Looking to get a service van.

[Davenlr]

Originally Posted by rudeney

Have you considered a Sprinter? They are made by Mercedes-Benz, but sold under the Freightliner or Dodge labels in the US. They have very efficient diesel engines, plus tons of safety features with some models having stand-up headroom. The price may be high, but this might be a good "investment".

I drive a sprinter daily. I average 600 miles to a tank of diesel, and 23 mpg in the city, 25 mpg in the country, and 24 mpg combined freeway/city. AND, you can stand up inside, loads of room, comfortable to drive.. Great truck. My previous one was a Chevy Savannah with a V8 that got 18mpg. Replaced it at 300,000 miles.

[kucharsk]

I've a friend who rehabs houses for a living and absolutely loves, loves, loves his Sprinter.

The only bad thing is his radio died and he hasn't had a chance to acquire a new one yet (display works, but there's no audio.)

Note that the original Sprinters are a bit jouncy on the cargo springs if the van isn't heavily loaded.

[itguy05]

Originally Posted by dennisj00

Disregarding the economics and suggestions of alternate transportation, I echo the 'Sprinter' van. It's made by Mercedes, high MPG diesel, standing headroom inside and should last 'forever' with proper maintenance.

Be careful they love to eat transmissions.

I know someone why drives one for work and it has needed a "lot" of repairs - brakes, fuel system (injectors leaking), leaky turbo, etc.

[Davenlr]

Originally Posted by itguy05

Be careful they love to eat transmissions.

As with any transmission, it all depends how you treat them. When Im up in the mountains, and it says "Trucks use lower gear", I slow down, tap the transmission lever once, and coast down the hill without hardly having to touch the brakes, then tap it right at the bottom, and hit resume on the cruise. 103,000 miles, in the mountains and around cities, on the freeway. No problems whatsoever. Did have a glow plug module burn out, covered under the 10yr 100,000 mi warrantee, as was the Turbo housing which cracked (that is a known issue), but can be replaced under warrantee with a newer metal housing.

[kucharsk]

Originally Posted by itguy05

Be careful they love to eat transmissions.

I know someone why drives one for work and it has needed a "lot" of repairs - brakes, fuel system (injectors leaking), leaky turbo, etc.

Hmmm, that hasn't been the case at all for the Sprinter owners I'm familiar with.

I guess you could always spend time on a Sprinter forum if you're concerned:

http://sprinter-source.com/forum/index.php

[bb37]

Originally Posted by dennisj00

Disregarding the economics and suggestions of alternate transportation, I echo the 'Sprinter' van. It's made by Mercedes, high MPG diesel, standing headroom inside and should last 'forever' with proper maintenance.

I won't argue that the Sprinter is a good service vehicle. A local commercial electrical contractor I deal with has purchased a fleet of them and the guys seem satisfied with them so far. But I'm curious why a guy doing satellite TV installs needs a vehicle that big? How much stuff are you carrying?

[my1423]

For cheap, reliable, small, high mileage, work vehicles you cant beat a base model Ford ranger. Just go around town and see how many parts delivery houses use them. Every car parts, exterminator, hvac, and appliance repair use them in my town. They out number every other unit ten to one. Ask for the miles on them. Most over 200,000

If you want a small Van then the Chevy astro. Four wheel drive ect. Real rattle box after some miles. Loads of little really cheap parts fail usually near 100,000 miles but other wise pretty solid.

For large vehicles the Ford cargo vans. Make sure to service the tranny often. Very dependable with maintenance but known for bad trannies when you dont service regularly.

Ultra large the Isuzu box trucks. Cheap!! Good on fuel! All standard parts. Mechanical fuel injection.

The sprinter vans. Some praise them some curse them. The local fed ex delivery Loath them!!!. But the company also welds the hoods shut too to prevent battery theft ect. Dumb policy. Battery goes dead your stuck! Parts for the Sprinter can be cheap, or can be so unreasonable you will wonder why you ever bought one. The local fed ex guy has lost many days of work from his van loosing its electronic control modules all the way to a 4500$ fuel management pump going out. Thats the dodge influence on Mercedes right there. But they also load up many miles on them. With any vehicle they have a limited life before problems arrive.

[rudeney]

Originally Posted by my1423

The sprinter vans. Some praise them some curse them. The local fed ex delivery Loath them!!!. But the company also welds the hoods shut too to prevent battery theft ect. Dumb policy. Battery goes dead your stuck! Parts for the Sprinter can be cheap, or can be so unreasonable you will wonder why you ever bought one. The local fed ex guy has lost many days of work from his van loosing its electronic control modules all the way to a 4500$ fuel management pump going out. Thats the dodge influence on Mercedes right there.

No, there was absolutely no Chrysler influence on Mercedes-Benz. All the "parts sharing" was one way - from MBZ to Chrysler. The failure you describe is typical Mercedes-Benz. While most will never experience the failure of a major electronic component like that, those who do will be unpleasantly surprised at the cost to repair it.

[scoobyxj]

Sorry for the long no reply. They decided to ax the parking thing. I guess too many people said they where quitting. As for some replies I agree needing to talk to a tax guy and weigh my option on that front. As for a Ranger? Big sorry no go. As well as any other small pickup. I drove a Tacoma for the first 7 months I worked for them. It got about 8mpg, and would have to hit the warehouse about every three days. Also the breaks sucked big time, and it didn't have enough power to get out of its own way. Someone that hits a warehouse everyday it would be ideal. Sprinter is definitely to big. I got to get a ladder off the roof, and get it in peoples driveways. As far as buying a junker gas getter. I could but I wouldn't be able to write any of it off on my taxes, and it would add a two hour drive to my day every day. As far as why I carry so much stuff. I'm usually the only tech with in 50 miles. Normally I'm covering a whole county, and my route is usually fairly heavy. I rarely have less than three jobs for the day. Yesterday I had 5 jobs. Three of them two room new connects, and two trouble calls (one 4 room I basically had to reinstall), with at least a 40 min drive between each.

[joe diamond]

Originally Posted by scoobyxj

Sorry for the long no reply. They decided to ax the parking thing. I guess too many people said they where quitting. As for some replies I agree needing to talk to a tax guy and weigh my option on that front. As for a Ranger? Big sorry no go. As well as any other small pickup. I drove a Tacoma for the first 7 months I worked for them. It got about 8mpg, and would have to hit the warehouse about every three days. Also the breaks sucked big time, and it didn't have enough power to get out of its own way. Someone that hits a warehouse everyday it would be ideal. Sprinter is definitely to big. I got to get a ladder off the roof, and get it in peoples driveways. As far as buying a junker gas getter. I could but I wouldn't be able to write any of it off on my taxes, and it would add a two hour drive to my day every day. As far as why I carry so much stuff. I'm usually the only tech with in 50 miles. Normally I'm covering a whole county, and my route is usually fairly heavy. I rarely have less than three jobs for the day. Yesterday I had 5 jobs. Three of them two room new connects, and two trouble calls (one 4 room I basically had to reinstall), with at least a 40 min drive between each.

With that load to they get upset if you are late or cancel?
Can you reschedule your route to make it possible to work without driving back and forth?

The truck thing may not be the main problem.

Good luck!

Joe