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The Dodge Ramvans it replaced were made in Ontario. Real "Mericun vans those were. I'd rather have jobs in South Carolina than Canada.
"to avoid tarriffs the BOX is shipped in one box, the Chassis in another" they are bolted together in south carolina...... I suppose that provides a minimal amount of jobs....wonder if it offsets the tarrifs lost, must not or they wouldn't be using it for that express purpose.
I didn't used to be such a BUY USA ONLY kind of guy.....but wake up and smell the coffee the manufacturing base is allmost extinct. I challenge you to pick up common items in your home and see how many say Made in the USA as opposed to Made in China etc. No kidding try it you will be suprised.
>Gaffney, South Carolina and maybe Pooler, Georgia. I also believe they are a >union shops, unlike the Japanese auto plants here in the US.
>
>The Dodge Ramvans it replaced were made in Ontario. Real "Mericun vans those >were. I'd rather have jobs in South Carolina than Canada.
for Sprinters everything is wearing normal. I am not happy because we didn't take it off the lot making the noise. I think they have a problem and are covering it up. Anyone else experiencing same thing. I looked on comments and found only your message....so this does not make it normal in my mind.
B
Problems I have noticed, the drivers door seems too bind when opening after driving on a rough road. you can hear the door move around like it isn't closed tight enough on a bumpy road, but it is closed tight. Also the brake pedal feels to low to me and seems to have a lot of travel. I am used to a higher pedal. I am getting into the bad habit of pumping the brakes to get a higher pedal. it just feels wrong. The brakes work fine and I am sure it is just a design thing. it is full of brake fluid.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4555917803&category=621- 0
Are there any Canadians in this forum? I'm looking for a good source for used Sprinter vans and I'm having a bit of difficulty. I could buy one in the U.S. but I'd prefer to buy one in kilometres with Canadian currency. Any ideas? Looking forward to any responses or thoughts you might have.
Thanks so much,
E Swift
Try Discount Van & Truck
I've speced out a Chevy Express van as a replacement, and it appears to be about $5,000 less than a Sprinter. The Sprinter will save about $800 per year in fuel costs. Will the increased resale value make up for the difference?
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However, If you are a owner operator you should drive both and decide which one you will be most happy driving. We bought ours because the Sprinter was more comfortable and had more useable space than the E-150. We drive similar miles in New England and that's a lot of "windshield time", so make certain you like what you buy.
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Does this fit the criteria for the funding program described in #176?
If so, what it the procedure to do so?
Alfred
I thought the stand-up headroom was the draw for a Sprinter, as opposed to a standard van.
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Tell everyone about your buying experience: Write a Dealer Review
I have been looking for a vehicle for my camping fantasies...
Trucks w/ campers...van conversions...new...used...
and a friend told me about the Sprinter and I said yuk to diesel...
But, I hear diesel has improved (as far as pollution...smelll...)
What do you know about that and can we convert the diesel to cleaner solution in the future..? I like the better gas mileage of the Sprinter...but, my real question is what do you do to "Convert" the Sprinter...does that mean into a camper van???
Would love your input?
Campergirl in California
Interestingly, in Mexico, Sprinter was introduced two years ago as a Mercedes-Benz and continues there as such, not a Dodge or a Freightliner.
I would say your chances of finding a used M-B Sprinter are pretty slim, given the small sales volumes. Perhaps a Dodge dealer demo would be your best bet.
As for UPS, every Sprinter I see in the Boston area has had the Freightliner logo removed.
Just trying to compile a price on the internet and have these options to choose. Please be specific. For instance, I know a luxury bucket driver's seat is a luxury bucket driver's seat, but how is it different from the stock one?
Fixed Front Driver's Side Window
Fixed Front-Passenger Window
Auxiliary belt drive
Front insulation
High idle function
Luxury bucket driver's seat
Rear insulation
Thanks
Fixed Passenger Side Window - Same on the other side. This is very convenient for merging in traffic.
Both of the above can be ordered in Privacy Glass.
Aux drive belt - Darned if I know
Front insulation - supposedly cuts down on noise and keeps the inside cooler/warmer depending on outside conditions. Actually pretty cheesy stuff. I ordered it hoping for more.
Rear insulation - more of the above only behind you.
High idle function - Beats me
Luxury Bucket Seats - Awesome adjustable seats. Pump up lumbar, extending lower cushion for thigh support, more adjustments than you can use. Order them if you can!
I'm the owner of a new '05 118" Dodge Sprinter wagon. So far, I love it. Such an improvement over the Ford E150 it is replacing. Averaged 20mpg for the first 1000 miles. Anyway, for kicks I ordered M-B grill kit on ebay. Warning! the chrome trim on the hood is VERY difficult to remove. I cut a V into the center and pulled to the sides. There are two adhesive strips on each side - not a big deal. However, Dodge is also running a heavy bead of an RTV like adhesive down the middle between the strips. I coud not find a paint safe solvent to remove this stuff, so next week we 're going to have a body shop do it. The hood may have to be repainted.
Their system has some major problems!!!
2-What is the best way to add a second battery?
3-Any idea where to get a large domed sunroof ( to add headroom to a low roof model)?
Thanks!
Insulation materials used in vehicles must meet a flame retardance spec. Some folks use building materials that generate a lot of smoke and will sustain a flame - they are NOT safe.The flame retardant materials are much more expensive.
A relatively inexpensive but marginally effective material is Reflectix, which is basically film covered bubble pack. It's available at big box construction material stores and doesn't burn. It's also used to line windows on RV's and van campers.
We insulated our Chevy and Ford vans with materials from Soundown - www.soundown.com. It's not their primary business but they make some great materials that cut down on noise and insulate well.It can cost $500 to $1,000, though.
I posted a question a while back about the Sprinter, but we wound up with a Chevrolet Express.
1. We drive less than 20,000 miles per year.
2. The nearest dealer was 30 miles away.
3. The dealer, Foss Motors in Exeter, NH told me on the phone that they were having trouble meeting demand and implied I'd have to pay the sticker price. We would never recoup the additional $10,000 unless the resale value was extraordinary, and no one has that data yet.
I looked up the spec for the oil since the manual says your Dodge dealer knows. It appears that Chevron Delo 400 15W-50w meets the ACEA spec that I located on the internet.
NAPA stocks a filter for about 19 bucks. Have not picked one up yet to inspect it. Think I located the filter. It is a cartridge type located just to the right of center from the top side. Looks very easy to do, but would like to hear of anyone else's experience.
Word is that the ASSYST computer may not require an oil change until nearly 20,000 miles. I don't have that option, so the manual says 10,000 miles. Who has experience with this?
If you are doing your own oil changes, what documentation is acceptable when you don't have a Sprinter dealer do the oil changes? Any problems getting warranty service done? Anybody got a chart of the oil required for each temp. zone?
I didn't change the filter this time. I got the impression that it only needs to be changed every other oil change. And for $20 bucks I hope that is right. I could hardly believe that the oil filter is right up on top. How easy is that! Of course, the strap wrench that I was using to remove oil filters won't work so I will have to get a real one finally.
I ended up using Mobil1 synthetic. Then I reset the ASSYST computer via the owner's manual instructions. I guess everything will be alright. I hope I didn't just void my warranty trying to save $90 on an oil change, but it ended up being so easy that I can't see why the price is so high.
P.S. Maybe I'm being unsympathetic, but even when I'm paying $3.00 a gallon for diesel, I sure like watching the SUV owners paying $3.40.
By the way this has been a great van so far. I had a initial glitch with an stuck engine temp sensor telling the turbo to turn off, but other than that it's been great. Milage is 21-22 most of the time hauling about 2500 lbs of carpet cleaning equipment.
wpb
https://www.seatcoverxpress.com/
They have seat covers for Sprinters.
I have an 05 sprinter box truck, 3500, 12 foot aluminum box. I am getting 15-16 MPG loaded. My assyst computer tells me that my first oil cahneg will be due at 5800 miles. I now have 5300 on it. I will let the dealer do the first service then I'll see about doing other services my self.
A drawback to the Sprinter is that even in civilian guise it is a utility vehicle and it won't let you forget it. But that utility aspect should also mean a longer life and fewer parts falling off as you drive across America. :shades:
Make sure the dealer you visit has a passenger version in stock, in the size you want, to test drive. If you and your wife will both drive the Sprinter, then make sure you are both comfortable driving it. If you are in the Chicago area, email me and you can come and see mine. I bought mine at invoice from a dealer who was very easy to work with (Les at Champion in Barrington), and avoided a dealer who was high pressure/high price (Sherman in Skokie).
As a second option, any suggestions on a bed that folds out from the wall?
Thanks
We own a 94 Ford Econoline, 05 Chevy Express, and 05 Nissan Quest. We looked at the Sprinter as one of my friends has one (same type of business) and they like it.
If you drive enough, or if the resale value is high enough (unknown but diesels usually do well) to justify the additional $7-10,000 or so difference in price, go to it!
We couldn't justify the Sprinter because we only drive them around 12,000 miles a year; the closest dealer was 30 miles away; and he made clear that we should expect to pay the sticker because the short wheelbase models were in short supply. The short wheelbase cargo van was $11,000 more than the Chevy 2500 we purchased.
Over 1800 miles the Chevy has averaged about 16.5 mpg - high of 18.7 and low of 15.0. Cost per mile is all over the map because of Katrina but locally diesel fuel is $0.20 per gallon more than regular. But at $2.65 and $2.85, the Chevy costs us about 16 cents per mile versus 12.9 for a Sprinter averaging 22mpg and $2.85 fuel. So if you drive 12,000 miles per year you'd save almost $400 per year on fuel with the Sprinter. As long as you don't need any Mercedes brake pads, you're ahead!
http://www.vehiclespecialty.com/rv-wall-sofas.html
Note that the poor choice of fabric is misleading; the actual solid color product is nicer.
Dan
I have no idea if anyone sells these, but I have installed a seat/bed of my own design which is FAR easier to install/remove than the stock seats which weigh a ton!
I'd be happy to share info on this - mine aren't beautiful, but work great!
I have a dark green 140" windowvan purchased "Brand Spanking Used" with only 2,400 miles @ Hartzheim Dodge in San Jose CA & have it serviced @ South County Dodge in Gilroy, CA - in answer to several questions about buying in California.
Hope it's OK to mention names, if not, webmaster, please remove!