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"The Vario costs me less to run than the old 709"
Page 28
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Mark O'Connor
Snap-On Incorporated of Wisconsin in the US makes and markets hand and power tools as well as diagnostic and workshop equipment. The company, founded in 1920, employs 14,000 people worldwide and claims that its dealers call on 40% of the world's vehicle fleets every week. Snap-On dealers are self-employed, generating business using their own walkin vans and inventory of merchandise.
Mark O'Connor is a relatively new Snapon dealer, having been in business for three months. He operates within a fivemile radius of Dartford, in Kent; CM met O'Connor in the back of his MercedesBenz 8.1.4D Vario parked on a trading estate close to Brands Hatch.
"We don't need this size of vehicle for the weight we carry but we do need the space" he says. "Snap-On recommends that we use the Vario as it has just about the biggest van body you can get. Any wider and it would be just too big to get down some of the narrow entrances we have to negotiate.
"Mercedes-Benz dealer Northside Trucks supplies the vehicles already fitted out to take the Snap-On merchandise. The passenger side is fitted with a sliding door, which can be left open to allow customers to come and go as they please. Two steps inside give dear access to the rear, where we can display a good range of our equipment on each side of a centre aisle. Access is even better with the pas senger seat removed. We load the vehicle through the rear door, where we have a small tail-lift to help with heavier equipment such as the tool cabinets.
"Although we don't need to run at the full 7.49 tonnes we do run loaded all the time. The Vario gives a comfortable ride, which is firmer than on the old M-B 709, and it doesn't roll as much. The seats are fine but I don't sit on them long enough to become uncomfortable. The steering and foot pedals are quite light to operate.
"Parking at customer's premises is often congested and the steering lock is not as good as I would like. Visibility is good but the nearside mirror could be a bit wider, or perhaps a wider angled lens might be enough. Disc brakes are positive—they stop well and never do anything unexpected. The engine is not too noisy but it does have a very pronounced turbo whistle.
"My mileage is very low, at about 24,000 miles a year, and it is a stop-start operation, so fuel economy is not a priority for me. I do notice that the right foot affects how much fuel I use so I keep the revs in the green now. The weekly running costs are my main concern and the Vario costs me less to run than the old 709.
"Sparshatts at Ashford services the truck. I have it on a five-year lease and as the mileage is so low I hope to take up the option to buy at the end of the term, so long as the bodywork still looks good."