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Sprinter chassis question

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CKK

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Sprinter chassis question
« on: February 14, 2018, 08:48:08 pm »
Could I ask those with a PC on the Mercedes Sprinter... how much have you traveled and have you had any problems finding service if you needed it?  Am debating going with a smaller model, and I am concerned about that vs the Ford.  Thanks.

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Sarz272000

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Re: Sprinter chassis question
« Reply #1 on: February 15, 2018, 06:22:33 am »
I do not own one but a salesperson steered me away from them saying owners were telling him it was getting harder to find proper fuel for them. You might research fuel requirements and availab8lity as well.  If you find anything interesting please share.

Ron

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Tall Guy

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Re: Sprinter chassis question
« Reply #2 on: February 15, 2018, 08:10:54 am »
Regarding the fuel issue, if the Sprinter takes the standard low sulfur diesel fuel there should be no issue finding it.  I've travelled all over the lower 48 plus a good piece of the border Canadian Provinces for over 300,000 miles with my Duramax and have never had a fuel availability issue.  The trick I've found is whenever you drop below a half tank stop at the next available spot.  Don't wait until you're in the middle of nowhere with an eighth of a tank to start looking.

My biggest issue with Mercedes is the cost and availability of authorized service.  Hope this helps!

Best of luck!

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Two Hams in a Can

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Re: Sprinter chassis question
« Reply #3 on: February 15, 2018, 11:12:06 am »
What Tall Guy said.  So far our maintenance is done at a local Mercedes dealership and it ain't cheap.  However, it hasn't been too often (knock on wood) so it works for us.  You get what you pay for if you do your homework; and what our 2400 Sprinter gives us is worth it.  As for fuel, we only fuel up at higher volume stations (no "Mom and Pop" stores) and keep track of what other RVers are saying about fuel on other forums (Escapees, Foreforums, Sprinter, etc).  ;)     :)(:
Jeff and Suzanne traveling with the Cocker Spaniel sisters, Scout & Sydney in Fawkes the Phoenix 
"What happens in vagueness stays in vagueness"

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Two Hams in a Can

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Re: Sprinter chassis question
« Reply #4 on: February 15, 2018, 11:18:07 am »
I do not own one but a salesperson steered me away from them saying owners were telling him it was getting harder to find proper fuel for them. You might research fuel requirements and availab8lity as well.  If you find anything interesting please share.

Ron

Not to disparage this particular salesman, but I'll bet he was trying to sell you a gas rig.  In my 74 years on this Earth, with 20+ of them RVing, I've observed that (with most) if a salesman's lips are moving, he's/she's either exaggerating, avoiding or outright lying.  Rarely is he/she looking out for your bottom line in cost and/or safety.  Just sayin'. . . ,. :)(:
Jeff and Suzanne traveling with the Cocker Spaniel sisters, Scout & Sydney in Fawkes the Phoenix 
"What happens in vagueness stays in vagueness"

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jatrax

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Re: Sprinter chassis question
« Reply #5 on: February 15, 2018, 01:16:03 pm »
We looked really hard at the Sprinter chassis and it has a lot to like.  But ultimately went with the Ford for a number of reasons.

1) The Sprinter is more expensive up front
2) Maintenance costs are much higher
3) The difficulty in finding a local to us place that would work on them (other areas might be different)
4) At the time many, many complaints on the internet about exhaust system failures and trouble codes
5) Higher fuel costs (at least in our area)
6) Need to find and add DEF (not really as big an issue as I thought)
7) Weight limit restricts the size of the coach that can be built on one

To offset that:
1) Nicer cab layout
2) Quieter when driving that the E series
3) More modern features
4) Better mileage

Best suggestion is to get some test drives and see what you like the best.

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mhoecker

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Re: Sprinter chassis question
« Reply #6 on: February 15, 2018, 06:30:43 pm »
Other benefits include great torque, lots of foot and leg room (no doghouse), fantastic visibility upfront due to huge windscreen, and so much more.  We love our LTV and have never had a problem with it. I’m the problem so we needed to look for a different floor plan.

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Dynadave

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Re: Sprinter chassis question
« Reply #7 on: February 15, 2018, 08:41:57 pm »
I have owned 4 rv's with Ford chassis and found them to be trouble free and easy to service, if buying an older used rig that might require maintenance and repairs I would buy the Ford because of lower repair costs and plentiful repair shops. The downside for me was a cramped, noisy driver compartment. I recently purchased a 2014 Phoenix on the MB Sprinter chassis and have only driven it 1300 miles. I find it pleasanter to drive, quieter, roomier, and better visibility. In general a nicer drive/ride than the Ford. Finding fuel has not been a problem and I do my own maintenance, however should problems occur while traveling I am sure I will wish I had a Ford. Mercedes shops are few and far between and are very, very expensive. I certainly would avoid an older high mileage Mercedes unless you are capable and willing to repair it yourself assuming you can get the parts, reset the computer etc. . All that being said I like my Sprinter and so do most other owners. Buy a new or good unit, service it properly, buy your fuel at high volume, quality, stations and odds are you will be a happy traveler.
2018 Phoenix 2552

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Sarz272000

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Re: Sprinter chassis question
« Reply #8 on: February 15, 2018, 10:24:12 pm »
Is 20% biodiesel acceptable to run in a MB diesel?  It is now in Minnesota.

http://www.startribune.com/stick-with-minnesota-s-biodiesel-mandate/438617723/

Here is MB info on biodiesel. They say not to use 20%.  I am not knowledgeable of this and have no experience with diesel fuels. But when I considered a Sprinter this is one of the items that concerned me. Sure you can change filters and such but it also talks about other things that can cause issues using high percent biodiesel.

https://www.mbusa.com/vcm/MB/DigitalAssets/pdfmb/serviceandparts/biodiesel_Brochure5.pdf

Ron

Two Hams: Maybe that salesperson that warmed me about this issue wasn’t just blowing boloney. I was at Coach House factory looking at a CH MB sprinter at the time of the comment.
« Last Edit: February 16, 2018, 06:33:34 am by Sarz272000 »

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Two Hams in a Can

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Re: Sprinter chassis question
« Reply #9 on: February 16, 2018, 10:52:01 am »
Two Hams: Maybe that salesperson that warmed me about this issue wasn’t just blowing boloney. I was at Coach House factory looking at a CH MB sprinter at the time of the comment.
[/quote]

My apologies to the salesperson and you.  :-[ If he/she was warning you about Sprinter fuel difficulties while showing you a MB Sprinter then they absolutely do not belong to my "(with most salespersons)" category.    :)(:
« Last Edit: February 16, 2018, 10:54:19 am by Two Hams in a Can »
Jeff and Suzanne traveling with the Cocker Spaniel sisters, Scout & Sydney in Fawkes the Phoenix 
"What happens in vagueness stays in vagueness"

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jatrax

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Re: Sprinter chassis question
« Reply #10 on: February 16, 2018, 11:51:54 am »
Quote
lots of foot and leg room (no doghouse)
I suspect that is going to be the biggest downside of your new coach.  We really loved the cab layout and legroom on the LTV.  Getting used to the 'doghouse' and engine noise was difficult at first.  I think you have to come to grips with the fact that the E-450 is a truck and the Sprinter feels and drives a lot more like a big SUV.  Different experience.

We tried very hard to buy an LTV, the local dealer is 15 miles from our house.  It was Carrie's first choice and she still monitors their Facebook posts.  But the dealer was so arrogant and condescending that after 4 visits we just refused to go back.  Maybe if I had worn a suit and tie they would have thought we could afford an RV and got off their throne and talked to us.  roflol

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biglegmax

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Re: Sprinter chassis question
« Reply #11 on: February 16, 2018, 07:05:33 pm »
Jatrax, I bet that dealers name starts with a "J", been there done that. My first choice would have been the MB, but we made the choice of wanting a 4x4, and that is not available factory on a MB cutaway. Some conversions have been done but I have not read good things. If it ever gets imported I will take another look. There are lots of neat motorhomes built around the world, too bad we can't get them here.
Doug

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Denny & Barb

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Re: Sprinter chassis question
« Reply #12 on: February 16, 2018, 09:04:54 pm »
Folks, we came from a Rialta Winnebago on a VW (volkswagen) Eurovan chassis.  When I did have minor engine problems (Pollution air pump failure due to bad designa), our local VW dealer wouldn't repair the problem. (they would sell me the new air pump at an inflated price however).

My cousin has a Dodge Mercedes Van.  When they were some 2000 miles out here in Phoenix Arizona their Mercedes Turbo died on them. Long story short, Mercedes dealer would not work on the engine because they seen there was an outstanding Dodge recall on their vehicle. They went to the Dodge dealer, and he checked their Vin #,  no, there was no outstanding recalls.  SO..... since he was good at fixing, he fixed his Mercedes Dodge, himself in a Walmart parking lot.

Just my two cents.... Been there done that, so I ordered my PC on a Ford Chassis. Only problem I have had at 60k miles is the seat belt malfunctioned while up in the mountains of Wyoming... Got down to the valley of Laramie and Ford dealer took care of it 100 percent. So just saying... Ford is everywhere.... I love the Engine V!0, Transmission 6 speed especially coming down mountains, and the availability of fuel, and dealerships. If you travel the good Ol USA, one finds themselves in some really remote area?
We do.

So judge your decision accordingly.

Denny and Barb
Your Word our Lord is a light to my feet and a lantern to my path...  Ps 119

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jatrax

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Re: Sprinter chassis question
« Reply #13 on: February 16, 2018, 10:46:11 pm »
Quote
Jatrax, I bet that dealers name starts with a "J",
And we have a winner.  How on earth they stay in business I have no idea.

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CKK

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Re: Sprinter chassis question
« Reply #14 on: February 17, 2018, 01:39:44 am »
Thanks everyone for the comments... I knew I was not inclined to buy the Mercedes, as I will be traveling in remote areas and have driven Ford trucks for 40 years, but it was good to hear other opinions.