Dodge Sprinter Van questions

[IC Smoke]

Hey guys, Dad is looking to get a DODGE SPRINTER Passenger van for work. Anyone have one? how do you like it?



Any word about the motor. ?

"2. 7-liter I5 Mercedes-Benz Turbo Diesel engine produces 154 horsepower at 3,800 RPM and 243 pounds-feet of torque from 1,600 to 2,400 RPM. "



It will be used for transporting mentally handicapped men/women. So with that said is yours easy to enter/exit?



Ian

 

[BarryG]

We have a couple at work and the drivers love them. They get great mileage and are pretty peppy. Dont do so well in the snow without some rear weight or studded tires. We have the cargo versions so not sure about entry and exit with seats but the door opens wide.

 

[WMonroe]

I haven't had any personal experience with them, but I've heard they get good fuel mileage and that the engine has a decent amount of low end torque.

Will

 

[hammersley]

They are very good ---

I've seen several around here for personnel use - folks love em. They aren't the most powerful - but adequate and very efficient. The headroom is unbelievable,,and the flat floor is great.

 

[MBergman]

Keep an eye on the brakes. We have had a few sightseeing vans in here with the brakes gone at 6,000 miles. The rotors can't be machined according to Mercedes either. Replacement parts availability is getting better monthly.



Don't park them on an angle if you plan on opening the rear doors!



Marc

 

[IC Smoke]

Any more news guys?



Thanks

Ian

 

[Cooker]

I have heard they suck in the snow. Even worse than a regular cargo van.

 

[Excessive Force]

I talked to a guy that said he was getting 23 mpg !!He hadn't even received the plates yet. It makes me wonder what he'll get after its broke in.

 

[LDPetersen]

We had the local dealer bring one to our shop to look it over. Ran inside the shop for 20 min. you couldnot smell any exhaust. He claimed up to 30mpg hiway and 20mpg city. Sounds like that may be pretty close. Also it was so quiet running you can hardly hear it. Have not bought any yet but may be in the future.

 

[Coolslice]

I've logged a few thousand miles in one, the cargo version. I liked them. I was getting about 26 mpg with HARD driving. I thought it had plenty of power, it will roast the tires if it wern't for the traction control. They will get up and go.



They aren't the most reliable vehicles ever made though. A buddy of mine works at the dealership, and they have had a a few bad apples. He claims that once they get the initial bugs worked out, they are trouble free. I can't remember what exactly they were seeing them come back for, but I want to say the EGR.

 

[amsoilman]

Hey guys, Dad is looking to get a DODGE SPRINTER Passenger van for work. Anyone have one? how do you like it?



Any word about the motor. ?

"2. 7-liter I5 Mercedes-Benz Turbo Diesel engine produces 154 horsepower at 3,800 RPM and 243 pounds-feet of torque from 1,600 to 2,400 RPM. "



It will be used for transporting mentally handicapped men/women. So with that said is yours easy to enter/exit?



Ian

I was at the Dodge Dealer today looking at a 15 Passenger "tall" van with most all the bells and whistles, MSPR was 38,000.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[E7mack96]

I've got one

I've had a sprinter van (cargo version) for nearly 3 years. it's a 2002 model.



It gets 27 mpgs on the highway, and like 22-24 in town. I have 55,000 on it now and no problems. Brakes are original, as are the tires. The engine has plenty of power. We occaionally haul up to 5,000 lbs in ours and even with that load, it does fine.



Just make sure you get the aux. heater (its a little webasco, i think) In the winter, the engine doesn't produce enough heat to heat an entire cargo van, except at highway speeds loaded.



We went cheapo and didn't get cruise or tilt, or power anything. The drivers dislike that. (back in 02, the only option was all of it for like 5 k more)



Do not disengage traction control. It has saved me before in the winter. (remarks about snow driving are accurate)



Also, by disengaging the traction control, you will toast the small differential in the rear end. They are not stout enough for north american driving conditions (drivers). the traction control will save it.