<snip>Why is this ALWAYS so difficult? <snip>
I don't know, but I have a guess.
The product conforms to the following manufacturer specs
MB 229.3, 229.5
MB 229.31, 229.51
VW 505.01
VW 502.00, & 505.00
Porsche A40
BMW Long Life 04
BMW Long Life 01
(I'm excluding the broader specs like API SN/SM or ACEA C3)
A very small percentage of vehicles require these manufacturer-specific engine oil specs. They're all German. These species of vehicles - most of them on the road today - are dealership-serviced, I bet.
I bet a good portion of them are leased and I bet lease agreements demand dealership service.
I think that's why it's always so hard. I think that's why most private Sprinter can't fathom doing dealership service.... we're not like the people that lease a Porsche or BMW.
Such a concept - leasing a luxury car and having the dealership do all the work it - is foreign to us. We'd never think of living our lives like they do.... leasing, depending on a dealership to take care of us for the life of the vehicle. That's nuts, the Sprinter owner would say.... have the dealership own Sprinter maintenance? That's crazy.
... but it's not crazy if you drive one of those vehicles that are leased and reflect a social status, wealth, power, money....
The only thing our members have in common is that we all complain as loudly as any luxury-leasing suit, and we act just as entitled. Sprinter owners/drivers have different priorities from the "wealthy end of the spectrum," but we can be just as obnoxious as some guy in $700 dollar shoes, sporting next Spring's latest power suit outfit
complete with a watch that requires a watch winder
and costs more than my Sprinter.
-Jon