Apparently, my dealer is willing to install the aftermarket part. They were clear that there would be no warranty on the part (obviously) but they were going to work out an estimate on the labor and call me monday with that info. I am still wondering Tig there is a cheaper solution then them, however.
First real problem @ 79k miles
Van lost power on freeway and threw a turbo underboost P0299 code. I believe it went into limp mode at that time. Anyways i ended up pulling the charge air hoses off the intercooler and throttle body to inspect for cracks. They all look good to me and the rubber o-rings still intact. At that time i noticed MAF sensor was filthy so i cleaned that and cleared the code and went for a 4 mile drive and then another. So far So good. But...............anyways, anybody else have any turbo issues besides me?
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Brief update: the dealer and I talked a few days ago to schedule this coming Tuesday to do it; they are providing me with a loaner. They want to charge me for a diagnostic session, which I agree with because doing this blindly is stupid and I could be wrong about which part failed, but they told me that they can probably change the part without removing the turbo (my SA wasn’t sure and wanted to make sure I was ok with the most expensive he thought the repair could be before he talked to his foreman who ideally was out sick Monday but anyway).
I’ve been driving Rudolf, my 1995 E300D, which is less then ideal (no HVAC whatsoever and I am absolutely sure that at least the front ball joints and suspension mounts, and suspect the rear bushings and all flex discs, are perished). Long discussion with my wife, and then another long session with a salesman at my dealer. Unless this repair ends up being something like a turbo replacement, I’m ordering a 2024 Sprinter 2500 144” high roof as soon as I get the car back.
I have been nauseous thinking about that, I worked out all the numbers and I can afford it with a monthly payment as I had planned to do in 18 months or so… partly because the Metris is worth $7500 which is crazy. But by the time I pay everything (van, personal up fits, tax, tags, loan interest) I am going to be so close to six figured it’s terrifying. Then again I’ll have the perfect mobile office which should my my writing career more productive. Anyway. Rambling.
I’ve been driving Rudolf, my 1995 E300D, which is less then ideal (no HVAC whatsoever and I am absolutely sure that at least the front ball joints and suspension mounts, and suspect the rear bushings and all flex discs, are perished). Long discussion with my wife, and then another long session with a salesman at my dealer. Unless this repair ends up being something like a turbo replacement, I’m ordering a 2024 Sprinter 2500 144” high roof as soon as I get the car back.
I have been nauseous thinking about that, I worked out all the numbers and I can afford it with a monthly payment as I had planned to do in 18 months or so… partly because the Metris is worth $7500 which is crazy. But by the time I pay everything (van, personal up fits, tax, tags, loan interest) I am going to be so close to six figured it’s terrifying. Then again I’ll have the perfect mobile office which should my my writing career more productive. Anyway. Rambling.
Isn't there an independent shop you can go to around where you live. Also. your vans worth more than $7500 unless it's rusted.Brief update: the dealer and I talked a few days ago to schedule this coming Tuesday to do it; they are providing me with a loaner. They want to charge me for a diagnostic session, which I agree with because doing this blindly is stupid and I could be wrong about which part failed, but they told me that they can probably change the part without removing the turbo (my SA wasn’t sure and wanted to make sure I was ok with the most expensive he thought the repair could be before he talked to his foreman who ideally was out sick Monday but anyway).
I’ve been driving Rudolf, my 1995 E300D, which is less then ideal (no HVAC whatsoever and I am absolutely sure that at least the front ball joints and suspension mounts, and suspect the rear bushings and all flex discs, are perished). Long discussion with my wife, and then another long session with a salesman at my dealer. Unless this repair ends up being something like a turbo replacement, I’m ordering a 2024 Sprinter 2500 144” high roof as soon as I get the car back.
I have been nauseous thinking about that, I worked out all the numbers and I can afford it with a monthly payment as I had planned to do in 18 months or so… partly because the Metris is worth $7500 which is crazy. But by the time I pay everything (van, personal up fits, tax, tags, loan interest) I am going to be so close to six figured it’s terrifying. Then again I’ll have the perfect mobile office which should my my writing career more productive. Anyway. Rambling.
I don’t know of it; I trust my dealer to be fair on price. They always have been. I’ve been using them for 22 years now and they haven’t cheated me yet.Isn't there an independent shop you can go to around where you live. Also. your vans worth more than $7500 unless it's rusted.
KBB said $7500 which is based on 190k miles because that’s what I guess it will have in 9 months or so when the van I order arrives. I’d rather assume low and hope to get more.
Ok, i didn't realize it had that many miles. That quite a lot for it's age.I don’t know of it; I trust my dealer to be fair on price. They always have been. I’ve been using them for 22 years now and they haven’t cheated me yet.
KBB said $7500 which is based on 190k miles because that’s what I guess it will have in 9 months or so when the van I order arrives. I’d rather assume low and hope to get more.
I drove a heck of a lot the first few years I had it; my wife wasn’t working much and my game is as a writer so we drove all over the place researching for a book I was writing on mall retail. Past couple of years I’ve been concentrating on fiction (there are better streams to monetize that) and I’ve been averaging 18k a year or so, mostly for my wife’s job (she cleans houses) and I can do my work from the back of the van as easily as anywhere.
Might seem like I don’t like it but I really do. I bought it after my retail business burned to the ground with the thought it would be a flexible platform for whatever we ended up doing (I suspected retail which is why mine doesn’t have the passenger comfort suspension- I thought it might end up being a goods hauler which barring a few trips it hasn’t) while providing the feelings of safety and competence I was used to from Mercedes non-commercial products.
It does that; it excels as a mobile office, while carrying the tools of my wife’s trade, driving like a big Mercedes, getting excellent economy, and being comfortable for the hours we spend in it. It’s not as well built as the 114, 123, and 124s that made me fall in love with Mercedes, but… it’s still everything else I expect of one, and honestly better built than most stuff.
i haven’t really even given the Ford or Ram a full look, which probably says it all. The best or nothing 😂
Might seem like I don’t like it but I really do. I bought it after my retail business burned to the ground with the thought it would be a flexible platform for whatever we ended up doing (I suspected retail which is why mine doesn’t have the passenger comfort suspension- I thought it might end up being a goods hauler which barring a few trips it hasn’t) while providing the feelings of safety and competence I was used to from Mercedes non-commercial products.
It does that; it excels as a mobile office, while carrying the tools of my wife’s trade, driving like a big Mercedes, getting excellent economy, and being comfortable for the hours we spend in it. It’s not as well built as the 114, 123, and 124s that made me fall in love with Mercedes, but… it’s still everything else I expect of one, and honestly better built than most stuff.
i haven’t really even given the Ford or Ram a full look, which probably says it all. The best or nothing 😂
Another update, given that I’m nervous but can afford even replacing the turbo, it is probably the worst news I could have gotten as far as my nerves go. They tested the current actuator using Star Diagnostics and it activated and held pressure on the actuator without problem. This rules out several things: the actuator, and the hose connected to it. However, they do not know what it is and had to hold on to it another day for continued diagnostics. So I still don’t know what it is. If I did know what it is, at least I wouldn’t be left wondering.
I trust that these things are completely true for two reasons: 1) my history with this particular dealer places me in the odd position of trusting them almost implicitly, and 2) The dealer and service advisor were aware that if this could be pulled off for just the labor of replacing the actuator with my provided aftermarket part and associated diagnostics, I was planning on calling their sales rep and putting down a deposit on a $65k Sprinter order immediately, guaranteeing them a sale and my service business for years to come, continuing a 22 year history.
I mean, in truth, even if I do have to replace the whole turbo, that is what’s going to happen; may delay it a few months, but yeah.
If anyone wants to speculate on what it might be given that it isn’t the actuator or a hose, and that my fingers are crossed that I am not shelling out for an entire turbo assembly, I would love some false hope right now. 😂
I trust that these things are completely true for two reasons: 1) my history with this particular dealer places me in the odd position of trusting them almost implicitly, and 2) The dealer and service advisor were aware that if this could be pulled off for just the labor of replacing the actuator with my provided aftermarket part and associated diagnostics, I was planning on calling their sales rep and putting down a deposit on a $65k Sprinter order immediately, guaranteeing them a sale and my service business for years to come, continuing a 22 year history.
I mean, in truth, even if I do have to replace the whole turbo, that is what’s going to happen; may delay it a few months, but yeah.
If anyone wants to speculate on what it might be given that it isn’t the actuator or a hose, and that my fingers are crossed that I am not shelling out for an entire turbo assembly, I would love some false hope right now. 😂
Well that’s over. It’s the turbo. It is some kind of internal fault preventing it from making boost, so I guess they aren’t so sturdy after all. They got me what seems a reasonable price to do it: $3875+tax.Another update, given that I’m nervous but can afford even replacing the turbo, it is probably the worst news I could have gotten as far as my nerves go. They tested the current actuator using Star Diagnostics and it activated and held pressure on the actuator without problem. This rules out several things: the actuator, and the hose connected to it. However, they do not know what it is and had to hold on to it another day for continued diagnostics. So I still don’t know what it is. If I did know what it is, at least I wouldn’t be left wondering.
I trust that these things are completely true for two reasons: 1) my history with this particular dealer places me in the odd position of trusting them almost implicitly, and 2) The dealer and service advisor were aware that if this could be pulled off for just the labor of replacing the actuator with my provided aftermarket part and associated diagnostics, I was planning on calling their sales rep and putting down a deposit on a $65k Sprinter order immediately, guaranteeing them a sale and my service business for years to come, continuing a 22 year history.
I mean, in truth, even if I do have to replace the whole turbo, that is what’s going to happen; may delay it a few months, but yeah.
If anyone wants to speculate on what it might be given that it isn’t the actuator or a hose, and that my fingers are crossed that I am not shelling out for an entire turbo assembly, I would love some false hope right now. 😂
Long discussion with wife. She wants to get out before more goes wrong- given we are planning to replace the van in short order anyway, so I also emailed the sales department with a go-ahead. I think I feel better now that I’ve made all my decisions.
Well that’s over. It’s the turbo. It is some kind of internal fault preventing it from making boost, so I guess they aren’t so sturdy after all. They got me what seems a reasonable price to do it: $3875+tax.
Long discussion with wife. She wants to get out before more goes wrong- given we are planning to replace the van in short order anyway, so I also emailed the sales department with a go-ahead. I think I feel better now that I’ve made all my decisions.
Almost 200k miles on a turbocharger seems like it had a good run. Would others agree? Since this is my first turbo vehicle and i don't have much experience as far as lifespan goes......
I had three other turbo Mercedes (300D, 300TD both with over 500k miles, 300SD with 280k) which were all on their original turbos, and an Isuzu/GMC with a CAT 3126 that had an indeterminate mileage but at least 250k also on it’s original turbo. It is entirely possible that among modern cars it’s a good run. I’m not outraged obviously- I have another Mercedes on order- but I was expecting better. But I’m talking about a commercial truck and cars from a time Mercedes wasn’t so much well regarded as they were peerless, so maybe my expectations are unrealistic.Almost 200k miles on a turbocharger seems like it had a good run. Would others agree? Since this is my first turbo vehicle and i don't have much experience as far as lifespan goes......
Dealer delivered the car back Friday. It works fine; they also found and delivered the Craftsman ratchet and 10mm socket I lost in the engine bay. They got me a few hundred in discounts and coupons, so that even though they broke five exhaust manifold studs it ended up coming in at $4084 with tax, with loaner for close to two weeks. They also took this opportunity to replace the camera under recall.
i don’t particularly like the more rear, less downward facing camera angle, and it has the odd behavior of also activating when I shift into drive for a brief period. Anyway I feel my trust in my dealers interest in maintaining a long term profitable relationship over a short term large bill is still justified.
i don’t particularly like the more rear, less downward facing camera angle, and it has the odd behavior of also activating when I shift into drive for a brief period. Anyway I feel my trust in my dealers interest in maintaining a long term profitable relationship over a short term large bill is still justified.
I love hearing your stories again, BB...
I find the short delay on the camera is one of the best 'detail' features of the van. I'm surprised how often I flip the shift to reverse before pulling away just to see what's happening back there. I notice it most when I drive my wife's Highlander and don't have the ability to see if I've left something sitting on the ground that I should have loaded.
I find the short delay on the camera is one of the best 'detail' features of the van. I'm surprised how often I flip the shift to reverse before pulling away just to see what's happening back there. I notice it most when I drive my wife's Highlander and don't have the ability to see if I've left something sitting on the ground that I should have loaded.
That’s not what I mean; that is a useful feature. Actually i‘m not complaining about it; i miss having the feature on my friends ‘14 Sprinter where you could press one of the buttons and activate the camera at will. It’s just odd that the camera turns on (and on a tailgate van this means the servo opens and closes the camera flap) and then off again after a few seconds.I love hearing your stories again, BB...
I find the short delay on the camera is one of the best 'detail' features of the van. I'm surprised how often I flip the shift to reverse before pulling away just to see what's happening back there. I notice it most when I drive my wife's Highlander and don't have the ability to see if I've left something sitting on the ground that I should have loaded.
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