Sprinter is Still Going Strong 257k mi

[VanGirl]

Those of you looking for a van should consider a Sprinter. It gives you living space and fuel economy.<br>I bought my Sprinter new in 2004. It now has 257,000 miles on it and is still going strong. In the life of this van so far I have spent less than $2,500 in repair parts. I'm on my third set of tires and third battery. I do all my own labor so I don't have to worry about that. The MB 5 cyl diesel is a very strong engine. I even pull my 31 foot travel trailer with it sometimes. I have also lived in it for long periods of time. Overall it has saved me thousands of dollars in fuel cost and motel bills. I love it.

 

[wagoneer]

My interest in the sprinter began when it was first introduced but work and kids and money kept me away now with my limited funds i have gone with ford E350 ex bubble super duty 7.3 diesel 3500 bucks going to quartzite tomorrow for maiden longer trip hope to arrive tuesday 3/12/13

 

[MrNoodly]

Going by what I've read in Sprinter owner forums, you've had good luck. Or maybe it's that some other owners have had bad luck.

 

[rokguy]

<EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888"><BR>VanGirl, Yeh, I reckon thats a Good choice,</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888"><BR>&nbsp;I would agree that the Mercedes Sprinter is a bit expensive when it comes to maintenance but they have sold ten of thousands of these here in Australia&nbsp;including tray truck, delivery truck to motorhome versions and they have a good reputation for reliability. I guess as more are being sold the cost of parts/maintence&nbsp;is coming down.&nbsp; </SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">They have to be a tuff bit of kit to last under Australian conditions. We don't have an interstate road network like you guys.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">I don't know what size capacity the turbo engine is (2.6ltr-3.0ltr !!!) but it produces alot more power than my 4ltr Japanese turbo diesel truck does.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">I think the likes of the Sprinter and Iveco type van trucks will be the way to go in the future especially when considering the environment, rising price of fuel.<BR></SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">I would hate to say it but the fuel guzzling V8 dinosaur is finished everwhere outside the U.S.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Don't get me wrong&nbsp;there is nothing like the sound of a&nbsp;V8 in fact I have an intercooled 500HP 14ltr VT903 Cummins V8 in&nbsp;one of my trucks. at 6mpg I couldn't run it everyday.<BR>Geoff<BR><BR>PS Vangirl as you probably already know the most important thing with your Diesel is changing the filters (fuel, Oil, air) and engine oil regularly especially if its turbo charged.<BR><BR></SPAN></STRONG></EM>

 

[wrcsixeight]

Despite the North American Vanner purist's hatred of the Sprinter in these parts, I've always liked the Sprinter for its pure functionality. &nbsp;MPG interior room, win win.<br><br>Me thinks our interstates might be over represented. &nbsp;If we are talking racking up easy and low stress highway mile/distance miles, Oz's roads in my experience('99) were just as easy to rack up the kilometers as US interstates, without the major issue of running into a city during rush hour where forward progress becomes futile, and one's misanthropic tendencies get accentuated into the dangerous zone.<br><br>Many of our roads and Interstates are falling apart and beyond their design life, and holding a steady 110km/k or 68 mph for hours on end is not as easy as it once was, in many places.<br><br>What I liked the most about driving in remote OZ, the drivers coming the opposite direction, waved.&nbsp;

 

[VanGirl]

I don't think my success with my Sprinter is luck. I know many owners with the same or better high mileage success. I have had the usual issues, the difference is that I fix the problems myself. I always carry spare parts for known problems. Spare hoses, alternator, belts, fluids and tools.<br><br>The Sprinter forums are a blessing and a curse. Most, if not all posters are owners with problems. Those without problems never post. I have had the usual issues, the difference is that I fix the problems myself. I hate getting grease all over me as much as the next person but it saves me so much money.<br><br>As I have mentioned before, my Sprinter hates being off the pavement, tho I have it in the mountains of NM on gravel and dirt roads 50% of the time. The rear end of the Sprinter is so light the wheels will spin when climbing on wet, snowy, muddy and sandy roads. I have lots of weight in it including 2 heavy solar batteries and water tanks. The torque is just too strong!

 

[wagoneer]

thats good news on the sprinter how easy is the access to the vital parts like filters and glow plugs and injectors? With the E350 a bit tough it;s all hidden and my hands are too big. Going to quartzite today from Sf. Week off and first long trip take care you road warrior.

 

[VanGirl]

Everything except alternator replacement has been very user friendly. <br><br>The engine setup is much like an old flat head 6 cyl gas engine.<br><br>Glow plugs on top. Easier to change than most spark plugs.<br>Injectors on top but under a valve cover. No problems so far. I carry a spare.<br>Oil filter on top in front. Less than 5 min. to change. <br>Fuel filter under the hood lower behind oil filer. A little difficult.<br>Cabin filter under the hood easy access. 15 min. to change.<br>Air filter under the hood on left side. Easy after removing the air hose and 2 wire plugs.<br>Transmission filter easier than most. A drain plug on the pan. 6 bolts on the pan.<br>EGR valve on top 3 bolts and 1 hose. Very easy to change.<br><br>Common issues on my years model:<br><br>Main fan belt breakage also breaks a rubber hose transmission line to the cooler.<br>EGR valve clogs if you idle all night. (fast idle stick help)<br>Turbo resonator fails, solution is to replace with a resonator eliminator up front.<br>Turbo hose to the engine intake can have frequent failure. I carry a spare. <br><br><br><br><br>

 

[Spirituallifetime]

I have been wanting a sprinter van for a long time but can't afford one right now, and they are hard to find. The lowest price I've seen for a sprinter was about $12,000 for&nbsp;a 2002 in California. &nbsp;

 

[MrNoodly]

I wonder what the deal is with this one. $8795, 206k miles, long high top version... Something doesn't add up.<br><br>http://raleigh.craigslist.org/ctd/3673976295.html

 

[thin air]

I wonder what the deal is with this one. $8795, 206k miles, long high top version... Something doesn't add up.<br><br>http://raleigh.craigslist.org/ctd/3673976295.html

<br><br>T1N's are known for their injector problem... usually around this mileage.<br><br>notice that cylinder head is removed... http://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23412<br><br>http://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16068<br><br>http://www.sprinter-rv.com/2011/11/25/buying-a-used-sprinter-top-ten-problems-to-look-out-for/

 

[VanGirl]

If I were close enough I would take a chance on it. I want a bigger one than what I have. 2002 was an intro and bug year but at 200k miles the bugs should be out of it. <br><br>VanGirl

 

[karen]

I'm considering a sprinter myself. I have done some mechanical work before. I've changed a thermostat, fan switch, alternator, etc.. I like the easy access to components.

They are very expensive though unless I buy someone else's problem.