Mercedes V6 diesel

Old Crows wrote:
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.....

VERY important info for me at least. Mucho thanks

I don't have that many miles on mine but I like it so far. I tow a Subaru Crosstrek and it handles it fine.

You can run biodiesel in the newer ones you just are not supposed to run more the 5%.

We love ours. We do not tow and have never have felt we need to, unless we stayed in one spot of several days. But we have just unhooked and take the MH where ever we need to go.

You can park it anywhere, even in one parking spot if it is over a curb.

The 3.0l has all the power we need. We have 27,000 in just over 2 years, I drive 60mph and we our average for the 27,000 miles is 16.1 MPG.

Snowman9000 wrote:

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.

MB warns not to use bio diesel in their engines, it stated in the owners manual. Some owners have run bio diesel but I think the reason MB says not to use it is it clogs the particulate filter and the egr valve. Check out the Sprinter forum for more info.

Here's a link to Mercedes Benz spec sheets:

List of M-B specs

Sully2 wrote:

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

Anyone that says they can't tell they are pulling 4000 lbs with a Sprinter class C are being dishonest or are clueless. I can certainly tell when I am pulling my toad that's slightly less than 3000 lbs.

Dakzuki wrote:

Sully2 wrote:

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

Anyone that says they can't tell they are pulling 4000 lbs with a Sprinter class C are being dishonest or are clueless. I can certainly tell when I am pulling my toad that's slightly less than 3000 lbs.

I agree, with mine I can feel the difference between no toad and the Subaru which is just over 3000#.

Have been very happy with our Solera once all the engine bugs worked out. Set our Chevy Equinox up as a toad and at 4,000 lbs, we know it is behind us. I got a great deal on a Smart car and now tow that as a toad. I can say that we do not know it is behind us when we tow it. Is only good for the two of us but take the Equinox when we have the grandchildren with us and need a toad. Do love the Mercedes as a platform for a small class c.
BadBob

........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......

ULSD not > 5% bio. BAD EXPENSIVE DAMAGE TO EVERYTHING in injection system, fuel tank, exhaust, intake, and oiled bits in engine if you regularly exceed that. That said. Its likely OK from time to time as you need to. Example: Love's ULSD is labeled > 5%. A tank of that followed by Regular ULSD would likely be OK.

Sully2- I traded my 2000 36' Dp on a 24'Thor Siesta with the Mercedes 6cyl engine in June of this year. Now have 8000 miles with no problems. Consistently 16mpg, smooth running and easy to handle. Florida to Niagara and just returned from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Seldom use the toad, just not necessary. Available power has not been a problem.

While Freightliner seemed to support DIY maintenance, Mercedes seems to want more control. Maintenance overall is simpler.

Weight ratings on the sprinter chassis are close. My unit basic weight is just under 10K,(full fuel & propane + driver) GVWR is 11030 GCWR is 15250. Rated to tow 5000# but if at GVWR only 4200# is available. MY toad is also just under 4000# and tows easily.