In need of opinions, thank you

great question we have a 2006 MB 5cyc diesel just took it on a 200 mile trip. darn thing only got 19.2 mpg . I,ve had them all over the years ,I like this little thing 25ft its at lake erie right now but I,m at home,kid has it at a dog show. chassis is a dodge sprinter rv is a liesure travel van.com

The better fuel economy of the MB diesel, more than offsets the slight difference in the price of a US gallon of gas, which today, might be 15% less than a US gallon of diesel. If the diesel gets twice the mileage of the gasser, it elminates the fuel price argument.
I had a 2002 Chevy with a Vortec 350 V8, and got around 15mpg (gas). Not too bad.
I had a 2016 Sunstar 26HE (pretty close in size/weight to a small Class C) with the V10 and the 6 speed transmission and got around 7mpg average (gas) over the 4600 miles I did in it. Not too good.
I now have a 2018 Navion on a 2017 MB 3500 Sprinter chassis and average 15mpg solo, and 13mpg towing a 4500lb Wrangler. Not too bad.
Do the math.

Not sure what you are asking Ford vs MB based on mpg? As a long time RVer again not concern about mpg or fuel price. I prefer power get the Ford V10 and if you are worrying about longevity I have the same unit for 20 years bought new.

How easy is it to get Mercedes diesel service? I would assume the Ford could be serviced at more places if needed on the road.

WinMinnie02 wrote:
Not sure what you are asking Ford vs MB based on mpg? As a long time RVer again not concern about mpg or fuel price. I prefer power get the Ford V10 and if you are worrying about longevity I have the same unit for 20 years bought new.

The Ford V10 or the current large gas V8 was never available in a "small Class C".

Don't forget, with diesel, you have to buy DEF and the oil changes are usually measured in gallons, not quarts. Both of these add up fast over time.

My vote is for the Ford.

MDKMDK wrote:

I had a 2016 Sunstar 26HE (pretty close in size/weight to a small Class C) with the V10 and the 6 speed transmission and got around 7mpg average (gas) over the 4600 miles I did in it.

No comparison with the Transit based chassis and turbo-V6 and 10 speed transmission.

I have a 2017 class C on a Mercedes Sprinter chassis. The first time I needed needed service because of a "check engine light"I was in Utah and I live in California. The vehicle was brand new and on it's maiden voyage. I contacted three MB dealerships and was told by the first two that they don't service Sprinters. The third dealer said they did and would have to give me an appointment that was three weeks out because they were all booked up. About a month ago I got the dreaded "check engine" light again and I was in El Paso,Texas. went to the only MB dealership that said that they do indeed work on Sprinters but they were all booked up for two weeks.

On this same trip in Texas, my key fob quit working even after I replaced the two batteries so I contacted a MB dealer about a replacement. I was told that MB had sent a bulletin to all MB dealerships telling them that a replacement key fob would not be available if the owner of the vehicle still had one functioning key fob and that a replacement would not be available until maybe, just maybe, January 2023! Still it's not a sure thing. If one eventually gets a new key fob from MB, based on your vin # they will cut the key in Germany and partially program the key fob so that one can start the engine but you still can't lock nor unlock the doors. Cost? $175.

When the cut key and fob arrives at the dealership, the owner has to bring the vehicle in to have the fob further programmed so that the doors could be locked and unlocked. Cost? $250.

Along with the $500 front end alignment and other ridiculous expenses, this will be my last MB anything.

"....this will be my last MB anything"

I know exactly where you're coming from.

I was a high-line automobile dealer for 30 years (pre-Real Estate). You name the make -- I've owned it (in one form or another).

Over those years, I have subscribed to the following, and still do:

1. I love European cars, and will ALWAYS own a European car.
2. I will NEVER own a European car that is out of warranty.

Depends on the price difference.

Yes, the diesel will likely be slightly better in terms of $/mile (diesel gets better MPG but diesel is running around 20-25% more per gallon, so any fuel cost savings are mostly negated).

Are you taking a TOAD? What is the tow rating of the units you are looking at and how does that align?

Also, how many miles per year are you looking at? To get much fuel cost savings, you need to be driving a lot of miles per year. Related, are you looking new or used and how long will you keep it?

I am MB poor--have 3. Recently one of the key fobs stopped opening the doors of the Smart car. DW got it fixed as I refused after MB said $275+. I don't know what she paid. Its helpful to know how to fix them, MB, yourself. I have had them for over 50 years and can assure you that if it was done at the dealer you paid to much. That check engine light can come on if the gas cap is loose, defective, or gone. Dealer will charge to tighten it LOL! Right now it is hard to get real MB parts, I said real.