Class C Sprinter questions

ernie1 wrote:
To add and concur with what bob Nestor has said, my 2018 MB 3500 is not hardly trouble free and very pricey to repair and only if one can find a MB dealer that will actually service your Sprinter. Only certain dealers can service Sprinters and the usual wait is weeks before one can bring their vehicle in for service. Think long and hard abought having Sprinter troubles while you're on the road and have to wait weeks before you can get it serviced.

One of my key fobs quit working and Mercedes told me I'd have to wait until January 2023 before they MIGHT have a replacement. The key fob quit working August 2022! When and if the key fob arrives, it'll have to be programmed for two different functions and then the vehicle also needs to be programmed. Cost will be about $400. only a Mercedes dealer can perform these programs because they have the very expensive equipment and I think the info to do it is proprietary.

Sprinter parts are costly as is servicing. Examples are: $500 for front end alignment, $225 for a fuel filter, close to $200 in parts for an oil change, etc.

I want to add that after the service notification occurs for you to perform the A or B service (oil and filter change etc), it takes you 12 steps to undo the service notification that appears on your dash.

Having owned 2 Mercedes in the past (an E350 and my son's c300) what you state is definitely a concern. Great vehicles - until something goes wrong. Is the ride worth it? Is the general reliability worth it? in a passenger car I can say yes. In an RV it's definitely a concern. I do have friends with a Sprinter van conversion and have been cross country several times with really no issues.

I've driven gas class C's and the ride was rough. Arguably worse than my gas class A's and loud to boot, not to mention horrible mileage. But the drivetrain is bullet proof and easier to find parts and repairs. Is the Sprinter ride that much better to compensate for the risk?