OK. Have you priced out a new Sprinter with the same options?? Apples and Oranges??
I could be wrong---------- But I don’t believe you will be able to buy or service a Dodge Prostar at a Fiat Dealer. PS— Unless the Fiat dealer is also a Dodge dealership.
I would find it hard to believe that. Although I am sure they could get 25 or so in stairght line down I-5 with no head wind. The higher roof doesn’t do anything to increase mileage, but it is a nice trade-off. It isn’t a fair comparison to compare a diesel five cylender to a gas six cylinder. Gas engines can get the mileage of a diesel, but they lose the torque and power. By the way I was told by my brother-in-law; who is an expert American diesel mechanic, that the diesel engine now being used by VW in most of it’s models is a Fiat. He owns six diesel cars and trucks. Cars are VW. Trucks are GM. He doesn’t do the service on the VW’s . Does everything he can on the GMs because of high costs. The best diesels he owns are in two later model GM pickups and they are Japanese.
If you guys want to save some $$$$$ and buy used. Buy a used step van that was previously owned by Hostess Cupcake. Alison Trans and an inline six cylinder Cummins. Even with the miles that are most likely going to be on one, they’ll run for along time and cost considerably less to work on. Bu-cou room in 'em too. Lowel
When I read about the mileage on the vans in the US, it is a great difference to Europe. You talk about 250.000 Mile, that equals 400.000 Km. That is also about end of story for most CDI dieselengines. In Europe is a van used up. See Europe as a big city. For instance in holland, driving in the morning to a customer, distance 100 miles, takes sometimes about 1,5 to 2 ours. sometimes more depending on location.
Guaranteed life expectation for the driveline of a 2004 sprinter was 250000 Km = +/- 155000 Miles.
I do Iveco, Deutz, VM/Detroit, some Mercedes/MTU. All industrial engines. All with Common Rail. CDI engines run between 300 to 1100 bar (4200 to 15400 psi) fuelpressure. with a max of 1800 (25200 psi). Can you imagine the accuracy of the pump. And the wear. I do work for the Airforce. They are not happy whit the new CDI engine. Brake down during during exercise and also on mission. Mostly by running fueltank dry and dirt/dust.
After +/- 4500 hours. about 170.000 miles (for truck) and 225.000 miles (for car) first wearproblems can start to occure. Mostly on pump and injectors. Meaning pump and injector overhaull and new pressure rail and fueltank if particles found. Costs in Europe (holland) on 4 cil. engine. 2500,00 euro and up (way up). Cause, bad maintenance, poor quality fuel, bad driver, clogged exhaust systems. When you want to save money on for instance fueltank when particles found, no worries, you get the same problems within 1000 h.
VM for instance, also found in Jeep, Chrysler, Alfa Romeo, say 4000 h part overhaull, 8000 h complete overhaull/new engine.
Mercedes saw, in the collaboration with Chrysler, a niche in the market. Also because of our extreme enviromental rules on exhaust gasses for dieselengines. And good miles per gallon compared to engine size (to small -> overpowered) . In my opinion, wrong car for US conditions. Thats is also why my chevy had a lot of problems in Europe. They do not fit in. Not build for our roadconditions. But look great.
Hé, Asian vans run everywhere, Why? don’t know. Had mitsubishi’s and toyota’s whit 250.000 miles and more still working ok. Engine running smooth.
All very good information and thank you for your insights. A Hostess Cupcake Step Van with a turboed Cummins six looks better everytime I read up on this stuff. Lowel