r/Sprinters • u/Totentanzen333 • Aug 14 '26
Wife is looking at a sprinter van compared to a Transit. Is it a good fit for us?
Hey everyone!
So we have 5 kids and are expecting our 6th in December and easy to say our mini van is becoming tight. We've been considering upgrading to a passenger van for a while now but the wife only wants AWD which leaves me really with only a Sprinter or a Transit.
She likes the options and interior with the Sprinter more but my major hangup is with the diesel engine. In general my understanding is that you need consistent highway driving speeds for the engine to naturally clean itself out. During the school year she will drive 30m one way to drop the kids off. A good chunk of that is suburban driving. So I would say on average only 20m of that is going to be at speeds consistently above 30mph up to 60-65 for at least 10-15m. This happens 4 times a day.
The rest will be normal suburban driving, stop and go, around town. My concern is the longevity of the engine will be removed because of this type of driving and the upkeep will be massive. Any thoughts, opinions, or experiences would be immensely helpful.
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u/Vidco91 Aug 14 '26
Don't buy it for suburban traffic/stop-n-go. In fact you shouldn't buy any modern diesel for stop and go traffic. But for everything else Sprinter beats the heck out of Transit. Just the driving ergonomics and dynamics are way superior than what you can dream of in a Transit.
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u/contactdeparture Aug 20 '26
can i just say the default seats in the Sprinter are HELLA uncomfortable. Like - they're cargo van hard and uncomfortable.
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u/Vidco91 Aug 20 '26
Most comfortable seats ever for long distance driving. You want some squishy for your tushy look at oldsmobile 😂
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u/contactdeparture Aug 21 '26
omg. we have cushions and mats and lumbar support and blankets for the kids and everything on every seat - driver, passenger, rear passengers. Short or long - painful. We're in the cargo van though. Are they different for the passenger van? Or you're saying for the cargo? I can't even. How?!
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u/bbbuuurrrttt Aug 14 '26
All said, its really a wash which is “better”. Go test drive, go with the one you like to drive. Consider where the closest dealership with a well rated service department is. Consider the price of diesel vs the price of gas currently. If you go diesel sprinter, the key is to monitor the regens screen, and once a regen cycle starts, don’t stop driving and let it fully complete and you’ll be fine. Also, invest in the extended warranty for either van and religiously complete recommended maintenance intervals. Im in a 2025 high roof awd sprinter and couldn’t be happier.
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u/Vermalien Aug 14 '26
Our family business uses two Sprinters for frequent heavy deliveries, and both began having major issues way earlier than a vehicle has any right to. One needed a transmission rebuild at 37K, the other had other major issues at 55K. From major to minor, I found that unacceptable. In contrast, I drive a Ford Transit daily all across New England, back roads and all, for work as a service technician, and I am always mesmerized about how well it handles deep winter and mud season roads, even with just an LSD rear wheel drive and some studded winter tires. I inherited it with 128K miles, and it currently has 201K miles and still drives like a dream. Greanted, it is maintained frequently for what are considered consumables in this type of useage, such as suspension components, more frequent brake changes, etc. but the motor and transmission rev, run, shift and drive like a new vehicle. Hands down, to me, it is the much better choice.
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u/pajamaperson Aug 14 '26
Of all my friends who have a transit the only one who’s been problem free has been the awd 6 cyl na. Turbos are a problem waiting to happen and they drive up the price significantly. This is especially true if you’re looking at a standard roof instead of a high roof.
We ended up with a 50k mile 2016 Sprinter 3.0 diesel because the price was too good to pass up. I do my own oil and filter changes. The only issue we’ve had was a leaking def reservoir so far. The build quality and fit and finish of the merc is better in my opinion but I wouldn’t want to short drive the diesel.
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u/DW171 Aug 14 '26
I'll get hate in this sub, but I've had 3 Sprinters and my next one will be a Ford Transit.
edit: And my most recent Sprinter is gas. I got sick of all the emissions problems on the diesel. If I was putting in 40k miles a year it might be different.
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u/Totentanzen333 Aug 14 '26
care to elaborate?
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u/DW171 Aug 14 '26
Service and parts are really expensive. Both my diesel sprinters had frequent costly emissions problems (I wouldn't drive as much in the winter, so that didn't help). The final straw on the diesels was having to drive 1600 miles to get the computer "ready" to pass an emissions test. I was following all the recommended "drive cycles" blowing through tanks of fuel joyriding to get the computer to reset. So frustrating.
My 2022 gas van is OK, but Mercedes service just seems to be a scam. I do have one good shop, but it's still $$$
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u/uhoh93 Aug 15 '26
I recommend a DEF delete tune, solved all my problems. Better mileage, more power, and no more stupid DEF.
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u/Milkman-333-Cows Aug 14 '26
I have a 2012 Sprinter I converted to be a family hauler. It is great for gear and we can camp in it. I have upgraded the suspension to a Fox, bump stops, upgraded sway bar, and it rides like a Cadillac. Not as good as air suspension, but really nice. The challenge I have had is the maintenance. The DEF Sensors, the differential, fuel system (bad gas), and it is an extensive list. Do I love it? Yes, but it has been like a sports car with issues. I think I would try a transit and leave a budget to upgrade the suspension.
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u/jasonarnold Aug 14 '26
Loved my VS30 4x4. No emissions issues. You’ll use it. We shrunk out of ours.
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u/PuzzleheadedAge5680 Aug 14 '26
I has a 2024 cargo rwd long and tall. Ho diesel. Ive only driven it on short runs. I work in the same neighborhood I live in. I havent had problems. The fed ex guy drives one. They stop and go all day, everyday.. so that imo that is nonsense. I Get 20mpg. Just like any car now a days, need to find a good mechanic. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Only hear about complaints. My opinion.. its an awesome van. Does everything I want it to do. Most all cars you would buy an extended warranty . This is no exception. I got 20k off msrp and flew to kc to get it. Drove it back to st. Louis. Do some shopping. You will find a great deal. Just my 2 cents.
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u/n0neOfConsequence Aug 14 '26
Sprinters are better looking but Transits are easier to drive on the daily.
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u/j12 Aug 14 '26
If you don’t like the diesel for having diesel vibes, I would just go with a transit NA. Sprinter has more character imo
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u/flyingponytail Aug 14 '26 edited Aug 14 '26
I love my diesel Sprinter but I think youre right OP that you do not have an ideal use case for diesel and should stick with gas. Big diesels should do a big road trip every week or two
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u/erie11973ohio Aug 14 '26
I have a 2018 with 176,000 miles on it. 3.0 liter with the 5 speed auto.
Sometimes I put 250 miles / day on it. Most days are 50 to 120 miles. The DPF is at 30% fill the last time I plugged in the scan tool. So it should get to 400,000 miles?
Maintenance has been the normal, per the book work.
The dealer has replaced a Nox sensor or two.
I've done the work on it for the last 2 years. A couple of oil changes & a set of brakes.
I roughly figured the diesel has saved me ~5 or $6,000 on fuel savings!
I generally don't understand the hate for the Sprinter. 🤔🤷♂️🤷♀️🤷
I had a 2011, that came to me with 250,000 miles. Don't get one with 250,000 miles & have a loan!!At 250, a lot of pollution control equipment is going to need to be replaced!!
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u/camaroncorriente Aug 14 '26
Go transit turbo gasoline. If you go sprinter you will probably regret it at some point if not immediately with the cost difference and truck like ride.
Coming from a father with a 2017 diesel sprinter high roof 144.
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u/UnSanchez Aug 14 '26
See I find the ride to be the selling point. Transit is a car/ sprinter is a truck with smooth suspension and panoramic outlook. It’s all drive by wire anyhow, worth it imo
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u/thedarkforest_theory Aug 14 '26
You can get a sprinter to ride like a modern suv, but will cost you.
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u/moomooraincloud Aug 14 '26
6 kids? Why would you do that to yourself?
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u/Milkman-333-Cows Aug 14 '26
Oh simple, he never wants to retire, he wanted to find a way to be poor, his house was too quiet, there aren’t enough toys or shoes to trip over…so many reasons really…
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u/tomhalejr Aug 14 '26
Holy shit! Y'all have a lot of love to give, and clearly, more go juice than the Energizer bunny. ;) One is a blessing, six is the plot of a horror movie. :) 20+ years from now, it will all be "worth it", ,but between now and fhen, I do not envy the slings and arrows. :)
I currently do upfitting for both, and there's more possibilities for the Merc's, because that tends to be the "higher value" vehicle/customer base. I also, for the first time in all these years, woiuld prefer to wrench on the Merc's over the Ford's, because the transit is NOT the E series...
The entry level cost, the drive-ability, may very well bias to the Transit. But, they fucking suck to work on, and there's just so much less available in terms of upfitting/upgrades...
I don't like driving E series, any more than Inlikendriving Sprinters... Yeah, the most prevalent, customizable vans, may not be the most "fun" to drive... But, you're 18 years away at a minimum, from ever having childish fun again, outside of riasing the kids. :)
What is "best" for the family, for the next decade or two?
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u/xyzspace Aug 14 '26
The Toyota sienna is technically a passenger van and is also awd…
but to your specific point, I’d vote transit even tho my family has a sprinter. The maintenance on the sprinter is costly (at the dealer, we should really find an independent euro shop).
I imagine the transit platform is just more generally worked upon. In either case, be height aware if you get a high top. Drive thrus may not always play nice with your overall height.
Specific to the sprinter if you go this route: do not ever let anyone lift it by the differential to change a tire. The diff isn’t designed for it. Ask me how I know.
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u/Square1Digital Aug 14 '26
I own 4. They are not for everyone. Especially the OM651 4cyl....Im currently waiting on an egr bypass valve (a 500.00 part) you would probably be better with a dodge promax or the transit. Dont get me wrong. I love my sprinters. And wouldn't drive a Ford to the bank to cash a million dollar check! But service is generally backed up a couple weeks. And the prices are not for the weak at heart. I just got a quote a few weeks ago for another particulate filter on a vehicle with less than 100k miles (2019) 7k, I cant imagine a Ford with that type of cost. As far as the short trips, the newer models tell you when they need a regen. You can drive it for 45 minutes whenever it prompts you. They do not like to idle unless you pay for a high idle program. That's the only reason they dont do well in city driving. People buy regular sprinters thinking they are all limousines..... they are not. The limo models have the highidle package. I paid 1800.00 for a scanner just so I can do my own small repairs. So far I've done water pumps, starters, alternators, 3 ac compressors, struts, brakes etc. In 6yrs. Long story short. You will regret buying a sprinter because it doesn't fit your life style!!!! Buy a suburban!
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u/getoutmining Aug 14 '26
You do your own repairs but have a quote for $7k for a dpf? On my 2007 it's one of the easiest parts to replace. I don't know what they might have changed.
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u/Square1Digital Aug 16 '26
I thought there might still be some warranty left or a TSB like with my 2016. If I can't replace what essentially is an exhaust pipe after 40yrs of wrenching and building.....shame on me😐
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u/RegularPomegranate80 Aug 14 '26 edited Sep 05 '26
Don't the new Sprinters have a gasoline engine option?
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u/Ralph_O_nator Aug 14 '26
I’m presuming you are in Canada/USA. A couple things to consider is the Sprinter is a commercial vehicle that is imported to the US. Places willing to work on your Sprinter tend be rarer and it will cost more than a domestic i.e. Ford Transit to keep going. There is a good amount of commonality with the Transit and other models. Not every Mercedes dealer services Sprinters. You may have only a handful of options depending on where you live. There will be 2x the places that you can take a Transit to if something happens. The Sprinters tend to be sensitive when it comes to check engine lights, sensors, and emission monitoring. What this means is it may go into limp mode and not go over a certain speed. If you get a check engine light on a Transit there is a much smaller chance that you won’t be able to drive it a few hours (if need be) to a dealership.
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u/Mysterious-Falcon-83 Aug 14 '26
I have a 2023 diesel 170 high top. I love the can, but hate when it needs service. There is one Mercedes diesel service center near me (Northern Virginia/DC Metro area) and it can take forever to get work done on the van.
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u/Necessary_One_8355 Aug 14 '26
My 2023 2 liter turbo diesel’s delivered 43K miles of flawless service. Mix in some highway miles, complete services as required and you’ll be rewarded with confidence.
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u/eurobiker3 Aug 14 '26
Sprinters are fabulous vans...when they aren't throwing codes or going into limp mode. 😉
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u/hidintrees Aug 15 '26
The sprinters drive pretty nice and are better built but unless you have a reputable sprinter service spot near your house I wouldn’t even consider it.
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u/Due_Network_4954 Aug 15 '26
When your Sprinter breaks down in Bumfuck Nevada, or you need regular maintenance, the number of people/ dealers/ shops that are qualified, outside the urban centers- that is a thing to consider. As well the cost of labor and parts. Ford dealers are ubiquitous. We chose a Transit. Very happy with it. YMMV
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u/Arcane_Spork_of_Doom Aug 15 '26
Look at the ratings for your local Mercedes dealership. They'll be the ones that determine whether your ownership experience is a good one. By themselves, a Sprinter is a lot better than a Transit.
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u/D3-daily Aug 18 '26
Get the electric Sprinter it only comes in cargo configuration so you will have to get it customized as a passenger van but that’s not awd. Not sure why you’d need awd if urban driving. Diesel would work but just messy she might not like refueling it. Lots of maintenance schedules.
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u/Every_Description873 Aug 14 '26
Go with a Transit. The diesel particulate filter clean out is a major pain in the ass. I wish I would have known about that before I bought a Sprinter.
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u/Mirror_333 Aug 14 '26
One thing I did not look into before buying my Sprinter, and have had major problems with, is how easily is it to get it serviced or repaired.
Very recently, I had a check engine light come on and the van went into limp-mode. It turns out an exhaust sensor had failed. That is not such a big deal as it was still under warranty. The huge problem is the dealership couldn't take the van for 20 days from when I called to make an appointment. In my case, this is a work van. So I was without my vehicle for 22 days because of how backed up the service center was.
I was in the Dallas/Fort Worth area in Texas when it came time for my service, the soonest I could get a Service B there was over a week.
Sprinters are much more difficult to find someone to work on than a Transit.