I have just 200 miles on my 2023 170 EXT High Roof AWD. As stated the power and performance of the HO 4 cyl. is GOOD. It may turn out to be very good for what it is and what its pulling around. I dont have enough varried conditions to judge yet - as in High Speed interstate, mountains, payload etc. So far I like it. Very smooth, quiet and plenty enough power. 200 miles of combined around town and 55 mph 2 lane highway with about 20 miles of interstate not exceeding 65mph on an empty van and have 23mpg average for the 200 miles. 55mph on a flat straight road with no significant wind on Criuse control for aprrox 5-6 miles got 28-30mpg on the instant read computer. Push it up to 65-70 mph (same conditions) and fuel economy drops to23-25ish. I'll be hauling my first small load (approx) 1500 - 2000lbs in hilly country terrain tomorrow. I'll try to post back with those numbers.
Hello 5FWS5. Well that’s encouraging about the mileage. I have heard of the standard single turbo 2L 4cyl diesels getting 25+ mpg so maybe MB figured out a way to retain some of that Mojo mileage while boosting performance. I had probably the worst road conditions imaginable so the Mpg took a big big hit. I would be happy with around 20mpg which for a big, tall, heavy vehicle is amazing in itself. My friends with 3/4t Ram/Ford/GMC trucks are getting far less then 20 but time will tell. Yes please do report back with more mileage updates and/or post up a video on the Tube. Isn’t the power from this tiny 4cyl-transmission combo surprising? Very impressed when I test drove one for the first time. I just recently had a 3L 6cyl diesel with 7-speed transmission so the performance of that motor/trans combo is still very fresh in my mind. For sure the felt power/performance of the new twin turbo 4cyl definitely beats the 6-cylinder. Did some roll-ons at 65mph passing and it got up to 80 pretty quick. I punched it on dry pavement a unintentionally spun the wheels a couple of times. I also have towed my 14’ utility box trailer a couple of times and couldn’t even feel it back there. Full confidence that this van will be able to tow 5k lbs up mountain grades. I and allot of other people were worried about a loss of performance going to a puny 2L 4. Turns out those fears were overstated. The good news for those still wanting the time tested proven 6cyl is I saw plenty of new 2022s out there FS still, although the 4x4s versions are commanding a premium. Apparently people are worried about the AWD and want a true on demand 2-spd T-case 4x4. My experience so far with AWD has been exceedingly positive. I come from old school manual 4x4 background so to me AWD was strictly for occasional off pavement use and driving on slippery grass infields at the country club in your new Mercedes or BMW SUV. That all changed when I bought a Audi Q7 AWD Quattro and drove it around in Montana’s deep snow and muddy forest service roads. Mercedes AWD system is basically like the Quattro so I anticipate it will perform fairly well. The new 9-spd uses lower gear ratios in the first few gears so my hope is it will still be able to crawl at slower speeds. Will likely be posting an update to the AWD performance once I get my studded snows on the van this coming week. BTW congrats on your new 2023 Sprinter 170WB
@@SPQR-Z The power delivery of the 4 cyl is impressive. The twin turbo is more imediate than the old engine. No Pedal Box needed in my opinion - some may dissagree. I dont need full hardcore 4x4 with low range. I need snow, mud and wet grass traction for jobsites and camping more than anything. No rock crawling in this behemoth but I suspect it will prove quite capable on logging roads, hard trails and reasonable offroad situations. The low gear is quite low and you can hold it there if needed - would love if you could also lock in 50/50 split at the "transfer case" - THAT would be the end of it right there! Maybe the aftermarket will bring something. It probably only needs a little software trickery Just keep in mind on the mpg that was completely empty and under perfect hypermiling conditions but it did do the numbers and thats a good starting point. Im sure loaded and under real world conditions 20-23 is going to be my target. We'll know more tomorrow and Monday.
FOLLOW UP: Just completed a 3800 mile round trip - Bufalo, NY - Elkridge, MD - Durham, NC - Atlanta,GA - Orlando , FL and back Durham,NC - Elkridge MD - Newark, NJ - Athens, NH and back to Buffalo. Everything from flat to hilly to mountains. Approx. 50% interstates and 50% secondary roads. In addition to the highway mileage, there was also a good deal of in town driving at a few of the stops probably 200-300 miles. All Lightly loaded anywhere from 200 - 1200 lbs. I think this was a very good mix and while I was never loaded heavy I think is very real world experience. Saw as high as 27mpg with a couple sections at - 29mpg empty on perfectly flat highway on criuse control and overall MPG for the entire trip was 23.4. Not too bad. The van handled everything perfectly. Always plenty of power and hill climbing ability. My only small negative is that it IS a 4cylender so when using Criuse Control in hilly areas the trans would downshift too often and wait too long to do so so would have to drop a couple gears. This is kind of true for most any vehicle though as when on Criuse, they cant know to speed up a little before the hill to get momentum and end up getting caught "flat footed" at the base of the hill. I normally dont ride CC in hilly areas for this reason anyway but being a 4 cyl made it worse. I found that manually clicking down to gear 8 and leaving it there in the mountains mostly eliminated this but mostly I leave it off anyway and didnt have any trouble at all. Overall VERY GOOD.
@@normanran3589 Just under 10k miles. Not yet but I know its coming one day. Running like a Swiss watch so far. Also, I pulled some pretty steep hills with a full capacity load the other week no problem. When I have a heavy load I always drop a gear and run in 8. Heavy with hills I dropped 2 and ran in 7 no problem. Was a short 100 mile run loaded and seemed to only cost 2-3mpg maybe 4? over empty. Speaking of DEF, I just poured in the 3rd maybe 4th container of DEF after10k miles. Sorry I just dont remember which it is or even if thats good or not.
Not to boast, as we had the 24-foot 2020-2021 MB Sprinter with the 6-cylinder 6/2 and did not like the winds across I-80 or I-70 with posted speeds at 80 MPH. But you are 100% correct about our new 2023-2024 MB Grech RV at 19-foot, and the OM654, 9-speed, Turbo or High Output, Drives much better and safer in crossing. We had to fill the DEF more often and much better fuel as to MPH; both had the 24.5 gal fuel tank with diesel. Love this little, well-built van. It is so easy to park in a standard parking space. Truly all Pluses. Oh yes, both were high-tops and cargo vans. We did have 4-recalls on the first Parking brake light and rubber garments on the hood, and I am trying to remember the others. But knock on wood, no recalls on this 2024 MB Greck RV OM654.
@@dogman1264 We also just stepped down from a 2021 Airstream Interstate 24’ extended chassis B-Van with the 6 cylinder diesel and 7-speed transmission so very fresh in our minds. That thing was a pig driving and the overall performance was dismal compared to our 2008 and this 2023 144” WB shortys. Granted the Airstream was a totally built out conversion and extremely heavy but still, it just felt like a big ungainly behemoth driving around. My wife refused to drive it but had/has no problem driving either of the 144” Sprinters. We hit some significant wind driving it back from Denver to North Western Montana, I-25 in north Wyoming and continued I-90 into southern Montana. Mother nature threw everything at us and yet this Sprinter did well through whiteout snow conditions and extremely high winds. I know with certainty I wouldn’t have been able to continued in the 24’ Sprinter. It was a white knuckle ride for sure. The MPG with the little 2.0L 4-cylinder 9-spd has been excellent compared to my 2 previous 6-cylinder 3.0L Sprinters. The new 9-spd transmission and the AWD 4-Matic system, also excellent. My 2023 has at least one recall but I haven’t taken it in yet. MB was having trouble getting parts so it’s been delayed and I haven’t checked back with them
Lol. That was a slip up. I try to keep cussing to a minimum on our videos. IMHO the 9-speed is a big improvement over the 7-spd in our previous 2021. Very smooth seamless quick shifting. I like that the first few gears are closely spaced. It launches off the line and will spin the rear tires if you get on it. The close ratio transmission shifts 3 times before you hit 25 mph. Nice
Michael checkout the new Sprinters with the 2.0L 4-cyl low output engine for fantastic mileage or for more power the HO in the AWD’s and still pretty decent mileage compared to the previous 6-cyl 3.0L. AWD replacing the previous 4x4 works excellent and a better option for most people
Yes MB has been using this engine in various configurations for years in other parts of the world. It’s only just been introduced into the USA Sprinter market so the qualities and longevity are somewhat a mystery here. It’s interesting and reassuring to hear that it seems to be a relatively good design.
My 3rd Sprinter, I guess we like Sprinters. Agree with you the new 4cly HO diesel coupled with the latest 9-speed transmission is a winning combination. I love the new close ratio 9-speed trans. Was all set to buy a leftover 22 4WD with the 3.0 six and decided to test drive the 2023 AWD HO 4cly. That sold me on the 23 plus I could get a better price because people were seeking out the leftover 2022 4WDs with the 6cly. The dealers slapped a high premium on those because they knew people would pay the price. Ours has 12k mileage and a year + use and zero issues. It’s been great in the deep snow we get around here. Hopefully MBs little 4cly turns out to be as good engine in the long run.
Was thinking of getting AWD version but order was locked real quick in late '22. Took delivery in Feb '23. 2 previous 6 cylinder orders came in missing options so I passed on them. Like the mpg on the 4 cyl also, at 70 ish mph 24 mpg, V6 would never yield more then 17 mpg or so At 70 ish mph.
Yes the 2023 allocation per dealer of Sprinter’s was sold out very quickly well before 2023. We searched 4 states to find one and ended up driving 900 miles to Denver to buy ours. The premium was about $4,500 which was cheaper then the $10-12k for a leftover 2022 4wd locally. Haven’t done an exact mileage check but I think it’s around 18-20mpg combined. I just know it’s much better than our 3.0 6cyl Sprinters
Only have 6k miles on it but it’s been 100% trouble free so far. Been towing allot and driving many miles on Forrest service roads. Lots of high elevations and steep grades around here. Freeway speeds in much of Montana are 80mph. The engine has plenty of power/torque for all that. Mileage has been right around 18-19mpg combined. Out of the 3 diesel Sprinters we’ve owned we like this hands down the best. MB’s 4Matic AWD system and the new 9spd transmission have been excellent also. A very good match for each other IMHO
@@ColinPopoviciu Your right. The slightly older Sprinters seemed to run out of steam around 80mph. Either because of power or by design. I routinely have had my 2023 with the twin turbo high output 2.0 diesel do over 80. In fact our speed limit on the interstates running through Montana are 80 and people drive 85-90 when the cops are absent
Great review....excellent info. This helped answer some questions im dealing with. Im looking to purchase a 2024 170" winnebago rv (ekko) which has a gross weight of 11k lbs and with 211 hp / 330 ft/lb torque im worried that this newer twin turbo deisel might give me troubles as i travel around this country! I wont tow anything behind it but all in around 14k lbs do you think the new AWD can handle it??? Really appreciate your thoughts! Cheers!!!
@@fredzuccarelli Hello Fred. In general, a smaller displacement engine running high boost turbos at higher RPMs does not have the longevity of a larger displacement engine running at lower RPMs and less boost. This is our 3rd Sprinter, the first two had the 3liter turbo diesel engine which is a proven long lasting engine and generally agreed by most Sprinter drivers and commercial operators to be a very good engine overall. This 2liter twin turbo diesel engine although not a new engine does not have the history to determine if it will be as good an engine design and have similar longevity etc. We only have about 12,000 miles so far and the engine and 9spd transmission have been an excellent combination with zero issues. Better power/pickup, better performance in the mountains where your climbing grades, smoother shifting, better gas mileage etc etc. I personally much prefer this engine/transmission combo over the previous 3liter with the 7spd. We have taken it on several 1000+ mile trips and towed a 5,000 lb box trailer and it performed perfectly. I haven’t heard of any significant issues from other owners online. I would feel confident saying that you shouldn’t have any major problems with the engine/transmission combo longterm. Mercedes has been making diesel engines for a longtime and I assume they have done their homework with this engine. It is used in several of their cars and SUVs in various configurations. We got an extended warranty from Mercedes just in case. You can always buy an extended warranty to give you peace of mind. You can always get a 2023 RV conversion that uses the 2022 chassis, if you want the 3liter diesel. Also I like the Mercedes 4-matic AWD system in these 2023 and newer Sprinters vs the older 4WD systems in prior Sprinters. It’s been great in the snow and muck we get here in Montana. Been down allot of Forrest service roads and driven it in muddy conditions off paved roads and it’s been excellent. I don’t believe these Sprinters are made to handle serious off-roading but as long as you know the limitations of what the vehicle can and can’t do you shouldn’t get yourself in over your head.
@@SPQR-Z Wow.....thanks for the response....I REALLY appreciate the time and effort you made!!! You put my mind at ease....somewhat! I'm going to do a side-by-side test drive next week!!!! Thanks again!!!!
Thanks! I got the 2022, same color as yours, and finished building it last month. So far we love it, just wish the MPG was better on the v6, but it's a big box to move around.
Raphael, the Blue/Grey is a popular color and to be honest I didn’t have a color in mind, just something that doesn’t show dirt and road film as badly. Dark metallic colors are the worst. Agree these big tall box vans aren’t built to get great mileage but do amazingly well compared to a Chevy van. My friends newer Chevy 3/4 ton 4x4 van get like 10-12mpg. Just horrible. My two sprinters with the 3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesels got 17-18 average. I expect this one to be more like 19-20mpg. The low output 2.0l 4-cyl turbo diesel is the mileage sprinter king, I see people saying low to mid 20’s
@@eric-c6x1b None with either of our two DEF equipped Sprinters. The main issues with the DEF problems seems to be mostly bad DEF fluid and user error. Mercedes Sprinter mechanics and diesel experts say to use fresh good quality DEF fluid that has been stored properly. Try and not let the DEF level get below 1/2 tank, keep tank topped off is a good practice to get into to. Store your DEF in a cool location to prolong it’s life. Buy a cheap tester off Amazon to test any DEF fluid if you’re unsure of its potency. Perform all scheduled maintenance of your DEF system and do not skip this to save money. We use either Mercedes DEF and Peak Blue DEF Platinum which has additives to extend shelf life. Both are more money but consensus is they are the top two to use. Also people say DEF bought at truck stop pump dispensers is usually more fresh because of constant turnover. Same with Walmart DEF being sold quickly and constantly replaced with fresh product on the shelf. The problems aren’t as bad or widespread as people think it is. People that experience problems are very vocal and it gets allot of negative attention online. This makes it seem that it’s a major problem and many people are experiencing these issues. In reality there are people that have had problems but it isn’t as wide spread as people are led to believe. And the problems aren’t Sprinter specific but all diesels. If you don’t want to deal with the DEF system buy the gas version. My biggest gripe with DEF is it’s expensive and drives your operating costs way up
@@dynosaur5291 134” from the metal threshold just behind seats to inside back door. From inside back door to the seat base is 138”. From metal threshold at rear door to front metal threshold is about 128”
@@SPQR-Z Thank you Thank you! I been needing this info to determine if I could fit a queen size bed length wise in one of these and a small portable fold up toilet seat and it seems it would actually work out with those measurements. We also don't have a Mercedes dealer around here for me to check one out in person so this info is a huge help!
@@dynosaur5291 We are building this van out right now. Have seen plenty of queen size beds people are putting in a 144” along with a toilet on a pullout slide of some sort. We built a full size lavatory closet 26” x 41” just behind the drivers seat and I could still put a 72” x 6’5” bed in back. Also many large beds can be slide back or folded back to use the room for sitting around. A fold down Murphy bed or one of those bed systems that can be electrically retracted up to the ceiling to allow loading of gear bikes kayaks etc are other options. It’s amazing what people can fit into a 144” with some creativity and ingenuity. I personally like the 144” because it is so much more maneuverable in tight spaces and more practical in everyday driving. The only downside to less room of the 170” is it’s really only best for 2 people vs a family with kids or those planning on carrying passengers
Just curious, what’s the most weight you have towed with your sprinter? Got a friend who has the V6 and he is getting between 20-24mpg towing his camper. (def system has been removed which I’m sure helps with mileage
Hello SD3126. So far have towed very little with this new Sprinter. I did tow my 14ft enclosed utility trailer loaded with furniture including a very heavy piano. My best guess would be 3500 lbs tow weight and this 4cyl Sprinter towed that very easily, in the snow. Plenty of power and traction for that. Have not towed enough to do any sort of mileage estimate. Towed extensively with our prior Sprinter/s with the V6 diesels and the mileage took a significant hit. I was probably averaging 14-15mpg towing between 3-4K trailers including our 4000lb Airstream. I’m guessing at this point but it feels like this van has more power/torque and definitely more traction then the two previous V6 powered 2WD. I anticipate that it will tow as good or better and probably get slightly better mileage then either prior V6 Sprinters. There is a YT channel where the guy tows extensively with his 4 cyl Sprinter. He seems very pleased with his mileage. I’ve heard that removing the DEF is supposed to help with mileage. Certainly decreases the maintenance and increases reliability of the Van. That DEF is also exceedingly expensive for what it is. Somebody is making allot of money off this green push and anti pollution scam
Hi, I heard you say you plan on towing. I have the 2023 AWD as well. I need to get the towing setup, and need to get a brake controller installed, and wondered if you have any recommendations for where in the area to get that done. (I too live north of Missoula, I am in C-Falls)
Not too familiar with the installers in this area yet. The Mercedes Can-bus system is very touchy. In general it doesn’t play well with aftermarket wiring modifications. I have had two brake controllers installed and they worked fine but you’ll have to verify with the installer that they are familiar with wiring these in the Sprinters and MB’s Can-bus system in general. I had Bretts RV in Missoula do the one in our 2021 Sprinter. They sell Airstream Conversion vans built on the Sprinter chassis so are familiar with it. I also heard Auto Electric Service in Missoula does this specialized service. So far I’ve briefly towed around my 3000 lb utility trailer no problem at all. My van is completely empty at this point and the brakes are plenty able to stop the van and trailer. I do plan on getting a brake controller installed in the future for when I build it out and add allot of weight + towing
Haven’t checked prices lately but I doubt there are any discounts in my area. Our local dealers can’t even keep any Sprinters in stock. Was told by a couple dealers that they are only allocated something like 60 units per year so even ordering one can be difficult. The good news is the excessive premiums are definitely coming down as the economy continues to sour. Depending on your local market you may be able to get one near sticker. Unfortunately the short wheelbase and/or AWD models are the most popular but you never know until you are actually in the showroom with your checkbook to show them you are ready to buy.
Wow, no gloplug wait. Impressive. What roof height do you have? Is it the standard low roof? I'd like one of these. What's your mileage? I live in the south west so I'd probably do well with the rwd, but you can't go anywhere without AWD. I'd like to buy the 2500 diesel and then send it to Arizona for the bigger fuel tank upgrade for better distance. I drive a 2000 Ford E250 5.4 standard cargo van so the transition might not be all that different for me, but the upgrades you can do is phenomenal.
Hello, My van is the high top version so about 6’4” inside height. 6’2” and under no problem. My friend is 6’5” and he stoops a bit in his Sprinter but he’s fine with that. The auto manufacturers have really reduced the Glow plug warmup time on newer diesels. My 2008 Sprinter was longer maybe 4-5 seconds but the 2023 is about 1-2 seconds at most. My Kubota tractor is 6-8 seconds lol. Still the old style glow plug heater. My mileage has been just okay. Probably 18ish, something like that. Been told it will improve as the engine is run-in. Also the driving conditions aren’t optimal right now. People are reporting that the non high output 2.0 4cyl diesels are getting close to mid 20’s. Considering the size and height of this van certainty anything close to 20mpg is pretty good. Certainly better then any 3/4ton diesel trucks out there. I’ve had two rear wheel drive Sprinters and unless you have some weight in the back, maybe some all terrain tires they don’t do very well off-roading on anything but we’ll groomed gravel roads. A bit of mud and you start getting wheel spin. Worst performance then your typical 2WD truck. In snow forget it. As far as up fitting these Sprinters the aftermarket has really exploded the last few years. The expedition van companies have come out with everything you could ever imagine. The sky and your wallet are the only limits. I had a Ford E250 back in the 90’s. Also a couple Dodge Ram 2500 vans. One thing coming from the E250 you’ll notice how nice and car like the driving experience is with the Sprinters. Just like driving a big SUV
You’d think that wouldn’t you. In Europe they have a long history of putting small high output engines in vehicles. Majority of Mecedes Sprinters in Europe have used 4 cylinders for many years because fuel is so expensive. American market the majority sold were 3.0L 6 cylinders because we like V8s and will settle for 6 cylinders if we have too. Hopefully Mercedes knows what their doing. Nobody builds small displacement diesels like Mercedes, fingers crossed…..
hi i just saw the DEF cap. PLease dont forget to fill up your DEF tank everyother time you fill up your diesel tank. just my tip to you . did you get an extended warranty?
Your absolutely right about not letting your DEF tank run dry. I’ve heard horror stories about check engine error codes and the whole system going bonkers then needing sorting out by the dealers shop. In fact I heard Sprinter people comments that you should never even get low. I keep an eye on the DEF level gauge in the dash. It last quite awhile
We’ve not towed to much with this particular Sprinter but extensively with our prior 144” WB 6 cylinder. These vans aren’t the greatest tow rig but once you get used to the differences between it and a truck it’s not too bad. This particular van we tow our 14 ft toy hauler with a combined weight of about 3500lbs. More then adequate power for that even going up grades and freeway speeds (75mph) are no issue. Quite sure it could handle is max towing weight of 5000lbs. The braking could use a little help. Definitely coming down a grade you notice it.
I thought same thing about the extra room. Not for LifePo house batteries if you frequent cold weather. And summer heat might not be great under hood either. Lots of room for an air compressor through.
From experience here in Montana winters, Lithium batteries do not like the cold at all. They shut down and you can’t charge them, even the self heating ones. If they freeze you have to warm them to get them working which can take hours. They have to be stored inside a space that you can keep heated to above 30’sF. Mine will be inside the van
Real world mileage probably about 3-4mpg overall better with this 4cyl. Definitely a noticeable improvement over both 6cyl diesels I owned previously. Also this little 2.0 with the new 9speed transmission has more usable power/torque and feels peppy’er. Amazing. Longevity and reliability is yet to be realized so we will have to wait and see about that but with 6k on the clock the van has been 100% reliable so far
Yup. Mercedes tightened up the wheel wells on the latest Sprinter series. Probably for looks and aero. We just installed slightly bigger wheels and tires. Running Method wheels 17 x 7.5” with slightly less offset. The tires are BFGs AT 255x70R17 which is about .70” bigger overall diameter. These clear fine with zero modifications to the wheel well or mud flap. 32-32.5” is about the biggest you can go before you start running into expensive modifications to make them fit and function with the sensors and computers
Overall I would say yes. Compared to other brands like Toyota or Honda maybe less so. Compared to other German brands like VW or BMW probably better. Our 2017 Audi Q7 that we owned for 6+ was perfectly reliable as a car can be. As far as the big 3 vans that everybody buys, Dodge/Fiat, Ford Transit I think MB’s Sprinter is right up there with Ford maybe slightly better and definitely better then the Dodge. This based on consumer reports and reading feedback from actual owners on the Van forums. I always discount the bottom 10% of complainer’s and top 10% of fanboy’s. The truth about a vehicle’s reliability usually lies in the middle. Our 2008 Sprinter had an ongoing starter issue that was well known to the Sprinter community. It was eventually tracked down to the main ground strap running from the engine block to the chassis. Otherwise very reliable for the 10 years we owned it. Our 2021 Airstream class B motor home built on the MB Sprinter chassis was also problem free although we only owned it less then 2 years and 10k miles. This current Sprinter just passed 11k miles and has been 100% reliable so far.
Standard garage has an 8ft high door, is 20ish feet deep and 10-12ft wide. The short WB awd or 4x4 Sprinter is 20ft long and about 9ft high so nope. You need a 10ft high door minimum and if you lift the van and put an air conditioner on the roof probably a 12ft high door
10ft. The AWD is taller then the 2WD but still easily clears the garage door with room to spare. Lift it a few inches and/or put a rack or AC unit on the roof you’d better start being mindful of the additional height but as of now there is plenty of clearance
Haven’t checked it closely but it looks to be around 18mpg so far. People report doing better then that but not allot of feedback of the HO twin turbo 2.0 diesel yet. The non high output version of this motor gets in the 20’s
With tight tolerances today, some where north of 5000 to 7500 miles will let you know! My 2021 Toyota Tundra didn't show ok mileage until I broke about 10,000 miles! City about 13ish, highway runs about 18+ and that's with the 5.7 V8👍
That’s a good question. Someone from Europe chimed in and said that this engine has an oil consumption problem. My question is which version, there are 4 or 5 in this series based on a common base design. The V-6 turbo diesel has been used for many years in the USA Sprinters, from 2007 to 2022 so its a proven engine and a very good one by all accounts. My feeling on this newer 4 cly 2.0L diesel is Mercedes seems committed to it by producing multiple versions and using it in all their lines. Cars, SUVs and now the Sprinters. I can’t help but feel that if there where problems or design issues they wouldn’t be going all in with it. Unfortunately it’s a gamble whenever there is a switch to a new engine and only time will tell. I bought Mercedes 7 year extended warranty so if there is a problem down the road I will have coverage.
@@SPQR-Z You nailed that one on the head. I love these vans. The OM654, however, did not have a good reputation in Europe. Time will tell. That Pentastar motor though in 2023 Promaster seems exceedingly well proven. Just love the Sprinter though. Too bad the compromise on the gasser is on the anemic side.
while im watching your video , at 6:27 you nailed it. its a van or f250. you get more value from Mercedes. Im waiting for the 2023 gas turbo 4 cylinder high roof 144 cargo all wheel drive. im in love .
I needed a truck or cargo van because we are always hauling building material or firewood around. I started looking at full-size 3/4 ton 4x4 trucks and was shocked at how expensive they’ve gotten. $70-80k with dealer markup was common. I checked Sprinters and the price for a 2500 AWD diesel was just about the same. We paid around $72k when all was said and done so yes about the same price. To me a Van is much more versatile. You can set it up for camping and road tripping. I put a toilet in there and some creature comforts. We will be installing a diesel heater and a counter with a water system. Eventually some sort of sleeping arrangements. You can do allot of things with that big square covered cargo space. The gas with rear wheel drive is about $11-12 thousand less then the diesel AWD. For now MB is not offering the AWD with the gas engine which is stupid. Lots of people want MB to offer that combination. The gas 2WD gets 22-25MPG and you don’t have to deal with DEF and diesels higher pump price. I would have gotten the gas engine but I have to have AWD or 4x4 where I live
Not any problems with the DPF or any mechanical issues yet but I only have 5k+ on this particular Sprinter. Our previous 2021 had a clogged DPF and warning light on the dash but was able to burn off the soot with a long hard drive on the interstate. These diesel engines do not like lots of short around town trips which is what I was doing with our previous 21 Sprinter. You have to throw in some long duration trips so the diesel DPF system can do a self-burn cleaning of itself. This seems to be more of an owner induced problem then a Mercedes problem. We mostly use the 2023 Sprinter on longer duration drives and not short around town trips so hopefully I don’t have a repeat the DPF filter issue on this 2023.
@@SPQR-Z thanks for the detailed info, thanks! i will remember that. have another car for short around town drive and use Sprinter for long distance drive thanks!
I don’t remember exactly and I didn’t get any paperwork from the dealer. Everything is done by VIN # now. I think the 7 year 100k Mercedes extended warranty is $6000+. There are multiple plans available from Mercedes or cheaper plans from third party warranty companies. The factory Diesel engine coverage is 5 years, 100k
Hello R AM. On the trip back, roughly 850 miles, at the end my trip/mileage computer said 16.8mpg with 90% Interstate driving. That said I was doing 75-80 MPH much of the way, climbing up and down several mountain passes, fighting fierce headwinds, rain and some snow. I think if it was better conditions I would be more in the 18-20MPG range. Also I hear the mileage increases as the engine is run in so that may add a bit in the long-run. The high output twin turbo diesel doesn’t get as good of mileage as the low output turbo diesel or turbo gas engine. I think those are the two engines that get the higher numbers. Both my V6 3liter turbo diesels averaged about 17-18’ish combined driving. I do think this new high output 2liter will do slightly better, perhaps 19-20mpg but not the 25 that people got with the previous low power turbo diesel 2.0. I drove both versions of the 2liter diesels and the performance difference is striking. The low power is adequate but if you tow, climb mountains and/or plan on a heavy buildout out you may consider the higher output version. Also I think you can only get the AWD with the high output
@@SPQR-Z Also it needs the break in period! I have a 2021 Toyota Tundra 5.7 and I finally started averaging 18ish mpg on the highway, with about 13 around town when I hit the 10,000 mile mark! Of course I keep under 75 on the highway! Good luck!
Just got to have patience when you're looking. Because I will get it for the price I offer. That's just been that way for me ever since I've been buying vehicles. Buying fully-loaded gets 20% off
Your right of course. I’m not that good at negotiating a car deal. Haven’t checked lately but when we bought late last year the prices had softened a bit from they’re ridiculous highs. The dealers all still had a premium on their Sprinter inventories at that time but you could negotiate that down when before it was a take it or leave it proposition. The AWD shorty is probably the most popular model so the dealers put a pretty high premium on them. Like you I never paid over list for a car in my life and usually expected a discount especially if paying cash. These days a cash offer doesn’t matter to a dealer because they want you to finance so they can get a kickback from the finance company. The Fed interest hikes and slowing economy are starting to hurt vehicle sales so hopefully the dealers become a little more hungry. Good luck with your purchase and hope you can get the best deal.
easily 100k+ up here in the north, i dont get why these vans are so expensive not just mercedes but the transit(70k+) and promasters(60k+) well you can still buy the top trim package for all the full sized trucks for under 100k(longhorn)(Lariat)(king ranch)(high country)
Totally agree with you on the inflated vehicle prices. We had been looking for another short WB 4x4 Sprinter since we sold our 2021 long WB extended in mid 22. We ordered that Sprinter late 2020 and the prices now are significantly higher. Yearly price increases, added premiums from short supply seem to be the main culprits. At least we got in before the coming price increases for 2023. In the USA the prices I saw were anywhere from low 60’s-high 70’s before added premiums which bumped those prices up an average of $10k. We paid just under $5k over sticker for ours. The problem is the supply of these Sprinters is limited for now. Dealers are only getting 55-60 allocations and have already ordered their entire allocation slots for 2023. So what’s on the dealers lots and in the pipeline is it. The full-size 4x4 diesel trucks we were looking at where around the same price, $65-75k + dealer markups.
Crazy isn’t it. The dealers are still trying to charge these big premiums over MSRP. I was told by several dealers that MB is only allocating an average of 55 units per dealership and all build slots are taken up. Both local dealers could not even order us a 2023 so we ended up driving two states away to get ours from inventory that basically had what we wanted. That dealer had a $10k markup over sticker but we ended up getting that reduced to around $5k over MSRP. The Short WB AWD is the most sought after so not as willing to make a deal. That $78k unit must be loaded. Still 93k is ridiculous. Well if the economic picture continues to deteriorate the power may flip back to the buyers.
AWD/4X4 is great, but it's all in the Tires! I've used NOKIAN TYRES for years, they don't get any better! However, an inexpensive Winter Tire is 100x better than any "All Season Tire" which doesn't exist! Of course, understanding road conditions and your vehicles ability goes a long way in driving safely! Then there's the other morons on the road with their high dollar SUVs who think they can still drive 60, 70+Mph!😂
I did research on true winter rated snow tires legal for going over Mt passes without chains. Finland made Nokians are top of the list so I put them on my Audi and they where great. There’s a German made snow tire that allot of people in Montana swear by according to my tire dealer but of course they are expensive. I threw these cheap snows on because those all seasons that came on the van just didn’t cut it. Dangerously couldn’t cut it. I almost got stuck in my driveway with those worthless things. Looking to get some Rhino alloys and a set of BFG all terrains for spring-fall. Yes on the idiots on the road. Also where I live you got to watch for suicidal Deer, mad-lads on snowmobiles and the old retired folks zooming around on side x sides
I agree. They put factory "All season on my 2022 MB Sanctuary 4x4. I guess I'll run them for 10-20k miles then get some good All Terrain tires. Seems like that would have been standard on any of their 4x4's.
It’ll eat oil like crazy , I’ve seen reports from other countries where this engine has been for few years. Look up how tiny the new pistons are . They also made new piston rings so tiny and top ring is moved to the top , where it won’t survive for long .
That’s interesting but what version of this 2.0L turbo? There are at least 5 versions based on a modified baseline. Anywhere’s from a 416hp HO AMG to the 168hp low output. Mercedes seems to be running with this design developing version after version. Hopefully they did their homework and if they didn’t I bought their 7 year extended warranty. My newer Audi Q7 burned oil as did a Porsche 911 and a couple Volkswagens I owned. German cars seem to consume more oil for some reason. The service oil change intervals for diesel Sprinters are 20k miles. I wonder. Are they going to shorten this for the new HO 2.0L? Your right time will tell for this motor but going fwd it is the only option for diesel in the USA
@@SPQR-Z pistons and tiny rings are all the same . All factories downgraded their engines longevity, take Toyota for example- their Camry used to be 300k engine - forget about it, it’s barely 100k . For some people 100k miles won’t happen cuz of low usage. One of my Sprinters have almost 600k and I don’t have to add any oil! 2014 V6
@@SPQR-Z please don’t fall for 20k oil change ( at least that’s what applies to older engines) I did 10k OCI . Another problem (for V6 ) was dealer’s 0w30 oil . For V6 oil was originally designed 5w40 , then they changed it . Government had its hand in this change- they were forcing factories to make more efficient cars and in order to fit into certain numbers MB said- use thinner oil ( as long as it’ll go past warranty)
@@svolk2921 yes your right. 10k oil changes is what I did on my two prior Sprinters. In the long run it’s Cheap insurance. We don’t drive very much, less then 10k so a yearly change is fine with me. I will monitor oil levels more closely on this 4 cyl 2.0
That would be a mistake. The electric Sprinter will be available in 2024 I think. It’s going to be heavy and expensive. We’ll see how it does but electric vehicles are still somewhat unpractical and a niche market. Hopefully MB will come to it’s senses and still offer petrol and diesel options otherwise their sales are going to take a big hit
Me too!
Am very pleased with mine. :)
I have just 200 miles on my 2023 170 EXT High Roof AWD. As stated the power and performance of the HO 4 cyl. is GOOD. It may turn out to be very good for what it is and what its pulling around. I dont have enough varried conditions to judge yet - as in High Speed interstate, mountains, payload etc. So far I like it. Very smooth, quiet and plenty enough power. 200 miles of combined around town and 55 mph 2 lane highway with about 20 miles of interstate not exceeding 65mph on an empty van and have 23mpg average for the 200 miles. 55mph on a flat straight road with no significant wind on Criuse control for aprrox 5-6 miles got 28-30mpg on the instant read computer. Push it up to 65-70 mph (same conditions) and fuel economy drops to23-25ish. I'll be hauling my first small load (approx) 1500 - 2000lbs in hilly country terrain tomorrow. I'll try to post back with those numbers.
Hello 5FWS5. Well that’s encouraging about the mileage. I have heard of the standard single turbo 2L 4cyl diesels getting 25+ mpg so maybe MB figured out a way to retain some of that Mojo mileage while boosting performance. I had probably the worst road conditions imaginable so the Mpg took a big big hit. I would be happy with around 20mpg which for a big, tall, heavy vehicle is amazing in itself. My friends with 3/4t Ram/Ford/GMC trucks are getting far less then 20 but time will tell. Yes please do report back with more mileage updates and/or post up a video on the Tube.
Isn’t the power from this tiny 4cyl-transmission combo surprising? Very impressed when I test drove one for the first time. I just recently had a 3L 6cyl diesel with 7-speed transmission so the performance of that motor/trans combo is still very fresh in my mind. For sure the felt power/performance of the new twin turbo 4cyl definitely beats the 6-cylinder. Did some roll-ons at 65mph passing and it got up to 80 pretty quick. I punched it on dry pavement a unintentionally spun the wheels a couple of times. I also have towed my 14’ utility box trailer a couple of times and couldn’t even feel it back there. Full confidence that this van will be able to tow 5k lbs up mountain grades. I and allot of other people were worried about a loss of performance going to a puny 2L 4. Turns out those fears were overstated. The good news for those still wanting the time tested proven 6cyl is I saw plenty of new 2022s out there FS still, although the 4x4s versions are commanding a premium. Apparently people are worried about the AWD and want a true on demand 2-spd T-case 4x4. My experience so far with AWD has been exceedingly positive. I come from old school manual 4x4 background so to me AWD was strictly for occasional off pavement use and driving on slippery grass infields at the country club in your new Mercedes or BMW SUV. That all changed when I bought a Audi Q7 AWD Quattro and drove it around in Montana’s deep snow and muddy forest service roads. Mercedes AWD system is basically like the Quattro so I anticipate it will perform fairly well. The new 9-spd uses lower gear ratios in the first few gears so my hope is it will still be able to crawl at slower speeds. Will likely be posting an update to the AWD performance once I get my studded snows on the van this coming week.
BTW congrats on your new 2023 Sprinter 170WB
@@SPQR-Z The power delivery of the 4 cyl is impressive. The twin turbo is more imediate than the old engine. No Pedal Box needed in my opinion - some may dissagree. I dont need full hardcore 4x4 with low range. I need snow, mud and wet grass traction for jobsites and camping more than anything. No rock crawling in this behemoth but I suspect it will prove quite capable on logging roads, hard trails and reasonable offroad situations. The low gear is quite low and you can hold it there if needed - would love if you could also lock in 50/50 split at the "transfer case" - THAT would be the end of it right there! Maybe the aftermarket will bring something. It probably only needs a little software trickery Just keep in mind on the mpg that was completely empty and under perfect hypermiling conditions but it did do the numbers and thats a good starting point. Im sure loaded and under real world conditions 20-23 is going to be my target. We'll know more tomorrow and Monday.
FOLLOW UP: Just completed a 3800 mile round trip - Bufalo, NY - Elkridge, MD - Durham, NC - Atlanta,GA - Orlando , FL and back Durham,NC - Elkridge MD - Newark, NJ - Athens, NH and back to Buffalo. Everything from flat to hilly to mountains. Approx. 50% interstates and 50% secondary roads. In addition to the highway mileage, there was also a good deal of in town driving at a few of the stops probably 200-300 miles. All Lightly loaded anywhere from 200 - 1200 lbs. I think this was a very good mix and while I was never loaded heavy I think is very real world experience. Saw as high as 27mpg with a couple sections at - 29mpg empty on perfectly flat highway on criuse control and overall MPG for the entire trip was 23.4. Not too bad. The van handled everything perfectly. Always plenty of power and hill climbing ability. My only small negative is that it IS a 4cylender so when using Criuse Control in hilly areas the trans would downshift too often and wait too long to do so so would have to drop a couple gears. This is kind of true for most any vehicle though as when on Criuse, they cant know to speed up a little before the hill to get momentum and end up getting caught "flat footed" at the base of the hill. I normally dont ride CC in hilly areas for this reason anyway but being a 4 cyl made it worse. I found that manually clicking down to gear 8 and leaving it there in the mountains mostly eliminated this but mostly I leave it off anyway and didnt have any trouble at all. Overall VERY GOOD.
any DEF or DPF issue so far?
@@normanran3589 Just under 10k miles. Not yet but I know its coming one day. Running like a Swiss watch so far. Also, I pulled some pretty steep hills with a full capacity load the other week no problem. When I have a heavy load I always drop a gear and run in 8. Heavy with hills I dropped 2 and ran in 7 no problem. Was a short 100 mile run loaded and seemed to only cost 2-3mpg maybe 4? over empty. Speaking of DEF, I just poured in the 3rd maybe 4th container of DEF after10k miles. Sorry I just dont remember which it is or even if thats good or not.
Thanks for the real world observations. I’m seriously considering a travel van on the new 170” chassis and was wondering about its performance.
Not to boast, as we had the 24-foot 2020-2021 MB Sprinter with the 6-cylinder 6/2 and did not like the winds across I-80 or I-70 with posted speeds at 80 MPH. But you are 100% correct about our new 2023-2024 MB Grech RV at 19-foot, and the OM654, 9-speed, Turbo or High Output, Drives much better and safer in crossing. We had to fill the DEF more often and much better fuel as to MPH; both had the 24.5 gal fuel tank with diesel. Love this little, well-built van. It is so easy to park in a standard parking space. Truly all Pluses. Oh yes, both were high-tops and cargo vans. We did have 4-recalls on the first Parking brake light and rubber garments on the hood, and I am trying to remember the others. But knock on wood, no recalls on this 2024 MB Greck RV OM654.
@@dogman1264 We also just stepped down from a 2021 Airstream Interstate 24’ extended chassis B-Van with the 6 cylinder diesel and 7-speed transmission so very fresh in our minds. That thing was a pig driving and the overall performance was dismal compared to our 2008 and this 2023 144” WB shortys. Granted the Airstream was a totally built out conversion and extremely heavy but still, it just felt like a big ungainly behemoth driving around. My wife refused to drive it but had/has no problem driving either of the 144” Sprinters.
We hit some significant wind driving it back from Denver to North Western Montana, I-25 in north Wyoming and continued I-90 into southern Montana. Mother nature threw everything at us and yet this Sprinter did well through whiteout snow conditions and extremely high winds. I know with certainty I wouldn’t have been able to continued in the 24’ Sprinter. It was a white knuckle ride for sure. The MPG with the little 2.0L 4-cylinder 9-spd has been excellent compared to my 2 previous 6-cylinder 3.0L Sprinters. The new 9-spd transmission and the AWD 4-Matic system, also excellent. My 2023 has at least one recall but I haven’t taken it in yet. MB was having trouble getting parts so it’s been delayed and I haven’t checked back with them
Great info just what I needed God Bless
im in love with your vocabulary, shit smooth shifting
Lol. That was a slip up. I try to keep cussing to a minimum on our videos. IMHO the 9-speed is a big improvement over the 7-spd in our previous 2021. Very smooth seamless quick shifting. I like that the first few gears are closely spaced. It launches off the line and will spin the rear tires if you get on it. The close ratio transmission shifts 3 times before you hit 25 mph. Nice
Mr im in love with your channel and van. great content.
GREAT REVIEW!!!
Michael checkout the new Sprinters with the 2.0L 4-cyl low output engine for fantastic mileage or for more power the HO in the AWD’s and still pretty decent mileage compared to the previous 6-cyl 3.0L. AWD replacing the previous 4x4 works excellent and a better option for most people
Interesting video! My GLK250 has the same engine. It's a very sturdy unit.
Yes MB has been using this engine in various configurations for years in other parts of the world. It’s only just been introduced into the USA Sprinter market so the qualities and longevity are somewhat a mystery here. It’s interesting and reassuring to hear that it seems to be a relatively good design.
thank you for your info enjoy your van
Great drive train with the ho diesel
'23 is my 4 th sprinter and best so far
My 3rd Sprinter, I guess we like Sprinters. Agree with you the new 4cly HO diesel coupled with the latest 9-speed transmission is a winning combination. I love the new close ratio 9-speed trans. Was all set to buy a leftover 22 4WD with the 3.0 six and decided to test drive the 2023 AWD HO 4cly. That sold me on the 23 plus I could get a better price because people were seeking out the leftover 2022 4WDs with the 6cly. The dealers slapped a high premium on those because they knew people would pay the price. Ours has 12k mileage and a year + use and zero issues. It’s been great in the deep snow we get around here. Hopefully MBs little 4cly turns out to be as good engine in the long run.
Was thinking of getting AWD version but order was locked real quick in late '22. Took delivery in Feb '23.
2 previous 6 cylinder orders came in missing options so I passed on them. Like the mpg on the 4 cyl also, at 70 ish mph 24 mpg, V6 would never yield more then 17 mpg or so
At 70 ish mph.
Yes the 2023 allocation per dealer of Sprinter’s was sold out very quickly well before 2023. We searched 4 states to find one and ended up driving 900 miles to Denver to buy ours. The premium was about $4,500 which was cheaper then the $10-12k for a leftover 2022 4wd locally. Haven’t done an exact mileage check but I think it’s around 18-20mpg combined. I just know it’s much better than our 3.0 6cyl Sprinters
Wow, what a great honest no holds honest review 🎉😮.
How’s the reliability so far, I’m thinking of buying a dually chassis cab. I’m gonna buy the 170 awd chassis cab and add my own box on it.
Only have 6k miles on it but it’s been 100% trouble free so far. Been towing allot and driving many miles on Forrest service roads. Lots of high elevations and steep grades around here. Freeway speeds in much of Montana are 80mph. The engine has plenty of power/torque for all that. Mileage has been right around 18-19mpg combined. Out of the 3 diesel Sprinters we’ve owned we like this hands down the best. MB’s 4Matic AWD system and the new 9spd transmission have been excellent also. A very good match for each other IMHO
My 2016 sprinter 2.1L is limited at 83mph. Surprised the new ones go 90
@@ColinPopoviciu Your right. The slightly older Sprinters seemed to run out of steam around 80mph. Either because of power or by design. I routinely have had my 2023 with the twin turbo high output 2.0 diesel do over 80. In fact our speed limit on the interstates running through Montana are 80 and people drive 85-90 when the cops are absent
Great review....excellent info. This helped answer some questions im dealing with. Im looking to purchase a 2024 170" winnebago rv (ekko) which has a gross weight of 11k lbs and with 211 hp / 330 ft/lb torque im worried that this newer twin turbo deisel might give me troubles as i travel around this country! I wont tow anything behind it but all in around 14k lbs do you think the new AWD can handle it??? Really appreciate your thoughts! Cheers!!!
@@fredzuccarelli Hello Fred. In general, a smaller displacement engine running high boost turbos at higher RPMs does not have the longevity of a larger displacement engine running at lower RPMs and less boost. This is our 3rd Sprinter, the first two had the 3liter turbo diesel engine which is a proven long lasting engine and generally agreed by most Sprinter drivers and commercial operators to be a very good engine overall. This 2liter twin turbo diesel engine although not a new engine does not have the history to determine if it will be as good an engine design and have similar longevity etc. We only have about 12,000 miles so far and the engine and 9spd transmission have been an excellent combination with zero issues. Better power/pickup, better performance in the mountains where your climbing grades, smoother shifting, better gas mileage etc etc. I personally much prefer this engine/transmission combo over the previous 3liter with the 7spd. We have taken it on several 1000+ mile trips and towed a 5,000 lb box trailer and it performed perfectly. I haven’t heard of any significant issues from other owners online. I would feel confident saying that you shouldn’t have any major problems with the engine/transmission combo longterm. Mercedes has been making diesel engines for a longtime and I assume they have done their homework with this engine. It is used in several of their cars and SUVs in various configurations. We got an extended warranty from Mercedes just in case. You can always buy an extended warranty to give you peace of mind. You can always get a 2023 RV conversion that uses the 2022 chassis, if you want the 3liter diesel.
Also I like the Mercedes 4-matic AWD system in these 2023 and newer Sprinters vs the older 4WD systems in prior Sprinters. It’s been great in the snow and muck we get here in Montana. Been down allot of Forrest service roads and driven it in muddy conditions off paved roads and it’s been excellent. I don’t believe these Sprinters are made to handle serious off-roading but as long as you know the limitations of what the vehicle can and can’t do you shouldn’t get yourself in over your head.
@@SPQR-Z Wow.....thanks for the response....I REALLY appreciate the time and effort you made!!! You put my mind at ease....somewhat! I'm going to do a side-by-side test drive next week!!!! Thanks again!!!!
Thanks! I got the 2022, same color as yours, and finished building it last month. So far we love it, just wish the MPG was better on the v6, but it's a big box to move around.
Raphael, the Blue/Grey is a popular color and to be honest I didn’t have a color in mind, just something that doesn’t show dirt and road film as badly. Dark metallic colors are the worst. Agree these big tall box vans aren’t built to get great mileage but do amazingly well compared to a Chevy van. My friends newer Chevy 3/4 ton 4x4 van get like 10-12mpg. Just horrible. My two sprinters with the 3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesels got 17-18 average. I expect this one to be more like 19-20mpg. The low output 2.0l 4-cyl turbo diesel is the mileage sprinter king, I see people saying low to mid 20’s
question for you ...Have you had any issues with the DEF ? . p/s thanks for the info , much appreciated !
@@eric-c6x1b None with either of our two DEF equipped Sprinters. The main issues with the DEF problems seems to be mostly bad DEF fluid and user error. Mercedes Sprinter mechanics and diesel experts say to use fresh good quality DEF fluid that has been stored properly. Try and not let the DEF level get below 1/2 tank, keep tank topped off is a good practice to get into to. Store your DEF in a cool location to prolong it’s life. Buy a cheap tester off Amazon to test any DEF fluid if you’re unsure of its potency. Perform all scheduled maintenance of your DEF system and do not skip this to save money.
We use either Mercedes DEF and Peak Blue DEF Platinum which has additives to extend shelf life. Both are more money but consensus is they are the top two to use. Also people say DEF bought at truck stop pump dispensers is usually more fresh because of constant turnover. Same with Walmart DEF being sold quickly and constantly replaced with fresh product on the shelf.
The problems aren’t as bad or widespread as people think it is. People that experience problems are very vocal and it gets allot of negative attention online. This makes it seem that it’s a major problem and many people are experiencing these issues. In reality there are people that have had problems but it isn’t as wide spread as people are led to believe. And the problems aren’t Sprinter specific but all diesels. If you don’t want to deal with the DEF system buy the gas version. My biggest gripe with DEF is it’s expensive and drives your operating costs way up
What was the measurement from the back of the front seats to the rear doors?
@@dynosaur5291 134” from the metal threshold just behind seats to inside back door. From inside back door to the seat base is 138”. From metal threshold at rear door to front metal threshold is about 128”
@@SPQR-Z Thank you Thank you! I been needing this info to determine if I could fit a queen size bed length wise in one of these and a small portable fold up toilet seat and it seems it would actually work out with those measurements.
We also don't have a Mercedes dealer around here for me to check one out in person so this info is a huge help!
@@dynosaur5291 We are building this van out right now. Have seen plenty of queen size beds people are putting in a 144” along with a toilet on a pullout slide of some sort. We built a full size lavatory closet 26” x 41” just behind the drivers seat and I could still put a 72” x 6’5” bed in back. Also many large beds can be slide back or folded back to use the room for sitting around. A fold down Murphy bed or one of those bed systems that can be electrically retracted up to the ceiling to allow loading of gear bikes kayaks etc are other options. It’s amazing what people can fit into a 144” with some creativity and ingenuity. I personally like the 144” because it is so much more maneuverable in tight spaces and more practical in everyday driving. The only downside to less room of the 170” is it’s really only best for 2 people vs a family with kids or those planning on carrying passengers
Just curious, what’s the most weight you have towed with your sprinter? Got a friend who has the V6 and he is getting between 20-24mpg towing his camper. (def system has been removed which I’m sure helps with mileage
Hello SD3126. So far have towed very little with this new Sprinter. I did tow my 14ft enclosed utility trailer loaded with furniture including a very heavy piano. My best guess would be 3500 lbs tow weight and this 4cyl Sprinter towed that very easily, in the snow. Plenty of power and traction for that. Have not towed enough to do any sort of mileage estimate. Towed extensively with our prior Sprinter/s with the V6 diesels and the mileage took a significant hit. I was probably averaging 14-15mpg towing between 3-4K trailers including our 4000lb Airstream. I’m guessing at this point but it feels like this van has more power/torque and definitely more traction then the two previous V6 powered 2WD. I anticipate that it will tow as good or better and probably get slightly better mileage then either prior V6 Sprinters. There is a YT channel where the guy tows extensively with his 4 cyl Sprinter. He seems very pleased with his mileage. I’ve heard that removing the DEF is supposed to help with mileage. Certainly decreases the maintenance and increases reliability of the Van. That DEF is also exceedingly expensive for what it is. Somebody is making allot of money off this green push and anti pollution scam
Very helpful, thank you!
Hi, I heard you say you plan on towing. I have the 2023 AWD as well. I need to get the towing setup, and need to get a brake controller installed, and wondered if you have any recommendations for where in the area to get that done. (I too live north of Missoula, I am in C-Falls)
Not too familiar with the installers in this area yet. The Mercedes Can-bus system is very touchy. In general it doesn’t play well with aftermarket wiring modifications. I have had two brake controllers installed and they worked fine but you’ll have to verify with the installer that they are familiar with wiring these in the Sprinters and MB’s Can-bus system in general. I had Bretts RV in Missoula do the one in our 2021 Sprinter. They sell Airstream Conversion vans built on the Sprinter chassis so are familiar with it. I also heard Auto Electric Service in Missoula does this specialized service. So far I’ve briefly towed around my 3000 lb utility trailer no problem at all. My van is completely empty at this point and the brakes are plenty able to stop the van and trailer. I do plan on getting a brake controller installed in the future for when I build it out and add allot of weight + towing
any DEF or DPF issue so far?
Are Mercedes Benz Sprinter All Wheel Drive still selling at Sticker Price, any discounts off the Sticker price?
Haven’t checked prices lately but I doubt there are any discounts in my area. Our local dealers can’t even keep any Sprinters in stock. Was told by a couple dealers that they are only allocated something like 60 units per year so even ordering one can be difficult. The good news is the excessive premiums are definitely coming down as the economy continues to sour. Depending on your local market you may be able to get one near sticker. Unfortunately the short wheelbase and/or AWD models are the most popular but you never know until you are actually in the showroom with your checkbook to show them you are ready to buy.
Wow, no gloplug wait. Impressive. What roof height do you have? Is it the standard low roof? I'd like one of these. What's your mileage? I live in the south west so I'd probably do well with the rwd, but you can't go anywhere without AWD. I'd like to buy the 2500 diesel and then send it to Arizona for the bigger fuel tank upgrade for better distance. I drive a 2000 Ford E250 5.4 standard cargo van so the transition might not be all that different for me, but the upgrades you can do is phenomenal.
Hello, My van is the high top version so about 6’4” inside height. 6’2” and under no problem. My friend is 6’5” and he stoops a bit in his Sprinter but he’s fine with that. The auto manufacturers have really reduced the Glow plug warmup time on newer diesels. My 2008 Sprinter was longer maybe 4-5 seconds but the 2023 is about 1-2 seconds at most. My Kubota tractor is 6-8 seconds lol. Still the old style glow plug heater. My mileage has been just okay. Probably 18ish, something like that. Been told it will improve as the engine is run-in. Also the driving conditions aren’t optimal right now. People are reporting that the non high output 2.0 4cyl diesels are getting close to mid 20’s. Considering the size and height of this van certainty anything close to 20mpg is pretty good. Certainly better then any 3/4ton diesel trucks out there.
I’ve had two rear wheel drive Sprinters and unless you have some weight in the back, maybe some all terrain tires they don’t do very well off-roading on anything but we’ll groomed gravel roads. A bit of mud and you start getting wheel spin. Worst performance then your typical 2WD truck. In snow forget it. As far as up fitting these Sprinters the aftermarket has really exploded the last few years. The expedition van companies have come out with everything you could ever imagine. The sky and your wallet are the only limits. I had a Ford E250 back in the 90’s. Also a couple Dodge Ram 2500 vans. One thing coming from the E250 you’ll notice how nice and car like the driving experience is with the Sprinters. Just like driving a big SUV
For that size/weight of vehicle, a 2 L diesel engine is rather small. That little engine is working pretty hard.........
You’d think that wouldn’t you. In Europe they have a long history of putting small high output engines in vehicles. Majority of Mecedes Sprinters in Europe have used 4 cylinders for many years because fuel is so expensive. American market the majority sold were 3.0L 6 cylinders because we like V8s and will settle for 6 cylinders if we have too. Hopefully Mercedes knows what their doing. Nobody builds small displacement diesels like Mercedes, fingers crossed…..
Excellent review
hi i just saw the DEF cap. PLease dont forget to fill up your DEF tank everyother time you fill up your diesel tank.
just my tip to you . did you get an extended warranty?
Your absolutely right about not letting your DEF tank run dry. I’ve heard horror stories about check engine error codes and the whole system going bonkers then needing sorting out by the dealers shop. In fact I heard Sprinter people comments that you should never even get low. I keep an eye on the DEF level gauge in the dash. It last quite awhile
Hey! What are you towing? how heavy? Does it maintain highway speeds with towing?
We’ve not towed to much with this particular Sprinter but extensively with our prior 144” WB 6 cylinder. These vans aren’t the greatest tow rig but once you get used to the differences between it and a truck it’s not too bad. This particular van we tow our 14 ft toy hauler with a combined weight of about 3500lbs. More then adequate power for that even going up grades and freeway speeds (75mph) are no issue. Quite sure it could handle is max towing weight of 5000lbs. The braking could use a little help. Definitely coming down a grade you notice it.
There’s so much room in the engine bay. I get someone will come up with a useful battery tray to mount house batteries up there.
The little 4 cylinder is comically small sitting in the engine bay. Plenty of room to mount coach batteries or perhaps an Espar hydronic heater
I thought same thing about the extra room.
Not for LifePo house batteries if you frequent cold weather. And summer heat might not be great under hood either.
Lots of room for an air compressor through.
From experience here in Montana winters, Lithium batteries do not like the cold at all. They shut down and you can’t charge them, even the self heating ones. If they freeze you have to warm them to get them working which can take hours. They have to be stored inside a space that you can keep heated to above 30’sF. Mine will be inside the van
I think you mentioned you had the 6cyl before. What was your MPG difference? Thx
Real world mileage probably about 3-4mpg overall better with this 4cyl. Definitely a noticeable improvement over both 6cyl diesels I owned previously. Also this little 2.0 with the new 9speed transmission has more usable power/torque and feels peppy’er. Amazing. Longevity and reliability is yet to be realized so we will have to wait and see about that but with 6k on the clock the van has been 100% reliable so far
Crazy how the wheel well has like 7 inches clearance but you can’t put bigger wheels because horizontally the wheel well is tiny
Yup. Mercedes tightened up the wheel wells on the latest Sprinter series. Probably for looks and aero. We just installed slightly bigger wheels and tires. Running Method wheels 17 x 7.5” with slightly less offset. The tires are BFGs AT 255x70R17 which is about .70” bigger overall diameter. These clear fine with zero modifications to the wheel well or mud flap. 32-32.5” is about the biggest you can go before you start running into expensive modifications to make them fit and function with the sensors and computers
Are these dependable?
Overall I would say yes. Compared to other brands like Toyota or Honda maybe less so. Compared to other German brands like VW or BMW probably better. Our 2017 Audi Q7 that we owned for 6+ was perfectly reliable as a car can be. As far as the big 3 vans that everybody buys, Dodge/Fiat, Ford Transit I think MB’s Sprinter is right up there with Ford maybe slightly better and definitely better then the Dodge. This based on consumer reports and reading feedback from actual owners on the Van forums. I always discount the bottom 10% of complainer’s and top 10% of fanboy’s. The truth about a vehicle’s reliability usually lies in the middle. Our 2008 Sprinter had an ongoing starter issue that was well known to the Sprinter community. It was eventually tracked down to the main ground strap running from the engine block to the chassis. Otherwise very reliable for the 10 years we owned it. Our 2021 Airstream class B motor home built on the MB Sprinter chassis was also problem free although we only owned it less then 2 years and 10k miles. This current Sprinter just passed 11k miles and has been 100% reliable so far.
Will that thing fit in a regular garage?
Standard garage has an 8ft high door, is 20ish feet deep and 10-12ft wide. The short WB awd or 4x4 Sprinter is 20ft long and about 9ft high so nope. You need a 10ft high door minimum and if you lift the van and put an air conditioner on the roof probably a 12ft high door
how tall is your garage door?
10ft. The AWD is taller then the 2WD but still easily clears the garage door with room to spare. Lift it a few inches and/or put a rack or AC unit on the roof you’d better start being mindful of the additional height but as of now there is plenty of clearance
mpg?
Haven’t checked it closely but it looks to be around 18mpg so far. People report doing better then that but not allot of feedback of the HO twin turbo 2.0 diesel yet. The non high output version of this motor gets in the 20’s
With tight tolerances today, some where north of 5000 to 7500 miles will let you know!
My 2021 Toyota Tundra didn't show ok mileage until I broke about 10,000 miles! City about 13ish, highway runs about 18+ and that's with the 5.7 V8👍
How about longevity V6 vs this turbo 4 cylinder?
That’s a good question. Someone from Europe chimed in and said that this engine has an oil consumption problem. My question is which version, there are 4 or 5 in this series based on a common base design. The V-6 turbo diesel has been used for many years in the USA Sprinters, from 2007 to 2022 so its a proven engine and a very good one by all accounts. My feeling on this newer 4 cly 2.0L diesel is Mercedes seems committed to it by producing multiple versions and using it in all their lines. Cars, SUVs and now the Sprinters. I can’t help but feel that if there where problems or design issues they wouldn’t be going all in with it. Unfortunately it’s a gamble whenever there is a switch to a new engine and only time will tell. I bought Mercedes 7 year extended warranty so if there is a problem down the road I will have coverage.
@@SPQR-Z You nailed that one on the head. I love these vans. The OM654, however, did not have a good reputation in Europe. Time will tell. That Pentastar motor though in 2023 Promaster seems exceedingly well proven. Just love the Sprinter though. Too bad the compromise on the gasser is on the anemic side.
while im watching your video , at 6:27 you nailed it. its a van or f250. you get more value from Mercedes. Im waiting for the 2023 gas turbo 4 cylinder high roof 144 cargo all wheel drive. im in love .
I needed a truck or cargo van because we are always hauling building material or firewood around. I started looking at full-size 3/4 ton 4x4 trucks and was shocked at how expensive they’ve gotten. $70-80k with dealer markup was common. I checked Sprinters and the price for a 2500 AWD diesel was just about the same. We paid around $72k when all was said and done so yes about the same price. To me a Van is much more versatile. You can set it up for camping and road tripping. I put a toilet in there and some creature comforts. We will be installing a diesel heater and a counter with a water system. Eventually some sort of sleeping arrangements. You can do allot of things with that big square covered cargo space. The gas with rear wheel drive is about $11-12 thousand less then the diesel AWD. For now MB is not offering the AWD with the gas engine which is stupid. Lots of people want MB to offer that combination. The gas 2WD gets 22-25MPG and you don’t have to deal with DEF and diesels higher pump price. I would have gotten the gas engine but I have to have AWD or 4x4 where I live
@@SPQR-Z
any DPF relate issue?
Not any problems with the DPF or any mechanical issues yet but I only have 5k+ on this particular Sprinter. Our previous 2021 had a clogged DPF and warning light on the dash but was able to burn off the soot with a long hard drive on the interstate. These diesel engines do not like lots of short around town trips which is what I was doing with our previous 21 Sprinter. You have to throw in some long duration trips so the diesel DPF system can do a self-burn cleaning of itself. This seems to be more of an owner induced problem then a Mercedes problem. We mostly use the 2023 Sprinter on longer duration drives and not short around town trips so hopefully I don’t have a repeat the DPF filter issue on this 2023.
@@SPQR-Z thanks for the detailed info, thanks! i will remember that. have another car for short around town drive and use Sprinter for long distance drive thanks!
How much did you pay for extended warranty?
I don’t remember exactly and I didn’t get any paperwork from the dealer. Everything is done by VIN # now. I think the 7 year 100k Mercedes extended warranty is $6000+. There are multiple plans available from Mercedes or cheaper plans from third party warranty companies. The factory Diesel engine coverage is 5 years, 100k
@@SPQR-Z awesome. Thanks for the reply.
Whats your mpg I've heard some people are getting around 25 mpg with awd 144
Hello R AM. On the trip back, roughly 850 miles, at the end my trip/mileage computer said 16.8mpg with 90% Interstate driving. That said I was doing 75-80 MPH much of the way, climbing up and down several mountain passes, fighting fierce headwinds, rain and some snow. I think if it was better conditions I would be more in the 18-20MPG range. Also I hear the mileage increases as the engine is run in so that may add a bit in the long-run. The high output twin turbo diesel doesn’t get as good of mileage as the low output turbo diesel or turbo gas engine. I think those are the two engines that get the higher numbers. Both my V6 3liter turbo diesels averaged about 17-18’ish combined driving. I do think this new high output 2liter will do slightly better, perhaps 19-20mpg but not the 25 that people got with the previous low power turbo diesel 2.0. I drove both versions of the 2liter diesels and the performance difference is striking. The low power is adequate but if you tow, climb mountains and/or plan on a heavy buildout out you may consider the higher output version. Also I think you can only get the AWD with the high output
@@SPQR-Z thanks for detailed information i really appreciate it
@@SPQR-Z Also it needs the break in period! I have a 2021 Toyota Tundra 5.7 and I finally started averaging 18ish mpg on the highway, with about 13 around town when I hit the 10,000 mile mark! Of course I keep under 75 on the highway! Good luck!
Just got to have patience when you're looking. Because I will get it for the price I offer. That's just been that way for me ever since I've been buying vehicles. Buying fully-loaded gets 20% off
Your right of course. I’m not that good at negotiating a car deal. Haven’t checked lately but when we bought late last year the prices had softened a bit from they’re ridiculous highs. The dealers all still had a premium on their Sprinter inventories at that time but you could negotiate that down when before it was a take it or leave it proposition. The AWD shorty is probably the most popular model so the dealers put a pretty high premium on them. Like you I never paid over list for a car in my life and usually expected a discount especially if paying cash. These days a cash offer doesn’t matter to a dealer because they want you to finance so they can get a kickback from the finance company. The Fed interest hikes and slowing economy are starting to hurt vehicle sales so hopefully the dealers become a little more hungry. Good luck with your purchase and hope you can get the best deal.
easily 100k+ up here in the north, i dont get why these vans are so expensive not just mercedes but the transit(70k+) and promasters(60k+) well you can still buy the top trim package for all the full sized trucks for under 100k(longhorn)(Lariat)(king ranch)(high country)
Totally agree with you on the inflated vehicle prices. We had been looking for another short WB 4x4 Sprinter since we sold our 2021 long WB extended in mid 22. We ordered that Sprinter late 2020 and the prices now are significantly higher. Yearly price increases, added premiums from short supply seem to be the main culprits. At least we got in before the coming price increases for 2023. In the USA the prices I saw were anywhere from low 60’s-high 70’s before added premiums which bumped those prices up an average of $10k. We paid just under $5k over sticker for ours. The problem is the supply of these Sprinters is limited for now. Dealers are only getting 55-60 allocations and have already ordered their entire allocation slots for 2023. So what’s on the dealers lots and in the pipeline is it. The full-size 4x4 diesel trucks we were looking at where around the same price, $65-75k + dealer markups.
I just look at one from the dealership 78k msrp with 15k market adjustment 93k before tax.
Crazy isn’t it. The dealers are still trying to charge these big premiums over MSRP. I was told by several dealers that MB is only allocating an average of 55 units per dealership and all build slots are taken up. Both local dealers could not even order us a 2023 so we ended up driving two states away to get ours from inventory that basically had what we wanted. That dealer had a $10k markup over sticker but we ended up getting that reduced to around $5k over MSRP. The Short WB AWD is the most sought after so not as willing to make a deal. That $78k unit must be loaded. Still 93k is ridiculous. Well if the economic picture continues to deteriorate the power may flip back to the buyers.
@@SPQR-Z The 2023 “said on the stickers” 6 cylinders diesel 4x4 with no mark up 77k this are both 2500 cargo van.
Market adjustment = - incentives a decade ago!
AWD/4X4 is great, but it's all in the Tires! I've used NOKIAN TYRES for years, they don't get any better! However, an inexpensive Winter Tire is 100x better than any "All Season Tire" which doesn't exist! Of course, understanding road conditions and your vehicles ability goes a long way in driving safely! Then there's the other morons on the road with their high dollar SUVs who think they can still drive 60, 70+Mph!😂
I did research on true winter rated snow tires legal for going over Mt passes without chains. Finland made Nokians are top of the list so I put them on my Audi and they where great. There’s a German made snow tire that allot of people in Montana swear by according to my tire dealer but of course they are expensive. I threw these cheap snows on because those all seasons that came on the van just didn’t cut it. Dangerously couldn’t cut it. I almost got stuck in my driveway with those worthless things. Looking to get some Rhino alloys and a set of BFG all terrains for spring-fall. Yes on the idiots on the road. Also where I live you got to watch for suicidal Deer, mad-lads on snowmobiles and the old retired folks zooming around on side x sides
I agree. They put factory "All season on my 2022 MB Sanctuary 4x4. I guess I'll run them for 10-20k miles then get some good All Terrain tires. Seems like that would have been standard on any of their 4x4's.
Let’s check back in once it hits 100,000 to see if it will pass the test of time.
It’ll eat oil like crazy , I’ve seen reports from other countries where this engine has been for few years. Look up how tiny the new pistons are . They also made new piston rings so tiny and top ring is moved to the top , where it won’t survive for long .
That’s interesting but what version of this 2.0L turbo? There are at least 5 versions based on a modified baseline. Anywhere’s from a 416hp HO AMG to the 168hp low output. Mercedes seems to be running with this design developing version after version. Hopefully they did their homework and if they didn’t I bought their 7 year extended warranty. My newer Audi Q7 burned oil as did a Porsche 911 and a couple Volkswagens I owned. German cars seem to consume more oil for some reason. The service oil change intervals for diesel Sprinters are 20k miles. I wonder. Are they going to shorten this for the new HO 2.0L? Your right time will tell for this motor but going fwd it is the only option for diesel in the USA
@@SPQR-Z pistons and tiny rings are all the same . All factories downgraded their engines longevity, take Toyota for example- their Camry used to be 300k engine - forget about it, it’s barely 100k .
For some people 100k miles won’t happen cuz of low usage. One of my Sprinters have almost 600k and I don’t have to add any oil! 2014 V6
@@SPQR-Z please don’t fall for 20k oil change ( at least that’s what applies to older engines) I did 10k OCI .
Another problem (for V6 ) was dealer’s 0w30 oil .
For V6 oil was originally designed 5w40 , then they changed it . Government had its hand in this change- they were forcing factories to make more efficient cars and in order to fit into certain numbers MB said- use thinner oil ( as long as it’ll go past warranty)
@@svolk2921 yes your right. 10k oil changes is what I did on my two prior Sprinters. In the long run it’s Cheap insurance. We don’t drive very much, less then 10k so a yearly change is fine with me. I will monitor oil levels more closely on this 4 cyl 2.0
too bad in 2025 they will go all-electric
That would be a mistake. The electric Sprinter will be available in 2024 I think. It’s going to be heavy and expensive. We’ll see how it does but electric vehicles are still somewhat unpractical and a niche market. Hopefully MB will come to it’s senses and still offer petrol and diesel options otherwise their sales are going to take a big hit
@@SPQR-Z yes, for that big van you need 600 miles charge and about same price maybe I’ll think about it and still will not be comfortable to go far
This is not Mercedes This is worst then Ford