2006 158 vs 2015 170 Ext (long haul comfort)

Which is better for long haul comfort? I just drove my 2006 Sprinter nearly 700 miles yesterday and I'm beat. I was wondering if I upgrade to a 2015 can I beat some of the fatigue that is associated with the T1N. I notice when I drive 200-350 miles a day in the 06 Sprinter I normally don't feel too bad but when I push it I can definitely tell. I even have upgraded power leather seats (from 2011 volvo s80) and new bilstein suspension but it doesn't seem to help. I really would like to make the upgrade so I can still occasionally do the 500-700 mile days and not wake up feeling spent. That being said I think I will have to put my 06 up for sale soon. Unfortunately because the t1n is such a great truck and easy to work on. I'll plan to get a 2014-2016 2500 170 ext 4 cylinder. Still may wait a little longer for depreciation but I'm starting to see some deals out there. Will I notice a big difference if I make this upgrade?

I don't really know nothin about nothin ,especially compared to some of the dudes here but I think I would wait to see what comes of that class action suit before I started goin nuts on converting a van

Bob

Do you use noise canceling headphones? The fatigue from high noise levels for extended time is a real thing. Even earplugs will help, I used them when I motorcycled long distances. My 06 T1N is really loud.

I have some sennheiser studio headphone that might work, I should try those when I make the next long trip this week. My ears are ringing today I noticed so I think I should definitely get some hearing protection on trips over 200 miles. I do think the suspension design can affect ride quality as well and frames can have a impact on smoothness of ride. I wonder how that 2019 rides

Bob Laps said:

I don't really know nothin about nothin ,especially compared to some of the dudes here but I think I would wait to see what comes of that class action suit before I started goin nuts on converting a van

Bob

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Is the 4 cylinder affected by the law suit, might be a good leverage for negotiating. I'm sure they will fix it just like VW did with a ECU tune and/or some emissions hardware.

Get some suspension seats.

Anybody know if there are aftermarket options for T1N?

The comfort of the driving experience can be helped by sound proofing the whole front cab area. Cover completely the inside door skins of the front doors, leaving only the drain holes open, more behind the removable plastic covers, the front floor area, the door step in areas, it all helps.

The suspension seats sound like the ultimate comfort factor, although I have never sat in one, yet. My leather captains chairs are the next best thing and have served me well on long trips with comfortable painless hours on the road.

jcmadeintheshade@gmail.com said:

The comfort of the driving experience can be helped by sound proofing the whole front cab area. Cover completely the inside door skins of the front doors, leaving only the drain holes open, more behind the removable plastic covers, the front floor area, the door step in areas, it all helps.

The suspension seats sound like the ultimate comfort factor, although I have never sat in one, yet. My leather captains chairs are the next best thing and have served me well on long trips with comfortable painless hours on the road.

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I definitively agree with the suspension seats and sound proofing and a better partition. I found these seats but I think they only work on 2007+ Sprinter. I know with the 2015 I'm going to get a better AC system and also more cubic feet of cargo space which I could use, and I also have a adrian partition already in storage ready to use for NCV3. I wonder if OEM suspension seats are readily available in Germany? As much as I like the T1N dumping 2k in upgrades might not be the best idea on a truck that is slowly rusting away. Will probably keep it and make local use of it if I can't sell it for $ towards the next one.

http://www.seat-specialists.com/products/knoedler-extreme-lowrider-for-sprinter.html

Recaro up in Auburn Hills, MI recommended these, not bolt on but they will fit. Probably would just get the drivers side given the price.

https://www.recaro-automotive.com/u...ommercial-bus/smallmedium-bus/ergo-mc-ii.html

2015 Pros:

Smoother quieter ride capable of long hauls 600-700 miles a day
More Cubic ft, cargo capacity
Better newer modern functioning AC system
Better smoother shifting 7-Speed transmission
Locks that work without having to lock each door
More upgrades available for 2015

The negatives of the NCV's compared to the T1N's are well known.

Sound proofing mitigates the notion of a quieter driving experience.

My dual ac system from Midwest Auto Designs in Elkhart, Indiana has been problem free. That is, in my opinion, because they avoided using a roof top rear ac system. The interior ceiling next to the rear doors is lowered 5" or 6" to accommodate the interior parts, while the dual fan set up is mounted underneath the drivers side chassis. I couldn't be happier with this separate passenger ac system.

I did raise this dual fan set up under the chassis a few inches so it would not hang lower than the undercarriage supports. This height adjustment has not affected the cooling capacity of the secondary ac/heat system.

I agree the 7 speed tranny dual turbo set up was a good move by MB. Too bad it was abandoned for the last few years, but I believe it is coming back before long in some other iteration.

My 06 T1N has never had an issue with the locking system with the exception when a part of my side door screening got in the way.

Yes, the NCV's have a slightly larger capacity, but they also have pollution controls that can be problematical at times.

The T1N's do not, other than the egr, and that can be mitigated by downshifting and running for a few miles at 3,000 rpms to keep the egr all the more cleaner from the soot buildup. Thanks go out to Roger for that tip that has worked ever since my egr failed years ago.

Not to spamming, just speaking.
About transmissions...
I have been told,that MB doesn’t produce it self transmissions, but takes them from GM.
Not surprised,if it’s true.