"fhrblig" (fhrblig)
04/02/2015 at 10:23 • Filed to: None
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"fhrblig" (fhrblig)
04/02/2015 at 10:23 • Filed to: None | 0
| 8 |
Does anyone here run or work on Mercedes-Benz vans in a fleet setting? I'm just a bit curious how reliable they are and how much they cost to maintain.
Mercedes is bringing the Metris (aka Vito) to the US soon and I'm intrigued by it. I don't have to replace any of our vans anytime soon, but these look like they might be a good fit. I know I won't be getting Nissan NV200s anymore. It's incredibly hard to find cargo-rated tires for them, and the ones that are available only last 25-30k miles.
Stephen the Canuck
> fhrblig
04/02/2015 at 10:29 |
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My dad's work has a Sprinter, not sure what year. It's currently in the shop to have the alternator and battery replaced. It was towed there apparently, which is the second time it's been towed. There is also a fair bit of surface rust on the body.
It does have 507,000kms on it, so it has lasted a long time.
Justin Hughes
> fhrblig
04/02/2015 at 10:29 |
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The Dodge Sprinters I drove aren't fair to compare to this. Mercedes complexity and Chrysler quality and reliability were not a good combination. As usual, Chryslers transmissions were made of glass and broke regularly. The body also wasn't strong enough for the power liftgates they welded onto the back to stay on permanently. And one of the vans burned to the ground for no apparent reason.
But like I said, it's not fair to compare these two particular vans directly.
duurtlang
> fhrblig
04/02/2015 at 10:31 |
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I'm not familiar with the actual costs, but I do know they're very plentiful here (and have been for decades), which leads me to believe they can make economical sense.
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fhrblig
> Justin Hughes
04/02/2015 at 10:36 |
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We have two Ram Cargo Tradesman vans (Caravan). One has been more reliable than the other, though the transmissions have been surprisingly mostly trouble-free up to this point. The flex plates are a weak spot, we've had to replace them twice on just one van. Other than that, they are doing a good job.
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fhrblig
> duurtlang
04/02/2015 at 10:38 |
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The website says the maintenance interval is 15k miles, which tugs at my economical heartstrings. I just wonder what that service will cost.
Cé hé sin
> fhrblig
04/02/2015 at 10:38 |
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The Vito's not as well regarded as the Sprinter.
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fhrblig
> Cé hé sin
04/02/2015 at 10:38 |
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I'd heard that, though it seems like there's some big improvements in the new one.
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Justin Hughes
> fhrblig
04/02/2015 at 10:53 |
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A random electrical issue that would blow my main fuse took out my AWD Grand Caravan. Being randomly stranded isn't good, especially when many of my runs were stat blood bank deliveries to area hospitals...
But when it worked, that van could get through any Maine blizzard!