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Main Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: Ron Dittmer on December 15, 2018, 11:02:35 am

Title: New 2019 Sprinter Is More Capable, But At A Price
Post by: Ron Dittmer on December 15, 2018, 11:02:35 am
A new Sprinter 4500 series C&C is being introduced for 2019.
Max GVWR is 12,125 pounds (only 375 pounds less than an E350)
Price starts at a whopping $52,000 ($14,080 more than a current 2018)

A 2019 3500XD chassis costs $13,080 more than a 2018 equivalent, both having the same 11,030 pound GVWR.

The 2019 Sprinter includes enhanced safety features, but $13,080 more for those features seems sky high.

The new higher-rated 4500 series is better suited for motor home applications so the $1000 price increase over a 3500XD is surely worth the extra cost.

It costs roughly $14,000 more for a 2018 PC-Sprinter chassis compared to an E350. The price for a 2019 will double that.  If you were on the fence about a Sprinter because of the higher purchase price, think fast and order yours on a 2018 Sprinter chassis before 2018 stock is depleted.
Title: Re: New 2019 Sprinter Is More Capable, But At A Price
Post by: JackD on December 16, 2018, 09:27:28 am
Ron...
Any idea regarding the chassis length? I'm wondering if the length will increase - if it would create a Sprinter with a 2552 layout, it would appeal to a large group, I would think.
Jack
Title: Re: New 2019 Sprinter Is More Capable, But At A Price
Post by: biglegmax on December 16, 2018, 11:16:43 am
This sounds like an early Christmas present for existing Sprinter owners.
Doug
Title: Re: New 2019 Sprinter Is More Capable, But At A Price
Post by: Dynadave on December 16, 2018, 01:00:50 pm
I bought my Sprinter 2350 used, got a good deal and saved a lot of $$$. It drives and handles great(Helwig sway bar and Sumi Springs in the rear). I like it better than the E450 units that I have owned, that being said, would I pay $14000 more to get the Sprinter? No.
Title: Re: New 2019 Sprinter Is More Capable, But At A Price
Post by: BlueBlaze on December 16, 2018, 01:36:23 pm
Somebody check my math, but even at $13,080 I think you'd have to drive the vehicle 153,882 miles to get your money back.   I guess you'd never get your money back with a 2019 model.

I wasted a lot of time looking for a used Sprinter that I could afford until I did the math.

E350:  10mpg and $2.50/gal.   $2.50/10 = $0.25/mile
Sprinter: 20mpg and $3.30/gal.  $3.30/20 = $0.165/mile

So if the Sprinter costs 8.5 cents per mile less than an E350 to drive, then  $13,080 / .085 = 153,882 miles to break-even
Title: Re: New 2019 Sprinter Is More Capable, But At A Price
Post by: rvrunner on December 16, 2018, 02:55:04 pm
I'm not 100% sure but I believe the 12125 lb GVW Sprinter is only offered in the large cargo van, no changes for the motorhome chassis.

  Lynn
Title: Re: New 2019 Sprinter Is More Capable, But At A Price
Post by: Ron Dittmer on December 16, 2018, 03:32:31 pm
CLICK HERE (https://www.mbvans.com/sprinter/commercial-vans/cab-chassis) for 2018.
The 3500 170" wheel base is $38,630 (oops, it is $710 more than my initial post stated as $37,920)

CLICK HERE (https://www.mercedes-benz-vans.ca/en/sprinter/cab-chassis#/models) for 2019.
The 3500 170" wheel base is $51,000
The 4500 170" wheel base is $52,000

I thought the 170" wheel base is the only one used in the RV industry, but I am not quite sure about it.

I am 100% on-board with BlueBlaze's math.  People better be buying a 2019 Sprinter motor home for reasons other than cost savings because the math is not in the Sprinter's favor, not in the purchase price versus fuel economy payback, not with DEF, not with maintenance, and not with repairs.  I feel you can't go wrong with an E350, even more convincing starting in 2019.
Title: Re: New 2019 Sprinter Is More Capable, But At A Price
Post by: CalCruiser on December 16, 2018, 05:46:14 pm
Surprised nobody  mentioned the expensive required  (dealer service) maintenance and likelihood of egr and/or turbo failures.

I would consider a Sprinter if downsizing to a class B van, but  it would be a short wheelbase 2005-2007  Roadtrek SS Agile with the old  5 cyl. MB diesel that gets 22mpg , doesn’t have the bleeding edge emission control stuff, and runs on any grade of fuel.
Title: Re: New 2019 Sprinter Is More Capable, But At A Price
Post by: hutch42 on December 16, 2018, 07:48:01 pm
Somebody check my math, but even at $13,080 I think you'd have to drive the vehicle 153,882 miles to get your money back.   I guess you'd never get your money back with a 2019 model.

I wasted a lot of time looking for a used Sprinter that I could afford until I did the math.

E350:  10mpg and $2.50/gal.   $2.50/10 = $0.25/mile
Sprinter: 20mpg and $3.30/gal.  $3.30/20 = $0.165/mile

So if the Sprinter costs 8.5 cents per mile less than an E350 to drive, then  $13,080 / .085 = 153,882 miles to break-even

Dont forget to add the 600 mile round trip a lot of folks have to make to get the Sprinter service (MT-WY-ID) to name a few.  Then 2 nights at a motel, 4 meals, an extra bottle of wine, and 30% more for parts and service costs over a Ford!   :help
Title: Re: New 2019 Sprinter Is More Capable, But At A Price
Post by: No on December 21, 2018, 01:45:27 pm
Plus DEF consumption and a propane powered genny. Personal preference remains a Ford that I can get serviced and fueled just about anywhere.
IMHO of course.
Merry Christmas!!
Title: Re: New 2019 Sprinter Is More Capable, But At A Price
Post by: Ron Dittmer on December 21, 2018, 07:01:03 pm
Plus DEF consumption and a propane powered genny. Personal preference remains a Ford that I can get serviced and fueled just about anywhere.
IMHO of course.
Merry Christmas!!
There is a pile of reasons why people (like me) will choose the E350 over the Sprinter.  The Sprinter people have their own reasons for getting one.  But the additional cost for a 2019 Sprinter will tip the scale towards an E350 for some Sprinter people.  I wanted to give those people the heads-up.
Title: Re: New 2019 Sprinter Is More Capable, But At A Price
Post by: 2 Lucky on January 07, 2019, 09:02:38 am
We had a Pleasure-way Plateau TS Sprinter, a well made small coach that drives easily with good fuel economy. Everything else is expensive, tho. If you have a Mercedes dealership close to you, and deep pockets, the Sprinter is a great vehicle. Be sure to have a power sliding door and bug screens.
We needed something larger and our 2551 is just the ticket.
The Sprinter was great, but we were scared away by the Diesel fuel requirements. Mercedes demands less than 5% bio diesel and some states are requiring higher percentages than that, as much as 20% and this will not only void the warranty but probably cause serious damage. And to my knowledge, there is not much Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel available in Mexico, where we wanted to go at the time.  Also there is not much ground clearance with the 170" wheelbase, you would not want longer.
My two cents, more or less...

Doug
Title: Re: New 2019 Sprinter Is More Capable, But At A Price
Post by: Cropduster on January 07, 2019, 07:39:41 pm
2Lucky,
Thanks.  Very informative.  Herr Dittmer also makes some excellent point about one's selection of an RV chassis.  We considered a motor-home, one built on a Mercede$ chassis, before selecting the PC. One reason for going with the Ford chassis was because parts were readily available at several nearby bone yards.  An acquaintance with the Mercede$ model informed us as to the cost for replacing the alternator (gagging sounds go here). 

-CD