Recommendations?? Sydney based Mechanic to do a pre purchase inspection

Hey,

My name is Matt and I'm new to Merc vans and have enjoyed reading this forum over the past few months, so much to read and learn about on here.


I'm in the market for a NCV ELWB or LWB, prefer an automatic if possible.
I've got a budget of about $20'000 - $25'000 to spend.
Ideally find a van with 100'000 - 150'000 kms on the clock with schedules log book servicing.
I've been to a few auctions over the past few months with no luck, and I'm starting to hit the dealers and private sellers now as I need to buy one in the next month or so.


So I'm wondering if any of your guys could recommend a good Sydney based mechanic or dealer to do to pre-purchase inspection on whatever I decide to buy?

I've rung a few Merc specialists but they have said that they don't really touch the vans, only the passenger cars... they suggested consulting a dealer.

Dealers are a bit hit and miss and unless the specific mechanic you get has good experience with these particular vehicles they aren't really experts, so I was hoping to find a van specialist if possible?


Also any information on what to look for in terms of the things can commonly go wring with these vans.

I've previously owned a few different common rail vehicles and they were notorious for injector issues that lead to cold rattles, and also EGR system that clog up with carbon build up etc, so I'm wondering if the Merc vans suffer form similar issues?

And the auto transmission... any thing to be aware of there?


Thanks for your time and help, I look forward to posting up a thread as I fit out the rear of the van as an optical fibre splicing workspace. Pretty simple set up with a 12V and 240 V electrical system, LED lights and some storage systems as well.

Any advice on sound/heat insulation would also be appreciated... there is so much information out there on a huge variety of different methods and I'm a more confused after reading a lot of webpages than before I started to be honest!



Cheers,
Matt

The configuration you want is rare. Do you really need auto trans? or do you really need LWB? (I've never seen an ELWB here - are you sure you don't mean MWB vs LWB?) Those two things together (lwb + auto) are rare compared to either option on its own.

There are also the ex-telstra fibre optic vans around. They are 4x4 manual MWB, but they are high roof and t1n. Otherwise the only common vans with auto trans are the ex-ambos. But they are 99% MWB low roof.

The older T1N vans have zero emissions gear on them. The NCV vans have everything, including dpf. Injector seal issues are rare on the oz vans.

Owner,

Thanks for the info... I'm still getting my head around all the Merc acronyms! Here is a picture of what I'm after:



And some current models for sale:

http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Mercedes-Benz-Sprinter-2008/AGC-AD-15199396/?Cr=5&sdmvc=1

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Mercedes-Benz-Sprinter-2008/SSE-AD-2850284/?Cr=10&sdmvc=1

Basically a long wheel base or Extra long wheelbase high roof van in an Auto transmission.


I've seen the ex-Telstra and Optus splicing vans... they usually have benches down each side and are quite "busy" inside with a bunch of stuff I don't need.
They are usually Ford Transit's as well... A few mates in the industry have them and while they are a nice set up they don't really suit my exact needs.


Any advice on a good mechanic with experience on these vehicles on to do an inspection on one in Sydney would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks,
Matt

Those are all LWB. They look good all 311 models. Avoid the 315 model.

If they really are auto trans then that's great. The 722.6 auto trans is very good.

I don't know Sydney sorry. Someone else will be able to chime in there.

If you plan to use it in cities consider that parking can be a nightmare for long vehicles.

There are a few elwb around, lwb much more common in ncv3 and 95% are auto
It's a very good auto box, very similar to the one used in most of the passenger cars,
I can inspect for you, pm me your details,

Thanks for the replies and for the qualification on the ELWB vs LWB.
I am after a LWB... actually possibly a MWB now as I'm not sure if I need the extra space, and as mentioned the extra length while parking will be a issue quite often I think as most of the time this van will be in Metro areas.

I had to put the search on hold, for a while but it's now back on.


Seen a few nice ones lately but they sold before I got a chance to put in an offer.

Couple of 318's and a 313 and 315.

owner said:

Those are all LWB. They look good all 311 models. Avoid the 315 model.

If they really are auto trans then that's great. The 722.6 auto trans is very good.

I don't know Sydney sorry. Someone else will be able to chime in there.

Click to expand...

What is the issue with the 315?



Also has anyone got any views on the 318?
Any inherent issues with the V6 diesel?

The extra power is nice and I quite enjoyed the drive.


bradley4567... I'll shoot you a PM now.
Thanks for the offer to help with a inspection.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks again for the assistance... This forum has been a solid source of info on the electrical system and insulation set ups I'll carry out on the van.
I'll kick off a build thread once I purchase one.


Cheers,
Matt

Did you end up buying one Matt?
I am also looking at a 318 V6 Auto (2008) and I was hoping to see some pre purchase hints here.
I do splicing as well and would be interested in how you fitted your van out.

Thanks Bruce

Matt.
The mid wheelbase should be long enough to splice fibres, as an aside I built the first fibre van in Aus it was an F300 box. If you are splicing the underground cables you will need a 4x4. Read up on 315 exploding motors if you want to understand why you don't want a 315. Eric

Hi matt bought a 318 mwb I use it for moving furnisher I put a new floor in it so that it covers both sliding door steps I am very happy with very comfortable to drive has plenty of power it's good on fuel and for parking it is exelent The reverse camera helps in tight placeses Ipick up and deliver mostly in the metro area Cheers eds.