I'd like anyone with personal experience to tell me the good and bad of their Sprinter van and how it works for bike hauling and camping. I think I want a high top that I can stand up in and get a few bikes in. I'm 6'6" tall so that is pushing the standard high top. I'd also like mileage and repair experience and any other thing that pertains to owning one. I'm considering the 4wD model as well. Other non Mercedes van info is welcome too.
A few like them but once a little older the repairs are crazy.... a few Pro XC guys had then and sold and went back to a regular chevy van....
Yup the main issues are rust, but expencive parts if you need any. What other options do you have too you? Fiat's are good have a low bed so the bike ramps not required.
I have 90K on my van. I just had all new rotors and pads after a warning light came on. Then my glow plugs light came on so they are being replaced today. Prior to this one glow plug under warranty over a year ago, the rest as new. Power steering unit replaced last year as was leaking. Then it was all regular servicing. It is 12 qts of oil and MB like to do tranny services at 20k intervals. Plastic stuff is like other vehicles and degrades. Worst is the windshield wipers that are clipped onto the wipers. They get yanked off and degrade quickly in teh sun. I zip tied them to the wiper arms to preserve them. As far as rust, being in CA not an issue. I went over the roof thoroughly as there are two ports which, if one gets on the roof, can flex the panel and unseal one of the round covers, starting one rust point. Hinges of older ones I see rusting. I keep certain things covered in wax and spray Boeshield as it dries with a wax film. Another thing is if you buy the fleet white vehicles, paint is not as good and coverage may vary. The colors and metallics are done with more care it seems or at least a clear coat, I dig mine. I would not have a dirt bike, SUP, the ability to tour with all this stuff, as well as camp.... And most important to me is the security of everything inside and keeping clean and out of the sun. Helps being single. Height wise I could stand up w/o the interior roof liner but with it I have to tilt my head slightly, which is utter luxury. I am 5'10 so the tall roof suits you better. I had an overhang above my garage to contend with and didn't need the height/space. Compare all the Ford versions. I found the MB engine choices were better than the Ford but Ford has multiple heights, plus dealers are everywhere. Sprinter means in many place the local MB car dealer can't help you, especially under warranty. You have to go to a certified Sprinter servicing dealer.
I think Nissan makes a couple of high top commercial vans now. I hear their commercial vans are very reliable and have v8 gas engines
I've had 2 Sprinters.... '08 3500 144 wheelbase, with 3.0 V6 and 5 speed. I drove it 250,000+ miles, it had a few problems and the 5 speed tranny was problematic. It required expensive service fairly often or it would get this weird rumble/vibration. It also didn't shift well or seem well matched to the engine. I presently have a '14 3500 144, with a 2.1 I4 and 7 speed. This truck has a little less power, but the engine and tranny work great. It gets about 15% better mileage, than the V6/5 spd too. I have 90,000+ miles on it and only had to put brakes on it. It's my mobile workshop and I run them loaded all the time for work and then haul my bike in it too. I looked at the Ram Pro-Master and the Ford Transit. Neither was available when I bought the '14 in October '13. I have no regrets about the second Sprinter and not sure I would go with the other options. The Pro-Master seems really cheap and the Transit falls in between. When equipped comparably as 3500/350 with high roof and diesel, they all have about the same MSRP. My '08 Sprinter had the best residual value of any 6 year old work van, with 250,000+ miles ever had for me. When I saw the 4WD version I was excited, until I saw it was only available with V6/5 speed. I would avoid that combo on a Sprinter...
As Norm said the 4 cyl is a good option 2 friends have them and I drove one and felt the same as my 6. It has 100 ft lbs less torque is all so if towing a trailer or needing FWD the 6 is the only option. In any case I have not had an issue with my 6 or the tranny. I assumed prior to the 4 coming out that it was a 250k miles drive train. Assumed it was proven world wide. I will report back when mine fails since unless it does this may be the last Sprinter I need. I did think about it last year but I really don't have the need for 4wd and would get the exact same model as I have including the 6. The 6 because I thought it was the most proven... Interesting how in a large van MB is changing minds with their 4.
I was thinking the ducato, they are inexpencive here but your models differ in the states v6 powered ?!? We rarly find one of those an then its an import. The vw crafters have gearbox problems and stay well away from vivaros mine gives me hell, 1small end eaten and on its 3rd gearbox @ 300k + not sure as i swapped the clocks at 289k. Buy american big n reliable.
I was born and lived in Europe for a long time and I was always in some form connected to the vehicle industry, I'll try to shed some light on the subject. First due to the taxation system and emissions legislation most EU made vans have small but highly tuned engines, not a good idea for longevity! The next issue is that to be competitive in performance and price sheet metal is paper thin and due to life expectancy of a van, not very well protected. On the positive, they are roomy and suitable for transporting bikes plus all your kit. Personally I wouldn't buy one. I have an old toyota van here in Oz with a 3L turbo diesel, the engine will probably outlive me and drives well. Some of the VW, fiat, Iveco and Merc models put out more HP for a tiny engine but are like a hand grenade with the pin out. If you only get one thing out of this post I hope it is that fiat is definitively a NONO!
Crew Member's FPG* kitted out Sprinter at the 2015 LAMC Tecate Sprint Enduro. (FPG Thermashields ). Note 3 Husky line up. http://www.forceprotector.com/
