Merc Sprinter 310cdi LWB 2012 For Selfbuild

[shawn&emma]

Been toying with the idea of a selfbuild project for some time and a
2012 Mercedes sprinter 310 cdi lwb has come up for sale close to where we are in Portugal. It's on uk plates, motd till September . Not physically looked at it yet but photos look ok. 200000 miles though.
I know some are merc haters, we've always only had fords but is there anything mechanically problematic in that age sprinter? Is it pre to many electric gizmos that can go wrong?

€7000 asking price which compares well to same models in uk at around the £7000 mark.

Thanks Shawn

 

[two]

It seems like a good project, to me. Mercs have always treated me well. I'd see how it runs and the check service history. 2012 is not old and 200000miles should put the price in your favour.
Hope you enjoy the build and subsequent travels!

 

[appydaze]

I have a sprinter automatic. The engines in these are bullet proof with chain drive to camshaft and are regularly seen to do 400,000 miles if looked after.
Mine has only done 78,000 and I get approx. 28 mpg.
The only problem for me is the height of getting in because it is rear wheel drive with a prop shaft and therefore higher than usual. Not good for my bad legs.

However the pleasure of driving a Merc. more than makes up for that.

 

[shawn&emma]

I have a sprinter automatic. The engines in these are bullet proof with chain drive to camshaft and are regularly seen to do 400,000 miles if looked after.
Mine has only done 78,000 and I get approx. 28 mpg.
The only problem for me is the height of getting in because it is rear wheel drive with a prop shaft and therefore higher than usual. Not good for my bad legs.

However the pleasure of driving a Merc. more than makes up for that.

Thanks to the information, much appreciated.

I believe it to be the 95bhp model and 2.1ltr. Would that still be chain camshaft driven?

Shawn

 

[CazPaul]

BHP may not be enough for a fully loaded motorhome, its a lot of miles, has it got a good, comprehensive service history?
316 160 bhp would be better.

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[Lenny HB]

I too think it will be under powered, when converted it will be similar to driving a fully laden van.

 

[PeteH]

It will likely be OK, as built. Typically the manufacturers of Motorhomes have built on them up to a standard mam of 3800Kg. I looked at this one http://www.highbridgecaravans.co.uk/products/motorhomes/HCCQF48784/2010-rapido-909m for example, but for me it`s the wrong layout, However with the 2.2 and Auto.?

Perhaps the only caveat would be that as a self build you are likely to use a heavier construction?.

 

[Northernraider]

They were always good engines in the sprinters but like the vw crafter that it shares a body with its corrosion and paintwork that normally effects them.
We had 6 of them as work vans in my last job ranging from 2010 up to 2016 all had high miles I think one had over 500,000 on it and still going. But lots of rust spots on all of them even the newest one had rough bits

 

[PP Bear]

There's no way in my wildest dreams would I give €7000 for such high mileage. I'd rather up my budget and look at lower mileage if possible.

Just my opinion and don't be fooled by chains, as one Funsters was very recently posting about his sons Audi and the damage caused due to the chain breaking, only I can't remember which Funster it was.

 

[Nasher]

When I was looking at vans for conversion, I rejected the option of Mercedes Sprinters (and VW Crafters - same van , different badge) due to rusting.

Also 7 grand for a 200,000 mile van seems a lot - if it has a full service history etc. then it may be Ok. Personally I'd look for one with less miles.....

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[Silver-Fox]

@PP Bear re cam chain that issue was a young thruster ramping the t **s off the motor

Although anything mechanical can break obviously

 

[CazPaul]

There's no way in my wildest dreams would I give €7000 for such high mileage. I'd rather up my budget and look at lower mileage if possible.

Just my opinion and don't be fooled by chains, as one Funsters was very recently posting about his sons Audi and the damage caused due to the chain breaking, only I can't remember which Funster it was.

Dave Newell it was.

 

[abforfun]

To many miles

 

[shawn&emma]

Thanks for all the replies.

Millage doesn't deter me to much but appreciate the comments made, Service history and rusting will be more important for me.

Waiting for the owner to come back to me with info re any service history etc. She's had it less than a year basically to move her stuff from UK to Portugal.

Depending on her reply we will probably go and view it this week.

Thanks Shawn

 

[chesterfield hooligan]

If you buy it and feel it under powered you could always try a remap for the extra power as the later 316 is a 4 pot 2.1 engine just mapped for the extra power look it up.

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[Nicepix]

If you buy it and feel it under powered you could always try a remap for the extra power as the later 316 is a 4 pot 2.1 engine just mapped for the extra power look it up.

I think that you will find that the 316CDI is a 5 cylinder 2.7 litre turbo motor.

As for Merc's rusting; that may be the case in the UK. But in France, Spain & Portugal they don't seem to be as afflicted.

 

[CazPaul]

I think that you will find that the 316CDI is a 5 cylinder 2.7 litre turbo motor.

As for Merc's rusting; that may be the case in the UK. But in France, Spain & Portugal they don't seem to be as afflicted.

I think you are referring to the earlier Sprinter from 2000-2006 2.7CDI 5 pot 156 BHP.

 

[chesterfield hooligan]

Yes the earlier Sprinters are 5 pot like my 316 cdi as stated 2000 to 2006, the later ones are 4 pot 2.1 they do 110bhp,130bhp,140bhp,150bhp and 160bhp all 4pot 2.1 engines. There some 3litre v6 engines but as of yet I have not worked on any.