Sprinter puzzle - full auto or semi-auto

[Campervan chap]

Greetings all, I have been a quiet reader of the excellent news and info here for a while, but this is my first post, hoping some skilled people can help. I am considering a new motorhome, an Autotrail on a Mercedes chassis. Everything about it looks great but it is an automatic and despite copious research I just can't work out if it is a good or bad thing to go for. The vehicle is a 2005 Mercedes 316cdi, 2.7 litre 5 cylinder automatic. I hd assumed this was a Mercedes Sprinter, but looking at all the info I have - including the V5 - the word Sprinter is not actually mentioned a anywhere. I have read that at this time Mercedes fitted both a semi auto Sprintshift gearbox (not so good) and a full auto gearbox (good), so my questions: should I assume this is a Sprinter and is there an easy way to tell which type of gearbox is fitted to this vehicle? I have a lot of pictures inside and out, plus the VIN number etc. Can anyone suggest an easy way to work out which what it might be? Thanks

 

[Bobby dazzler]

Mine does not say sprinter on log book just Daimler I believe you are correct in that full auto is fine but sprint shift had a few issues but some of the other members will be along shortly to advise

 

[CazPaul]

Full torque auto is much better

It's easy to tell, the Sprintshift is a dash mounted handle similar to a normal manual but with different markings on

The full torque converter auto is a lever which moves up and down the notches

 

[Campervan chap]

Thanks for quick responses. Here is a picture of the gear stick...from ehat you say Paul I would guess therefore it is a Sprintshirt....darn!

 

[CazPaul]

Sprintshift it is yes

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[DBK]

And welcome! ?

 

[John Barrett]

I drove my 2005 MB Sprintshift all over Europe: Croatia via Portugal one year, and it was perfect for the job. The ease of an auto with the economy of a manual. Recommended in spite of the siren voices...

 

[Campervan chap]

Thanks, not the answer I hoped for but it is a clear answer! My problem is that absolutely everything about this otorhome looks great: full history, serviced every year, lots of bills, immaculate condition, new MOT and never failed and MOT, only about 30k from new, current owner has had it for 12 years and has genuine reason for the sale and has been very helpful with info, Alko chassis, left hand drive (which I would prefer)....just that niggling worry about the Sprintshift gearbox!

 

[John Barrett]

Thanks, not the answer I hoped for but it is a clear answer! My problem is that absolutely everything about this otorhome looks great: full history, serviced every year, lots of bills, immaculate condition, new MOT and never failed and MOT, only about 30k from new, current owner has had it for 12 years and has genuine reason for the sale and has been very helpful with info, Alko chassis, left hand drive (which I would prefer)....just that niggling worry about the Sprintshift gearbox!

Do not worry, it's a Mercedes...
John
PS. I sold it after four seasons and depreciation was just £1500 on £30,000!

 

[Campervan chap]

Thanks John, that does give me hope. If I could find a good Surrey-based mobile MB/Sprinter mechanic to come and check it for fault codes and give it a visual inspection I would go for it!

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[Campervan chap]

And thanks for the welcome DBK

 

[Lenny HB]

Just make sure everything mechanical works properly with that lower mileage it's probably been standing around a lot which is far worse for a vehicle than being used regularly.
Personally I would rather buy one that's done 8,000-10,000 miles a year than one that's spent most of its life sitting around.

 

[John Barrett]

Thanks John, that does give me hope. If I could find a good Surrey-based mobile MB/Sprinter mechanic to come and check it for fault codes and give it a visual inspection I would go for it!

Buy a fault code reader on Amazon for 15 quid. Just drive it: you will go for it!

 

[Dave and Ginny]

If all else is as good as you say I wouldn't let the sprintshift put you off. We've had our 2004 680 416cdi for coming up to three years now and haven't had as much as a hiccup from it, including the gearbox.

 

[CazPaul]

Also have you been all over it with a damp meter?

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[John Barrett]

And, if you buy it you can do this with it...

 

[Silver-Fox]

Nothing wrong with Sprintshift.
Just take it out of gear at traffic lights and don’t crawl along in heavy traffic.

Id go for it if it was me ?

 

[Campervan chap]

Thanks all for replies, very encouraging. Paul: not used a damp meter yet but I have spent about 4 hours looking all around on two occasions and not a sniff of damp anywhere. @ John, good idea to get the code reader, I will do that yes - and the picture looks great! Is that the local version of electric hook up above the camper, waiting to drop down? Highly tempted by the Mercedes, must admit: Autotrail Cheyanne, seems very well put together.

 

[CazPaul]

Thanks all for replies, very encouraging. Paul: not used a damp meter yet but I have spent about 4 hours looking all around on two occasions and not a sniff of damp anywhere. @ John, good idea to get the code reader, I will do that yes - and the picture looks great! Is that the local version of electric hook up above the camper, waiting to drop down? Highly tempted by the Mercedes, must admit: Autotrail Cheyanne, seems very well put together.

Get a damp meter you can't always tell with looking or smell etc
50 quid ish is money well spent

 

[Gaston aires]

Had a starline 630. 160 hp with sprint shift. Great combination, loved it, never had trouble with it, used mainly in semi automatic.
Phil

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[davejen]

I am surprised you say it has an alko chassis- they are on fiat cabs, Mercedes will have a Mercedes chassis. I have had several a/trails with sprint shift, only had trouble with one- relay under seat went, replaced it and everything was fine again.
cheers, Dave

 

[Lenny HB]

I am surprised you say it has an alko chassis- they are on fiat cabs, Mercedes will have a Mercedes chassis. I have had several a/trails with sprint shift, only had trouble with one- relay under seat went, replaced it and everything was fine again.
cheers, Dave

Loads of Merc cabs with Al-Ko chassis.

 

[davejen]

Loads of Merc cabs with Al-Ko chassis.

You learn something everyday!
Cheers, Dave

 

[Destination Unknown]

Our Rv in Oz is on a Mercedes 6 speed Sprintshift. I really like it and would like on our Rv in UK.

Was told the later 5 speed were not as good, But just what we were told.

 

[Campervan chap]

Really appreciate responses from everyone, many thanks. The Alko chassis has got me wondering if indeed I have got it right. Here are some pictures I took of the underside, hoping they might shed some light...

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[Lenny HB]

That's a Merc chassis.
As far as I know it is only the German manufacturers like Hymer & Frankie that use an Al-Ko with a Merc cab.

This is what an Al-Ko looks like.

 

[peterc10]

That's a Merc chassis.
As far as I know it is only the German manufacturers like Hymer & Frankie that use an Al-Ko with a Merc cab.

This is what an Al-Ko looks like.
View attachment 378720

Lenny, I am struggling with this. AFAIK all Merc Sprinters were rear wheel drive until very recently. The chassis you show is one for a front wheel drive vehicle. The OP's van is a 2005 one. Did Alko make a chassis for rear wheel drive vehicles then or later?

 

[CazPaul]

Lenny, I am struggling with this. AFAIK all Merc Sprinters were rear wheel drive until very recently. The chassis you show is one for a front wheel drive vehicle. The OP's van is a 2005 one. Did Alko make a chassis for rear wheel drive vehicles then or later?

I also never knew Merc alko were around in 2005, never seen one.

 

[Lenny HB]

Lenny, I am struggling with this. AFAIK all Merc Sprinters were rear wheel drive until very recently. The chassis you show is one for a front wheel drive vehicle. The OP's van is a 2005 one. Did Alko make a chassis for rear wheel drive vehicles then or later?

Yep, there is an Al-Ko chassis for RWD.

 

[ctc]

Thanks, not the answer I hoped for but it is a clear answer! My problem is that absolutely everything about this otorhome looks great: full history, serviced every year, lots of bills, immaculate condition, new MOT and never failed and MOT, only about 30k from new, current owner has had it for 12 years and has genuine reason for the sale and has been very helpful with info, Alko chassis, left hand drive (which I would prefer)....just that niggling worry about the Sprintshift gearbox!

30k hardly run in yet.

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