2015 Mercedes Sprinter

[jgillott]

As some of you are already aware, I purchased a 2015 MB Sprinter Passenger van last month. I am currently traveling with it through Florida and I thought I would share some of my initial impressions with you.

MB offers the 12 passenger van in a 144" or 170" wheel base in either a low or high roof. Both are listed as a 2500 with a 8550# GVWR. Mine is the 144" low roof. But, with the optional roof AC unit, mine sits at just under 9 feet tall (105.3" to be exact.)

Here is a picture from the day I picked it up at the dealer.

 

[jgillott]

The 2.1L twin turbo 4 cyl and 7-speed auto is amazing to say the least. I'm averaging 21 mpg running 75 mph on the highway with 10 people and their gear. I'll be really interested to see what it does with a few more miles on it. Riding in this thing, you would never believe it is only rated at 161 hp.

 

[jgillott]

Here's one from Florida today. Notice the powered entry step under the slider. Sure is ugly in that safety yellow, but very functional getting my elderly passengers in and out.

 

[jgillott]

Looks right at home parked in the RV/Bus/overflow parking lot.

 

[jgillott]

My plan is to keep this thread updated from time to time as sort of and ongoing long term review. Just in case any of you are interested in possibly owning a van or RV based on this chassis.

 

[photowrite]

Thanks for sharing.

 

[goodguys75]

I drive one as a paramedic here in Las Vegas, they have had a lot of issues...turbos, transmission shifting problems, light bulbs always burn out...there not intended for use as in ems service, especially here in Las Vegas....that is why we are going away from them

 

[jgillott]

Just rolled 3000 miles. Only complaint so far is that it could use a larger fuel tank. Consistently getting 22+ mpg even with the cruise set at 75 with both ACs running. But it only has a 26 gallon tank. Seems like I'm always stopping for fuel. 36-40 gallon would be perfect for this thing.

 

[The patriot]

I always wanted one of them.
Wife won the argument back in 2012 .....chrysler T&C.

 

[jgillott]

You are welcome to stop by and drive this thing around if you are ever in my neck of the woods. I think she would fall in love with it after a little time behind the wheel.

 

[The patriot]

Thanks! Kinda broke right now.

 

[jgillott]

Update. We just finished our second round trip from PA to Florida. Total miles on the van to date 4250. Hand calculated lifetime mpg is 22.1. 90+% of the miles have been highway at 70+ loaded with people and gear.

 

[jgillott]

I took the time to learn the functions of the factory radio on this trip. Just like the other manufacturers, everything is very easy to use.

My favorite part, real buttons on the sides of the screen. Great for someone with big clumsy fingers like me.

 

[jgillott]

Just posting an update to thus thread. 11 months of ownership now and nothing but positives to add at this point. Now that it is getting a few miles on it, the MPG has improved slightly. Now seeing just shy of 25mpg average.

I just brought her home from our local Ziebart where they did an exterior detail for me.

 

[AEdelheit]

24-25 mpg is pretty impressive for a giant brick going down the road!!!!!!!!

 

[jgillott]

24-25 mpg is pretty impressive for a giant brick going down the road!!!!!!!!

LOL. I often refer to it as the rolling brick.

Here is a shot of the dash mpg display from my run today. It reads about .4 mpg high.

 

[Wayne M.]

Nice Van. Plenty around. I'm starting to see the smaller metris (sp?) too. We have 1&2 gen sprinters in the fleet. Coming from a stout background.

 

[jgillott]

Thanks Wayne. It has been an excellent addition to my personal fleet. I purchased it primarily to haul my disabled mother around in. But it has turned out to be an excellent travel vehicle.

I would change a couple of minor things on it if I could. As I mentioned earlier in this thread, it could use a fuel tank larger than the 26 gal it has. Even with the fuel mileage it gets, I would like some additional range. There is enough room under there to hang probably a 50 gal tank, but even 10 more gal would be great. It also could use more cup holders and 12 volt outlets in the passenger area. It has 5 12 volt outlets and 6 cup holders in a 12 passenger van. No matter how you do the math, the #'s just don't work.

 

[Regcabguy]

Pretty good writeups of the 4wd model recently released.

 

[Wayne M.]

4WD model?
I wonder if it still has the corvette style transverse plastic leaf spring up front? How'd they get around that?