What's the verdict on newer model MB sprinter vans - diesels?

[aigel]

I am seriously thinking about a van. Specifically a Winnebago Revel, which is based on an 4x4 MB sprinter van with a 3.0 V6 diesel and 7 speed automatic.

What do we know about this chassis / drivetrain? Some older threads were not super fond. Frankly, it scares me, I'd rather have something ford and gasoline. Any real life experiences or any links to reviews that are statistically more meaningful than your favorite anecdote???

G

[ckelly78z]

Most of the places you want to go with your new RV won't be near MB service centers, while Ford dealers are in every small town. I have a diesel Excursion that I pull our 32' Heartland camper. I won't be buying another diesel with all of the high HP/TQ gas models available, repairs are MUCH less with a gasoline version, so is the fuel, and the initial purchase price.

[Steve Carlton]

I know all the 4x4 Sprinters have the V6 diesel and they take roughly 15 months to get if ordered. If a dealer had one in stock or coming in soon, you'd almost certainly have to pay over MSRP.

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

Most of the places you want to go with your new RV won't be near MB service centers, while Ford dealers are in every small town. I have a diesel Excursion that I pull our 32' Heartland camper. I won't be buying another diesel with all of the high HP/TQ gas models available, repairs are MUCH less with a gasoline version, so is the fuel, and the initial purchase price.

+1

If you don't need a diesel i wouldn't buy one. Diesel is also hard to find for reasonable price when traveling.

[hcoles]

For me the lure of a diesel is waning. The gain in $$ per year on fuel savings is mouse nuts compared to all the other costs combined.
The pressures needed for the common rail are high and the fuel systems are not up to the task of surviving contaminated fuel. The failures spread crap throughout the system causing a huge repair bill.
Maybe the MB CR pump has a better design, IDK.

[3rd_gear_Ted]

They don't tow stuff very well.

[vash]

my coworker bought a Revel and tried it. i didnt get details, but he said it was not a good purchase. something about south american diesel quality or something. i'll ask him about it next time i see him.

he sold it for a song.

me? i want one. not sure i will pony up the premium money for the Benz. the Ford AWD ecoboost one might be more my speed. beer on a beer budget, so to speak.

i'll get the crew version of whatever Van i decide on. a Sprinter low roof 4wd diesel crew van would make me crap a lump of happiness right there into my shorts. . one row of removable seats, and cargo space. i dont need the camping accouterments. i need wide open spacing for a kayak and a cot..etc.

[1990C4S]

They are not simple 'drive it anywhere, fix it anywhere' vehicles. They are complicated German engineering.

Grab the service manual online and scroll through the electrical/buss network section.

[Gogar]

Im going to have some time in a diesel sprinter next month, towing about 5k. I'll report back if you like.

[DRONE]

We rented a Revel for the 3 day weekend, ($199 per day 100 miles included) because we were looking to buy.
Found it to be a little to small to stay inside it for very long, the drop down bed and the storage area under the bed was OK and accessible from the rear, the power while driving was acceptable.
We are now looking at a 24' class C with a pop out and will do another rental to see if it fits our needs

[Otter74]

Originally Posted by Arizona_928

+1

If you don't need a diesel i wouldn't buy one. Diesel is also hard to find for reasonable price when traveling.

I recently took a two and a half week road trip in my diesel Jetta from Chicago to Colorado and Utah. I found that regardless of the local price of unleaded, diesel seemed to be about $3.50/gallon everywhere. Whatever the local gas price, diesel didn't seem unreasonable to me. I do have to pay attention to find a diesel station where I live, but in the remote places in the west every single station had it.

[aigel]

Thanks guys! It doesn't sound like the van is unreliable per se. But I hear you on all the other points. What drew me to the Revel was the large rear "garage" which is possible because the bed pulls up to the ceiling. It'd make it a reasonable vehicle to have for around town as well.

I agree that modern diesels are not desirable any longer. They cost more initially, cost more to maintain and there are just so many systems on them now to control emissions that they are much more complicated than a gas engine. You need forced induction, direct injection, EGR (with a cooler), DEF, DPF etc. etc. - I am soured on diesels altogether. I will look for gas engines in the future and hopefully still will be able to find normally aspirated versions of them.

More video watching and reading about the Revel, reveals (no pun intended) that it is not really an off road vehicle. It has running boards hanging low, with lights and what not in them, the heater and exhaust are mounted low and even the exhaust pipe comes out right where the first boulder would hit it off-road. This is a ski van at bests, where the 4x4 will be useful to get to the snow. It may also help with a muddy dirt road but that's about it.
It also has dismal solar, not a boon docking setup. And some genius decided it would be all electric, no propane, including the stove.

I do want some comfort for myself but also my wife who is more likely to join me if it is a nice setup. Currently my camper is a bare bones "Four Wheel Camper" with no heat, no fridge and no independent electric system. My plan for now is to buy a 3/4 ton gas truck and a new Four Wheel Camper. Even buying that all new, I'll come in at 2/3 or less and I still have a truck that can be used as a truck. Also, when staying in one location for longer periods, the truck camper can be unloaded and left individually.

ILL keep you posted or continue to ask stupid questions as we go. Now, of course, buying a new truck or a new camper is next to impossible currently, so we will see.

G

[vash]

G.

you look at the Storyteller Overland version. they have a Beast mode version that seems to have decent ground clearance.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by vash

G.

you look at the Storyteller Overland version. they have a Beast mode version that seems to have decent ground clearance.

OOO - that's nice! Unfortunately again on a diesel Sprinter. Darn! Also, I would not be able to spend 200k on a van. Used, a couple years old would be the sweet spot, I'd think.

Any leads on Fords or Dodge vans?

It looks like Sportsmobile is all but dead, doing mostly mom and pop type stuff. I like the old E ford vans they did, but those are getting long in the tooth and when I looked at one with the pop top, I did not like it at all. I'd want a permanent high top, yes, I know, that will increase fuel mileage and decrease clearance in the woods.

[vash]

Originally Posted by aigel

OOO - that's nice! Unfortunately again on a diesel Sprinter. Darn! Also, I would not be able to spend 200k on a van. Used, a couple years old would be the sweet spot, I'd think.

Any leads on Fords or Dodge vans?

It looks like Sportsmobile is all but dead, doing mostly mom and pop type stuff. I like the old E ford vans they did, but those are getting long in the tooth and when I looked at one with the pop top, I did not like it at all. I'd want a permanent high top, yes, I know, that will increase fuel mileage and decrease clearance in the woods.

200K? yikes..sorry.

my friend has a sportsmobile. ford diesel. he takes it everywhere, but i havent seen it on the road much anymore. i know it got very bad MPG.

one day...one day.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by vash

200K? yikes..sorry.

my friend has a sportsmobile. ford diesel. he takes it everywhere, but i havent seen it on the road much anymore. i know it got very bad MPG.

one day...one day.

Nothing the shape of a brick gets good mileage. The 7.3 equipped Sportsmobile E van was the one to get. Check in with your bud, maybe he wants to cut me a deal!

[vash]

Originally Posted by aigel

Nothing the shape of a brick gets good mileage. The 7.3 equipped Sportsmobile E van was the one to get. Check in with your bud, maybe he wants to cut me a deal!

i think his has the 6 liter(?)..not sure if that is correct.

he did say major engine work required the body coming off the frame. it was shocking to hear.

[ckelly78z]

Not sure on a MB Sprinter, but most other new diesels also require DEF to be used to keep the catalytic converter clean, and functioning...you pour it in another port hole next to the fuel door.

An extra cost most don't think about.

[pavulon]

A lot of disappointed owners treat their diesel vehicle in ways that kill their chance to be satisfying. City driving, turning them on and off and failing to bring them up to temp kills diesel joy...especially direct injection, egr, turbo diesel and particulate filter joy.

[Tishabet]

Originally Posted by aigel

I'd rather have something ford and gasoline.

Significant departure from the Sprinter, and I know I have plugged it before, but...

My current camper is a true 4x4 (central decoupler, front and rear lockers and a crawling gear, 10 inches of clearance), a fridge/freezer and house battery setup that will keep my beer and ice cream cold for 4-5 indefinitely, a propex heater which keeps it toasty when we go skiiing, can sleep 2 couples, is powered by the most popular Ford engine of all time, and can park in most home garages.

It's a 1986 VW Syncro Westfalia with a Bostig Zetec engine conversion. jyl rocks one of these as well (his is not the "syncro" 4x4 but does have the same engine conversion). I can buy anything for this engine at my local FLAPS or at the FLAPS in South America.

They are pretty badass offroad (unlike the sprinter)


Here is one for sale.

Here is mine: