Mercedes-Benz Sprinter road test reports and car reviews

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 311 CDI 2001

I first had a 308 sprinter for 3 years and it covered 277000 thousand miles and went bang, purchased a breakers yard low milage engine and away I went again, I always found it slow and gutless so sold it to a friend and it is still going strong with no problems with a further 100000 miles on the clock. I then purchased a 311cdi 01 reg with 96000 on the clock in super condition and what a van. I am a carpenter and locksmith and carry loads of heavy stuff about but this van goes like a racing car and all sprinters are made to last, just feel the weight of the doors and lift the bonnet and you can see what quality is. It has now covered 157000 with no problems to the engine or gearbox and still drives like new, the only problem is the security on these vans are c**p. I fitted deadlocks to all the doors of my van and it is not sign written but they still put a hole under every handle in seconds to get in and try and rob the contentsof my job. A must for the sprinter is a set of armour plate lock guards to all doors and deadlocks and then the burglars will leave it alone, deadlocks are not enough on their own. If you want a real tough, heavy duty van then this is for you with a super drive and loads of power, even when fully loaded. My next van will be a sprinter.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 316 CDI 2009

This is by far the very best van you could buy. It has never let me down and I do nearly 40,000 P/A (and I ain’t even a courier). I only keep vans for three years (max) and I’ve had numberous other Sprinters before this one with the previous model a latest generation 56reg which was exceptional. I must admitt I was a bit worried about the inital costs so I waited for a second hand one to come onto the market, yet it was only two months old and still on a 59 Reg, so overall I’m delighted. The van is very comfortable for long journeys, good MPG, decent handling for a van and goes like stink if you really floor it...which I do. Am I going to buy one next time, YES!

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 316cdi 2009

This is the third Sprinter I’ve had and I would never consider any other van. It may be initally expensive to buy but it’s worth every penny!! My old one was a 313 and in 5 years covered 290k miles, trouble free. My new one has 5 years free service as well. The new shape has more cubic volume space and is much more faster and comfortable, also it has an auto gearbox which makes it more of a dream!

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 311CDI LWB 2006

This is my 3rd Sprinter as it is by far the best van you can buy. My first one did 630,000 miles and was in such good condition it just had the engine replaced as is still around today 6 years later. It was bought at the same time as a Peugeot Boxer which only lasted 2 years and 170k. Recently I had a transit which was a big mistake as it rusted within 1 year. The Sprinter is such a good drive I no longer have a car. Get the 316 if you can find one but don’t try to reach its top speed as it’s been known to flip at 120mph.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2001

Great van. The diesel high pressure pump packed in at 80000 miles. Watch out for your licence, it goes like a rocket!

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 515 LWB Luton 2009

I have a Mercedes Sprinter 515 LWB Luton with a 2.2 engine and an auto box. It’s doing only 15.9 mpg, my other Sprinter would give a return of 21 mpg. Do not buy the new model, low emissions, poor to the gallon.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 30d long wheelbase hi top 1996

Sold my Transit lwb and purchased a 308 d lwb hitop 1996 from a customer of mine. I work with no limits track days - I provide the on board video service and carry bikes and equipment all around the UK race tracks, my now friend had owned this van for 6 years and had no major problems with it, just a glow plug and rear discs replaced in this time. I have had this van since April 09 and have now covered 12,500 miles in it. It’s good on fuel, around 30-40 mpg depending on how you drive. I got 31.6 mpg on a 260 mile trip fully loaded driving at 70-75 all the way. Comfort good, style good, load space great, handles well but not the fastest uphill; needs a run up as there is no turbo but otherwise quick enough. It uses no oil or water and has now covered 162,000 miles from new. I’d recommend the older Sprinter to anyone so long as its been looked after by its previous owner and you service it it will give many miles of use, rust is a bit of a pain though only minor; keep on top of it and you wil be OK. There is now slight rust on lower rear and side door only. Well worth the £1,200 I paid for it.

Responses to this review

Fair play Gez, anything has to be better than that old rust bucket transit you had.. As for the Merc’s performance, you have not told anybody your towing a 18ft 1978 Sprite Musketeer!! See you trackside in spring time mate - Paul Rennie from England

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 316 lwb panel van 2003

Ordered new with all the gear including sprintshift. What a van! Now coverd 270,000 miles without missing a beat. This has never let us down and been worked very hard. I think I will keep her forever; wife now drives it every day and it still makes her smile that’s good enough for me.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Sprinter LWB 311 2009

This is the second Sprinter we have bought in two years. We courier around Europe and cover around 120,000 KL per year. The first sprinter has now covered 120,000 klm’s during which time we have had to have the rear wheel bearings replaced, the hydrolic power steering pump. The sliding door handle broke off and it has been back to the garage three times to have the fuel gauge replaced. The second Sprinter purchased in Jan 2009 has covered 34,000 klms and although driven by a careful driver the engine oil needs refilling every 11,000 klms. According to Mercedes this is within the normal expected operating limits of the van. They are nice vans to drive, a bit revy but don’t think because it has the star on the front they are free from problems.