My Next DD

NC_Mog

NC_Mog

Eurotrash Driver
Joined
Mar 17, 2005
Location
Apex, NC
Now this is what I want. So far a one off conversion.

ai420.photobucket.com_albums_pp283_mhiscox01_DSC02094.jpg
 
looks like a sprinter with a benz badge. or did i miss something??
 
They use them at some airports in Europe to get people from the airport to the hotels. I was in one and couldn't help but figure how much weight it was hauling. there were about 10-12 passengers, and it was pulling a trailer loaded with baggage. I'm not talking a small trailer, I'm talking a good sized closed in trailer packed with luggage. between people, luggage and trailer... a few thousand pounds as best I could estimate. and this thing moved like there was no weight in/behind it. the Driver was nuts too, taking turns I was thinking OH SHIT! this things gonna flip! but it hauled and handled nicely! It had a 4 popper diesel I do believe.
 
5 cyl mercedes diesel. i would not recommend towing with that thing. my buddy got a new one for work and starting towing with it to URE and back. after the 10 time or so. poof....goodnight motor. also had almost no power with a 4200lb rig and a 1200lb trailer.

needless to say his bossman was not too thrilled!
 
Kevin has one (voodoo) we talked about this and he said spec was 5000# tow but it IS a unibody and i really could see it lasting 10+ years being used as a service rig then towing etc..

BUT as a throw away service rig its really a nice setup. Different roof heights. Decient MPG.

All except Expensive parts :)
 
Ahh, but the one Kimball has posted a picture of is 4X4 !!, those were Euro Spec only ( well, over seas anyway ) and I seem to remember the Techs at Hendrick Dodge saying the programming is different, and the DODGE inteface will not connect. They had 4 of the 4x4 'Benz vans at the dealership last summer when I was picking mine up after a repair.

The company that owned the 'Benz vans shipped them to Hendrick (from over seas) AND sprang for the diagnostic scan tool and software for them to be able to work on them. Don't know how it turned out, but the vans sat at Hendricks for quite awhile. ( not there now, been there 3 times the last 3 days )

That being said, my company has /had 50 of them at one point, the number is dwindling fast. Mine ('06) was one of the last bought, and they will not be buying any more.

YES, they make SWEET service vans, ( mine is a 3500 dually, as were most of them)

BUT, anything more than basic maint requires dealer service, trans fill tube is sealed, most have no dipstick, so you can change or check the fluid ( strike one, service vehicles need reguilar trans service, requires a dealer visit for proper service)

Rear axles have a tendancy to puke, we've been thru 3-4 in the Raleigh/ Wilson zone

EGR issues, clogging, burning out, had 2 in the last month blow the pipe out the back of the head, caught the insulation on fire. both vehilces require $3000+ repairs as the engine must be pulled to perform the proper repair ( no removable doghouse like a US made van) I know one van is currently for sale DOA for this very reason ( dually 3500, $1750 I think) both vans have had the engines replaced at about 105k due to cam gear failure ( as were several others in the fleet )

various electrical germlins, brakes last 45k max ( mine was the furthest they had seen mileage wise for brakes) replacing brakes means rotors and pads all 4 corners, and the wear sensors. not hard to do, but can be a bitch Tires last about the same.

the early versions fo rthe US had the 412 engine, 14500 psi commo rail injection, easier to work on.

'04 and later had the 416, 28800psi common rail injection, individual injectors must be programmed for flow rate, requiring factory scan tool and software. ( expensive)

One injector is $486, no core, valve cover, which breaks REALLY easliy is $150, and requires
removal of the injectors, which is a job currently beng attempted at our shop by another tech, (it's not looking good)

LAbor charges are quite a bit higher on these than on a regular service vehicle.

the engines will not cross parts wise.

I know one thing, when mine requires more than an oil change, it's goin to the shop, I ain't getting involved. A regular OBD2 scan tool will not read the codes so I am told, haven't tried, don't care.
 
NC_Mog said:
Wow Kevin you paint a :poop: picture. Well it looked good for awhile. :driver:
Click to expand...


Sorry, but thats been the over all experiance.

Honestly, I love the van for what it is, it is an awesome service vehilce. But SERVICING the vehilce is an issue, expensive at that.

If you're going to be in the Wendell/Zebulon/Clayton area anytime soon, I'd be glad to let you check it out, so you can get an idea what it is.

PM me if interested.
 
NC_Mog said:
Wow Kevin you paint a :poop: picture. Well it looked good for awhile. :driver:
Click to expand...

Oh, KImball, I forgot to mention, I got 19.5 mpg last tank, loaded about 8800 gross Wt, not to bad for a brick with 6 wheels. That was a mix of town and highway driving since Monday
 
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