2005 Dodge Sprinter

Minivan/Van

2.7L 5 Cylinder Diesel Fuel Turbocharged

Automatic

WD8PD144255813473

Rear Wheel Drive

Diesel

Power Steering

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE This Sprinter 2500 has been mine since August 2005, as my primary transportation and work vehicle . It has been maintained by-the-book to last. I have replaced it with a larger Sprinter so this one is now for sale. This is a wagon version, meaning it was built with seats for up to eight (8) people to travel in, with simple and quick convertibility into a cargo van. This Sprinter has averaged 23 MPG in combined Highway / City driving. The list of the factory equipment and options above is incomplete. The AM-FM radio includes a CD player and it has cruise control and the Mercedes heating system. Also there is an airbag for the front passenger as well as for the driver. As will be described in detail below, it has been enhanced in several ways to make it more efficient and comfortable. Who made this SPRINTER ? All Sprinters are built by Mercedes-Benz, in Germany. Until recently, Sprinters were sold in the USA by either Dodge or Freightliner dealerships. This particular one was sold to me by Fairbanks Dodge in Coconut Creek, Florida. But Dodge had little or nothing to do with this design or its construction. What model is this ? This is a 2500 HC Wagon, 118. . The 2500 designates a 5-cylinder, turbo diesel engine with 4 wheels (in contrast to 6 wheels on the 3500). The HC means High Cab, indicating an interior height of about 5” 4” (in contrast to the SHC which has almost 6’ of interior height). The Wagon designation means the interior is fully upholstered and sound-proofed, with windows (tinted) all around, and with factory-mounted floor anchor points for the removable middle and rear bench seats. Each of these bench seats hold three adults, with plenty of leg room. With the driver and front passenger added , the total legal capacity is eight. Driver and front passenger have airbags and seat/shoulder belts, while the six remaining passengers each have a seat / shoulder belt and head restraint. With all the seats in there is still a large cargo area behind the rear bench. With the seats removed the van can hold over a ton of weight and items of enormous size. The rear doors and the side-door make loading and unloading easy. The 118 refers to the wheelbase. At 118” this is the shortest of the Sprinter models, and is the easiest to drive and to park, with only a 36’ turning circle. It is arguably the quickest, shortest-stopping and best-handling of the Sprinters, due to it being the lightest. While it weighs less than the other wheelbase (140” and 158”) Sprinters it uses the same engine and brakes as the larger models. Technically, this is a T1N model, the type built until 2006. The T1N is the most economical and reliable Sprinter and is far less expensive to maintain that the current ones. How are Sprinter to drive ? After you get used to sitting higher than in a car or typical truck or van, the experience is full of positives. Visibility is superb to the front and sides, and good out the back with the only blind spot directly below the rear windows. Other drivers can see you, and more importantly, you can see them. Acceleration is brisk, especially at low speeds. It takes some drivers by surprise when the turbo “kicks-in.” People often ask me if it feels top-heavy in corners or if it wanders in cross-winds, but the truth is it handles better than many cars. The weight of the Sprinter is carried low and Mercedes designed this vehicle to be safe in all conditions. I have carried a full-load of Boys Scouts (and their gear) in this Sprinter and it feels far safer and more secure than any mini-van or full-sized van I’ve driven. The short wheelbase of this model, combined with the terrific visibility and precise steering makes it the easiest vehicle to park. (Remember, the turning circle is only 36’.) You will amaze yourself with how many tiny spaces this will fit. Are Sprinters economical ? Yes, even with Diesel fuel prices this Sprinter will take more people and cargo farther on a dollar than just about anything you can buy. I’ve maintained this one myself, buying consumable items (filters, belts, etc.) and any parts in advance from Sprinter specialists and avoiding dealerships as much as possible. My experience, and that of many other Sprinter owners is that dealerships are the most expensive part of owning a vehicle like this. So if you can DIY or get maintenance through an honest independent shop, you are probably better off. Maintenance is critical, as with any Mercedes, so there is no point in skipping any of it. Like most other cars if something really does wear out or break it will likely be expensive. Getting back to daily driving, this Sprinter will deliver 25 MPG at a true and steady 65 MPH on a level road. I’ve never driven through a full tank with just city driving, so I can only guess what the mileage is there. But since my overall mileage is 23 and I drive 75% highway, the city average is probably close to 19 or 20. Will a Sprinter fit in my garage ? Probably not. Even this one – the tiniest of Sprinters – stands 8 feet tall and probably too high to squeeze inside your garage door. Mine does fit under my carport, but only barely. Likewise, parking garages are not Sprinter-friendly. You will need to park outside. But it will fit into the drive-through of fast-food restaurants and banks. Maintenance history This Sprinter has been maintained from new in complete accordance with the factory recommended fluid and filter changes, plus regular inspections of components and systems, with replacement of anything worn. For example, engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid and differential lube have all been changed either at recommended mileage or time limits. All filters are changed regularly and all of them are currently “fresh.” Belts and pulleys (and tensioner) are almost new, as are the front and rear brake pads and rotors. Receipts are available. I’ve only used Mercedes parts and brand-name-quality components. For example the battery was replaced in November 2010 (with a Sears DIE HARD) and tires earlier in 2010 (with Goodyear G26, European-made, top-quality). Tires, including the spare, have 70% of tread remaining. The van has perfect wheel alignment (printout included) and good wheel balance. The body and structure have no rust perforation. There are no known service problems to warn you about. Flaws As seen in the photos there are two tears in the vinyl covering over the right rear wheel well. Just behind the sliding side-door are two small dents. (A reminder to use two people when removing the bench seats. Otherwise the seats may fall over and dent your bodywork !) There are a few very small stains on the seats. These are visible in the photos. Nothing major. The hood has several nicks and marks from I-95 road debris. Unfortunately the Sprinter makes a big target. Appearance The photos don’t lie. It is about as good-looking as a Sprinter can be in white. Enhancements As indicated earlier this Sprinter has been made more practical and efficient for the South Florida, I-95 commuter lifestyle it has lived for the last 6 ½ years. These improvements include: Auxiliary battery system – under the front passenger seat is a separate 12-volt Sears DieHard AGM battery, a no-maintenance gell cell type, to power various cabin accessories without any drain on the main (starting) battery. The auxiliary battery charges whenever the engine is running, but is separated from the main electrical system and will run without the engine running. Circuits running off the battery are fuse-protected. All electrical components, other than the battery, are Blue-Sea brand marine hardware (top-quality). This auxiliary battery system is used to power the following: 120 volt, 1200 watt power inverter – installed behind the front passenger seat, to provide 120 AC power for people using computers, printers, vacuum cleaners, electric drills, you-name-it, up to 1200 watts total draw. This is an X-Power brand, top-quality unit that displays (digital readout) the remaining voltage in the auxiliary battery, as well as a bar-graph display of the wattage load of the devices that are plugged into it. Because of the way it is installed – separate from the vehicle electrical system – it cannot harm or overload the vehicle electronics. MaxxFan overhead ventilator – Although the factory A/C works fine and keeps people inside comfortable, the huge interior of the Sprinter can a take a long time to cool down, especially after sitting in a hot parking lot. The MaxxFan is a four-speed, two-way directional ventilator that is wired into the auxiliary battery system, and can be left on for hours while the van is parked and closed, with windows rolled-up. This fan can reduce the interior temperature (in my experience with it) by 20 degrees on a Summer day. It is controlled by a wireless remote, so that the unit can be switched on or off without moving from the driver’s seat. Currently the remote is Velcro-ed to the center console above the cup-holders. The MaxxFan opens or closes on command and can run even when it is pouring rain outside, without any risk of water getting inside. A very clever and useful item. Exterior photos show it in open and closed positions. Interior LED dome lights – installed above middle and rear bench seats, and wired to the auxiliary battery system. These provide better lighting than the original incandescent bulbs, and don’t produce any heat. They can be left on for days without draining the battery excessively. They switch on automatically with either side or rear doors open, or can be turned off or on with a switch at the light. Rear step – installed in a class V trailer hitch below the rear doors. The rear step obviously helps in getting in and out of the van. But my main purpose in installing it was to serve as a defense bumper to keep others from harming my expensive van. The standard Sprinter has no real bumper (only a plastic panel) and so I added this one. The class-5 trailer hitch serves as a strong mounting place for the step, but has had no other purpose. Although it is rated to pull up to the Sprinter’s maximum tow weight, it hasn’t been used for towing, and this van does not have any trailer wiring. But there is no reason why the vehicle and the hitch couldn’t be used for towing if that was needed. The buyer of this vehicle can find it in West Palm Beach, Florida. Delivery to you at your location is negotiable. Odometer mileage (116,601 today) may be slightly higher from test-drives or trips to the store. Also, the van is advertised locally and may be sold prior to auction close. If so the auction will end without any obligation to or from any bidders. The winning Ebay bidder / buyer must place a down-payment of $900 (cash or PayPal) within 72 hours of the auction close. The balance must be paid within one week of auction close. Please feel free to contact me with any questions before bidding. This Sprinter has served my family well. Even my wife thinks it’s great for what it is. It is the most useful vehicle I’ve owned in 40 years of driving and I sincerely believed I would never sell it. But business has forced me to invest in the largest Sprinter available so now this one can be yours. Even if you ultimately decide not to buy this Sprinter, I strongly suggest you still consider the Sprinter in general as a superior vehicle for hauling people or cargo around, with safety and durability. If you end up with one you will also not regret making use of the Sprinter internet forum at http://sprinter-source.com/forum/ which is an outstanding place for answers and good advice. It will make you even more confident and comfortable with an already outstanding vehicle.