Dodge Sprinter

walleyed

I have been looking at the sprinters and cube vans for a while and am about to order the sprinter but thought I would ask a couple questions here first. Everything I hear about them is pretty positive but I'd like to hear from those of you that have one. Order lead time here is 4 1/2 months so I need to order soon to get it for spring.

Is there an option you wish you had gotten or wish you had not? Why?

Which model do you have? eg: extended or mega roof and why

What was it like to install your own shelving if you did?

What kind of real life fuel economy are you getting?

Any thing you would like to see different on them?

I know I'm asking a lot but could really use some help on this purchase.

stp57

Hey Walley,
I have owned a 2006 Sprinter since Jan 2007. I have 54K miles on it & outside of some early warranty repairs (which were all a result of re-assembly errors), it has been perfect. Purchase a service CD on Ebay & see how easy it is for you to work on your own van. I have been purchasing standard replacement parts on Ebay for it since day one so that I could cut back on the operating costs of owning & repairing a Mercedes. Yes, the Sprinter is 100% Mercedes. Check out the Sprinters on the Euro- Ebay around the world & they are identical (except of course the right hand drive UK versions. The Sprinter passenger vans come over complete, but the cargo vans have been partially disasembled (engine, trans, rear-end & front suspension) & crated. They are reassmbled in South Carolina so that Mercedes can avoid paying a 25% cargo vehicle tax. If you switch out the grill & emblems to the original MB, you will certainly take a ribbing from friends & such. But, you will get the last laugh because you got a genuine MB at a bargain price!
I wish that I had gotten the 200amp alternator instead of the 150 amp.
I wish that I had the money for the high roof, but the standard roof was $2K cheaper.
It took me a weekend to install my own shelving & false floor w/ drawers. Not hard to do & cost a few hundred.
I get 20- 24 mpg.
It took 2 years to get quality sidesteps for my van, but they were worth the wait.
A great van. My business would suffer greatly if I had to go back to a standard Ford or Chevy van.
note:
Google "Sprinter Forums" & you will learn everything you ever wanted to know about these vans.
Steve

Winchester

I work with someone who has a 2007 Sprinter. I've driven in it a lot. It is a dually with mega roof. One thing that he wishes he has is a backup camera. other than that it is nice except for one pet peeve. The 12V outlet is in front of the cupholder tray and having coffee and charging your cell at the same time is annoying.

I also helped him put in shelving and it was pretty simple. Screwed on some unistrut and used spring nuts to secure the shelving. Had to bend the top so the top shelf was narrower, since the sides taper in at the top

__________________
Ryan

walleyed

Thanks for the info guys.

I'm looking at an extended 2500 cargo van with only a few options.

The high roof but not the mega roof

The contractor option which gives you a larger alternator , extra battery and I think a couple extra 12 volt outlets towards the read end

The towing package.

I have a navigation system with backup camera so I'll install that.

stp57....What sidesteps did you get?
I see i can't get the rear step with the hitch setup. Guess I'll have to fab up my own.

I found this sprinter web forum which has alot of info http://sprinter-source.com/forum/index.php

Anyone else have any first hand knowledge about these vans?

MazalBuild

Great van's - test drove a couple and really want one however the newer $35,000 Sprinters are just too much for me right now

stp57

Here you go Walley:
http://sprinteraccessories.com/072_t...side_step.html

These are built as solid as a truck bumper. All anyone else sells is made of aluminum. These bolt on really easy & they hold 400lbs.
Another regret I have is not getting the towing package with my van. The time & money I spent doing it myself was not worth it.
You won't have to fab your own hitch. I bought mine from JC Whitney & it tucks beautifully under the step bumper.

MazalBuild,
If you could even get the diesel option with a Ford or Chevy, plus the computerized traction control, four wheel disc brakes, independent front suspension, 5 speed auto trans, & many other "standard" items, then you would easily spend the same amount of money on the American vans & still not have the height & handling advantage of the Sprinter.
Steve

Aiken Colon

I know a guy who owns an appliance store that bought one. His service guys use it. He only has one complaint, other than that he loves it.

It is a land sail. He lives in Prescott Arizona and drives to Show Low Arizona often. Both are in the mountains and the drive takes you up to 8000 ft of elevation. Up in the mountain towns in Arizona, wind gusts hit upwards of 60mph daily. He gets blown from lane to lane sometimes and has to pull over at times. There are drop offs of over 2000ft in areas of that drive.

JJ

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stp57

"There are drop offs of over 2000ft in areas of that drive."

Wow! That is scary!
Steve

stp57

Hey Walley,
Did you ever get that van?
Steve