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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Can’t speak to the Sprinter chips but others actually work well - dyno tests don’t lie. My bro has a chip in his Polestar and he gets 70 more ponies and his mpg, when he behaves, is better than mine! 😡
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rottingjohnny
Sport climber
Sands Motel , Las Vegas
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Urban myth and mansplaining shot to sh#t by someone that does it for a living...
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JLP
Social climber
The internet
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dyno tests don’t lie No they don't, but the OEM doesn't design to just the dyno, they also have numerous other pesky criteria - such as reliability and warranty claims, emissions laws, etc.
Could there be some guys out there that have done better than OEM with their programming? Maybe, but extremely unlikely.
Most often, IMO, changing one aspect nearly always has unintended consequences to the whole system that may not be visible to anyone outside the OEM.
The online hype on these chips is laughable - bunch of meatheads - for Sprinters in particular there's this Green Diesel guy over on the Sprinter forums who just wouldn't shut up for the first couple years - then maybe it was the 5-10 year mark - problems.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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JLP, I hear you which is why I don’t ‘chip’ - there ain’t no free lunch, right? However, the main reason is that if something unrelated occurred and they found out about the chip you know you’d be screwed on the warranty.
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tradmanclimbs
Ice climber
Pomfert VT
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Jlp. I am totally leary of any after market chip bs and would not buy a rig that has been messed with in that department. . All that asside what does 170k mean to a sprinter. Is it just like any other rig meaning that all the front end steering components are wasted, suspension toast, tyranny is tired and the electronics are starting to act up...
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JLP
Social climber
The internet
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I think a high mileage Sprinter is solid, unless it's a trashed contractor's rig or some-such. I'd first quiz the owner on the oil they used. It's special. Beyond that, if you're not comfortable cleaning the EGR valve and especially the cooler, ownership is going to be very expensive. The post 2006 emissions is the crux - with all diesel. I don't think buying a 2006- is the answer either, a vehicle that old is a decaying relic at this point.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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tyranny is tired
Agreed, but let’s keep politics out of this, m’kay?
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the Fet
climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
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It’s easy to get the blinders on and focus on newer style euro vans with better mpg. But do your due diligence and compare to say a Chevy Express. Chevy would likely be less money to purchase, likely better long term reliability, cheaper to maintain and repair. You’d have to add pay more for fuel and maybe a high top conversion. Calculate total cost of ownership over 5 or 10 years including what it would sell for at the end and compare.
If you want the best off road capability and a good value I’d say go with a 4x4 pickup and camper. Drawbacks vs a van are worse handling, worse mpg, have to go outside to get in back. But more versatile, take off the camper and use as a regular car, pull a trailer. I love my camper with its 3 way fridge, full kitchen, bathroom, queen size bed, etc. And easy to work on or get fixed almost anywhere.
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Sport climber
moving thru
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Reilly as usual gets the +10 for the laugh factor in the above post! :)
I'm the original owner of a 2006 Chevy Express window van. The only problem I've ever had is that we didn't read the owners manual so blew out the transfer case part of the AWD. It is a must to have all four tires with matching tread depth. That was around 2010 and had it replaced. We just celebrated it's 200,000 birthday a week ago. Weak points....door latches break. I had an Astro van before this and same problem. OK, Chevrolet, why can't you do doors and the simple things well also?
I have no built in's. Just keep my camping gear loaded in the back, ready to take off when fun presents. I sleep in it and can even stick my kayak inside. This car has been a blessing.
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JLP
Social climber
The internet
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Chevy Express. If you could stand up in one, Sprinters probably wouldn't be selling as well.
Fiat is a POS, not even worth discussion.
Ford is the only competition - but since there is not much cost advantage new and no considerable used market yet - the Sprinter wins - for now.
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Quasimodo
Trad climber
CA
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I am surprised no one has bought or considered the Nissan NV vans.
Not the prettiest vehicle, but Japanese vehicles usually have less maintenance and mechanical repairs than than German or American vehicles. I had a 1987 Nissan Pathfinder with 186,000 miles with the original clutch and shocks. I had to install a new water pump at 160,000 miles. Otherwise, the Nissan at 186,000 ran like new when I sold it.
Curious if anyone has bought a Nissan NV. Reliability is my most important criteria when purchasing a vehicle.
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tradmanclimbs
Ice climber
Pomfert VT
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My astro is almost 217k now despite JLP declaring it is a POS. It is a full time tool truck. all the door latches and the power locks are effed up. I live on a really rough road so my suspension and steering parts are in the middle of a rehab session. More part just arrived today... looking to built a weekend and roadtrip camper. I am actually seeing quite a few Ford Transits in my searches. Also seeing that the used sprinter prices are dropping . Likely as a result of competition from the fords. Seems like the days of getting 20k for your high mileage sprinter are over... I would be open to an E series, Express or old style Ram van if they were dirt cheap and had the high top.
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tradmanclimbs
Ice climber
Pomfert VT
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Also looking at the Nissan and might be open to one at the right price with the V6 but they seem to be rare. Also have not been inside the Nissan with a tape measure yet...
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stevep
Boulder climber
Salt Lake, UT
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Someone in the airport parking lot last night next to me had one, with a For Sale sign on it. It was a 4x4 Nissan passenger van. Lifted a little with a winch bumper on the front and a large off-road rack on the top. Said it seated 12, and it certainly looked plenty large. $47K...didn't say how many miles.
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the Fet
climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
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In the beginning of this thread someone said they had a Nissan NV.
Not all Nissans are good but the NV is excellent. It's based on the Titan full size pickup which is also very good.
http://www.dashboard-light.com/reports/Nissan.html
Unfortunately 4X4 isn't a factory option. People do conversions with factory Titan parts.
It's a body on frame truck, so rugged and probably good for rough roads, but not as good mpg/handling as a unibody van.
Yeah it's fugly, but I could live with it. Actually I just did an image search of Nissan NV camper and when they have beefy tires and a grill guard they look pretty good.
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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But they’re a good starting point.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Go big or stay home!
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