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.
