Are there any members with direct experience with the dodge sprinter? I have a large family, 4 kids, and am thinking about my next family car. Current people mover is a 2003 suburban. I am looking at the short wheelbase 8 passenger model without the high roof. Anyone own a passenger model? Wondering about driving behavior, cornering, highway behavior with crosswinds, winter driving, quality/dependability, and mileage. Any input appreciated.


Kevin
1979 240D
1984 190D

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/sprintervan/?yguid=114678767

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Thanks, they've got it covered over there pretty well. Looks like many are going this route.

Kevin
1979 240D
1984 190D

YUP, Sprinter for me! I love the thing. Mines a Pleasure-Way Motorhome, 2006 built on a 2005 long and tall Sprinter chassis. Right after I bought it, I was in Palm Springs and some 70 year old former beauty queen with cat eyes driving a 450sl yelled out to me while we were stopped at a red light "Is that a Mercedes?" "Oh my Gawd it's beautiful!". I get lots o comments about it.

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1979 300SD 83k miles Astro Silver Metallic/Black leather #3447
1990 350SDL 202k miles (3L engine from an 87 300D)Black/Grey leather
2006 Pleasure-Way Class B MoHo (Sprinter chassis) 134k miles
2005 E320CDI 270k (car is sooo fast - I can't believe it's a diesel!!!)

I dont own one but I work on several. Don't seem to need much mechanically. In severe use, the chassis seems to hold up well if not for dents and scrapes, but thats unavoidable when you drive it 7 days a week.



Did you put the Mercedes Grille on it?

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91 350SD
14 F150 Eco
19 Fusion Hybrid
11 GT500

My friend has one and he uses it for hot shot work. The only problems that he has had is the driver's door top hinge broke off and the door nearly fell off. That actually was repaired with a goodwill warranty since he already had over 125k miles on it by then. He also has had a difficult time finding a place that will change the oil and filter using the correct oil. He finally fund a Firestone dealer that services about 10 Sprinters in the neighborhood and stocks all the necessary parts and oil.

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TXBill



Former owner of a few diesel MB cars
1998 Lexus ES 300 In Chicago We Trust

I believe the earlier models had problems with the EGR. I heard that the most recent ones have liquid cooled EGR's.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

i drove a sprinter.. i like it.. handles like a car yet is big and diesel... the owner of it had it in the shop for glowplug replacement.. and one broke off in the head!.. yea they told him about the problem and were going to charge him for a new head(machine shop yadda yadda) so he called up to MBUSA in jersey... got a new head for free out of warrenty(250k on the thing) and just paid for the GP's... not bad

Our shop has a long wheelbase 3500 with a custom box that will hold 3 Harleys!!! We have had no issues at all with our Sprinter. It consistantly returns 20-24 MPG, accellerates much better than you would expect and handles like a car!!!! It is quite the workhorse......I would recommend buying one!!!!