Drove the "Freightliner" Sprinter van

[E7mack96]

a week or 2 ago I posted about the dissapointing results with a powerstroke powered e-450 box truck.



Well, I did a run using one of those Sprinter vans with the Mercedes 5 cylinder diesel. It smokes!!!



I got nearly 30 mpgs with about 3,000 lbs on and once it was empty, I did a few power brake launches



This thing took off so hard, The stuff in the dash FLEW off it and slammed into the cargo bulkhead. I was absolutely stunned.



I am gonna buy one. They came down to 27,600 for it.



I was happy with the rams' 20-21mpgs, but I will love 30mpgs.

 

[HC]

All I can say is, "Wow! Are you sure?"



I thought the Sprinter was a 2. 7 liter diesel, so I was expecting it to be underpowered. What I'm hearing you say is that this thing can actually move down the highway.



Also, what were the conditions where you were getting good mpg - did it include some freeway speeds, or only slow-moving secondary road type driving?



(gosh, wish it came with a 4WD option - it could be the ultimate camper for those who like it simple)

 

[E7mack96]

it was freeway driving at 60 mph. 270 miles each way. Dedicated run. and yes, I am positive it would out accelerate a ram (in stock form, of course) to 60. I also wish that 4 wheel drive was available. I was very suprised at its' performance.



Here is the quote from their website "One of the most advanced and efficient diesel engines in the world:

The 5-cylinder Mercedes-Benz CDI (common rail direct injection), equipped with a turbo-charger and variable turbine geometry, stands out with its excellent torque, smooth and quiet running characteristics and an extraordinary low fuel consumption.



From its 2. 7-liter capacity, the CDI generates output of 154 hp at 3,800 rpm and a high torque of 243-lb. ft. at 1,600 - 2,400 rpm as illustrated by the torque-curve chart"

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[E7mack96]

here is info on the 5 speed auto







The Mercedes-Benz 5 speed automatic transmission stands out with its smooth-shifting, finely-tuned gearing, longevity, reliability, low maintenance costs and low fuel consumption. Shifting of the five forward speeds and reverse is electronically controlled.



The control unit is linked with the other control units via CAN-bus, which is designed to manage all processes involved in changing gears



If you get a chance, just demo one.

 

[Cummins Cowboy]

are these the same as what fed ex uses

 

[E7mack96]

I am under the impression that fed-ex and ups are starting to use them, but none of the ones around here are yet (that I've seen)

 

[Motorhead]

Of the Freightliners that we are using at UPS, they are only 12valves with a 5 spd or the ISB wiith an Allison Auto.

 

[Andy Perreault]

Originally posted by cummins cowboy

are these the same as what fed ex uses

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FedEx Express has a bunch of them here in Seattle. I work for FedEx, but I haven't driven one, I drive 18 wheelers. I have talked to couriers who drive them, and their only complaint is that FedEx spec'd them without radios. A smart thing FedEx did was have the inside of the cargo area sprayed with urethane bedliner material. One neat feature of the Sprinter is that the back doors can swing all the way open to where they hook to the sides of the van, just like doors on a semi-trailer. This way, they can be backed up all the way to a loading dock without crunching the doors.



I see from the posting above that I'm not the only one who thinks they'd make a cool small RV. I wonder if you can get them with swing out doors on the side instead of a sliding door, kind of like the choice you have with a Ford Econoline?

Andy



Did you know they make a passenger van, too?



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Check out http://www.daimlerchrysler-vans.com/sprinter/home/index.html

 

[Andy Perreault]

This pic shows what I was talking about, how the back doors swing all the way open.



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[Bill Lins]

I read somewhere that Dodge dealers are going to be selling a version of the Sprinter as the replacement for the Ram Van.

 

[Motorhead]

Andy, those are cool. The Freightliners at UPS are the bigger square, aluminum bodies like your bigger vans. We call them a P700as they are approx 700 cu. ft. in back. I load 5- P300 Fords that they bought 4 years ago. The things are built on a light 3/4 ton ford chassis with a 4. 1 V6 and an aluminum body. These things deliver the rural routes and are falling apart. I hope UPS sees these things and buys some.

I showed them the Killer Dowell Pin jig to safeguard the 12valvers we have in fleet and I don't think that they will doo anything about it. "If it aint broke,don't fix it" is their philosphy.

Chris

 

[Andy Perreault]

Originally posted by Motorhead

Andy, those are cool. The Freightliners at UPS are the bigger square, aluminum bodies like your bigger vans. We call them a P700as they are approx 700 cu. ft. in back.

Hi Chris, I think the Freightliner Cummins-powered big vans we have are called W-900's, at least that's what I've heard people call them. I, like most veteran FedEx employees, call them "Grummans", from the old days when the big vans were made by Grumman. A lot of people call them "bread trucks", too.



This is the busy time of the year, eh? Oo. Oo.

Have a good one, Andy