Winnebago is offering for 2015 the option of a 2.1L, 161 hp (I think it has ~265 ft-lbs of torque) 4 cylinder diesel with its 7 speed automatic transmission in its Winnebago View and Itasca Navion 24 foot models as an alternative to the usual 3.0L 185 hp, 325 ft-lb torque 6 cylinder power plant mated to a 5 speed automatic transmission. I have little doubt that the new engine will improve fuel economy (how much, I'm not sure), but would be concerned about its performance when this coach (which weighs 11000 lbs non-loaded with gear) goes up hills, passes other vehicles. I would think it may also not be recommended to tow anything if the coach is equipped with this engine (versus up to 5000 lbs with the 6 cylinder) but don't know this for sure. Perhaps we'll just have to wait and see what others say about the 'real world' driving experience of this engine in this application, but does anyone have any preliminary comments/ advice? Thanks.

we have a 2007 LTV ,MH with the I 5cyc MB diesel ,runs perfect ,just got back from a run to morehead city NC up and down theWV mountains ,at 65 plus mph , only avg 19.8 mpg round trip of 1800 miles. my most enjoyable time was passing a class A going up a hill going peep peep. this guy laughed at me at the fueling station ,I just could not resist the peep.I owned one of the monsters never again. pulled right up to the beach no problem.

I think the 2.1L is actually the standard now, and one pays a chunk of change for the V6 as the option. I'd rather have the other way around.I agree with you about concerns... A little four-banger is going to have to be spinning pretty quickly and have a good transmission in order for it to move the vehicle, especially a class "C".Given a choice, I'd rather have the V-6 because it has been around the block a few model years. It may not be as economical, but it is a good compromise between MPG and being able to handle mountains in CO or other places without worrying about "I think I can, I think I can".From what I've read, the four-banger is similar to the T1N's five cylinder engine. However, the jury is still out on that engine, so it will be a couple years before we read about how good/bad/ugly it is.

Just reading the specs I'd say the 2.1 four cylinder is more suitable for unmodified sprinter vans used in urban setting. It would appear to me the larger V6 would be more suitable for motorhome duty with weight, wind resistance, higher speed and mountainous terrain.

My argument is still the same with the Sprinter. Three words, Service, Service, Service. After driving 5K miles this month I saw only ONE Mercedes Sprinter dealer on my travels. I spotted dozens of Ford, Chevy, Chrysler dealers. I have a 2007 Sprinter that throws "codes" OFTEN, and every time it's throws a code, that's a trip to the dealer and a "diagnostic fee". Even owning a Sprinter getting " good fuel mileage" I just purchased a Ford E350 with the biggest V-10 on the planet. What you save on fuel with a Sprinter you lose in Service. I just drove a HARD 80 MPH plus for three weeks and not a single issue. When my Sprinter was new I was already to the dealer a half a dozen times within 5K miles. I know for a fact that the Sprinter would not be able to keep up with the traffic I was in going AGAINST monsoon winds in NM, with a speed limit of 80, because I have a 6% grade near me that my Sprinter will only make 40mph when the wind blows and it's an EMPTY VAN. Driving nearly 60 miles against those winds on a Sprinter RV would be embarrassingly slow. There's a lot more to RVing that saving fuel, and that is the ONLY thing the Sprinter has going for it, it lacks in reliability, power, service availability, GCWR, ( my GCRW has 3,250 lbs over the Sprinter with the same coach ) towing, etc. etc. Nope, for me I'll take less MPG all day long for the benefits of all the other things Chevy, Ford, Chrysler has to offer. I'm currently too afraid to drive my Sprinter more than 250 miles from my house for fear of it throwing a code and not being near service.Don't believe me....look at this High Price Service

That is a concern -- a "version 1.0" engine and drivetrain. Especially for Sprinters where you pay Mercedes prices when they throw codes, codes that can't be reset by the Torque app, nor a Scanguage 2, but only by the M-B/FL dealer.I think time will tell on the four cylinder. Mercedes has some competition in the US market now, and with the best fuel economy, and the 4WD/AWD option, they are ahead of the over Euro van makers in those regards here in the US. However, fuel economy is just a part of the cost per mile. Here in Austin, there is an excellent M-B dealer that knows what it is doing with Sprinters. Same with the FL dealer. However, this is the exception in most areas, not the norm. Austin may have two places for Sprinters... but I can get an E-450 or E-350 fixed up at least 10-20 different places in the same 100 mile radius.I wouldn't call that MB dealer horror story above typical. Usually I read about the "A" or "B" services being not that expensive, and most Sprinter users I know have had good luck.

New 2.lL 4 cyl diesel engine offered in Mercedes sprinters

25 Replies

JaxDad
Explorer III
Sep 22, 2014
Dakzuki wrote:
JaxDad wrote:
kendall69 wrote:
My argument is still the same with the Sprinter. Three words, Service, Service, Service.

I've got a number of Sprinters (2008 and newer) in the fleet.

I'd say the three words should be, rust, rust, rust.

You are also in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto.

Yes, you are correct, but that doesn't explain a Sprinters rusting out all over North America and in fact the entire world.

I've seen dozens of rusty Sprinters in Ireland where they don't have snow let alone salt.
rjstractor
Nomad
Sep 21, 2014
tpi wrote:
Just reading the specs I'd say the 2.1 four cylinder is more suitable for unmodified sprinter vans used in urban setting. It would appear to me the larger V6 would be more suitable for motorhome duty with weight, wind resistance, higher speed and mountainous terrain.

x2. I'm surprised that the motorhome market is even offering the smaller engine. I imagine that the small engine is intended for light cargo/delivery applications to compete with the 2.2 diesel that will be available in the Ram Promaster.
Dakzuki
Explorer II
Sep 21, 2014
JaxDad wrote:
kendall69 wrote:
My argument is still the same with the Sprinter. Three words, Service, Service, Service.

I've got a number of Sprinters (2008 and newer) in the fleet.

I'd say the three words should be, rust, rust, rust.

You are also in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto.
kendall69
Explorer
Sep 20, 2014
map40

My proof is I own both a 2007 Sprinter and a 2014 E350. I did the math on the last 7,500 miles on both vehicles Ford V-10 WINS hands down.

The surprise repair bill of my Sprinter and the 10 days in the shop and the 10 day car rental if I would have spent if I was away from home would have totaled $2,000 actual repair bill, $1000.00 hotel room, $400.00 rental car, $1,000 in added meals cost comes to a whopping $4,400.00 PLUS the fuel charge for the sprinter $7,500.00 miles.

Not to mention if I only had a two week vacation I would have spent 10 days of that 14 day vacation in a motel in East Nowhere.

Don't shoot the messenger Sprinter drivers, but the Sprinter RV would have cost me $0.77 a mile for the last 7,500 miles while the GAS GUZZLING E350 cost me only $0.40 a mile for the last 7,500 miles.

I didn't spend a dime in service only fuel costs, now add repair, meals, room etc the Sprinter LOSES.

So if the Sprinter RV owners were honest with the real hard cost of ownership/ repairs/ breakdowns, then it's Obvious the GAS GUZZLING Ford E350 half the cost of the Sprinter to operate in this example.
JaxDad
Explorer III
Sep 20, 2014
kendall69 wrote:
My argument is still the same with the Sprinter. Three words, Service, Service, Service.

I've got a number of Sprinters (2008 and newer) in the fleet.

I'd say the three words should be, rust, rust, rust.
RobertRyan
Explorer
Sep 20, 2014
Map40 wrote:
They are gutless, but they get the job done. I remember driving a Fiat Duccatto in Italy with 14 passengers. We were all young guys, and it was floored more time than not. It got us there and back, between 50 and 60 miles per hour, going through a lot of different landscapes.

Early Ducato's were gutless, and with 14 passengers would have been pretty slow
map40
Explorer
Sep 20, 2014
I have driven small diesels in vans for quite a few years. The first one was a Fiat in 1996, a few times a year, several different ones.
They are gutless, but they get the job done. I remember driving a Fiat Duccatto in Italy with 14 passengers. We were all young guys, and it was floored more time than not. It got us there and back, between 50 and 60 miles per hour, going through a lot of different landscapes.
I don't believe it will give you that much better millage. A 4 cyl running full bore or a 6 cyl running at 90% won't make that much of a difference. I have driven 1.1L diesel cars compared to 1.3 or 1.5, when used in similar use, there is not too much difference in fuel consumption.
I respect if you want to drive a MB, but please don't say it is because of the fuel economy. It will be ALWAYS more expensive to drive the little MB based RV than a hungry GM 8.1 or Ford V10. Investment and maintenance far offsets the savings on gas.
You want to save money? Buy one of the new Dodge (Fiat) based motorhomes. They will be cheaper (gas) and you will have service centers everywhere.
Just my $0.02
Dakzuki
Explorer II
Sep 20, 2014
Newsy wrote:
Hey guys...just put a down payment on a WB view 24j with the 6 cylinder turbo diesel. There was an option on the order form for the twin turbo 4cyl...$1200 option. The 6cylinder was standard.
Dealer claimed when he drove a couple units (I'm in MT) over Bozeman Pass it was able to hold it's speed better than the the 6cyl in the exact same View. And he saw the fuel economy go up to 20-25 on the highway with the 4. Seems like he was trying to sell me on a $1200 option!?? But maybe not. Anyone with experience driving a 4cyl twin turbo view 24j or any view at all.
Thanks in advance for any help you can give! We will not be towing.
Newsy

20-25 mpg? Did you see a crack pipe in his pocket?
RobertRyan
Explorer
Sep 20, 2014
Superduty 123 wrote:
All I can tell you is there are a ton of class c motor homes with either the spinter, dodge or ford (yea, small ford diesel chasis)

Dodge?I do not think do
Newsy
Explorer
Sep 20, 2014
Hey guys...just put a down payment on a WB view 24j with the 6 cylinder turbo diesel. There was an option on the order form for the twin turbo 4cyl...$1200 option. The 6cylinder was standard.
Dealer claimed when he drove a couple units (I'm in MT) over Bozeman Pass it was able to hold it's speed better than the the 6cyl in the exact same View. And he saw the fuel economy go up to 20-25 on the highway with the 4. Seems like he was trying to sell me on a $1200 option!?? But maybe not. Anyone with experience driving a 4cyl twin turbo view 24j or any view at all.
Thanks in advance for any help you can give! We will not be towing.
Newsy