Sprinter Vans

[yr2017]

How many of you have a Sprinter Van?
I need opinions:
a) Quality and workmanship
b) Ease of dealer service
c) Was it worth the upgrade to the camper vs DIY cargo van
d) Would you buy another
e) If not, what would you buy

[yr2017]

Those of you with the newer units - have you had any problems with DEF?

[NCWriter]

Excellent quality, no problems getting servicing, never considered doing the build ourselves, would buy again. We have about 72,000 miles, so it's still a puppy in diesel years.

Our mileage is great (23+ mpg average since we bought it used three years ago) and it really does the job in mountains. The van does what we need it to do - provide a cost-effective way to see a whole lot of the USA and CA with minimal hassle.

[Fastpaddler]

Our 2006 (2007 build) Pleasure-way Plateau TS, is, if you look at it clinically, basically a commercial van, built on a durable, MB chassis with MB nannies,ie they help keep you on the road and no problems normally with cross winds. Newer Sprinters can make their own claims. Chrysler OR Mercedes Benz service Sprinters here are serviced locally without a problem. The diesel engine in the pre 2007 was an inline 5 cylinder:almost indestructible. The post 2007 including the 2007 have the V6 generally which IS strong and reliable. I am wondering about the claims for non service in some areas and were the MB and Dodge(Chrysler) dealers aware of specific needs. I have never had a transmission or engine problem and the drivetrain with 60K miles is happy as a clam. The resonator has been replaced but that is even rare now. I do like the idea of a Promaster v6 but they too can fail and that is just normal for mechanical devices. MPG: I get better mpg than most of the little grinders around here!!!

[bobojay5]

RobertRyan wrote:

Bobojay wrote:
Chrysler has taken it's experience with the Sprinter and used that to make many improvements in the ProMaster under the skin vs it's European Ducato cousin

Looking at your Promaster versus the Ducato. I would say the major changes have been to make it cheaper and the ability to run a gas V6 engine as against a diesel.

Negative on the cheaper. The frame has been strengthened considerably. Full body rustproofing. Seats are much nicer w/integral air bags. Dash has been updated, plus more.
Yes on the gas engine and 6 spd. auto

Now back to the Sprinter question thread

[yr2017]

Thank you everyone that answered.

The older models were handled by Dodge and FL dealers. Now it's MB & FL. My Dodge dealer hasn't had one since the bailout, yet he still works on them - buying parts from the central warehouse and FL.

[applegater]

Two sprinters,one a B (80,000 miles) and one a C(20,000 miles):

Excellent
Excellent
Yes
Yes

[AsheGuy]

117K miles on ours over 9 years. As the signature line shows, we have covered all kinds of roads and terrain including two trips to Alaska. Wouldn't hesitate to go anywhere in it now.

• Quality and workmanship - As good as it gets in our opinion. Only minor problems and not many of them.
  
• Ease of dealer service - No problem for us. Dodge dealers continue to provide service and are close by. On the road, have only needed service once at a dealer and a Dodge dealer in Boston handled that nicely.
  
• Was it worth the upgrade to the camper vs DIY cargo van - Never considered anything but what we bought, it meets our needs completely.
  
• Would you buy another - Yes, although we bought our current B as a one and only and nothing on the market now tempts us.
  
• If not, what would you buy - N/A.
  

On edit, can't do the math. We've been on the road for 9 years, not 8.

[RobertRyan]

Bobojay wrote:
Chrysler has taken it's experience with the Sprinter and used that to make many improvements in the ProMaster under the skin vs it's European Ducato cousin

Looking at your Promaster versus the Ducato. I would say the major changes have been to make it cheaper and the ability to run a gas V6 engine as against a diesel.

[midnightsadie]

2007 leisure travel van mod freedom sernity on a sprinter , just love the Mh , I,ve had A,s and C,s this is the best quality thru out. the sprinter has been great and NOBODY hs the leg room like a sprinter.

[Shearwater]

We have a 2006 Sportsmobile conversion Sprinter with about 93,000 miles.

a)Generally very good - only problem is with loose fitting doors which make wind noise.
b)Has been no problem - we have a 5 star Dodge dealer about 15 miles away.
c)Yes
d)Yes
e)Depends on what else is available.

[bobojay5]

yr2017. Don't misunderstand my saying MUCH less chance of buying a ProMaster vs a Transit a putdown. My feelings that way are because of the fact that it's front wheel drive, has a very low floor, so there's no room for larger water tanks under there for RV use. Every dealer that sells Ram trucks is a ProMaster dealer, and will eventually be able to service all the different models that use that chassis.
If I were buying just a van for personal or commercial use, I wouldn't hesitate to consider it. Chrysler has taken it's experience with the Sprinter and used that to make many improvements in the ProMaster under the skin vs it's European Ducato cousin

[yr2017]

Just as I thought the fit and finish has diminished. I've noticed that with my older 12v Rams vs newer 24v models. And, now that Chrysler is owned by Fiat I don't think I want to buy another. 20 yrs is long enuf for them to get it right.

Dealers - whether FL - MB - Ram all seem to have problems handling warranty work. Distances are less for Ram and FL but in major metro areas for MB - are just plain scarce.

I looked for MB sale dealers in Atlanta and came up with two. Just two dealers for Sprinters despite 10 for their cars. And, they build them!

I compared MB & FL for a 3500 170LWB and got a better price from FL dealer. There are far more FL dealers than MB.

Planning to use this as my new fishing and hunting rig

[kendall69]

I have a Sprinter ( 2007 ) have nearly 100K miles and seems to be running better than new if that's possible. Great fuel mileage ( diesel) only service issue was and injector that went out but covered under warranty.
I change my own oil and fuel filters every 10-15K miles. (2) sets of brakes, (2) sets of tires.

[bobojay5]

Lets see, there's lots of opinions you'll get here, I'll try to answer best as I can.
We are 2 time Sprinter owners, and the second one will be our last.
Answers:
A: our 2008 , very good. Our 2013, the body and sheet metal fits, bad. Otherwise a terribly misaligned from Mercedes, front end when new chewed up our front tires so they needed replacement by 10k miles.
B: dealer service varies a lot depending where you are. We have to drive 40 miles to either a Freightliner or MB dealer to get anything done, and we're in a metro area with 1 million + population. Some places 100 miles or more
C: to us, yes. Poor skills to do it here
D & E: no, if there is a next one, it'll probably be a Ford Transit based unit or a MUCH lesser chance, a Ram ProMaster. Way, way, way more service locations on either of those

[jjrai]

I have to echo Juliev. Our Sprinter has exceeded our expectations in jus tabour every way. As for buying an RV v. DIY, you would have to be a very skilled craftsman to duplicate a factory unit. Think of the electronics alone. On the other hand, there are some nice DIY units documented on the forums and TouTube.