Now that the Sprinter has been out for a year, does anyone have any familiarity about the durability success of this vehicle?

Are there any problems of any kind with them that have been identified.

Thanks for any input,

Larry - I'm test driving one this coming Friday at the local Freightliner dealer. Considering purchasing and making a "conversion" van out of a passenger/low roof Sprinter. I will find out as much as I can from the salesman but I'm sure he will probably be pretty biased.

The Sprinters have been out for a long time in Europe. From what I read on a European motorhome list, people seem very happy with them.

Larry,

I got to ride in a Sprinter van from the Frankfurt airport to a hotel in Mainz last month. There were eight riders and lots of luggage on board, and the thing absolutely flew down the autobahn. The driver had no problem keeping up with the traffic in the left lane and according to him all the Sprinters were very reliable. I sure hope we get those drivetrains over here in the new E!
Steve Hutson

Yes, I also have ridden twice in these in Europe. Once in Stuttgart and the other time for a long drive from a village outside Copenhagen back into the city.

You don't have to sell me on how they drive or ride. What I'm asking is if anyone knows about the durability, reliability and if they are easy or hard to work on.

Thanks for the replies,
Larry

"easy to work on" - Larry, there was one on ebay not too long ago for sale and they had a picture showing under the hood. It looked to me like it would be a pia to work on. The engine is stuffed back up in there pretty well.
We did not go check one out like we had planned. The wife said it would be a waste of time and I am trying to "butter" her up for the newest addition - the '82 240D, 141k miles, manual tranny car I am getting :):) so we did not go look at it.

Jim,

Yes, I expect there is lots crammed up under the hood. The question is the access via the doghouse, assuming that there is a doghouse.

In the mid seventies I raced motorcycles out of a Chevy Van with a 350. Once you got the doghouse out of the cab, it wasn't too bad except sometimes you found yourself going around to the frount, and then back around through the door, then back around to the front, then......................

I built an engine and changed it out through the cargo door with a cherry picker. All in all, I would say it was about 20% more of a problem to work on than a pickup.

Does anyone know if there is a doghouse that comes out and if it is a problem?

Thanks everyone,

I like the 140 wheelbase w/ standard roof in passenger form. I saw a red one at the huge Freightliner dealer in Rinngold. Has anybody driven one yet? I am very curious about these cool vans!

later,

Joe they have a Sprinter passenger van at the Freightliner dealer in Atl (Forest Park). I don't know if it is the high roof version or not. I saw one driving around not too long ago that someone was using for a personal family vehicle and I agree, I thought it was a neat looking family vehicle.

Here's a review of the Sprinter's 6 speed manual/automatic transmission from a UK motorhome list I belong to:As with all new things there is an adjustmsnt period, whci can be greatly
helped by some valid information when the motorhome is purchased.

Golden rule with Sprintshift, as with any auto box, use gentle pressure &
the accelerator & build up, don't just slam your foot down & go. Easing up
slightly in anticiapation of changes also helps - this is something you
would do quite naturally with a manual change anyway & as Sprintshift is a
manual change carried out automatically it makes sense to discipline your
right foot to continue as before.

I can honestly say that changes up & down the box are very smooth, probably
smoother than most could manage with a manual. That said changes aren't
"blurred" like an automatic of past experience, they are just like a manual
change, all happening "automatically". This is probably where the jerkiness
reported comes in, with a very torque converter you can just put your foot
down & the box & controlling systems smooth everything out for you, with
Sprintshift you should drive more as you would do with a manul, without
having a left foot taking part or having to use your hand to change gear.

Also, as it is a manual system controlled by a computer there isn't the
detremental effect on fule consumption that normal accompanies a torque
converter automatic.

There are other advantages over a torque converter, such as when you slow
down the gearbox changes down as you would expect with a manul, not go into
freewheeling mode as happens with a torque converter.

There is a complete manual option built in as well. This basically means
shifting the gears by pressing up or down for each gear, the changes happen
seemlessly at your command, with no detectable delay (the computer won't let
you engage the wrong gear & over rev the engine or engage a up change
prematurely before the engine can handle it), this is particularly useful on
long descents, where you can use engine braking to the full, saving the risk
of over heating the brakes (something that is harder to do with a regular
auto box). It also alows you to engage 2nd gear permenatly in traffic jams,
which can be jerky if the "brain" says it shouldn't shift out of first
"yet".

A simple press of the gearlever to the left returns the box to full auto
mode at any time of your choosing.

There is a short delay when you relase the brake when pulling off, during
which the brakes hold the vehicle in case it's on an incline so you can move
your foot from the brake to the accelerator & not roll downhill the instant
your foot comes off the brake. There is also a built in warning alarm which
sounds if you don't fully release the handbrake. With a clutch you'd "feel"
the handbrake holding you under such circumstances, without it the system
detects this for you & saves the handbrake from being burnt out out.

When used with the cruise control the gearshifts uphill & down dale are done
as well as maintaining speed, so you are free to relax a little more &
concentrate your attention of the road ahead & reduce driver fatigue, a real
safety bonus.

My recent trip across Europe saw 25mpg on average, with a fully loaded
(often fullish fresh water tank too) with a motorcycle/bicycle trailer on
the rear running at around 60-65mph most of the time. I don't think that's
too bad for around 4 tonnes.

The only point that takes a bit of learning (ie the first 2 or 3 attempts)
is when manovering. To get this right only requires a progressive gentle
build of pressure of the accelerator to ensure smooth movement of the
vehicle. Basically you're balancing required progress speed with engine
revs, something you do with two feet using a clutch, but only one with
Sprintshift. Once this has been mastered even climbing onto levelling ramps
is easy. You simply apply the hanbrake of left foot brake on the pedal when
you have the required position . You can even leave the vehicle in gear (inc
reverse), as you would with a manual on ramps (or on a hill), & it won't
disengage the gear, or (importantly) start the engine with it engaged, until
you have the ignition & then press & release the brake pedal. In fact the
engine won't start (like a regular automatic) unless you have your foot on
the brake.

As you've probably gathered - I'm a fan! Sprintshift offers the best of both
manual & automatic driving evirionments with little to learn or any real
penalties.

Oh one more thing.... the Sprintshift is a 6 speed box, vs the 5 speed
manual. So there are more gears for any occassion between 1st & top.

Hope this helps with the understanding - my experience suggests that the
reports you quote are from the lead foot brigade!

Marty.

-- The Camper House, sole UK importers of Autostar.
Tel. 01865 427900. Fax 01865 427576.
All comments herein are only the personal comments or opinions of the
author.



> > As a personal choice I went Mercedes, but that had a lot to do
> > with wanting the Sprintshift gearbox (which truely amazing to live
> > with - especially when tied to cruise control), rear wheel drive &
> > the power & torque spread from the 2.7CDi engine.
>
> Marty,
>
> I don't think I've read of a single review of the Sprintshift that
> didn't comment adversely on jerky changes. Hardly surprising given
> the challenge of automating an efficient manual box. What has been
> your experience? Is it just, shall we say, "different" and you get
> used to it? Or once a heavy motorhome is fully loaded, the mass
> irons out the jerks?
>
> I'm pampered by a Merc 5-speed electronic auto at present, with a
> sponge of a torque converter :-)
>
> I would also be interested in hearing of other Sprintshift users'
> experience.
>