As an old retiree I have to concur with the above sentiments regarding problems. I fell in love with these new sprinters but boy, why so many problems. Yes, many owners have no problems at all, or they are in a position where either it's expected or it's not a financial issue. At present I only drive a little Toyota panel van. No, it's not a Sprinter but should that make a difference. If one can bake a little party pie that tastes great, you can make a family pie just as good. Silly?. No not really. Reliability can be had if there is a will to do so. While no one complains and the vehicles keep selling, why should they (MB) bother?

While I'm am happy to divest my pension to buy a good vehicle, I expect to just get in, start it and drive it blind for the next 10(?) years. Why not? They are commercial vehicles after all, driven by all comers spinning the ringer out of them. That's why I choose to drive commercial vehicles, cars are worse. Not so long ago vehicles were reliable or at least easily fixed DIY. And are they really any better? economy is much the same, comfort is not the cause of failure, handling is not the failure, stuff that really benefits us is good like brakes and suspension is not the failure. No it's the electronics mostly. Apart from complexity I fail to see any great benefit by their inclusion.

And the concept that owners are fools, so lets take the maintenance out of their hands. Modifications? hell why would you want to do that. We are the Lords you're just a customer. _ I had to add the last bit

I'm approaching 200K on my 06. I think it takes a while to wean the truck off the dealer service. Find a good local mechanic who can tend to the truck. Some of the problems I have had were simple, it's the isolating them that is a bitch. Currently mine is sitting in the drive in and I'm going out today to find a reasonably effective OBD reader. Collapsed Charge air hose and bad performance. I'm suspecting a plug in relay etc. I would buy another sprinter before anything else I've seen on the market. Handling, fuel efficiency, and comfort are all good.

I have five sprinter van right now, the only way I can do business is to do all the repairs myself It is not so hard once you get in the swing of it.

One sprinter a bought, a 2001 gave me endless trouble till I got hardcore with it myself Cylinder head off, all that.

So far so good.

All in all I would not have any other vans, good luck with you vans, but you must educate yourself or the garage bills will eat you alive.

my 05 158" just turned 600,000 miles....no big problems...

Originally Posted by Bucklejo

I have a 2006, 118" wheel base, low roof unit. It has 110,000 miles on it. i use it for daily work, and to tow a 20 Ft enclosed pace trailer to and from the races on the weekends. I would say the mileage is about 20% with trailer.

I have only had a one minor mechanical issue with the van- (blown resonator) I'm on my second set of tires.

I track my fuel mileage on this site: Gaslog data for Dodge Sprinter Van

I am still looking for ways to improve mileage. (slowing down not being one of th choices)

I am now just passing 170k miles with my 06 Dodge Sprinter, put new shocks and struts, found that matching the front rotors when installing new ones eliminated the nagging brake shudder that kept coming back. had a Harmonic balancer come apart. and that is pretty much the jist of the repairs. My local Dodge dealer (Danbury Dodge) has been an excelent service center. I have found that beacause these vehicles are unique, a service center experienced with these trucks is critical.

Originally Posted by Bucklejo

I have a 2006, 118" wheel base, low roof unit. It has 110,000 miles on it. i use it for daily work, and to tow a 20 Ft enclosed pace trailer to and from the races on the weekends. I would say the mileage is about 20% with trailer.

I have only had a one minor mechanical issue with the van- (blown resonator) I'm on my second set of tires.

I track my fuel mileage on this site: Gaslog data for Dodge Sprinter Van

I am still looking for ways to improve mileage. (slowing down not being one of th choices)

As to the resonator....

Turbo Resonator Eliminator 2004-2006

MY 2006 Sprinter is running strong although it only has 25,000 miles on it. I put some sound proofing in the front cab area and it reduced the sound a lot. Have not had any other problems so far. Also installed a tilt steering wheel kit that made driving way more comfortable. Bought it online at sprintertilt. com. I saw one guy has over 600,000 miles on his. That is great.

648,000 miles now...just had the fuel system rebuilt..injector pump, fuel rail an ECM and 1 injector.......the last couple thousand miles averaging about 24 mpg at 63 mph....low 23's at 66 mph....