 80k brand new, if you can afford that then you're not roughing it in the outback, you're staying on campsites with toilets and electric hook ups because the Mercedes isn't self sufficient, so you have to factor in the future cost of campsites. For 80k you could spend about £300 in a B&B every single weekend for over five years. Now, add the price of a campsite every single weekend for five years to the price of the Mercedes? It's another 15k, at least!! So you're getting into the realms of 100k for five years camping in a van that doesn't even have a toilet 😳 you could easily buy a top specification campervan for less than 40k and still have 60k in the bank. And a top specification campervan will have a toilet, shower, fixed double bed, plenty of solar power, everything the Mercedes doesn't have. So it begs the question, why on earth would anyone spend 80k on a Mercedes Marco Polo? It makes zero sense by any metric...
@@jaysummers9396 Because i cant park a campervan in front of my house/driveway, which means i need to store it far away, which means i will not use it as often. We have a California btw which we use almost every weekend when we see the weather is good. O, and it does have a portapotti toilet ;)
That's soo cool! Thanks for making this video, I didn't know about Marco Polos. They should totally include MB-themed pyjamas with stars pattern like on the grill 😂
Hi Nick, On two occasions (15:57 & 18:20) you mention the heating is electric, and that you wouldn't want to leave it on all night as it would run the auxiliary battery down. Surely its a diesel heater like the older gen models? Please correct me if i'm wrong, as own as 68 plate MP with Diesel Heater as factory fitted, and i'm looking to order the new spec and this has thrown me..
Yes it threw me when I was researching this video. Basically I believe Mercedes have used several different types on Marco Polo since its launch years and years ago. 1) Just an engine. Engine required for heating in the rear so will only work with keys in the ignition. 2) Diesel Heater. Not entirely sure how this one worked but used the diesel from the fuel tank to heat. 3) Auxiliary Electric Heating. This is what I had overnight as the German Mercedes people had ensured the car I had was plugged in. I had it running over night and had to turn it down as it got quite cosy! This is taken from their brochure: share.icloud.com/photos/00bsJkpgLrV-7Nxf_mccVAWvg
@@npoleary Interesting! Being part of the MP family for 4-years now and contributing to a number of groups, i know that owners love the diesel heater and its versatility and non-reliance on electric. I also know that with the fridge on you can do around 2-days off grid, if we now take into account the heater, this is going to drastically reduce this off-grid time. A simple solution is solar, if only they could factory fit it. I know that 1 roof-mounted panel is sufficient is most months to keep the fridge going continuously at a low level. I wonder what the new California has.. Would love to see a side by side review of both :)
Yeah I do love comparison videos! They’re harder to pull off but I feel that would be a long one! I’d almost want to spend a weekend in both to really get to grips with them and provide some valuable user insights!
Sadly I didn’t ask that when I was with them at the launch of the Macro Polo but as far as I’m led to believe, the A/C will only operate when the engine is on. But it has a separate auxiliary heater for the living area in the back.
Very nice, but I feel it lacks some of the imaginative design solutions of the new VW California - I particularly like the twin side doors and separate, removable rear seats of that vehicle.
It’s missing a good self driving feature. The lane keep assist on my 21 GLE is not good. It tried to stay in lane but sometimes bounces between the lines and on curves it will beep and give up.
It has Distronic I believe! And similar Driving Assistance features like other Mercedes too. So the key word there is “assist”. Very few car manufacturers have a car that can “drive for you”. In Mercedes they have Active Lane Keeping Assist and some offer Active Steering Assist. Whoever’s driving should keep both hands on the wheel as the system only assists. So there are scenarios where it will not work.
@@npoleary I’m just spoiled by my Tesla. It works near perfect and always stays in lane even on windy mountain roads. I’m waiting for Mercedes to have something similar. My wife’s GLE is fully loaded but this to me is a necessity in any car I buy
You mentioned the vehicle is heavy but not the actual weight, for the UK if over 3.5 t the driver needs a C1 licence. This vehicle you reviewed has German plates and you have a UK licence, from what I’ve read before that would make it illegal for you to drive.
Sadly I didn’t get the stats for the new version, can’t see them listed for the UK specification on their website. But even though it has German plates, you can buy the UK version which of course would have the steering wheel on the correct side. The kerb weight I have for the previous version, that’s 2,453kg and 2,459kg so I can’t imagine it would be much more for this new one even when kitted out with stuff for a weekend away. So anyone with a UK licence can drive this 👍🏼 Yes you’re absolutely right anything over 3.5 tonnes would need a different licence. I have driven an E-Sprinter before but as that was 4 tonnes, but this was not done on a public road.
There was an outlet but as it was left hand drive I didn’t know if it was different for the UK market so I left that part out. If I get my hands on a UK one then I’ll be able to test it! But yes there is an outlet, when facing the kitchen it’s next to the underfloor lighting switch on the right hand side. Just not sure on the plug itself.
Not really expensive. You don’t need to pay for hotel lodging, which you have to drive to as well in your not so cheap Mercedes luxury car. So you’ll save money there. Use it as a daily too and you even spare a luxury car, which amount can be used for this V.
@@npoleary Thanks for the response. I just had a chat with Mercedes and they don't do a version without a kitchen which is a shame. Think I'll stick with my VW California Beach. I prefer more space and less maintenance. Shame though as the Merc looks awesome and a much better spec overall.
@farlow2000 ah yeah remembered the name! Search for Marco Polo Horizon which is the one without the kitchen. But yes you’re right the new ones do come with the full works now. They just sold that special model for a few years.
Not sure where it would go, they’d have to reduce some of the storage. I agree it’s quite important but I’d probably opt to stay in campsites that have facilities 😎
Haha good question! Camper Vans don’t have one usually when they’re this size. So you’ll need to use the facilities nearby at a campsite or there are portable ones you can get apparently. Not sure I’ll review that though! 😅🙈
There are two substantial negatives.....the first you mentioned and the second....NO toilet. Image you stop at a romantic French citycentre and sneak over the night.......where do you go?? My woman doesn't want to pee in the bushes!!! LOL
Shelf on the back, there’s storage in the black bag (the bit that lights up). And the entire floor at the side door opens. So what I’d suggest if you need a lot of space, move the rear seats forward on the rails so that it looks like a normal car with a normal configuration and then you have loads of space behind the rear seats 🤓
@@npoleary If you would start with 4 people on board. Let's assume for all of them the luggage is on the back and has enough volume. Then when you convert it for sleeping, where is the place to move all those luggage from the back? Even you find enough volume behind the front seats, each morning and evening those luggage should be carried continuously.
Caravans, motorhomes & tents always quote 2 man / 4 man etc. You can apply that same logic to a tent, a 2 man tent is usually only measuring the area in which two people lay down. So it’s a sleep “up to” 4. Sleeping with 4 would be very cramped, possible but as you said it would be very tight. Better suited to 2 people I think 🤔
@@npoleary I was considering this vehicle for the family which means, 2 adults + 2 small kids. But still the luggage issue is not OK for long travels as described previously.
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Know what would be a great add-on? That tablet they have on the s-class, so you could control and have an overview of all your stuff in the car from anywhere in the back or outside. Bit like a Google nest display/tablet for smart homes.
That’s a good idea! 👍🏼
Well that was a very detailed tour and demonstration Nick - very well presented! Amazing features and technical Glamping on the move. In my view the price of these kind of campers are pitched highly from other renowned manufactures too. So in all due respect , with all the advanced technology and included extras the Mercedes holds their own stance in this market. But I would advise anyone to rent something similar first to see if this travelling style and facilities suits before buying any new or used camper van👍
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it! 🙏
Yes there are certainly a few gadgets! And renting one first is an excellent idea! 💡
Hi Nick, yes looks and drives great,I was thinking to get one, even I did test drive and in the end, ended up buying EQV, of course I regretted but it was too late, Southampton Mercedes refuse to swap it, and now driving EQV, but still thinking to get roof done and buy back seats to convert it. will let you know how's goes.
Oh cool! I’ve covered the EQV before! That’s a good and very practical car!
Just obviously bear in mind if you add weight to an EV it’ll affect the range 🤓 but an EV camper van? That would be interesting!
Great video! I went fulltime vanlife last year. I sold my apartment and bought a smaller electric van. It allows me to work on the go, and I am loving it so much that I am now eyeing the Marco Polo or, rather, an EQV camper so I can have friends over for weekends on the 'second floor'.
Thanks for a great review. I wish both VW and Mercedes would not trying to milk out the last of Diesel for so long, though. Electric really is the way to go-especially with campers.
Oh wow that sounds cool! 👌🏼
Another great video Nick. I’d suggest that the quilted windscreen cover in the boot, is full insulation during cold weather
Thank you!
Maybe? I mean while I was there, Mercedes themselves (from Germany) pointed out that it was for the front windscreen. It had two small metal attachment points at the top for the sun visors (I believe). I didn’t use it in the end though.
@@npoleary I think you misunderstand me, it is insulation for the front windscreen. It’s a common winter item for motorhome users
Good review Nick , the price though is just insane, it's that price because it's got the badge on. I could buy a lot for less and I've read a few reports now that Mercedes profits are dropping more than they'd like. The prices they're charging is putting potential customers off and they're going elsewhere.
A prime example is their ev range and i know you've already highlighted that in another video. They've already discontinued the EQC in the Uk.
Plenty of other vehicle's of similar range but for much less.
I think long term they need to be more realistic.
Cheers Nick
Thank you! Well one of the reasons I cover more brands of cars now. Gives people the option for their next car purchase!
If I had a spare 88k I'd be happy lol , plenty of choices then! Cheers
It looks a very nice little camper. However for that price you could stay every night in a hotel for 2/2.5 years, or for £20-30k less buy a proper motorhome. Seems pricey to me despite all the luxuries. I reckon they should drop some of the pointless gadgets and reduce the price to 50-70k bracket, but what do I know?
2 - 2.5 years, jeez well when you put it like that 😅
But I guess it’s on wheels so can go anywhere and it’s kind of like two cars in one. Motorhomes may be bigger but you’ll have the added issues of parking manoeuvring in towns etc
@@npolearyReally? I have a 12yo mwb vauxhall movano that's vastly better equipped than that Mercedes, for the van and conversion it cost me less than 20k, I've travelled all over Europe in the last three years and never once have I had an issue with parking or driving in towns. Anyone who buys this Mercedes has more money than sense...
Oh yeah I see what you mean with that one, in my head I was referring to the actual dedicated wide motorhomes. That sounds cool though!
@@npoleary Here's the thing, a Mercedes Marco Polo is about 80k brand new, if you can afford that then you're not roughing it in the outback, you're staying on campsites with toilets and electric hook ups because the Mercedes isn't self sufficient, so you have to factor in the future cost of campsites. For 80k you could spend about £300 in a B&B every single weekend for over five years. Now, add the price of a campsite every single weekend for five years to the price of the Mercedes? It's another 15k, at least!! So you're getting into the realms of 100k for five years camping in a van that doesn't even have a toilet 😳 you could easily buy a top specification campervan for less than 40k and still have 60k in the bank. And a top specification campervan will have a toilet, shower, fixed double bed, plenty of solar power, everything the Mercedes doesn't have. So it begs the question, why on earth would anyone spend 80k on a Mercedes Marco Polo? It makes zero sense by any metric...
@@jaysummers9396 Because i cant park a campervan in front of my house/driveway, which means i need to store it far away, which means i will not use it as often. We have a California btw which we use almost every weekend when we see the weather is good. O, and it does have a portapotti toilet ;)
That's soo cool! Thanks for making this video, I didn't know about Marco Polos.
They should totally include MB-themed pyjamas with stars pattern like on the grill 😂
Haha 🙈
Glad you enjoyed the video! 🙏
Great video as usual Nick lovely car just typical Mercedes style.
Thank you! 🙏 glad you enjoyed the video!
Hi Nick, On two occasions (15:57 & 18:20) you mention the heating is electric, and that you wouldn't want to leave it on all night as it would run the auxiliary battery down. Surely its a diesel heater like the older gen models? Please correct me if i'm wrong, as own as 68 plate MP with Diesel Heater as factory fitted, and i'm looking to order the new spec and this has thrown me..
Yes it threw me when I was researching this video. Basically I believe Mercedes have used several different types on Marco Polo since its launch years and years ago.
1) Just an engine. Engine required for heating in the rear so will only work with keys in the ignition.
2) Diesel Heater. Not entirely sure how this one worked but used the diesel from the fuel tank to heat.
3) Auxiliary Electric Heating. This is what I had overnight as the German Mercedes people had ensured the car I had was plugged in. I had it running over night and had to turn it down as it got quite cosy!
This is taken from their brochure: share.icloud.com/photos/00bsJkpgLrV-7Nxf_mccVAWvg
@@npoleary Interesting! Being part of the MP family for 4-years now and contributing to a number of groups, i know that owners love the diesel heater and its versatility and non-reliance on electric. I also know that with the fridge on you can do around 2-days off grid, if we now take into account the heater, this is going to drastically reduce this off-grid time. A simple solution is solar, if only they could factory fit it. I know that 1 roof-mounted panel is sufficient is most months to keep the fridge going continuously at a low level. I wonder what the new California has.. Would love to see a side by side review of both :)
Yeah I do love comparison videos! They’re harder to pull off but I feel that would be a long one! I’d almost want to spend a weekend in both to really get to grips with them and provide some valuable user insights!
Hi Nick, you mentioned heating but what about trying to sleep down in spain?
Sadly I didn’t ask that when I was with them at the launch of the Macro Polo but as far as I’m led to believe, the A/C will only operate when the engine is on. But it has a separate auxiliary heater for the living area in the back.
Amazing vehicle!
It sure is! 👊🏼
Very nice, but I feel it lacks some of the imaginative design solutions of the new VW California - I particularly like the twin side doors and separate, removable rear seats of that vehicle.
Hi Nick… Another great video …. Like the digital mirror but not the price of the vehicle 😂
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the video! 🤓
Thats a nice looking camper van
Absolutely! 👍🏼 🙏
Beautiful car 🤌
It’s missing a good self driving feature. The lane keep assist on my 21 GLE is not good. It tried to stay in lane but sometimes bounces between the lines and on curves it will beep and give up.
It has Distronic I believe! And similar Driving Assistance features like other Mercedes too.
So the key word there is “assist”. Very few car manufacturers have a car that can “drive for you”. In Mercedes they have Active Lane Keeping Assist and some offer Active Steering Assist. Whoever’s driving should keep both hands on the wheel as the system only assists. So there are scenarios where it will not work.
@@npoleary I’m just spoiled by my Tesla. It works near perfect and always stays in lane even on windy mountain roads. I’m waiting for Mercedes to have something similar. My wife’s GLE is fully loaded but this to me is a necessity in any car I buy
Virtually all of these features are direct copies of the California T6.1, with the exception of not storing chairs in the tailgate.
very nice car
I like it 🏁
So, if you have a RHD you have to enter/exit into the road flow of traffic ?
How was it for stability when parked up? My experience of camper vans is a lot of rocking when moving about.
You could feel it moving a little when I was up top but the suspension (on the one I had) made sure the whole thing was level so it was pretty good!
@@npoleary thank you, excellent video by the way
Thank you! 🙏
You mentioned the vehicle is heavy but not the actual weight, for the UK if over 3.5 t the driver needs a C1 licence.
This vehicle you reviewed has German plates and you have a UK licence, from what I’ve read before that would make it illegal for you to drive.
Sadly I didn’t get the stats for the new version, can’t see them listed for the UK specification on their website. But even though it has German plates, you can buy the UK version which of course would have the steering wheel on the correct side.
The kerb weight I have for the previous version, that’s 2,453kg and 2,459kg so I can’t imagine it would be much more for this new one even when kitted out with stuff for a weekend away.
So anyone with a UK licence can drive this 👍🏼
Yes you’re absolutely right anything over 3.5 tonnes would need a different licence. I have driven an E-Sprinter before but as that was 4 tonnes, but this was not done on a public road.
It’s a bad lay out. 1 access to the upper bed is difficult, 2 no toilet, 3 no indoor shower. Check out Westvallia’s Version
It'll be similar to the VW California, however larger vehicles would be able to accommodate toilets etc and a shower 🚿
@@npoleary As I mentioned check out Westvallias Versions, they managed to fit a shower and a built cassette toilet on the same platform/floor plan.
Was waiting to know if it has a 220V outlet..!
There was an outlet but as it was left hand drive I didn’t know if it was different for the UK market so I left that part out. If I get my hands on a UK one then I’ll be able to test it!
But yes there is an outlet, when facing the kitchen it’s next to the underfloor lighting switch on the right hand side. Just not sure on the plug itself.
Not really expensive. You don’t need to pay for hotel lodging, which you have to drive to as well in your not so cheap Mercedes luxury car. So you’ll save money there. Use it as a daily too and you even spare a luxury car, which amount can be used for this V.
Thanks for watching! 🙏
Do they do a model without the kitchen?
I believe they used to although I’ve never seen one though. This new one just includes it all 👍🏼
@@npoleary Thanks for the response. I just had a chat with Mercedes and they don't do a version without a kitchen which is a shame. Think I'll stick with my VW California Beach. I prefer more space and less maintenance. Shame though as the Merc looks awesome and a much better spec overall.
@farlow2000 ah yeah remembered the name!
Search for Marco Polo Horizon which is the one without the kitchen. But yes you’re right the new ones do come with the full works now. They just sold that special model for a few years.
What is missed in this vehicle is a toilet with shower cabinet. VW Grand California has that already.
That would be good! Not sure where they’d squeeze it in though
MB left out the most important feature...the toilet. That sucks!
Not sure where it would go, they’d have to reduce some of the storage. I agree it’s quite important but I’d probably opt to stay in campsites that have facilities 😎
This is NOT a camper van , its a lux van with a possibility for a sleep over.
where is the toilet?
Haha good question! Camper Vans don’t have one usually when they’re this size.
So you’ll need to use the facilities nearby at a campsite or there are portable ones you can get apparently.
Not sure I’ll review that though! 😅🙈
U šumi
Is it AWD?
No not in the UK, I’ve heard rumours it might be in other countries though
There are two substantial negatives.....the first you mentioned and the second....NO toilet. Image you stop at a romantic French citycentre and sneak over the night.......where do you go?? My woman doesn't want to pee in the bushes!!! LOL
Why gas in an electric vehicle?
Gas is for cooking on the hob, two burners in the kitchen.
This car is not electric, it is a diesel engine.
No place to put luggage...
Shelf on the back, there’s storage in the black bag (the bit that lights up). And the entire floor at the side door opens.
So what I’d suggest if you need a lot of space, move the rear seats forward on the rails so that it looks like a normal car with a normal configuration and then you have loads of space behind the rear seats 🤓
@@npoleary If you would start with 4 people on board. Let's assume for all of them the luggage is on the back and has enough volume. Then when you convert it for sleeping, where is the place to move all those luggage from the back? Even you find enough volume behind the front seats, each morning and evening those luggage should be carried continuously.
Caravans, motorhomes & tents always quote 2 man / 4 man etc.
You can apply that same logic to a tent, a 2 man tent is usually only measuring the area in which two people lay down. So it’s a sleep “up to” 4. Sleeping with 4 would be very cramped, possible but as you said it would be very tight.
Better suited to 2 people I think 🤔
@@npoleary I was considering this vehicle for the family which means, 2 adults + 2 small kids. But still the luggage issue is not OK for long travels as described previously.
56 seconds ago!!!!😂
What uploaded 56 seconds ago? haha
Fooking advert for gods sake, you could get some more in there surely! turned off.
Are you talking about TH-cam ads? TH-cam will play ones automatically based on videos you’ve watched before, so if it’s been a while since you’ve seen some, TH-cam will play some on this one.
Remember that those ads make this channel possible! I do not work for Mercedes or any car manufacturer, those ads allow me to earn money and make these videos for everyone!
@@npoleary I do not mind ads, but my goodness this was constant.
Were you signed in? I know TH-cam knows each viewer’s tolerances to ads, I’ve check the video and it has 4 “possible” ads throughout the 30 min video. That does not mean you’ll see every single one though.
V8 engine voice command Gps maps TH-cam more than all 🫰😉😊❤