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#1
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Dodge Sprinter.. uhhh! MB Sprinter
Has anybody driven or tried the Sprinter. It is apparently the cheapest way to drive a brand new diesel mercedes in the USA...
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------------------------------------------ Aquilae non capunt muscas! (Eagles don't hunt flies!) 1979 300SD Black/Black MBtex239000mi 1983 300TD euro-NA. White/Olive Cloth-MBtex 201000mi. Fleet car of the USA embassy in Morocco 1983 240D Labrador Blue/Blue MBtex 161000mi |
#2
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Yahoo has a Sprinter Group. I've owned a couple of the pre-Sprinter vans.
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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 |
#3
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A buddy of mine just bought a Sprinter van for his coffee roasting company. I drove it off the lot and it was amazing. I couldnt believe how easy it was to drive... it felt tall and huge sitting in it with the high roof line and all, but in reality it is probably the best handling cargo van on the market - easy to manuever, park, and drive. Mercedes definitely knows how to make vans.
Power is quite good- of course theres ample torque at all speeds with the diesel engine, and it can handle hills and highway spees with ease and it feels super solid. Definitely a quality commercial grade piece of engineening that has had alot of thought put into its design. I love the rear doors that swing all the way open, and lock up against the sides of the van with magnets, the roof height allows for a tall guy like me (6ft2") to walk through the cargo bay without straining, no-slip grip floor coating, etc.. The cabin of the van is super comfortable and is all mercedes... fit and finish, and features hark back to the build quality of the early 90's. The climate control features the REST mode for cold weather, and the transmission features the clutchless shift... I thought it was odd to offer the option on a cargo van, but it certainly adds to the uniqueness and provides a certain form of novelty entertainment. Neat vans! I am going to be ordering the Mercedes trim conversion kit and installing it within the next week or two.
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Nate 1995 E420 1992 BMW 525i 1984 300D Turbo sold 1993 Volvo 244 sold 1995 Volvo 944T R.I.P! "The details are not details. They make the product." -Charles Eames www.cbs.nu |
#4
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Quote:
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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 |
#5
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i have driven sprinters for the car rental company, between Paris and Heilbronn......they are excellent highway vehicles, they go over 200 k's......
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-Justin I believe in extreme automotive perfection whenever possible.......there is no such thing as "It doesn't matter" !!! 1985 300 CDT - 287k miles 1980 240 D - 340k miles With extras !! http://facebook.com/BenzDieselTuner http://facebook.com/SWFLAlternativeFuelsClub http://facebook.com/SWFLBenzClub http://SWFLBenzClub.com |
#6
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I see more and more of them in the construction trade. Mostly good reviews when I ask. I also ask any FedEx, UPS, etc. driver when I see them what they think. Again, most like them. The complaints I hear are Sprinters go through brakes and tires pretty quick. My guess is the brakes are typical MB, use soft pads and make the rotors last, replace pads often. Regarding the tires, anything that tall and heavy will use up tires quickly if driven anything more than sedately. I don't know many US drivers that drive sedately.... If I could swing the $30K price tag I would consider buying one. RT
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When all else fails, vote from the rooftops! 84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K 03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K 93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K |
#7
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i love the design but have no use for one.
durn! tom w
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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC] ..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis. |
#8
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UPS bought a bunch of them and we got a few at my old center. EVERYONE liked them and in aggressive service they delivered 20mpg. One thing that I noted is that the bodies are TINNIE!! I think that UPS will have structural issues with the bodies. They literally run them until they drop.
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My Truck.. 2007 DODGE, 5.9 Cummins, 6spd stick, 4X4. My car..1977 240D, OTHER WHEELS...1955 VW Oval window bug, European Delivery (Holland) with a 1700cc, 2 barrel, Porsche drum brakes. 1939 WILLYS Pick-up. 1967 Triumph 200cc Tiger Cub. 1976 Honda 550F 4cyl Motor Cycle. |
#9
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I'm surprised that Click and Clack recommended against one a few months ago when a caller wanted a larger vehicle to haul dogs and sleep in.
I'm guessing they weren't familiar with the smaller sized one and were only thinking of the larger ones like UPS and FedEx use. They have small tires for such a large van and always have.
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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 |
#10
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i convinced a driver at the company i used to work for to buy one after his Chevy Astro was getting long in the tooth. He bought it at the beginning of 2005 and by March of 06 had over 100K miles on the thing. He had one problem with it that was not usual, the weld that held one of the driver's door hinges somehow broke and the door nearly came off the van. He had over 80K miles on that van when he took it to the dealer to be repaired and they decided to repair it for free. Not at first mind you but after he *****ed loud enough about his $38K van having the door almost fall off. And that guy really could ***** loudly and clearly. I would say he was a pro almost.
Unfortunately, he had a collision with an 18 wheeler last month and was killed. http://www.thevictoriaadvocate.com/147/story/15875.html
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TXBill Former owner of a few diesel MB cars 1998 Lexus ES 300 In Chicago We Trust |
#11
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The amt of options and features avail on the Sprinter continues to amaze me. Low roof, tall roof, LWB, SWB, diving wall, the plethora of accessories, etc.. The one my buddy bought has a dividing wall between the cockpit and cargo bay... certainly makes heating and cooling the cockpit more efficient, and reduces any noise that might otherwise obstruct the drivers peace of mind when carrying rattling cargo.
Another ingenious simple feature are the steps integrated into the front and rear bumpers, cockpit storage & organization, and so forth. Very ingenious, very mercedes. I never thought I could be so impressed by a cargo van! There are a few companies that specialize in Sprinter conversions- luxury passenger vans, campers, heck even Westfalia does Sprinter conversions.
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Nate 1995 E420 1992 BMW 525i 1984 300D Turbo sold 1993 Volvo 244 sold 1995 Volvo 944T R.I.P! "The details are not details. They make the product." -Charles Eames www.cbs.nu |
#12
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I sell auto parts, and I can tell you the Sprinter is a disaster to get parts for. Mercedes engine, Freightliner chassis, and everything else is Dodge on-offs. PITA.
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- Brian 1989 500SEL Euro 1966 250SE Cabriolet 1958 BMW Isetta 600 |
#13
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I have driven sprinter vans and found them very capable. The options available make it a strong contender in the service van market. The cargo area is tall enough to stand in and get work done. The dash layout and headlight aiming are also a plus. The tire size used makes tire replacement far more inexpensive then a slew of 16 inch tires. It's a well thought out vehicle.
Sorry about your loss Bill. |
#14
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I would take one of those Westy conversion in a heartbeat. Beat a VW Westy hands down, even though I have a special place in my heart for them.
I doubt you could get a Westy Sprinter conversion in the States, probably Winne Conversions. Edit: Looks like Westfalia teamed up with Airstream to offer Sprinter conversions in the US. Guess what the MSRP is? $84,650
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-justin 1987 300TD, 1987 300TD 2008 R32, 2000 Passat Wagon Last edited by justinperkins; 01-09-2007 at 06:46 PM. Reason: found out westy does offer a conversion |
#15
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Yes exactly, the Airstream Westfalia Sprinter. A bit pricey, yes. Underneath the horribly cheesy typical RV color and graphics it is a very neat camper. I have to admit I was a little unimpressed with the cosmetic treatment Airstream carried out on the thing, but its nothing a paintjob and perhaps a simpler stripe couldnt change. The silver paint isnt too bad i guess. The Airstream/Sprinter Interstate and Parkway coaches are neat too.
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Nate 1995 E420 1992 BMW 525i 1984 300D Turbo sold 1993 Volvo 244 sold 1995 Volvo 944T R.I.P! "The details are not details. They make the product." -Charles Eames www.cbs.nu Last edited by Veloce300DT; 01-09-2007 at 07:08 PM. |
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