Posts
325
Joined
1/3/2014
Location
Raleigh, NC
US
Edited Date/Time
9/17/2020 5:51pm
Getting the itch to replace my 2000 E-350 with a new high roof Mercedes. Any owners care to share their thoughts/opinions on them in general as well as their thought process on gas vs diesel and 144 vs 170?
My plans would be to do a mild build out; water tank, pressure washer, water pump, a few deep cycle batteries, lights, fan, etc. Don't plan to wall it off as I like the open space and would keep gas/bikes outside at night. Most of the tracks I go to are 1-2.5 hrs away and my trips will vary between day and weekend. Would like to have room for 2 to sleep.
Thanks!
My plans would be to do a mild build out; water tank, pressure washer, water pump, a few deep cycle batteries, lights, fan, etc. Don't plan to wall it off as I like the open space and would keep gas/bikes outside at night. Most of the tracks I go to are 1-2.5 hrs away and my trips will vary between day and weekend. Would like to have room for 2 to sleep.
Thanks!
There's room for water tanks under the chassis on each side. Install an AGM battery w/ inverter, that way you can run a water pump for washing and fans for sleeping. Put a 110 outlet by the rear doors, bluetooth your phone to a plug-in speaker so you have tunes. That'll keep you on the AGM battery and off of the ignition battery (which will shut off after 15min anyway).
Hope this helps.
I have two Transits as work vehicles, have driven a Promaster, and the Mercedes hands down for me is the better choice. The overall driving experience is so much more comfortable that the other vans. Only bummer is driving in gusty wind which is sketchy in any high roof long wheelbase van. Road noise is not great, but have added Noico foam insulation under the plywood floor, 3m Thinsulate throughout and the rubber sound deadening material on all sheet metal. Then carpeted plywood walls and ceiling and road noise is quite a bit better. Still have to build a partial wall behind second row seat and that will help even more.
Next up will be some sort of cabinets/overheads for gear storage, build homemade water tank mounted under chassis and batteries, inverter.
Just got back from the second big cycling trip last weekend and the van works so good for that. No hassle of taking gear and bicycles into hotels and easy to park at most trailheads. For now I am keeping my enclosed trailer and can see using that for longer trail ride/campouts or bigger mx races, especially if needing or wanting to take multiple bikes like for vintage races.
The Shop
I love this thing, Had it 2 years now and its great.
Seems like this is the only van Amazon is using now, I don't see the sprinters out anymore.
(There’s actually two bikes in this photo)
Look into Adventure Wagons upfit kit. It’s a worthy investment if you do plan to actually spend time in the van. Consider a Joe Hauler or equivalent bike hauler to keep the bike outside. The fuel smell sucks and hauling a bike in the van makes a platform bed a challenge. I would actually opt for the Adventure Wagon cot beds instead of the platform bed with motos in the mix.
You really need to consider the cost of ownership for a Sprinter. They aren’t cheap. You’ll spend $2000 a year on routine maintenance, registration, etc.
I’ve already had my van in the shop for two warranty issues. I sure hope the ‘19s have improved DEF systems because those are honestly the Achilles heel of these things. They do not like excessive idling and city driving. The warranty extension is worth paying for.
The 170 drives like shit. If you live in a high wind area, it will drive you nuts. It’s a white knuckle affair in cross-winds. Suspension upgrades are a worthy investment.
I can’t say I’ve ever needed 4WD. The long wheel base doesn’t beg for any real off roading. Be smart in bad weather and you can get through most anything with 2WD.
My 170 is a daily driver. Never had an issue with parking. You just don’t park it where you can’t. If you get a Crew with windows, coverings are a must. I never worry about shit getting stolen. You can’t see into my van save for the front windshield.
If you plan to sleep in the van in cold weather you will definitely want to consider insulation and a heater. They are an ice box otherwise.
Adventure wagons has some cool shit but damn it's expensive. We'll see what I feel like dealing with and what I don't. My E-350 is super basic but just making templates and cutting plywood for the floor was a PITA. Do you know anyone that makes templates for a sprinter?
I'd still like to put a wall right behind the front seats so hopefully fuel smell and road noise will be minimal while driving. Surely there's a way to uhhh...bypass/delete the DEF system? We have our windy days in NC but not too bad.
I can't imagine dd'ing a 170, props!
In my area. Sprinter/transit get great resale value. Especially around the holidays when the package carriers are looking for 3rd party contractors. Great time to sale. Terrible time to buy.
I bought the Benz last December and have not added a drop to DEF yet. If you drive it like a van, it'll run forever, but if you lean on that turbo all the time, it's going to give you trouble. Don't drive it like a car, it's heavy and has to push a ton of wind to get down the road.
Pit Row
This was written in 2015 (a lifetime ago and I know MB made updates) but I have moto buddies that have dumped the Sprinter for the Transit. (One buddy had it go into limp mode on the way to LL! Almost missed practice waiting on service!)
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/fatal-flaw-mercedes-benz-sprinters-tom-r…
Tons of highway driving? The Sprinter would be fine, driving around town stop and go? I would be leery.
This is just my .02 and I see them all over, so who knows.....
Yes its a mess inside right now but who cares
There's this too, a partial list.
List of Companies Fined By The EPA (Updated 2020)
The EPA publishes a list of the fines it has issued to companies within the year. Only the names of companies are released, individuals are often spared from the public ‘disparagement’ but not always. Here is a list of some of those companies and the fines they were ordered to pay:
Volkswagen: As the primary manufacturer of diesel-powered passenger vehicles there are multiple lawsuits against Volkswagen by government agencies. One such example is $108 million in the State of Illinois.
Detroit Diesel Corporation: $ 14 million civil penalty.
GoPlus Corp: $17,600 penalty.
Ryan’s Diesel Service LLC: $19,950 penalty.
Edgewater Four Wheel Drive, Inc: $14,247 penalty.
Mr. Si Sun of Ricky Power Sports LLC: $5000 penalty.
Schuch Heavy Lift Corp: $32,000 penalty.
Rathbun Musser Inc: $16,500 penalty.
Mr. Victorio Monarrez: $1,200 penalty.
Bandit Industries Inc, : $3 million civil penalty.
Husqvarna AB: $2.85 million civil penalty
Freerksen Trucking Inc.: $37,500 civil penalty
Moke America: $8,900 civil penalty
New Flyer of American Inc.: $575,000 civil penalty
Edge Products: $500,000 settlement agreement
But....the cup holders👌
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