Mercedes Sprinter - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jdcaples · #16 03-09-2008, 12:09 AM

Hi,

I bought a 2007 Sprinter Cargo van from Portland Freightliner in Portland Oregon. The dealership has changed names to McCoy Freightliner, but the building is still there. The unit is a "2500 144 WB, high-roof, diesel van." I think that roughly translates to a 3665 mm wheel base, 318 CDi with a high roof.

I ordered it in April of 2007 and received it in Sept. of 2007.

I've clocked nearly 4300 problem-free US miles on the van's OM642. Behind the engine is the ubiquitous MB NAG1, 5-speed automatic transmission. I ordered the 3.92 ratio rear axle. For 2007, the standard axle was 4.18 (stamped on the housing) but the DaimlerChrysler Vans, LLC literature (Dodge and Freightliner) listed 4.10 in the brochures, the build sheets and the websites. Oops. All 2007 varient in the States had a default axle ratio of 4.18 in the States, but for 2008 Chrysler Vans, LLC corrected the situation (in my opinion) and the default is a 3.92 rear axle. They have not corrected the literature which still reflects a "4.10 ratio" option.

In the States Sprinter cargo vans arrive in a partially disassembled condition. They are reassembled in Ladson, South Carolina. I'm told this is cheaper, with regards to importation taxes, since a cargo unit arrives as "parts."

The passenger wagons come into Florida fully assembled. Wagons didn't interest me, so I don't know as much about them.

I've been reading internet user reports of fouled EGR valves causing power loss and requiring replacement or cleaning at an alarming interval. Sprinter pundits blame our fuel... lower Cetane values and cross-contamination issues in the petroleum pipelines: fuel with a concentration of sulphur at 500 ppm, which mixes (perhaps as residue, incidental contact) with the 15 ppm fuel we're supposed to pump for on-road user, tainting what comes out of the nozzle, mocking the pump's ULSD label. The theory is that few of us are actually getting fuel to Sprinter spec.

I don't know.

However, I wondered if the v6 diesel ML and GL SUVs are having issues. So far my websurfing says the problem seems to be unique to Sprinters. I'm just a spectator, or rather, a proactive Sprinter owner. The local MB dealerships won't really talk to me. After all, the Sprinter franchise in the States belongs to Chrysler Vans, LLC, not MB-USA, LLC. Chrysler doesn't seem as well prepared to sell and service the 2007+ models as they were the older generation with the I-5 diesels that Daimler sent to the States between 2002 and 2006.

-Jon

PS: So far, it's the best van I've ever driven. Nothing available in the States comes close to comfort, noise and head room in the cargo bay. I don't think any US-available 2007+ diesel cargo van gets better mileage than I'm getting, either. I am concerned about the grief other owners with more miles have reported. That's why I'm researching everything for myself.

Sbean · #17 03-09-2008, 01:35 AM

A friend of mine recently got a low-mileage used Sprinter conversion and is traveling in it. He's in Mexico now.
Steve

Skid Row Joe · #18 03-09-2008, 03:18 AM

They're call Dodge Sprinter vans!

One use here is as a motorhome, mate! They get in the upper teens in mileage per gallon too!

http://www.winnebagoind.com/products/winnebago/view/index.php

Styler_Colfax · #19 03-09-2008, 05:00 PM

The company I just left was using 30-40 of those vans a week for all types of work related bodies.

They had a big GOV contract...they were very nice.
I remember them not having a oil dip stick..they had a light

siral3x · #20 03-13-2008, 10:54 PM

Yep, I heard horror stories abt them also ie: crankshaft bolt , cologged EGR(and I tough only VW TDI had the problem lol), axle ratio sucks, parts cost outrageous...etc.
These vans are nothing like the europen ones! I remember the Vitto van that is a 'smaller' Sprinter used by the Police force in Austria with odometers over 400k miles...
I'm not sure if anyone also mentioned that the US models are wayyyy detuned!!

siral3x · #21 03-13-2008, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdcaples

Hi,

I bought a 2007 Sprinter Cargo van from Portland Freightliner in Portland Oregon. The dealership has changed names to McCoy Freightliner, but the building is still there. The unit is a "2500 144 WB, high-roof, diesel van." I think that roughly translates to a 3665 mm wheel base, 318 CDi with a high roof.

I ordered it in April of 2007 and received it in Sept. of 2007.

I've clocked nearly 4300 problem-free US miles on the van's OM642. Behind the engine is the ubiquitous MB NAG1, 5-speed automatic transmission. I ordered the 3.92 ratio rear axle. For 2007, the standard axle was 4.18 (stamped on the housing) but the DaimlerChrysler Vans, LLC literature (Dodge and Freightliner) listed 4.10 in the brochures, the build sheets and the websites. Oops. All 2007 varient in the States had a default axle ratio of 4.18 in the States, but for 2008 Chrysler Vans, LLC corrected the situation (in my opinion) and the default is a 3.92 rear axle. They have not corrected the literature which still reflects a "4.10 ratio" option.

In the States Sprinter cargo vans arrive in a partially disassembled condition. They are reassembled in Ladson, South Carolina. I'm told this is cheaper, with regards to importation taxes, since a cargo unit arrives as "parts."

The passenger wagons come into Florida fully assembled. Wagons didn't interest me, so I don't know as much about them.

I've been reading internet user reports of fouled EGR valves causing power loss and requiring replacement or cleaning at an alarming interval. Sprinter pundits blame our fuel... lower Cetane values and cross-contamination issues in the petroleum pipelines: fuel with a concentration of sulphur at 500 ppm, which mixes (perhaps as residue, incidental contact) with the 15 ppm fuel we're supposed to pump for on-road user, tainting what comes out of the nozzle, mocking the pump's ULSD label. The theory is that few of us are actually getting fuel to Sprinter spec.

I don't know.

However, I wondered if the v6 diesel ML and GL SUVs are having issues. So far my websurfing says the problem seems to be unique to Sprinters. I'm just a spectator, or rather, a proactive Sprinter owner. The local MB dealerships won't really talk to me. After all, the Sprinter franchise in the States belongs to Chrysler Vans, LLC, not MB-USA, LLC. Chrysler doesn't seem as well prepared to sell and service the 2007+ models as they were the older generation with the I-5 diesels that Daimler sent to the States between 2002 and 2006.

-Jon

PS: So far, it's the best van I've ever driven. Nothing available in the States comes close to comfort, noise and head room in the cargo bay. I don't think any US-available 2007+ diesel cargo van gets better mileage than I'm getting, either. I am concerned about the grief other owners with more miles have reported. That's why I'm researching everything for myself.

Ohh yes...good point. A clogged EGR can cause power loss AND the worst clogged cat. converters. Another good example is the 1.9TDI vw motors prone also to clog EGRs, intake manifolds and thow CEL codes like crazy. Lots of trips to the dealer and $500/trip to clean the EGR and intake every time, and reset the computer!