I saw one of those new Dodge Sprinter's with the MB diesel engine today and it was the strangest looking van I've seen in a long time. It was in a passenger van configuration with the high roof. It seemed to have good acceleration and I couldn't see any visible exhaust from its diesel engine. Its just so odd looking and with the high roof I'm wondering how easy would it tip over?

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

See them all the time around here. UPS and FedEx use them regularly. Seen a few sprinter ambulances and a few in commercial use.

FedEx, UPS, and either a day care center or a private owner has one in Houston. They're becoming common. But I just don't like the "bigheaded" look of them.
-Joe

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

...the tallness, just conveys a sense of top-heaviness, but they more than likely maintain a fairly low center of gravity. The real issue will be stability in cross-winds, as those broadsides will act like a sail on a boat. Watch out for sudden unexpected lane changes. Anyone who has driven VW buses/Vanagons knows what I'm talking about...

I thought I read somewhere that they have A lower center of gravity than other vans, maybe the floor is lower ,but your right it does seem high

I've though the same thing... 'does it tip over easy?' But I'd imagine MB knows what they're doing! I love the sprinters. I want a cargo setup low roof one. I don't want to haul people around, just guitar equipment. Which I guess a sprinter is overkill for this, BUT I still want one.

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1984 190D 2.2 Auto 220k
2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport 70K
2004 Lexus RX-330 ??K
2005 Chrylser Crossfire LTD 6K

Play guitar? Go to www.cyberfret.com for free online lessons!

I've seen a green one in my parts, with tinted windows and a roof rack, some lady drives it, but she doesn't seem to ever have any passengers...

This is mostly about Sprinters and impact testing but there is some stuff about stability.

http://www.whnet.com/4x4/sprinter_crashtest.html

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

My 409d is an earlier version of the Sprinter. Same high top. It has dual rear wheels. Hasn't been blown around in high winds, and I drove it home to Denver from California where I bought it. The 69 Ford van I owned years ago seemed more susceptible to wind gusts. It also doesn't seem very troubled by passing semis.

It's a blast to drive. Very tight turning radius. I think a lot of people like the Sprinter's (and the older 207-409's) because of their nifty handling.

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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

It looks like the Sprinter is available in many different combinations and the price doesn't seem all that much. My only concern is that is sold as a Dodge and I've never known anyone who hasn't had lots of problems with them. I guess I might be seeing the Sprinter that I saw yesterday regularly as I pass by where this person lives on a daily basis and they live only about 2 miles from me.
Here's the website where I found more info about the Sprinter.
http://www.dodge.com/bridge/full_vehicle_picker.html?app=vehiclespecs&family=sprinter&model=cargo

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

Are you saying you won't buy one because dodges have problems? This isn't a dodge... it's just got dodge badges. EVERYWHERE in the sprinter has the loved 3 pointed star. Under the hood you wouldn't think you were tinkering on a dodge.

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1984 190D 2.2 Auto 220k
2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport 70K
2004 Lexus RX-330 ??K
2005 Chrylser Crossfire LTD 6K

Play guitar? Go to www.cyberfret.com for free online lessons!

It's odd that US Sprinters don't have the same options as Euro ones. They have choices of engines and transmissions in Europe but here it's just the 2.7cdi with 5spd auto. Why not standard transmissions?
They just brought in the cab/chassis options, why didn't they do that right off the bat? The pickup versions, particularly the crew cab versions could be quite popular, especially to motorhome builders.

There's even a 4wd version. Why in the world aren't they importing that one?

http://216.239.39.104/search?q=cache:RNRQErfu2Z0J:www.ebroadcast.com.au/ecars/Mercedes/Vans/Sprinter.html+sprinter+conversions&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

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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

If you don't like Dodge, buy the Freightliner version then!

-m

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Now:
2018 Tesla Model X
1999 S500 Grand Edition 164k
1992 300D 2.5 Turbo 287k
2005 E320 4MATIC wagon
1991 Alfa Romeo 164L 99k (sleeping for a while)

Then: 96 Lincoln TC, 93 Lincoln TC, 87 560 SEL, 87 300 SDL, 80 300D, 89 560 SEC

I'd only consider a Sprinter if it had a 4X4 option available here. I won't buy a Dodge version because that would mean I would have to rely on Dodge if I needed warranty service and all they offer is some lame 7/70 warranty that has a $100 deductable regardless what they do.
Yes, I would only buy one if it were offered by Freightliner.

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

Go for it...

Freightliner Sprinter Page

-m

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Now:
2018 Tesla Model X
1999 S500 Grand Edition 164k
1992 300D 2.5 Turbo 287k
2005 E320 4MATIC wagon
1991 Alfa Romeo 164L 99k (sleeping for a while)

Then: 96 Lincoln TC, 93 Lincoln TC, 87 560 SEL, 87 300 SDL, 80 300D, 89 560 SEC