Mercedes V6 diesel

There are a lot of posts about this subject. I'd look around previous posts here, and check out Sprinter Source for more info.

JMHO, but I consider them very reliable... but if/when they do break, you do pay Mercedes prices for parts/service, and finding not just a Mercedes (or Freightliner) dealer, but one that services Sprinters can be difficult for non-urban areas. You also will be paying a $15,000-30,000 price premium for the Sprinter chassis as well.

The V6 diesel, the OM642, is a decent engine. It has been around for a long time. The four-banger is OK, but it sacrifices pickup for MPG.

mines a 2007 5 banger runs great ,my daughter pulls a 6x10 box trailer with her dog equipt and a golf cart with no trouble. I pull a 18ft bass boat also..

Competent power plant. We get 15 mph pulling our toad. Keep the revs high on mountain passes and you will get over them.

I've had one for 3 years and its been great. DIY maintenance such as oil and filter changes are simple. Depending on what type of MB based RV you're looking at will determine what you can tow. Mine is rated for 3500# due its size. Smaller units are rated for 5000#. Either one still gets great fuel mileage. They are picky about what diesel you burn, low sulpher only and no bio-diesel.

We really like ours. Solo it gets 15 MPG @ 65 MPH max, and pulling a toad 15 MPG @ 55 MPH max.

It get up hills well enough, and has a 3500 lb tow weight. Later ones are 5000 lb.

No issues whatsoever with the turbo diesel 3.0L M-B 6 cyl engine.

We have a 2015 Itasca Navion with that engine and my Husband loves it. We tow a Jeep Wrangler with it and my Husband said he can't even tell it's back there.

Smooth running. VERY quiet outside and inside even under full throttle. Efficient. Amazing power considering it is only 3 liters. Flat torque curve from 1100 to 3500 RPM. Quick reving. Common Rail Diesel. Variable vane turbocharger. '13s and on are BlueTec & equiped with selective catalyst reduction and diesel particulate filters and require diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). Practically speaking, Bluetec means the V6 has more torque and power..gets better MPG ... than the earlier V6. Very nice wide ratio five speed automatic that you can "Paddle shift" if you wish.

Ours cruises at 65 turning a little less than 2400 rpm.
Our 10K lb+ 14 View Profile 24G gets 15+ mpg most of the time.

They do REQUIRE Mercedes specification 229.51 / .52 oil to protect the emission controls. 10,000 mile oil changes.

Our second Sprinter OM-642 V6 diesel RV. No mechaicals. As to the expense of repairs.... If you break or have to repair ANY modern diesel it will be expensive.....

Timberdog wrote:
I've had one for 3 years and its been great. DIY maintenance such as oil and filter changes are simple. Depending on what type of MB based RV you're looking at will determine what you can tow. Mine is rated for 3500# due its size. Smaller units are rated for 5000#. Either one still gets great fuel mileage. They are picky about what diesel you burn, low sulpher only and no bio-diesel.

What happens when you run biodiesel, or is that just a personal preference for you? Here in IL, you'd be hard pressed to find non-bio diesel. And there are Sprinter fleet vans running everywhere.

My buddy has a upholstery shop and uses a Sprinter 3.0. 440K miles and still strong. I did have to replace the egr gasket a couple of months ago.

Poodle Power wrote:
We have a 2015 Itasca Navion with that engine and my Husband loves it. We tow a Jeep Wrangler with it and my Husband said he can't even tell it's back there.

Im looking at dragging a Jeep Liberty thats slightly less than 4000