Mercedes Benz Sprinter 312D TURBO

I have a 412D converted into a tourist luxury midi-coach AC,DvD.PA systems and all. On 428,000ks, I got fed-up with the diesel engine rebuild cost (ZAR90,000.00 plus)so I bought a low mileage Lexus V8 vvti motor and auto box unit and plonked this with Lexus management system, into the Lwb Sprinter with a few alterations to firewall.

She now runs so smooth and has so much power 216Kw and 410Nm that I drive light foot.

Brake pedal pressure also much lighter to use. Unleaded petrol useage is 15litre per 100k's empty and 18Lts per 100ks loaded with 17 passengers and towing a big box trailer and AC on.

Cooling system is original but added 2 electric fans.

Diff is original. Runs 2700rpm @ 100kph in 5th.

I'm happy I made the switch which cost half the price of rebuilding the original engine.

Diesel quality in South Africa, is not yet of the good quality as in European countries.

i have had sprinter from new van is very good but a Lot of rust were ever there is black trims mercedes do not give a dam about it not very good after sales bewere

I've got a 312d 2.9 converted into a 4 berth Motor home with shower, toilet etc with 300k & spent a lot of time researching base vehicles before buying. This will accelerate up hill fully laden while towing a tow car! The torque is immense and is truly very comfortable. One thing to watch out for (if you keep it near trees) is the leaves clog the drain holes either side under bonnet, the result is the battery tray fills with water & drips down onto the ECU giving a myriad of running problems & false readings - limp home mode mainly. The answer - plastic bag over the ECU & plenty of WD40! As stated I researched the market & wanted something that I or a good mechanic could fix which cannot be guaranteed with more modern stuff. Otherwise - just brilliant.

Bought the sprinter mini bus with 1800 miles on the clock from merc. dealer. Had 4 mayor faults which with an wheelchair bound wife were trouble. front wheels badly aligned tearing the edges of the tyre. starter motor cable nut so loose it had fallen off.Often would not start! rubber on rear damper us. After 2 years out of warranty ( should I have gone for a Toyota? )rear diff. leaked oil.

I expected the same reliability as with our old 300TD.

I have a 2005 316 sprinter car transporter with 400,000 miles on the clock.I change the oil and filter every 10,000 miles all other filters every 20,000,she is still on the original clutch and exhaust,what more can i say apart from quite afew stone chips its in great shape.

i run a 412d sprinter recovery truck with 260,000 miles on the clock,its the best van on the road by far, its N reg and travels the country daily, its never refused me once, if i got a job to the other side of the world i'd just get in it and go she's that good

I have a Mercedes Sprinter 312d its so easy to handle very fast has 200,000km on the clock and still the engine doesn't burn oil amazing my mechanic tells me you will do another 200,000 if regularly serviced.

I will never own another van it will have to be a sprinter for the or nothing. Feel very safe and powerful in it.

The Mercedes Sprinter 412d is the daddy off the road, I've had mine since new 10 years ago, I've been up an down britain with it, without any problems what so ever. regulary maintaned regardless. 491,000 miles on clock at moment. When it comes to commercial vans mercs are the way forward. Rest of compettitors like transit etc: can't touch them with their cheap build quality. All round 5 star build quality. Best van money can buy simple as that.

Since new the Mercedes Benz Sprinter has been in the workshop many times for repairs and twice for embedded rust which showed in the first year. We have had customers push start it, we have towed start it and lately we use ether to get it started. Just out of warranty the glowplug heater system went us and no3 glowplug was threadbound and the head had to come off. it was then found no1 injector could not be removed so a new head was ordered at $7500 but there was none available in australia.

The Mercedes Benz Sprinter 312D TURBO is a superb all round van. I have had mine for nearly 10 months now. It had 158,000 on it in May 2006 when bought and now has 195,000 on it. One bit of advice though! If your van has a few miles on it (200,000+) steer clear of the "recommended" 10w40 oils - It is too thin and your engine will not like it!

Put a decent 15w40 semi-synthetic oil (I use Comma Euro Diesel 15w40 Semi Synthetic) in it and it will give you another 200,000 without any problems at all.