Hi all,
I have been reading many of the threads here but still have some questions. I am seriously considering buying a new (2011) Sprinter, but I am having doubts. I got vague answers from the salesperson, so I figured I would try here.
Getting these worked on by a qualified, experienced mechanic seems tricky. As I understand it, Dodge, then Freightliner, and now MB service centers have all taken their turn at servicing Sprinters over the last ~10 years. For comparison, my current (3) mechanics have worked on Subaru and only Subaru for the last 20 years. I have no doubt they know what they are doing with my vehicle. In your opinion, is there a serious deficit in knowledgeable service centers (SC) available?
Regarding the warranty, who is "qualified" to do the work? Will I be able to take it to all Dodge SC, some Dodge SC, or ONLY MB SC?
I understand the 10,000 mile oil change runs about $400 at an authorized service center? My current oil change (3,000 miles) runs about $30. How much more expensive can the oil and filter be? Is it more difficult to change the oil in one of these than any of the other 10 cars I have owned in my life?
How much does the 30,000 service required by the warranty cost? What is involved?
What kind of gas mileage can I REALLY expect carrying ~700 lbs of cargo?
Thanks a bunch for any feedback you can provide. $40k is HUGE for me, so I need all the information I can get!!!
I have been reading many of the threads here but still have some questions. I am seriously considering buying a new (2011) Sprinter, but I am having doubts. I got vague answers from the salesperson, so I figured I would try here.
Getting these worked on by a qualified, experienced mechanic seems tricky. As I understand it, Dodge, then Freightliner, and now MB service centers have all taken their turn at servicing Sprinters over the last ~10 years. For comparison, my current (3) mechanics have worked on Subaru and only Subaru for the last 20 years. I have no doubt they know what they are doing with my vehicle. In your opinion, is there a serious deficit in knowledgeable service centers (SC) available?
Regarding the warranty, who is "qualified" to do the work? Will I be able to take it to all Dodge SC, some Dodge SC, or ONLY MB SC?
I understand the 10,000 mile oil change runs about $400 at an authorized service center? My current oil change (3,000 miles) runs about $30. How much more expensive can the oil and filter be? Is it more difficult to change the oil in one of these than any of the other 10 cars I have owned in my life?
How much does the 30,000 service required by the warranty cost? What is involved?
What kind of gas mileage can I REALLY expect carrying ~700 lbs of cargo?
Thanks a bunch for any feedback you can provide. $40k is HUGE for me, so I need all the information I can get!!!