So the posters in this thread are really saying MB cant manufacture a van that is only intended to be driving lightly? My Sprinter is an RV and is only driven lightly. RVs are not a daily driver. Unfortunately MB does not make a 3500 van with a V6 gas engine. It would be nice if they did.
LOOKING AT TRANSITS
- Thread starter jjmretired
- Start date
drbutton
Member
As I mentioned earlier, I have driven my Ford Transit Ecoboost wagon for 4 years now and have enjoyed it. Its a "sleeper" that actually tempts me to drive it a bit more aggressively that is necessary at times. Is the Transit Ecoboost fun? Heck yeah! One reason I went with the Ford over Sprinter in 2014 is the same engine. The Sprinters at the time, as I recall, offered nothing with near the power. The Nissan NV had a V8 that appeared to be reasonable on paper, so I drove one. My wife did too, and we were really disappointed by the performance of the NV. We had just driven a used Chevrolet Express with a 6+ L V8 gasser, and that was a very lively van to drive. Unfortunately, my kids uniformly despised the interior and vetoed the Chevy/GMC vans forever after. The Ford Dealer let me drive an Ecoboost Van, and we were sold. Now, my wife loves the Sprinter and will not stand for the Transit. The reasons are listed in this thread, above. The Sprinter's 2019 turbo 3.0L diesel engine is relatively slow off the line, but once its on the highway, its a dream. No more sleeper though. The Sprinter finally has me driving like a grown-up, and that is an improvement.
drbutton
Member
One other little observation from a drive on CO-115 today. It was gusty, and the Sprinter pulled and swayed suddenly with blasts and bursts. This driving challenged me despite the stabilization system. I am not saying that the system did not inspire confidence - it did. After it had repeatedly activated, I took the hint slowed from 60 mph, the speed limit, to 45 - 50 mph. Slowing solved a lot of the drifting issues and jerks, but I never recall slowing in the low-roof Transit Wagon for wind. The laws of physics favor the shorter Transit low-roof in windy conditions, though it can still be a handful to control when the gales pound...and no stabilization system for sway that I can discern.
Now walking around in the Sprinter is delightful - no more hunch-back maneuvers as the short Ford demands. But all of that headroom does come at a price.
Now walking around in the Sprinter is delightful - no more hunch-back maneuvers as the short Ford demands. But all of that headroom does come at a price.
Not that you asked...
Do a search in the forum for how to find the best tire pressures for your rig. Tire pressures can make a difference. New tires often are a bit squirrely. If the tires are new it takes some time for them to seat in, for lack of a better term.
Sometimes people over correct with steering. There is an inherent looseness in the suspension. The body can rock a bit, but the truck will still track properly if not over steered.
Gusty Wind Travel
https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?p=602231
The above said, slowing down is often the prudent thing to do.
vic
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Graphite Dave
Dave Orton
I also would prefer a high roof Sprinter to a low roof Transit.
Graphite Dave
Dave Orton
My Miss Piggy is in love. She really likes the looks of that pig.
Boxster1971
2023 Sprinter 2500 144wb AWD
If you want to know more about the AWD Transits go to the Ford Transit USA Forum. Here is a good place to start. . .
https://www.fordtransitusaforum.com...pearing-on-carguru-search.78502/#post-1031743
Midwestdrifter
Engineer In Residence
You can order AWD transits now. I believe they will start delivering Q1-2020. Big customers are getting theirs in February? With general stock starting a few months later?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ7OM0p4gp8
Here is a quick video of the AWD Transit riding up a demonstration rig.The wheels are the stock offering. Don’t know which mode it’s in. There are a few for dirt and ruts, rain and such.
Here is a quick video of the AWD Transit riding up a demonstration rig.The wheels are the stock offering. Don’t know which mode it’s in. There are a few for dirt and ruts, rain and such.
eralimited57
2008 Sprinter 2500 170 Extended High Top 3.0L CRD
VanGoSki
Well-known member
Incorrect. Sprinter 4x4 (X30) option is currently $7,975. And that includes the 2-speed transfer case that the Transit doesn't have. Plus the Sprinter 4x4 sits higher for better ground clearance.
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VanGoSki
Well-known member
Then you got ripped off. The price of the option is under $8K. Tons of orders posted on this forum show the 4x4 option price. Here's one: https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=81817
quote: "X30 Low & High Range 4x4 Package $7,800"
The following thread contain a copy of the 2020 Dealer Ordering Guide (DOG). Look it up yourself. https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=76731
Boxster1971
2023 Sprinter 2500 144wb AWD
Difference is between the starting price of a baseline cargo of $33,790 in current configurator and then selecting 4X4 powertrain as it also goes from a gas engine to a diesel. You cant get 4x4 with base gas engine in USA. See attached annoted screen grab from MB Sprinter build web page.
