Running/Service Costs for Mercedes Sprinter Van

mgmagnette
mgmagnette Forum Participant Posts: 13
edited November 2016 in Motorhomes #1

We are considering swapping our Auto-Sleepers Warwick Duo (Peugeot) van conversation for a Mercedes-based automatic Auto-Sleepers Stanton.  Does anybody have any experience of relative running/service costs?

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  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,146 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #2

    We have the AS Suffolk on an auto Merc, MGM, ours is a 61 plate. We paid, I think, around £200 for a minor service at a Merc dealership and a bit less at an independent. Now it's out of warranty, we tend to stick with the independent. Overall, we've not
    been unpleasantly surprised at servicing/repair costs and suspect they compare favourably with those for the Ducato we had some years back.

    We tend to drive ours for performance rather than economy and find it regularly returned around 26mpg when we checked it. I dare say if does more when we potter around in slower mode. The Suffolk is 3500kg and about 18" longer than the Stanton so there's
    little in it in terms of size/weight.

    In our opinion, if is a far superior vehicle to the Ducato/Boxer base vehicles in terms of ride, performance, ease of entry, ease of driving and noise levels. I know others will disagree.

     

  • InaD
    InaD Club Member Posts: 1,701 ✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #3

    We've got the AS Winchcombe, which is 3880kg and 7.29m, so quite a bit longer than the Stanton.  Driving it is a pleasure.

    Haven't had any servicing yet, only got it last December, but we are quite impressed with the running costs in terms of MPG. We've been to France twice in it, for 6+ weeks, and when we've been "pottering" (which is what we like doing from site to site) rather
    than driving to and from the tunnel in the UK, we've regularly had 30-32mpg.  Of course, when not pottering, and driving on the A75 in France, it's been around the 25-26mpg, but still quite respectable.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #4

    Out of warranty, we now take ours to a local independent, we've used him for years. Usually under £200 for a service, no problems so far, it has been a very good. Around the 32-35mph mark for running, it's similar to the Stanton. We've done a lot of long
    drives around the UK. One good thing we've noticed, the Mercedes cab (on site) is a lot warmer than our previous Peugeot, it's well screwed together!

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,146 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #5

    Agreed, Brue, it's draught free. 

    I wonder why AS dropped the County range which was only supplied to Marquis?  Yours has continued but only as the Stanton while ours has been totally discontinued. As it suits us, we won't be changing it. 

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #6

    It's hard to let it go, only niggle is the stupid swing door washroom but we can live with it for now. Smile

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,146 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #7

    The washroom is definitely the compromise. We don't use our shower so never tangle with the swing wall. I'd much rather the washbasin with a decent cupboard was situated where the shower is. Ah, well, it's as near perfection as we're likely to find.

  • Mr Sambambles
    Mr Sambambles Forum Participant Posts: 194
    edited November 2016 #8

    We have a hymer built on the Mercedes base. Absolutly love it. Too new as yet to have any idea of running costs. We get 31 mpg's on a 130 bhp Manual. I'm shure though running costs from an independant garage will be compatible to others. 

  • mgmagnette
    mgmagnette Forum Participant Posts: 13
    edited November 2016 #9

    Thank you all for your comments.  They have been very helpful.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,146 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #10

    Happy to help. I'm sure you'll like the Merc. 

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #11

    I should have said mpg in my post, it does go a bit faster than that! Wink

  • lakedistrictnorthern
    lakedistrictnorthern Forum Participant Posts: 10
    edited November 2016 #12

    Thanks everyone for the above. I too am considering an Autosleeper / Mercedes, with auto Transmission.  Probably the Winschombe model. How do you all find the auto transmissioN. Is it smooth, Is it as straight forward as the manufacturer claims?  

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #13

    Mercedes are good at making auto transmission. Smile

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,146 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #14

    The Sprinter auto is a 'proper' torque converter box. It's as smooth as could be with no lag in transmission. It's simple. 

    I recommend a test drive so you can see for yourself, LDN.

  • lakedistrictnorthern
    lakedistrictnorthern Forum Participant Posts: 10
    edited November 2016 #15

    Thanks tinwheeler.  I cannot find such a vehicle within 2 hours drive from me. So all contributions welcome before making a journey. 

  • InaD
    InaD Club Member Posts: 1,701 ✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #16

    Thanks everyone for the above. I too am considering an Autosleeper / Mercedes, with auto Transmission.  Probably the Winschombe model. How do you all find the auto transmissioN. Is it smooth, Is it as straight forward as the manufacturer
    claims?  

    We have the Winchcombe and you can hardly detect the gearchanging.  We have tried several times to count the gears as they move up, but only made it to about 4.  We both drive it, and it is a pleasure to drive.  Have had it nearly a year now from new; had
    a few teething problems, and the fuse for the water heater went after a couple of months, but overall we're pleased with it.

    Been to France twice in it for 6+ weeks at a time.  The gastank really comes into its own there of course, as there are no worries about whether you have enough gas to last you.  You do need a different adaptor for France though, but that is a minor issue,
    I think we paid around a tenner for one on eBay. Solar panel is good too, and we spent around half our time off EHU in Sept/Oct.

    End bathroom is brilliant, lots of space, shower big enough to have a good shower in as well.

    Have a look and a test drive in one, it'll be worth it to see whether it's for you before spending your hard-earned.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,146 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #17

    Thanks tinwheeler.  I cannot find such a vehicle within 2 hours drive from me. So all contributions welcome before making a journey. 

    LDN, you'll have realised most AS vehicles tend to be on Marquis forecourts and last time I looked at their website it didn't tell you which branch the vehicles were at which isn't very helpful. Other dealers do exist though. 

    We have no plans to change our MH but, if we did, it would be for another auto Sprinter based model. 

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #18

    The CC classifieds are useful for tracking down various vans.

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