Let's stop right there. If you ask me, an NCV3 Sprinter (2007 and newer) is the wrong vehicle for this job. If you like a Sprinter, I'd get an older one (the T1N). It's a bit simpler and less prone to leaving you stuck on the side of the road.
Really, I'd be unlikely to choose a Sprinter at all. I'd lean towards a gasoline powered Transit. Or I'd research vehicles originally sold in South America. Those would be easier to service in the less developed parts of South America.
There is some merit to this post of Peter's here.
If you genuinely want to venture south of the border (and its not a pipe dream--fleet of fancy) then the older TIN Sprinter is the "van".
It's easy to fix (at least from my perspective) very reliable and has minimal pollution controls on it.
This factor alone by itself limits you really to roaming around North America only, when living the van life in a 2007 onwards 906 Sprinter ! Only made worse by Blurrtech models of post 2010 vintage !
I don't think North America was really ready in 2010 for this fiasco of a pollution control experimentation by MB foisted upon the public at large ! Let alone Mexico and Central America!
A "catlick Irish benediction is required here just ("tinking about it" ) just thinking about it! Yah know Eli Wallach style playing Tuco !
Spectacles, Testicles Wallet and Watch!
Just think you are in the back streets of Tegucigalpa, the "milandros" are closing in, and got the last of the 9 starts up yur shirt--AND it's no good screaming
they will send some US Marines to get me outta here!--'Cos they couldnt fix it either!
Like something out of a futuristic Sci Fi movie
Beam me up Scotty or Manfred @ MB with yer SCN coding!
The exception has to be gasoline 906 Sprinter (2007 to 2009) which have a derivative of the 3.5 litre E class power plant in it known as the 272 unit under the hood.
No more complicated than the Ford Eco-Boost engine--not too difficult to work on!
I have quite a few customers who go well south of the border and return in TIN's unscathed! Less so with 906 models. Even fewer with Blurrtechs! (Una Carcacha--Coche Pichocha)--- Si Senorrrrr ! Don't forget to roll yur r's--it may be the only thing rolling in a Blurrtech Sprinter south of the border
Food for thought indeed !
Talk about needing a Fist Full of Dollars for the Grua!
Hasta la Proxima!
Dennis