Resale-mpg-service cost. MB 3500 vs Ford 450

I found the same issue. Sprinter rigs are heavily pushed by RV dealers to the point where a Forest River dealer will have all M-B models, and no Fords. Mainly because there is that $30-40k price difference.

To me, from what I've seen, the Sprinter gives you better MPG, no doghouse, and it supposedly doesn't lose steam in the mountains. The E-450, on the other hand is a lot cheaper, isn't too bad on hills, and is a heck of a lot easier to find places that can service them. The $35k price difference can buy a lot of gasoline.

coolbreeze01 wrote:

sullyman wrote:
I am hearing the MB might not be the way to go for me. Ford service easier to find and payback time is long.

On another topic. I looked at a bunch of Class C's today. Because of slide outs behind the driver seat and with no slide out the upper bunk support, leg room was a real issue. Seat back did not recline much to help. Anybody else find this as an issue, are there model/brands to focus on that may help out?

When we were shopping C's, I wanted fully adjustable electric driver/passenger seats. Many didn't have them at the time. Enjoy shopping and when it gets tiring, take a break. Be sure to test drive a few, some are unstable empty imo.

It does get tiring........taking a break is great advice...!!!

Thanks all. Good information

sullyman wrote:
I am hearing the MB might not be the way to go for me. Ford service easier to find and payback time is long.

On another topic. I looked at a bunch of Class C's today. Because of slide outs behind the driver seat and with no slide out the upper bunk support, leg room was a real issue. Seat back did not recline much to help. Anybody else find this as an issue, are there model/brands to focus on that may help out?

When we were shopping C's, I wanted fully adjustable electric driver/passenger seats. Many didn't have them at the time. Enjoy shopping and when it gets tiring, take a break. Be sure to test drive a few, some are unstable empty imo.

Bumpyroad wrote:


no, I have often heard folks say that they paid $3,000 extra for something and got $2500 for it on resale so they only lost $500. the truth is at higher interest rates, they actually paid $5,000 extra for that and they lost $2500.
you basically did the same thing.
bumpy

Actually, nope, I didn't. I'm not those folks. And now - back to the original post's topic.

NCWriter wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:

NCWriter wrote:

I should have mentioned that the resale or trade-in at the other end recoups the price premium. That was our experience - very minor depreciation after five years and 50,000 miles.

have you calculated in the interest you paid over x years on the additional cost? or if you paid cash, the interest you lost on spending that money?
bumpy

Doesn't everyone?

no, I have often heard folks say that they paid $3,000 extra for something and got $2500 for it on resale so they only lost $500. the truth is at higher interest rates, they actually paid $5,000 extra for that and they lost $2500.
you basically did the same thing.
bumpy

Bumpyroad wrote:

NCWriter wrote:

I should have mentioned that the resale or trade-in at the other end recoups the price premium. That was our experience - very minor depreciation after five years and 50,000 miles.

have you calculated in the interest you paid over x years on the additional cost? or if you paid cash, the interest you lost on spending that money?
bumpy

Doesn't everyone?

NCWriter wrote:

I should have mentioned that the resale or trade-in at the other end recoups the price premium. That was our experience - very minor depreciation after five years and 50,000 miles.

have you calculated in the interest you paid over x years on the additional cost? or if you paid cash, the interest you lost on spending that money?
bumpy

Bumpyroad wrote:

DrewE wrote:
In my opinion, engine longevity is immaterial for most motorhomes because any of the common engines will typically outlast the house part. The Ford V10 can be expected to go for at least a couple hundred thousand miles with ordinary maintenance.

Taking 16 mpg as average for the sprinter and 8 mpg for an equivalent E-350, at $4.00 a gallon it would take 40,000 miles to break even on NCWriter's estimated $10,000 premium for the sprinter.

or 80,000 miles at $2.00 a gallon.
bumpy

I should have mentioned that the resale or trade-in at the other end recoups the price premium. That was our experience - very minor depreciation after five years and 50,000 miles.

sullyman wrote:


On another topic. I looked at a bunch of Class C's today. Because of slide outs behind the driver seat and with no slide out the upper bunk support, leg room was a real issue. Seat back did not recline much to help. Anybody else find this as an issue, are there model/brands to focus on that may help out?

As mentioned before you may look for a RV that is built on a Chevy Chassis they offer more room in the cockpit,provide a better ride than the ones on a Ford Chassis and are not plagued with the handling problems that some have.

Some Brands to look into are Thor Chateau or Coachman Concord just click on floor plans, they both offer them on a Chevy Chassis.