Used stars: pros and cons of a used Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a family of light commercial vehicles from Mercedes-Benz, designed for transporting cargo, passengers, or mixed cargo-passenger transportation. The model range offers four body length options and three roof height options. Depending on the required load capacity, the vehicle can be equipped with single or dual rear wheels. The maximum permissible weight of transported cargo reaches 3050 kg.

The line of modifications is quite extensive: from urban and intercity passenger minibuses and route taxis to various cargo vans, flatbed trucks, refrigerators, and a whole range of special equipment, including ambulances, mobile command posts, vehicles with manipulators and cranes.

History

1995: Start of production of the model, which replaced the predecessor Mercedes-Benz T1.

2000: The first exterior update was carried out. Changes affected optics, bumpers, hood, radiator grille, and interior. New diesel engines with CDI direct injection system appeared in the engine range.

2002: Another update, during which the ESP stability control system was added to the equipment list.

2006: Debut of the second generation Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, production of which continues to this day.

2013: Model modernization. The front part of the body was updated, new engine versions appeared that meet Euro-6 standards. The scheduled maintenance interval was increased to 60,000 km.

The second generation of the Sprinter, produced since 2006, is the most popular on the market. It is this one that will be discussed further.

Body

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is offered with three wheelbase options: 3250 mm, 3665 mm, and 4325 mm. The total length of the vehicle varies from 5243 mm to 7343 mm. The gross weight can range from 2 to 5 tons. The body design in principle allows some overload, but this practice is more common in CIS countries, while in Europe exceeding permissible norms is rare.

As for the body, the main complaints from owners concern the corrosion resistance of the metal. On cars older than five years, rust appears on the rear wheel arches, fenders, and rear door. The front doors are also not immune to this, although they last somewhat longer than the rear swing doors.

In addition, during inspection, attention should be paid to the underbody, especially the condition of the side members in the rear part. Constant operation with overload can lead to their deformation. It is better to refuse to buy such a car. This remark primarily applies to versions with an extended wheelbase.

Body versions

Interior

The driver's workplace and cabin are made in accordance with European ergonomic standards. The seat can be adjusted in height, longitudinal position, and backrest tilt. In more expensive trim levels, lumbar support and seat cushion angle adjustment are available. The plastic used for the doors and side panels is hard, but visually looks acceptable and does not cause inconvenience with extraneous sounds. There are no complaints about the ergonomics of the front panel: all main buttons and switches are at hand and well visible. A sufficient number of compartments for documents is provided, including a spacious glove box and cup holders.

In cargo-passenger and passenger versions, the side trim is made combined - of plastic and fabric. The rear seats of factory installation are quick-release.

The level of sound insulation is not the highest, but for a car of this class it is quite acceptable.

Overall, there are no serious complaints about the interior and cabin.

Engine

Almost all power units have proven themselves reliable - with proper care, they can cover 400-500 thousand kilometers. The main problems during operation are usually associated with untimely maintenance and incorrect operating conditions. There are complaints about turbine failures already at a mileage of about 120 thousand km. The reason for this is often poor-quality engine oil. Another common cause of turbine failure is the habit of turning off the engine immediately after a trip, without letting it idle to cool down. If you follow the instructions, use good oils, and let the engine run for 2-3 minutes at idle before stopping (or install a turbo timer), the turbine resource can reach 350-400 thousand km.

All Sprinter diesel engines are sensitive to fuel quality. The use of low-quality diesel quickly leads to the need for repair of the fuel system and replacement of injectors. There are also sometimes problems with the electrics, in particular with sensors and control units. On some modern engines, there are cases of premature clogging of the particulate filter. The manufacturer declares a filter resource of 250 thousand km, however, taking into account the quality of local fuel, it fails after about 80 thousand km.

Sooner or later, the filter will still require replacement, and a new one costs a lot of money (prices for spare parts are given at the end of the article). The way out of the situation may be to remove the particulate filter. Some owners do so. To prevent the electronics from signaling errors, the control unit is reflashed.

Transmission

Starting from the second generation, three gearbox options were offered for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter: 6-speed manual, 5-speed automatic, or 6-speed automatic.

All types of gearboxes are reliable and durable. The main thing is to regularly check them for oil leaks, and in automatic gearboxes, timely change the oil and filter. If a leak is found in the area of the seals, this may indicate that the gearbox is operating with an insufficient oil level. Such a unit requires special attention during diagnostics.

As with the choice of any other car, when buying a Sprinter, it is worth checking the operation of the gearbox, at least by ear. There should be no extraneous noises - neither when shifting, nor when starting off, nor during engine braking. If knocks, jerks, or hum are heard, it is better to go to a service station or consider another option. You can also try to knock down the price: for a manual, bargaining is appropriate within 20-30 thousand UAH, and for an automatic - about one and a half times more. That is how much a full restoration of the gearbox in a specialized service costs on average.

The rear drive cardan shaft also requires attention, since wear of the needle bearings of the crosspieces can lead to unexpected breakdowns on the road. The cardan suspension bearings last about 60-80 thousand km; if they are not replaced in time, by 150 thousand km the entire cardan shaft will have to be changed entirely, since its design does not provide for the replacement of crosspieces separately. However, in our country there are companies that undertake the restoration of the cardan and give a guarantee for 30-40 thousand km of mileage. The cost of such a service is from 3000 to 4000 UAH per shaft assembly.

Chassis

The front suspension of the Sprinter is based on struts with built-in shock absorbers, lower transverse triangular arms, and a transverse leaf spring. The anti-roll bar is not installed on all modifications.

Front axle assembly: 1 - anti-roll bar; 2 - bolt; 3 - anti-roll bar clamp; 4 - rubber-metal support (lubricate with oil when replacing); 5 - nut, 25–28 N·m; 6 - connecting rod; 7 - rubber-metal bushings of the connecting rod (lubricate with oil when replacing)

The rear suspension is leaf springs with shock absorbers. The rear axle, like the front, can be equipped with an anti-roll bar in the base configuration or for an additional charge.

Rear axle of the vehicle: 1 - spring ladder nut, 100–120 N·m; 2 - spring; 3 - spring ladder; 4 - thrust rubber pad; 5 - parking brake cable; 6 - rear axle; 7 - lever of the rear brake pressure regulator drive; 8 - shock absorber; 9 - nut, 30–35 N·m (always subject to replacement); 10 - bolt, 10 N·m (always subject to replacement); 11 - connector of the brake pad wear sensor wire; 12 - brake pad wear sensor wire; 13 - brake hose, 12–16 N·m; 14 - wheel mounting bolt, 160–180 N·m; 15 - shock absorber mounting bolt; 16 - nut, 75–85 N·m (always subject to replacement); 17 - cardan shaft; 18 - bolt, 75 N·m

The suspension is quite reliable and durable. Since parts have to be changed infrequently, it rarely becomes a source of serious financial costs. The market offers a wide selection of spare parts from third-party manufacturers, the quality of which is almost as good as the original. This allows saving both on scheduled and unscheduled repairs.

Even if during the test drive the suspension did not cause any complaints, it is still recommended to go to a specialized service station. On such a heavy vehicle, it will not be possible to check the shock absorbers in the "old-fashioned" way - by rocking the body. Diagnostics will show how long you can drive without replacing suspension elements.

One of the disadvantages that domestic owners complain about is the possibility of spring breakage during overload. However, the manufacturer did not count on operation with multiple excess of the permissible mass, so during inspection it is worth carefully examining the springs. If the car was regularly overloaded, this will be noticeable - the springs will be sagging.

Owners also complain about the electromechanical anti-theft steering column lock. In a long journey, its failure can become a serious problem - the steering wheel simply will not turn. And this is already dangerous, because it is not always possible to quickly tow the car to a service station. To avoid such a situation, some Sprinter owners dismantle this lock in advance.

Prices for spare parts, non-original (UAH):

Rear spring silent block - 120
front strut - 1356
rear shock absorber - 460
front pads - 620
rear pads - 537
front brake disc - 800
rear brake disc - 600
fuel filter - 200
air filter - 220

Summary

If you follow the elementary rules of maintenance and care, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter practically does not cause trouble to its owner. Most unscheduled breakdowns occur due to ignoring scheduled work. It is worth remembering that trucks, as a rule, are in better condition than passenger vehicles. The reason is that buses operating as route taxis have a significantly higher mileage and are constantly operated in the acceleration-braking mode. They work almost around the clock, and frequently changing drivers, not always professionals, do not contribute to proper care. Trucks, on the other hand, are more often used in a gentler mode - for transporting office equipment and other cargo. They are rarely used for long regular trips, preferring cheaper vehicles.

When buying a used Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, as with any other car, it is worth conducting a full diagnosis of all components and assemblies, as well as assessing the condition of the body. It is its corrosion resistance that is the main drawback of this model. Current prices on the secondary market can be viewed in the used cars section.

Since many Sprinter owners service their cars themselves or with familiar mechanics, we provide the manufacturer's recommendations for the care and maintenance of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter model. Compliance with these standards is the key to ensuring that the car will not let its owner down: