Sprinters...good or bad??
I just heard some negative things about the M.B. Sprinter Diesel. Any opinions on this? Then another person told me that the 2013-2014 were okay. So I am confused. What are the experiences out the...
Forum Discussion
If you want a nimble small class C with decent fuel economy the Sprinter is one of the few, if not the ony option. It is also a Mercede$. Costly up front, and when maintenance is required. The relatively low GVWR forces manufacturers to use minimal weight materials in construction; suitable for normal use but suffers hard duty/abuse poorly (carbon fiber would be great, but too expensive to sell the finished product).
For several years Mercede$ owned Chrysler and Freightliner, and Class C's were built on all of them, with only the emblems different. On rare occasions owners have encountered a dealer that would only service their specific emblem.
A significant consideration is that they are severely over-engineered. If any of the system computers receives an out of range response from a sensor the engine may go into "Limp Home Mode" - only operates in reverse and 2nd gear. The only way the code can be cleared is by a dealer with the proper test equipment and software. Not all Mercede$, Dodge, or Freightliner dealers will have it. Mercede$ does not sell it to independents. Sprinters have been towed or hauled over a hundred miles to get the code reset, and that the only thing that had to be done. Happened to me a week ago. If it happens on a Saturday morning you are dead until Monday. I was lucky and found a Dodge dealer within 25 miles who happened to have the required equipment. Only took an hour to drive there in 2nd gear.
The high up-front cost is compensated a bit by the really good resale value.
Wes
For several years Mercede$ owned Chrysler and Freightliner, and Class C's were built on all of them, with only the emblems different. On rare occasions owners have encountered a dealer that would only service their specific emblem.
A significant consideration is that they are severely over-engineered. If any of the system computers receives an out of range response from a sensor the engine may go into "Limp Home Mode" - only operates in reverse and 2nd gear. The only way the code can be cleared is by a dealer with the proper test equipment and software. Not all Mercede$, Dodge, or Freightliner dealers will have it. Mercede$ does not sell it to independents. Sprinters have been towed or hauled over a hundred miles to get the code reset, and that the only thing that had to be done. Happened to me a week ago. If it happens on a Saturday morning you are dead until Monday. I was lucky and found a Dodge dealer within 25 miles who happened to have the required equipment. Only took an hour to drive there in 2nd gear.
The high up-front cost is compensated a bit by the really good resale value.
Wes
