Need to buy a large van - Transit or Sprinter?

[duff]

Not the most exciting subject, I know, just thought a few of you might have had some experience of either van that'll help me.

I'm going to become an owner driver doing multi-drop work and need to get a van. I'm looking at either a Transit or Sprinter and basically need to know if the Sprinter is worth the extra money?

I'm buying as I don't want to be tied into a 3 year restricted mile lease and the budget is up to 10k. Has to be around 3 years old or newer and MWB at least. Looking at Transits I can get a decent 07 with reasonable miles (70k) for £7-8k, a similar Sprinter is nearer to £10k. Are they worth the extra outlay? As it's multi-drop it is going to have quite a hard life so I don't mind paying more for something that's going to be more reliable and worth more when I come to sell. Having said that the more I spend on a van, the less I have for a new car!

I've read about a few reliability issues with the Transits but I guess you only hear about the problems and not the thousands that have no problems at all. MPG wise the transit seems better though.

Any advice appreciated.

[HellDiver]

Sprinter (or VW Crafter) every time. They're way more reliable in our fleet than the Transts.

Dual Masses are the only issue with the Sprinters, and it's a box and engine out job. Transts have similar issues with DMFs, but add electrical faults, injector issues, head gaskets and rear axle issues to the mix.

Edited by HellDiver on Monday 30th November 12:40

[v8will]

The only issue I had with a 2001 Sprinter 313 CDi in nearly 200K miles was a slightly wonky side door. Thirsty though, I never got much more than 19MPG. I'd take the Merc/VW over the transit any day (which rusts just as badly)

[HellDiver]

311CDi uses the 2.1 litre out of the C-Class doesn't it? Had a 311CDi for a 100 mile jaunt a few months ago and the fuel guage was still on full when I got back.

[v8will]

HellDiver said:

311CDi uses the 2.1 litre out of the C-Class doesn't it? Had a 311CDi for a 100 mile jaunt a few months ago and the fuel guage was still on full when I got back.

No, the '11 and '13 engines are 2.3 litre units that I think are bespoke to the sprinter and possibly Vito IIRC. The '11 CDi is much easier to run but quite gutless. The '16 engine is a 5 cyl 2.8 I think and good for 170BHP. The VW vans use totally different engines I think.

[duff]

I won't be carrying any weight really so don't need alot of grunt but it needs to be bigger than a transporter/vivaro unfortunatley. Not really keen on the LDV tbh, think the old style ones put me off for life!! I like the Crafter but I don't think it's the same as a Sprinter (2.5 engines so I guess worse MPG) and heard of some issues with them - might be wrong though.

I'll be doing 60 miles a day dual carriageway, 50 round town roughly.

[langy]

Is this any good for you ? 2005 05 plate Mercedes Sprinter 311cdi lwb van

[HellDiver]

v8will said:

No, the '11 and '13 engines are 2.3 litre units that I think are bespoke to the sprinter and possibly Vito IIRC. The '11 CDi is much easier to run but quite gutless. The '16 engine is a 5 cyl 2.8 I think and good for 170BHP. The VW vans use totally different engines I think.

Yeah the VW use their own engines. Surprised you're saying the 311 is gutless - the one I had was fitted with a Luton body with tail lift, and 1st through 3rd were pretty much bouncing off the traction control all the time given any decent amount of throttle, and was heading well towards licence losing speeds with no particular sign of it slowing.

Just checked the web, and the same OM611 2.1 is used in the Sprinter, and was also used in the C-Class, along with the I-5 OM612 and OM647. That's up to 2007. Seems the current gen ones use an OM646 which seems to be Sprinter only.

Edited by HellDiver on Monday 30th November 13:03

[duff]

langy said:

Is this any good for you ? 2005 05 plate Mercedes Sprinter 311cdi lwb van

LOL - not for work but would be great for weekends away with the mountain bikes!

[v8will]

HellDiver said:

Yeah the VW use their own engines. Surprised you're saying the 311 is gutless - the one I had was fitted with a Luton body with tail lift, and 1st through 3rd were pretty much bouncing off the traction control all the time given any decent amount of throttle, and was heading well towards licence losing speeds with no particular sign of it slowing.

Just checked the web, and the same OM611 2.1 is used in the Sprinter, and was also used in the C-Class, along with the I-5 OM612 and OM647. Unless they've changed recently?

I stand corrected on that! It's comparitive, a 311 will feel like a rocket compared to a similar transit or ducato but the 313 is in a different league. The old 416 was awesome but limited by short gearing. I think the latest sprinters are a little dull in comparison due to a bit more weight but look a better van.

[HellDiver]

I editted my post since you posted v8will, but it still seems it's the 2.1 right through until you get up towards the bigger vans.

[williamp]

better still: why have Mercedes when you can have DODGE...

[Jazoli]

I would seriously look at leasing one, my local company quoted me £140 a week fully maintained on a 311cdi HRELWB Sprinter when I was looking at multi dropping again for one the of big couriers.

This was on a rolling week by week contract too so you were not tied into a long contract, I thought it was good value, my neighbour works for Fed ex and he does this with his van.

I used to run my own Sprinter and it was a pita when things went wrong as you had to hire another van, pay for repairs etc.

[Chris_w666]

No direct experience of sprinters but I can imagine they are as well built as their Vito Cousins, we have ran a couple of vitos and several transits. The transits are cheaper to buy and to service, but the mercedes have less little faults, better customer service and better residuals, I also know which one I choose to drive for any journey more than 30 miles.

[cptsideways]

RWD Transits have LSD's & boy do they drift lovely with the TC off Think VERY big MK2 Escort & your there.

After sepnding a whole day on a wet handling circuit looking out of the side windows, it was enough to convince me it'd be fun owning one, only issue is I have no need for one :sad: still it was really good fun

[Wheelrepairit]

I run 6 merc 311cdi sprinters and 1 vw lt35

Worst thing i ever did was buy a vw, nowhere near as good as the mercs, shocking van

merc everytime, fantastic vans

[duff]

I did look at leasing but £140p/w seems expensive - that's about £7k a year! I'm planning for approx £3-3.5k per year for depreciation and servicing. As I've got the money to buy outright it seems the best option for me, just hope there'll be no major mechanicals. By the sounds of things a Sprinter would be worth the extra outlay over a Transit, maybe something like this:

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/vans/adve...

Thanks for the input.

[lazyitus]

Wheelrepairit said:

I run 6 merc 311cdi sprinters and 1 vw lt35

Worst thing i ever did was buy a vw, nowhere near as good as the mercs, shocking van

That's like saying you wouldn't buy a Ferrari Enzo because you had trouble with a 308GTB sometime in the past.

To be fair, the Merc Sprinter is absolutely nothing like a VW LT35. That's like comparing an apple with an egg. The LT35 was replaced by the VW Crafter a few years back and that is basically identical to a Sprinter apart from the engines. They're even assembled in the same factory.

Edited by lazyitus on Tuesday 1st December 09:21

[lazyitus]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

[sprinterichie]

I recently got myself a 309 recovery truck apparantly only 90hp but it pulls much better than any transit I've had, I have no issues with power at all it pulls at 70 even with a van on the back, and it's an auto

does anyone know of a decent mechanic near chichester who could do an engine and gearbox oil service, they have to know what they are doing with regards to the gearbox and they need the correct dipstick!

Cheers guys