Replies

1. 
   john | Jul 04, 2004 09:14pm | #1

   I believe the Sprinter you refer to is made by Mercedes. In the UK it is considered the best van available

   John

2. 
   USAnigel | Jul 04, 2004 10:52pm | #2

   There is a yahoo group for the sprinter and at least one member has 130,000 miles on his. The only "common" problem showing up is the ERG valve clogging. Your nearest Usa van is a diesel econoline. I am thinking very hard about getting a sprinter, most likely 140" (midsize) with standard roof line. Pricing might seem high but if you compare all the details. Just for starters, if I replace my 1997 f150 xlt extended cab 8' bed with new its going to cost me $26,000+, and I might get 13.5 m.p.g. on a good day!  Sprinter with the simular features are getting 22+ m.p.g. that alone would save me $1300 a year. Sure is tempting!!! trouble is the ford is paid for!!

1. 
   nikkiwood | Jul 05, 2004 05:19am | #3

   Do you have a link to the Yahoo group -- or a suggestion on how I might track them down?

1. 
   BillHartmann | Jul 05, 2004 05:23pm | #4

   If you go to Yahoo groups, you can get there from the link on the main Yahoo page or http://groups.yahoo.com/ .

   Then there is a search window just to find groups.

3. 
   CJD | Jul 05, 2004 05:58pm | #5

   I got a Sprinter cargo van with a 140" wheel base and standard/low top in March. It is white and we have come to call it the ambulance. It is made in Düsseldorf by Mercedes and shipped to Freightliner for final assembly/reassembly. Damler/Chrysler was going to build a plant in the south to make them (Georgia if I remember correctly) but I read it fell trough.

   My van has no windows and a step bumper. I am in California so there are very few dealers authorized to sell them and accessories are harder to come by than for GM or Ford. I got a trailer hitch and rear door ladder from http://www.sprinteraccessories.com/. I installed a stainless 3-bar cargo rack from http://www.vanguardtruckracks.com/. It fits fine but Vanguard could not tell me if it would fit. I was told that the TracTack would fit, but didn't. I installed Adrian shelves and partition. Fits fine.

   Delivery times can be 3-6 months if the dealer does not have what you want on the lot. I got the best price by going through Costco executive member services. It even beat some fleet prices I was quoted through a friend. About $30K out the door.

   I like driving it a lot more than the US vans and the turn radius is much smaller. It is about 6" narrower than US vans and almost 8' tall without the rack. I only put shelves on one side so I could carry 4x8 sheets lying down if I elevate them above the wheel well. I can easily carry 10' conduit with the partition door shut and can carry 12' lumber inside with the partition door open.

   I figured the saving on fuel alone would pay the difference in a few years. Having a van with a diesel and is so well made is all gravy. I understand that you should get about 500K miles between engine overhauls. All five tires are Michelin. I have never seen so much stainless steel on a land vehicle.

1. 
   nikkiwood | Jul 05, 2004 06:30pm | #6

   Does it come equipped with a bulkhead partitition -- or some sort of door? If you keep your stuff in the back tied down, I wonder how risky it would be to not have any partition. I have never used on in my regular van, simply because it is very convenient to slip long pieces of stock either under the seat -- or even over the passenge seat when it is tilted down.

   As far as shelving is concerned, they have kits for plumbers and electricians, but I have never seen any units that fit above the wheel wells -- so sheet goods can lay flat on the floor. That's why I have always built my own; but this time, I would like to skip the effort and get manufactured shelving -- if I can find it.

   Are the Adrian shelves you mention the ones sold by Sprinter Accessories? Did you get the fixed shelves, or the folding ones?

   Thanks for info.

1. 
   Piffin | Jul 05, 2004 07:57pm | #7

   After being in one minor accident, I will not use a van again without a bulkhead. Immagine being slammed in the back with a forty pound toolbox traveling about thirty MPH!

   Now imagine if it had hit my head instead!

   I'd either be a headless Piffin

   Or they'd be taking care of me in one of those homes... 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   JeffBuck | Jul 06, 2004 02:15am | #9

   my current van came with the bulkhead ...

   I'd never drive another one without now.

   I can always just make room and swing the door open for something longer ...

   next time ... if I have my choice ... I may go for a slider bulkhead door ...

   even the open door models with mesh behind the drivers/pass seats would be better than nothing ...

   JeffBuck Construction, llc   Pittsburgh,PA

        Artistry in Carpentry                

2. 
   CJD | Jul 06, 2004 01:36am | #8

   Does it come equipped with a bulkhead partitition..."

   No, though it may be an option if you order a van from Germany.

   "I wonder how risky it would be to not have any partition."

   Evaluating risk is a value judgement, but I recommend against it. Partitions also reduce the volume you must heat and cool. I doubt that A/C would be large enough in a van with windows used in the Southwest. I read a Road & Track review that complained about that. 

   "...but I have never seen any units that fit above the wheel wells -- so sheet goods can lay flat on the floor."

   I think http://www.americanvan.com/ or http://www.sprinteraccessories.com/ has them.

   "Are the Adrian shelves you mention the ones sold by Sprinter Accessories?"

   No, see: http://www.adriansteel.com/. GM uses Adrian in their cargo van packages. 

   "Did you get the fixed shelves, or the folding ones?"

   Fixed. I can't see myself removing all that stuff to fold shelves up.