Boy have you got the right guy for this.
I had a 2003 (t1n) Dodge 2500 long tall cargo, I traded it in for a 2007 (NCV3) Dodge 2500 long ext. tall cargo and just ordered a 2011 (NCV3) Freightliner 2500 long tall cargo. (only because Dodge don't sell them any more)
I have many posts on this forum of the troubles I had with the 2003. It was a money pit. If they did not change the whole truck in 2007, I would have not gotten another one.
I worked for Roto-Rooter since 1987 and went through 1 Ford E150, 2 Ford E250s, 1 Chevy 2500 Van and a Ford E350 when I saw my first Sprinter in 2002. I think my last Ford was a 2001 and to new to trade at the time. The next year I ordered a 2003 Freightliner 2500 and was told it would take 6 months to get in. About 4 months later Dodge started selling Sprinters and They had one that was close to what I ordered, so I got it. At that time Diesel was the cheapest fuel to buy, Less than Regular Gas. Even though I had to pay $200. a month more for truck payments for the Sprinter over the Ford, I saved $200. a month in Fuel bills. I broke even and had a new bigger van and the Flagship truck at Roto-Rooter.
Shortly after the 1st 6 months I learned you can't Idle the truck which in Florida in the Summer you need to do to keep cool between jobs. It clogged up the EGR. The next was the Brakes, They needed changing every 8 to 9 months at $500. per axle. Oil changes even though only at 10,000 mile interval was over $200 at the dealer, and Quick Lubes could not or would not do them at the time.
Wiper arms broke, Fan motors broke, Had to replace the A/C compressor, Fan belts kept failing, Head light bulb kept going bad. I had an electrical problem a couple of times. The dam truck was at the Dealer a lot and I would miss time at work. When the warranty went out It started to cost me a lot of money that went on a credit card.
I wanted to get rid of it but knew the 07 was going to be a new truck and waited for the 07s and ordered one as soon as they would take orders. During the 4 months waiting for the 07 the rear axle on the 03 started leaking oil. The dealer put a new seal on it but said the differential was going bad and a replacement would cost $5000.00, It started leaking again just before my new truck arrived.
The 2007 NCV3 was a whole lot nicer than the t1n 03 both in quality and finish. But at almost $10,000 more in price, it should be. If you look up my past posts you will see far less post about my 07 because other than a couple of glow plugs and a problem I had when I installed Air Springs, The NCV3 has been good to me. The oil changes still cost almost $200.00 and the Brakes still cost $500.00 per axle but last almost a year and a half.
Until Ford starts to import the full size Transit, or some one else builds a similar size van, I'll stay with the Sprinter. Once you work out of a Sprinter, you just can't go back to the smaller Ford and Chevy Vans.