Its NOT Lexus Sumitomo

[AK_Sprinter]

Trained techs is one part of the issue - once the problems occur.
In some cases it’s a new issue and no training/bulletins on it.
And being restricted to 350(?) mb sprinter dealerships in the entire US vs Ford having over 3000(?) dealers.
And then the cost of services at an MB dealer 🤣🤦🏽‍♂️🤬

This type of stuff and cost of ownership has me looking at other options for the future.

This is my biggest concern. We've generally had good luck with out 2019 170 4WD. Only a few relatively minor issues early on.
But I worry about breaking down out in the middle of nowhere and having a monumental towing bill just to get it someplace where it could be fixed.

A friend of mine was looking at buying a camper van. He liked our Sprinter, but after researching the options he opted for a Transit. As we get older, we might want something with a few more comforts than our very basic Sprinter build. If we buy another van, we will be seriously considering a Transit rather than another Sprinter.

 

[Green Maned Lion]

This is my biggest concern. We've generally had good luck with out 2019 170 4WD. Only a few relatively minor issues early on.
But I worry about breaking down out in the middle of nowhere and having a monumental towing bill just to get it someplace where it could be fixed.

A friend of mine was looking at buying a camper van. He liked our Sprinter, but after researching the options he opted for a Transit. As we get older, we might want something with a few more comforts than our very basic Sprinter build. If we buy another van, we will be seriously considering a Transit rather than another Sprinter.

Mercedes does offer free towing to the nearest dealership.

 

[EBS-P]

It’s a high volume in its segment.

That fleet owners don’t want in the US chiefly because of down time. So MB is not supporting their product. Not high enough volume for average support. I hope that it improves

 

[lindenengineering]

Oh downtime and product support
Now I don't expect most of the contributors to this thread, or forum members to understand , because as mostly private owners of a niche vehicle MB products do not appeal to a mass market.
Now when comes to Sprinters which are commercial vehicles, the dealer level response guided by "cooperate" can be very dismal , and time consuming.
Only reinforced with our recent experiences taking three weeks just to accept an issue of a bad/suspect new engine.
If as a fleet operator you are faced with a VOR while MB Corporate scratches its rectum, someone is slowly going bankrupt with business revenue being ZERO with a VOR.
Dennis

 

[Green Maned Lion]

That fleet owners don’t want in the US chiefly because of down time. So MB is not supporting their product. Not high enough volume for average support. I hope that it improves

That is one reason Sprinters are not widely accepted. A bigger one is an issue we run into occasionally: some of our potential clients have declined, at least initially, because they assumed that since my wife showed up in a Mercedes, she must over charge.

A lot of companies avoid Sprinters for this reason. Its why a decent number of Sprinters on the road prior to Daimler's (moronic) break up were Freightliners.

 

[lindenengineering]

One BIG DIFFERNCE
Out of NA the MB market and product support is covered mostly under one roof called Comm Div, a basic shed/repair shop along side such things as Actros Semis and the like!
Private MB cars are attended to in the Chocolate box like lux shop, where they wear cotton booties and serve lux snacks.
All conducted in a "designer Ambience"
Essentially the NA customer won't accept basic no matter the repair excellence. Its NA sales/marketing designer MB style!
Like I paid for it I deserve it mentality.

No point in trying to compare eggs to eggs, to different market approaches.
Dennis.
f

 

[Boxster1971]

Ah yes the traction battery
Being a Toyota/Lexus certified hybrid tech I can attest the the following repair tariffs are the norm
Lets start with the Prius Traction battery ( NIMH ) is $3100 trade. Sell out at $3700 retail .Install and programming plus fault clearance adds about $1200 to $1500 with taxes at 4,6 %
When does all this occur you might ask?
At between 125,000 to 175,000 miles depending upon usage or 8 to 10 years from new.

Your numbers are right on for what I experienced with my 2001 Prius.

 

[Green Maned Lion]

One BIG DIFFERNCE
Out of NA the MB market and product support is covered mostly under one roof called Comm Div, a basic shed/repair shop along side such things as Actros Semis and the like!
Private MB cars are attended to in the Chocolate box like lux shop, where they wear cotton booties and serve lux snacks.
All conducted in a "designer Ambience"
Essentially the NA customer won't accept basic no matter the repair excellence. Its NA sales/marketing designer MB style!
Like I paid for it I deserve it mentality.

No point in trying to compare eggs to eggs, to different market approaches.
Dennis.
f

Except... there is no Commmercial Division anymore. Daimler truck is now an entirely different corporation than Mercedes-Benz AG. Actros, semis, and like are not related to the company that builds the vans. Vans are built by Mercedes-Benz AG; Cars are built by Mercedes-Benz AG. The trucks are built by Daimler Truck Holding AG.

 

[lindenengineering]

Yes right on
We have used several Gen1 & 2's as shop support cars,
All basically acquired as non running dumped units with bad traction batteries.
We still run one 1999 Gen1 these dyes for part/support runs, Withy a new battery at 17000 miles its still running great i spite of the shop abuse at 270,000 miles.
The last 2006 Gen 2 we had I gave it to my grand daughter after getting a license . Running with an inhouse repaired battery at 220000 mile
Dennis

 

[lindenengineering]

Except... there is no Commmercial Division anymore. Daimler truck is now an entirely different corporation than Mercedes-Benz AG. Actros, semis, and like are not related to the company that builds the vans. Vans are built by Mercedes-Benz AG; Cars are built by Mercedes-Benz AG. The trucks are built by Daimler Truck Holding AG.

EXACTY
There lies just ONE of the issues.
Dennis

 

[CJPJ]

Dennis. The W221 Mercedes gave me a low auxiliary battery indication. I drove it to the nearest Mercedes-Benz dealer Walnut Creek, talk to service manager, I needed auxiliary battery replaced. he said OK we got a spot in three weeks. Never mind, went to parts and bought the battery ,replaced it. Upon start up. The auxiliary battery indication was gone, but I had a new Red airbag indication with a / through it. I didn’t know how to turn that off so I took it to my local mechanic and they charged $49.70 to reset it. also had them change the oil and filter to make it worthwhile.
Drove it for an hour and a half, everything‘s working fine.