Best Sprinter Year

[brianwoodmanchue]

Great... mine is a 2010. I haven't had any mechanical problems with it yet, but it only has about 25k on it. What I don't like is the CHEAP paint job they put on the van and all of the CHEAP plastic crap (brake handle cover, DEF fill tube holder, clips that hold windshield wash fluid onto wiper blades, etc.) that breaks when you touch it.

Most people in my neighborhood park their vehicles outside all year long and none of them are rusting. But you can't leave your Sprinter outside all year long here in the Pacific NW or it will rust. I've had several vehicles in my lifetime and I've never had any with cheap plastic crap (except this Sprinter) that keeps breaking off. I expected a LOT more from a freakin' Mercedes!

Kat

Per the Salesman, "Don't get Artic White. It's only ONE coat of paint. Any other color comes with clear coat".


Stone chips are a Mother --------er!

Mine came with a broken brake lever cover. DEF filler tube holder? I was told to be "nice" to the DEF filler cap, they don't like "very"cold weather. Wiper blade clips? Mine came with electrical tape holding one on. I have been thinking about taping the other one on, too. (But I'm an Electrician!)

I haven't broke anything, that wasn't already, somewhat, broke.

301,000 & counting.

(Don't ask me about emissions!)

 

[flman]

I'll play "internet troll".

Aren't you being a little passive- aggressive? Do you work for Chrysler? Do you know that Mercedes has ALWAYS built the sprinter? AND Mercedes "bought" Chrysler?, never mind what the "news" told you?

Okay pound your chest, and get your 3 point tatoo touched up, I think it is fading on your left cheek.

Well duh, I was looking at Sprinters in 2002 and bought my 1st one in 2005, have owned 3 to date, but never opened the hood and read MB on the engine or on so many other parts of the van.

Well internet troll, I hope you at least got the 4 cylinder or the 5 cylinder, because the V6 is a problem laden short lived POS, at least starting in 2010 when yup MB made it a Bluetec emissions nightmare. And yeah, I have heard this from people outside of this forum as well.

My V6 Spun main bearings at 52K like so many others that never made 100K, but I know nothing about Sprinters.

 

[Dubs]

2006 for sure! Seems most agree I dont touch anything above that year

 

[jonjem]

I have a few to make the choice. 2004 om612, 2008 om646 (deceased), 2011 om651 and 2016 VW Crafter. The om612 will probably outlast, but the om651 will bankrupt me!
If you have the misfortune to own one save all the money you can because you will need it. They do a better job of impersonating a petrol engine than anyone else but this is a a cost. They are VERY difficult to diagnose and require a specialist. They are not common. The vehicle is best in class but the om651 and mercedes tactics are poor. That why my latest is a VW, essentially a sprinter with an Amrok engine, love it.

 

[vavaroutsos]

Unless something has changed since 2015, the only paint colors that have a clear coat are the metallics. I have documentation from the factory that shows each step of preparation and pain. That being said, for colors without a clear coat, white is usually the most durable. I think it has to do with the titanium oxide pigment that is used being harder/more durable than most pigments for other colors.

 

[lindenengineering]

I have a few to make the choice. 2004 om612, 2008 om646 (deceased), 2011 om651 and 2016 VW Crafter. The om612 will probably outlast, but the om651 will bankrupt me!
If you have the misfortune to own one save all the money you can because you will need it. They do a better job of impersonating a petrol engine than anyone else but this is a a cost. They are VERY difficult to diagnose and require a specialist. They are not common. The vehicle is best in class but the om651 and mercedes tactics are poor. That why my latest is a VW, essentially a sprinter with an Amrok engine, love it.

OH yeh.
Watch on!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjmLGTfinwc

Careful of what you wish for!
Dennis

 

[marktinkerman]

UK .. Been running a 2000 311 4x4 for about 2 years.. ex utilities vehicle so worked and played hard... rebuilt it as a camper/work vehicle loading it heavily and towing with it... Had to replace drive belt alternator clutch n tensioner Had to do some welding including replacing the weak sills with 50x 3mm box as rock sliders... No ABS or ABD etc. so simple brakes... Fast ...Handles flat on bends.. Ploughs through Glastonbury festival mud towing... front drive shaft cheapish

liked it so much just bought 1999 312 4x4 ..hasn't got low ratio but has got ABS (non functioning0 and ABD also needs welding but mostly solid n wheel arches cheap
Mark

 

[aksotar]

Alaska gas stations switches to #2 diesel in the Winter... or you can add anti jell additives to #1

 

[Madams]

Gotta say my 04 has been great 240,000 miles and I put 20,000 on last year so now 260,000 . 6000 this year and still going strong !

 

[smishsmash]

Looking for a sprinter for conversion currently - any thoughts on a 2005 Dodge sprinter with 186,000 Miles (300,000KM) on it? They have it listed for about $10,000 US. Would come with some form of warranty. Is that just too many miles? It has a non-white paint job and is the 158" wheel base.
Option #2 is a repo sprinter 3500 144WB that was formerly a paddy wagon/drunk tank. 2012, 131,000 miles, could probably win the bid with $12,000 US +/-. No warranty, holes in the roof area from the lights, have to take it as is. Are both of those terrible options? TIA -

 

[jbrantiii]

I have a 2006 and have been happy with it so far. Easy to get parts for, easy to work on, and no diesel cleaner needed.

 

[ecowhale]

2007 has no DEF, but is current generation.

 

[s22]

I have a new W906 2018 last of the current shape Sprinters on order and arriving in the next few weeks.
I am starting to get worried about all the reports of the problems the newer models are having
I really hope I have not made a serious error as i only do 15k a year max and I will be way outside the warranty when and if i start to get the problems mentioned at the 100k+ mileage
I am worried as i thought new Sprinters were bulletproof and good for reliable high mileage as the older models have proven to be and i chose the current shape over the new one as i thought the last of the current shape would be the most reliable to date?.

 

[indigoE]

Is the 2002-2003 T1N an option?

 

[Mickyfin]

Mine is 2011, not Sprinter, but Crafter.

 

[michaelyares]

I use my driveway for all repairs. People's Precision Auto next to REI works on sprinters. Don't take it to a dealership.

Hi Bill, I took my 2005 to Hilltop in Richmond for the t21 recall and they were pleasant. They did the work and gave me a loaner to take Point Pinole for a walk. They did bust my chops about my Riordan Aluminum tube but I took home for the smog. Nice folks in any event. Colley Motors in San Rafael suggested them since the chode smokers in Sonoma County won't work on a Dodge Mercedes....

Another question if this finds its way to you. Are you happy with your Transit vs the Sprinter? Big move coming!

Thanks if you see this and add your too sense.

 

[AndyWren]

Well, I voted for my Sprinter's year, 2008, although it is registered as a 2009 ROADTREK RS Adventurous motorhome with the Maryland MVA. I purchased used at 2 years old in 2011 with 21k miles on it. It now has 57k miles and runs like a champ, gets 15 mpg around town and over twenty when loaded to travel on the highway.
Over the years in talking to a few other Sprinter owners, 2011, 2013 and 2016 model years come to mind, they have had a few emission issues. I replaced a total of 3 glow plugs on my unit. One at 48k miles and two this year at 57k miles.
I'm thinking the earlier models don't have as complicated an emissions system as the later models and that could have something to do with why they have had problems.
Anyways, I'm getting too long winded. My 08 ROCKS!
Andywren

 

[Kre72771]

2015 4cyl I have 0 issues.. MB says its one of the best engine and drive train combos..

 

[GLJones]

My 2012 170 Passenger has been flawless from an engine & transmission angle. Did have to have the roof air resealed under warranty as it started leaking rain water. We do meticulous service according to schedule. New 2019 has been built but still at the factory in SC after a month.

 

[Antares]

The Adblue/DEF and other emissions systems on the 2.1L 2014 Sprinter can be defeated via a reflash, and it's the best model year IMO. Any earlier and you get inferior vehicle tech (worse undercarriage coating, worse engine, worse transmission, etc ...). Any later and you get intrusive programming or engine tech that can't be removed and higher used vehicle prices.