Hello!

I went to the San Jose Auto Show yesterday, and finally got my first close-up look at a Sprinter van. I know some think it's ugly, but i actually thought it looked pretty nice...and certainly a good basic passenger hauler or utility vehicle.

While there's no way in Hades I could afford one even in the somewhat distant future, I'm still curious about them. I haven't heard anything about reliability or longevity, except from someone on the Ford who's a mechanic for FedEx who thinks they're junk.

Has anyone heard anything good or bad about them?

I figured this was an appropiate place to ask, since they're basically M-B's...

Thanks!

I don't own one but have thought seriously about getting one, so I have done a lot of research. I can't imagine why anyone could think they're junk. The chassis has been around for many years in Europe, certainly long enough for M-B to work out the bugs. The engine is basically a 602 (like in the '90-'92 300D 2.5) so it has a proven record.

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AlexTheSeal: hack mechanic, inadvertent drifting champ, builder of infernal devices, professional epistemologist

'87 300D Turbo, roadtrip mileage champ (for sale!)
'92 Isuzu Trooper, mudder extraordinaire (for sale!)
'82 Honda Silverwing, cockroach of motorcycles
And various boring daily drivers...

I have heard very good things about them, my dad is very interested in getting one someday for use as a hauler or camping vehicle....

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Our Company uses them and Loves them!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mileage is great - Maintainence is Low

I rode in one from Syr, NY to Nashville, TN and back over a period of 3 days. From Nashville to Syr was done in One VEEEERRRRYYYYY Long Day. The ride was great and so was the handling..............

Stephen

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98 K2500 Suburban 6.5 Luxo Barge

"We cannot change the wind - But we can adjust our sails"

Last week, I talked to a guy that was driving one for the Heat/AC company he works for. He liked the ride & handling. Said the mileage on the 2.5 Diesel was much better than the previous vans the company had, but that traction was poor on slippery roads.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

The Sprinter uses a 2.7 liter 5-cylinder electronically modulated common-rail diesel fuel injection system.


I like the utility aspect of it. Always wanted a Mercedes van.

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1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)