Mercedes Sprinter vs Ford E450 seeking opinions

Olddud wrote:

ctilsie242 wrote:
Because Mercedes is killing the diesel Sprinter,

According to everything I have read, they are not killing the diesel sprinter, and the sky is not falling.

Adding a Gas version of the Sprinter for NA. Will not exist outside NA

pianotuna wrote:
From the following website:

"Mercedes-Benz, however, which pioneered the use of Rudolf Diesel's compression-ignition engine in passenger cars 81 years ago, sells no diesel vehicles in the U.S. this year" (sic 2018).

https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1112988_for-2018-only-12-diesel-vehicles-offered-in-u-s-guess-who-has-most

RobertRyan wrote:

pianotuna wrote:
The Sprinter Diesel is not going to be sold in North America any longer.

No OTHER Diesels that is cars and SUV’s but Sprinter Diesel will be. There is an option of a Gas engine on the soon to be built US versions

CharlesinGA wrote:
All that happened is that Mercedes did not submit the emmision documentation to the NHTSA nor to Transport Canada for next years Diesel AUTOMOBILES, meaning they do not intend to sell DIESEL AUTOMOBILES in the US or Canada.Charles

Charles: That's good news. But, it comes too late for a lot of people stuck with defective (still under warranty) units. The other unfortunate part is they will be selling those units south of the border to unsuspecting people down there with absolutely NO support. I had one - it's still sitting at the dealership in Panama.

All that happened is that Mercedes did not submit the emmision documentation to the NHTSA nor to Transport Canada for next years Diesel AUTOMOBILES, meaning they do not intend to sell DIESEL AUTOMOBILES in the US or Canada.

The articles make no mention of Mercedes/Freightliner diesel trucks being discontinued.

Much ado about nothing and a whole bunch of chicken little.

Charles

ctilsie242 wrote:
Because Mercedes is killing the diesel Sprinter,

According to everything I have read, they are not killing the diesel sprinter, and the sky is not falling.

One interesting pro for the Ford chassis models. Ten years from now, you will be able to find parts for the E-350/E-450 chassis, including crate engines.

Because Mercedes is killing the diesel Sprinter, it may be dicey finding things like particulate filters and such, ten years from now. It might be that parts would only be available from a "boutique" custom CNC machining place, similar to how people obtain parts for long-discontinued VW stuff.

I personally am concerned about parts availability with Sprinters, especially with this recent announcement, so I would look at another chassis if buying within the next couple years, until this mess is sorted out. On the other hand, I have zero worries with Fords if I need to find something.

cbigham: How did the 23U drive, Its small, We drove the Winnebago minnie 25B at 26 feet and the back end of it bumped around and was very choppy for guest in the rear or center sofa/dinette. Just wandering if the 23u had better ride.

I just bought a Thor 23u on the e450 chassis, we wanted the heavier has sis for tow, carry a motorcycle on the hitch rack, and wanted less e350 torsion bar, sway issues. Drives nice enough, had a e350 based 1998 starflyte. Good as well. I often wonder how a winnebago view would deal with severe side winds ..such a narrow stance axel width for its height.

Personally not interested in diesel technology I have no hope of being able to fix, especially In the field. I've seen a lot go wrong with rv's mine and others over the years. V10 I can fix most stuff. Old cummins, Detroit diesel suff, cat, yes.new computerized diesel? No.

Fwiw I checked out expeditors websites to see the types of van chassis holding up over 2,3,400k mikes. Ford v10, some chevies. People like the sprinter but had lots of issues around 2,230k. Nothing money won't solve but not fixable everywhere. Expeditors are small haul cargo carriers carrying sensitive, expensive or otherwise was shipped in van.

I went from a Ford E450 28' class B+ with one side slide to a Mercedes Sprinter 25' B+ with rear and side slide. The interior layout and length was nearly identical with rear slide extended. The biggest reason for us to change was easier to maneuver in tight state and county park campgrounds, gas stations, and parking lots; quieter ride, less intimidating for wife to drive, driver comfort, fuel economy, and long term resale value. I have never had issues finding diesel fuel and for me an oil change requires 6 quarts more oil, a minor cost adder. Fuel economy towing the same car with both, Ford 8mpg, Sprinter 16mpg.

We (both turning 60 next year) have an E350 with a 6-way power driver seat that the RV manufacture supplied. The seat can be adjusted all the way back without interference to the dinette behind it. I am 5'-11" and 190 pounds. I have one complaint regarding driver comfort. That is the position of the gas and brake pedal relative to the driver seat.

When I have been away from the motor home for months at a time, every time I first get in the driver seat and hit the brake pedal to put the vehicle into gear, I mistakenly press the pas pedal. The two pedals are skewed to the left because the engine compartment is so wide. Studying my relative position as I am used to with all my other vehicles, the gas pedal is where the brake pedal should be, and the brake pedal is where a clutch pedal would be if I had one. My seat is in the correct position relative to the steering wheel so the seat is mounted properly. After a day or two of discomfort from it, I adjust to the skewed pedals and all is okay for the balance of the trip.

When my wife drives, I sit in the passenger position and am comfortable with the limited leg room. In that seat, we both sometimes rest our right stocking foot on the dash to the right of the air bag, and other times place our left leg between seats.

I think we would all agree that E350/E450 leg room is tight, but neither my wife and find it to be an issue. It really is no matter at all for us, driver or passenger positions. Either discomfort is blown out of proportion, or the people with exceptional discomfort have issues with arthritis and leg/hip joints.