newbie to sprinter/mercedes, lots of question! help please

Cider wrote:

DrewE wrote:
Any motorhome is going to require a good bit of maintenance, not just to the chassis (that's probably the least maintenance intensive part) but to keeping up with caulking, cleaning, odd minor repairs, battery maintenance, and a host of other little things. Some are better than others, but all require more or less attention.

....

Personally, I think this guy has done more to scare people away from the BluTec engine than anyone else and I think his article is (mostly) his viewpoint. Mercedes is real picky about what fluids to use and as long as you use the current oil spec (229.52, in my case) and the Mann filters, there should be no real issues. And follow he prescribed maintenance schedules. I got about halfway through the article and stopped reading it. It is a good and proven engine, so enjoy it and what it will do for you. I am very happy with my MBS unit.

I suspect the wrong post was quoted; I don't believe I've attempted to scare anyone away from the BluTec engine, and I am quite sure I have not written any articles about them. While I personally would probably not opt for the Sprinter, all other things being equal, I've generally heard decent things about them--as with anything, there are advantages and disadvantages, strengths and weaknesses.

Presumably this was in reference to "...this guy in sacramento by name of Stephens..." mentioned in the post previous to mine. (It's not at all hard to hit the wrong quote button, for the following post, if one isn't paying extra close attention.)

OP, I can't offer anything about Sprinter, and I see you've had an RV before.

Still, it can help some to "set up camp" at home or very close to home before hitting the road the first time. Can really help ID things you forgot. Like "I packed Beanie Weenies, where's the Can Opener?"

Based on owner comments, the Forest River Sunseeker/Forester represents a decent choice in a Class C. Go enjoy!

DrewE wrote:
Any motorhome is going to require a good bit of maintenance, not just to the chassis (that's probably the least maintenance intensive part) but to keeping up with caulking, cleaning, odd minor repairs, battery maintenance, and a host of other little things. Some are better than others, but all require more or less attention.

The V10 is a good, reliable, capable engine, but does rev high to produce its power and does consume a fair bit of fuel. Offhand, the other alternatives I can think of for small class C's are based on the equivalent Chevy van chassis (with the GM V8), a Ford Transit chassis, or--for very small units--a Ram ProMaster. The Promaster has limited carrying capacity in comparison to the other alternatives, so pay close attention to weight limits when looking at any of them; some are pretty close to being fully loaded with no water and no belongings and no passengers.

Personally, I think this guy has done more to scare people away from the BluTec engine than anyone else and I think his article is (mostly) his viewpoint. Mercedes is real picky about what fluids to use and as long as you use the current oil spec (229.52, in my case) and the Mann filters, there should be no real issues. And follow he prescribed maintenance schedules. I got about halfway through the article and stopped reading it. It is a good and proven engine, so enjoy it and what it will do for you. I am very happy with my MBS unit.

so I talked to green engineering and they don't do anything for the new v6 diesel, said it would cost way to much. So much for that thought. Actually its fast enough in stock condition and will leave it alone.
Going to order the ez oil change equipment and change oil myself every 3 k miles and carry a set of speed sensors, or least the right rear with me wherever I go.
I live in Houston and travel mostly in deep south so I'm thinking straight approved 40 weight as it seems to hold viscosity better.
Is there a good Mercedes parts house to order mercedes parts from?
Going to take short initial trip for this weekend and towing small boat and start enjoying this beautiful coach.
Appreciate all info. I quit diesel A class because of to much maintenance and have been enjoying 5th wheel but I want to explore more and not be hindered by gigantic coaches, I just hope this doesn't get into nightmare. chuck

Lucky to go over 20 mph in limp mode?

Nope.

Mine will go 64-66 mph in limp mode, but its a 2004 OM647 2.7L I-5. It just takes a while to get up to speed, that's all.

A few comments on the Green Diesel Engineering software mentioned earlier. From their web site, it looks like they don't support newer than chassis year 2008. For those models than can use it, it gives a nice bump in performance and a small MPG increase. The newer sprinter engines that use the def fluid have increased power from the factory, possibly just as much as GDE provides with the non-def models. What's more important IMO is that the GDE software enhances reliability by disabling use of the EGR system and swirl valves. Failure of either triggers limp mode, which is not only annoying but potentially unsafe because you're lucky to go over 20 mph with it. The price of repairing the swirl valves is a few thousand $. As already stated, the sprinter is great unless it's broken. When that happens it can be an expensive nightmare. I've been lucky so far.

Any motorhome is going to require a good bit of maintenance, not just to the chassis (that's probably the least maintenance intensive part) but to keeping up with caulking, cleaning, odd minor repairs, battery maintenance, and a host of other little things. Some are better than others, but all require more or less attention.

The V10 is a good, reliable, capable engine, but does rev high to produce its power and does consume a fair bit of fuel. Offhand, the other alternatives I can think of for small class C's are based on the equivalent Chevy van chassis (with the GM V8), a Ford Transit chassis, or--for very small units--a Ram ProMaster. The Promaster has limited carrying capacity in comparison to the other alternatives, so pay close attention to weight limits when looking at any of them; some are pretty close to being fully loaded with no water and no belongings and no passengers.

thanks charlesinatlanta, great info and gives some hope on this beautiful RV.
Has anybody seen this guy in sacramento by name of Stephens or read any of his stories? I have and don't know what to make of this guy. Is he a nut job or looking for the $ only? Sounds like a very knowledgable experienced Mercedes blue tech mechanic but scares the **** out of me and makes me want to sell my sprinter now!
After reading his story it seems like way more maintainence than I signed on for.
This is just one more toy for this old guy and have a large boat that requires LOTS of maintainence and don't have time for another maintainence responsibility. However I tried a gas V10 and don't like that and still want a small c class. This is only diesel in small rv.
So please gentlemen any opinions are appreciated.

thanks for ALL info, I think ive read enough to scare the **** outta me! I'll give it a go and see how they work. Thanks for info about sprinter forum, I'll be checking that out. No chip for me until I see what this rig does. I'm picking up rig from Indoor RV center north of dallas today and start my experience.
Not sure what all I expect to be better than USA C class other than slightly smaller, quieter! And better MPG. Ive bought a new 5th wheel from indoor Rv 3 years ago, BEST rv compnay to deal with by far from what I can tell. I tried to buy local (houston) but nobody compares to INDOOR RV.

azdryheat wrote:
Don't let your engine battery get low as those Mercedes diesels take a lot of juice to start. Many of them don't have the emergency start switch that other motorhomes have to join the house battery to the chassis battery for starting.

Wrong on all points. The engine starts instantly - as long as you allow the wait to start light to go out. All of the ones I've seen have a switch to allow the house batteries to provide starting voltage.

To the OP,

Most new Sprinter chassis are rated to tow 4200 lbs +/-. A small boat, as long as the tongue weight is less than 500 lbs, is no problem. These things will do anything you ask of them to do without extra horsepower as long as you respect the chassis weight limits.