Sprinter owners

[yellowmerc]

I was wondering if there are any Sprinter owners on-board? I have had mine for just over a week and would like to hear from other owners.

Thanks



I'm also selling my 300 TDT is anyone is interested.

83 300TDT FS Massachusetts

[stevelewis]

I'm not an owner, but my brother-in-law is thinking about getting one for his company. How do you like it so far? steve 83sd

[whunter]

To bad I don't have the $2K for your 300 TDT.
That looks like a very nice car.........

[yellowmerc]

I've only driven 700 miles, so far so good. 25 miles per gallon and a lot of curious people. I've been asked about the Sprinter just about every day.

The stereo had great reception but sounded horrible so I replaced the head unit and speakers. Still using Beckers.

[MBDFahrer]

I've seen 3 sprinters in LA so far, all belonging to a company called "NORTON." However, I don't know if they are diesel or not, due to California's "special" regulations (hence the E320 CDI isn't allowed here).

[braverichard]

Hey yellowmerc,

Some questions:
1) How much did the Sprinter cost?
2) How is it's acceleration?
3) How does it ride? Like an old school truck or like a refined truck-based SUV?
4) What is your combined city/highway mileage like?
5) How many miles do you have on the clock (odometer)?

Sorry but I've been thinking about getting one for myself. Thanks.

[phofpower]

I have owned a 2003 Sprinter for about 2 months and put a little over 2000 miles on it. Gas mileage in the low 20's mixed driving. Acceleration is good, ride in front is fine in back can get bouncy for rear passengers, never harsh, much quieter than my brother's diesel suburban. I ordered the mercedes grill and emblems from England, and put G-Wagon wheels on it, which greatly improved handling and high speed stability 255/55/18 tires.

[phofpower]

This is a 2.7 cdi diesel with a 5 speed trans, I ordered the medium wheelbase 140", low roof 10 passenger w/ most of the available options including sunroof, although interior is not luxurious it is very functional, and I enjoy driving this more than my audi which has all the luxuries. We use this as an alternative to a minvan/suv.

[Rick Miley]

OMG that looks so much better with the G-wagen wheels. The standard Sprinter wheels have got to be some of the ugliest on record. The MB grille is pretty nice, too.

jmak24, the Sprinter is not offered with a gasoline engine. But trucks are regulated differently than cars, so the Sprinter might be legal in CA.

[engatwork]

phofpower - you were not driving up I75 through central Georgia within the past week or so were you. I saw one that looked like yours on I75 northbound (I was southbound). My kid said that the wheels looked like 20s.

I am going to test drive one at the local Dodge dealer that is white with an aux air conditioning in the back. It is stickered at $42k.

[phofpower]

No engatwork, that was not me, mine stickered at 37K does have the rear AC but not the aux on the roof version.

[yellowmerc]

phofpower-

I love the rims, looks great! Did you buy yours through Dodge or Sprinter?

I wasted time with a Dodge dealer and then purchased through Freightliner of Boston. The sticker on mine was $35K

When I have extra cash I hope to return mine to Mercedes status instead of freightliner. One thing I've read and have noticed is a vibration at low idle (coasting) as if you were driving a manual transmision in 5th gear at 15 mph. Have you had any similar symptoms?

[Benzcrusher]

Freightliner in NC makes these, MB bought Freightliner about 15 years ago... I've seen them all over here: on transporters, as Fed-Ex delivery vans and as 15 passenger vans. A bit too big for the driveway IMHO....

[engatwork]

I stopped by my local Dodge/Sprinter dealer on the way home from work today and took one for a test drive. First time I have been excited about a vehicle in a long time. The one I test drove had the raised roof and a roof a/c unit. I was very impressed with the interior space and think it would be an excellent weekender type of vehicle. The engine/tranny was SWEET. Now I know what they are supposed to shift like without vacuum leaks.

Not quite sold on the raised roof platform and I will probably nose around for a regular roof type. The color of the one I drove is silver and is not the long body style. Sticker indicated $42 and the salesman indicated they can "deal".

The salesman did point out the tranny dipstick and showed me the "sealed" dipstick. Told me that there is no service to 100k and it should only be done by the dealer. Takes the sythetic tranny fluid too. Oil changes out to 10k with synthetic. He pretty much tried to sell me on the "service" life. He does not know how much I enjoy working on them. Wonder if the service manual is on CD?

[kerry]

I have an 1985 409d with the 617 manual 5spd. It's a motorhome conversion of an earlier version of the Sprinter. The US 3500 Sprinters are known as 416d's in the rest of the world. The 2500's are 316d's. (3 or 4 tons and 160 horsepower)
There's a very active Sprinter group on Yahoo. I think a Sprinter forum on this site would be good.
I find it impressive that some people are towing 5000lb trailers with their Sprinters.