290 Automatic ( Sprinter )
I have been idly looking out for a camper van, pref VW based :oops:
BUT, there is an EX Police ( alledgely )Sprinter on ebay, 290 diesel, auto, traction control, Eberspacher heater and air con.
This would seem to be a good base vehicle, anyone know anything about these?, what are they worth?
Though with 6 hrs to go I am hardly going to bid on this one unseen.
Marcus
is there nobody over were the van is to have a quick wee look for you
my Hymers manual and I love it based on a 410D
Twodogs
Oh dear,
Senior Managment has reminded me I have to
( i ) tile 3 No bathrooms,
( ii ) build a garden room
( ii ) create a garden
( iv ) finish the shed
( v ) install the dog pens
and, last but not least
( vi ) sell the surplus "G" .
FIRST!
Oh dear,
Marcus
sprinter is more vw than merc. anyway. we have some sprinters at work and have had engines / turbo's self destruct. don't know the details though.
Russ
My understanding is that the bodywork was a joint venture, BUT that the engines and transmissions were supplied by VW or Dc respectivly, both for the old model and the new one just out/ or due out.
Marcus
sprinters have merc engine and gearbox, vw lt 35 have there own engine, steer clear of the vw as they have a timing belt and need replacing every 30k, sprinters have duplex chain and we never had any probs.
The ex police vans are merc, are all genuine low milage riot vans and well maintained. Turbos have been known to go but they are £250 or there abouts. Expect to pay £4k for a 98/99
Joint venture by name, Merc by nature :D VW only assembled the out going LT and used their own engines.
The new LT, Crafter i think it's called is being built by MB along side the new Sprinter, but has VW engines.
Ian,
Thank you, yer man was looking £5875 for a '97 with 76,000 miles, it was bid to near £4000 just before auction closed, (I missed the end of it)
So you were spot on price wise.
Do these still be coming on the market, where do the Police auction them ?
Marcus
there auctioned all over, the met ones are auctioned in essex somewhere, the new ones are manual so not sure how many of the 312 autos are left, try truck trader you see a few in there, also look in the back for the commercial auctions, also truck magazines have auction dates and whats for sale, you just have to keep looking.
just a note that I have found the suspension and steering parts for the sprinter and LT are identical, but prices vary dramatically, LT parts being cheaper.
Thanks Ian
vw lt 35 have there own engine, steer clear of the vw as they have a timing belt and need replacing every 30k,
If it's the VW 5cyl. 2.5TDi belt change is every 80K which must include tensioner and best to change water pump at about £30 as well. To my knowledge no history of early belt failure unless tensioner fails (due to bodged / cheap replacement which didn't replace tensioner and water pump) About 3hrs labour but as per Merc stay clear of main stealers :D
The sprinter engine that self destructed at work was due to turbo failure which dragged debris in to the rest of the engine = complete new engine......ouch!
However in my experience turbo failure usually gives you some warning. E.G smoke on start up.
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Chris,
Truth be told the wife would probably have me certified ( or sommat )
if I bought " an ould van " instead of a camper van, that would of course be a Hymer, on a Mercedes chassis of course, none of your Fiat's or other lesser marques being acceptable.
It was the Automatic that was attracting me, plus the low milage, if genuine? ( though in truth plenty of the 2nd hand Mercedes/Hymers are Auto and low milage )
Anyway i'm only waffling.
Marcus