Sprinter 4x4 buying advice

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bytor

New Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2020
Messages
6
Location
London
Car
M3
Hi there,
Brand new to this site - normally I'm on BMW sites (boo, boo!!).
I'm looking to buy a Sprinter van to convert into camper to ship overseas and so some travelling: US/Canada/Mexico/Central America....

Anyway I've done a LOT of research and this is list of what I am looking for:
1. LWB sprinter - gives more room.
2. 4x4 with locking diff at rear option if possible. We will be going a fair bit of "off road". I may regre the expense of 4x4, but would rather have the option.
3. High roof.
4. Preferably manual.
5. Left hand drive - vast majority of counties are LHD.
6. 516 model - though 316/319 would be an option.

With that list - the number of vehicles available is very, very, very low - across Europe.

Have found couple of vehicles in Europe that tick the box:

Option 1: As above with 75k, 2011 for about 31,000 euros
Option 2: As above with 150k 2014 for about 31,000 euros as well

Questions:
1. Mileage on these - is 150k high? Looking at some of the ads I would say no!
2. Price - they seem expensive - given that there is a 316 LWB new for sale in UK for 35k GBP + Tax - but from my research Europe (Germany, Holland etc) seems more expensive than UK for same vehicle.
3. Is there a good source of inf (forum) in the UK purely on Sprinter's
4 Buying a car from Europe - my understanding (even after Brexit) is that I DONT pay tax in Europe and pay tax in UK - anyone know different.

Hope someone can help.

Cheers
Dave
 
Wouldn't it be simpler and cheaper to buy an RV on arrival in the USA? I believe some companies even offer a sale and buyback scheme for overseas visitors. You probably wouldn't get a manual, but you'd get a lot more metal for your money, and save conversion and shipping costs.
 
Wouldn't it be simpler and cheaper to buy an RV on arrival in the USA? I believe some companies even offer a sale and buyback scheme for overseas visitors. You probably wouldn't get a manual, but you'd get a lot more metal for your money, and save conversion and shipping costs.

Hi Dippo,
Good call - and yes have looked in to this option - this sire in particular has some good options:

One of Sportsmobile's Most Popular Product Lines - Mercedes Sprinter 4x4

Reason we dont want to go down that option is:
1. Buying a van in USA is tricky without an address in USA - or should I say things like insurance - can be done - but tough. Bought a van there before - was such a PITA that we nearly gave up - that was a while ago though :)
2. Taking it out of the country - and van will end up in UK eventually - tricky again.
3. Biggest issue with a 2nd hand van is we want the inside (a) new (b) built to our spec. Exterior of van - not that important - if its got couple of scratches etc... all the better.
4. Buying new and then doing up - not an option due to lead times.

So that brings us back to car purchased in EU, customised in the UK (possibly EU). We may just have to take a hit in the purchase price.

Cheers,
Dave
 
Why LHD?
RHD would open up a lot more options
 
Why LHD?
RHD would open up a lot more options

Van is going to US/Canada/South America - possibly S.E Asia.

1. Would mean driving on wrong side - not an issue with a sports car - more an issue with a big van.
2. Quite a few countries in Central America simply wont let you cross their border with RHD.
3. Lots and lots of LHD sprinters in EU- tricky part is very few 4x4.

I have looked into companies who will convert 2WD:

1. Oberaigner - they no longer do 906 Sprinters and 907 is still in development.
2. Iglhaut - very expensive - more than cost of the van!

So at this stage all roads lead to EU based 4x4 :)
 
1. Would mean driving on wrong side - not an issue with a sports car - more an issue with a big van.

Just as an observation from a purely practical POV ... plenty of people own large LHD motorhomes (Winnebagos etc.) in the UK, not to mention all the huge LHD HGVs from the continent that are on our roads every day! But of course it's academic if you need LHD to get into some countries (I had no idea that type of restriction existed).

You mentioned converting 2WD to 4WD ... did you also look at converting RHD to LHD? IIRC 4WD Sprinters are used in the UK by some of the utility companies ... I've also seen the odd one for sale in the MB used network (my local commercial dealership had one on their forecourt not long ago).

Good luck with the project!
 
You are right to say that LHD is generally more expensive than RHD. It used to be that LHD in the UK was considerably less expensive than in mainland Europe but in recent years a number of "specialist LHD dealers" have set up in UK and are trying to match European prices.

It's obvious you've already done a lot of reseach but a quick search on ebay shows there are 181 LHD motorhomes for sale on there alone. Is there nothing amongst that lot that would suit? I would have thought that buying a custom built vehicle will save you time and a furtune on conversion costs.

Just as an example, a LHD MB based motorhome with 41K miles (OK you'll need to compromise on the 4x4 and maybe building your own is part of the sdventure).

AUTOTRAIL GRANDE FRONTIER / A CLASS / GARAGE / 2 SINGLE BEDS / MERCEDES / LHD | eBay

Sounds like an epic journey so good luck with whatever you decide.
 
Can you consider dropping the 4WD requirement and contemplate using chains on the rear (I assume a 2WD Sprinter is RWD) when needed and if a LSD or locking rear diff were available - all the better?
 
When I had my commercial vehicles business we had a Latvian lad who took all of our 2008-2012 Sprinters back east and converted them to LHD, he said they were a piece of piss to do - I never tested the theory but he had over 50 vans over the space of 9 months from us then vanished!
 
Have you looked a mobile.de, you can narrow the search down to Sprinter 4x4 and they are plentiful.

In my opinion there is no point in converting when you can buy easily.

I have looked into Sprinter 4x4 for my business and found plenty from ex german utility, municipalities, and fire service available; the latter being in superb order.

good luck, what a project and trip!
 
Hi guys,
Thanks for all the tips and comments.

We definitely don't want a Winnebago like this:
AUTOTRAIL GRANDE FRONTIER / A CLASS / GARAGE / 2 SINGLE BEDS / MERCEDES / LHD | eBay

We intend camping "off grid" - so needs to be fairly robust - not Land Cruiser robust - but a Winnebago is going to creak and moan like an old sofa :). We are after a blank canvas - then fit out to our spec: toilet, shower, cooker, solar, fridge etc.

Converting from RHD to LHD - hmm, not simple - but doable. Thing is LWB/4x4 Sprinters are like hens teeth in the UK as well. Doing a quick search on ebay for 4x4 Sprinters - ALL are MWB - check this one out - looks like someone died in it :)

2012 Mercedes 4x4 Sprinter van camper REDUCED! | eBay

12.5k for that :)

Yes - there are cheaper vans and some are LWB (no 4x4) - but they have been to the moon and back:

2016 66 Plate Mercedes Sprinter 314CDi LWB 6 Speed Manual Euro 6 FSH | eBay

CCAALLVVIINN

Yep, been looking and looking on mobile.de:: <150k km. 4x4, Sprinter, > 130HP (needs to be otherwise not enough grunt to pull 4T) gives 140 results - zero LWB/High Top vans - they are really rare. We have our heart set on a LWB - purely from a living perspective - you just have that much more room for: shower/toilet/bed etc. Spoke to MB dealer in Scotland who has a new LWB/RHD Sprinter for sale - about 46k - he commented that he sells quite a few - bet never sees them on 2nd hand market - people obviously like them :)

As you can see - tricky!

However - CCAALLVVIINN - I am really interested in your comment about "ex german utility, municipalities, and fire service available" - are you looking on mobile.de? I have tried websites in the UK that sell ex Police vehicles - but could not find a site in Germany. Are you looking somewhere in particular? I've used mobile.de (which is excellentand has a fantastic search engine) and Auto Scout 24 - which is excellent as well.

This is the sort of camper we would like to end up with - :

https://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/...searchId=a951c58d-75ac-2ac1-d8ac-e6d700b8accd

Will keep looking and will post up a message once we have found the elusive beast - in the meantime if anyone spies a: LHD/L3H2/Sprinter/4x4/> 130hp/<150k kms please drop me a link:)

Cheers
Dave
 
Hi Dave

There seems to be currently 2 or 3 on eBay Kleinanzeigen.

One is a minibus currently, one a panel van and one a semi converted camper.

Although the panel van says it’s 4x4 in the title this would need to be verified as it looks standard.

There is also an older fire brigade flat bed for 20k euro that would make a super basis for a scratch build.
 
Would diesel quality in South America be good enough for a modern diesel?

There's the VW Crafter too.
 
Poland, Latvia, Romania...Might be worth an Easy Jet flight if you can find one out there. More and more people are taking older MB to Poland for skilled restoration theses days.
 
Hi guys,
Thanks again to all for the updates and advice:

1. VW Crafter is a good call. If we were going 2WD, would plump for it. Issue is with 4WD version - the way VW designed it - if you buy 4WD version - it loses internal height - and me being 6ft+ I cant stand in there. Have had this confirmed by two van conversion companies. MAN van is the same.
2. Great call on eBay Kleinanzeigen - some options there as mobile.de was proving bit barren.
3. Yep - Eastern Block is an option as well.

Will keep searching - and will post once we get van and once we complete the conversion :)

Cheers
Dave
 
Hi there,
Brand new to this site - normally I'm on BMW sites (boo, boo!!).
I'm looking to buy a Sprinter van to convert into camper to ship overseas and so some travelling: US/Canada/Mexico/Central America....

Anyway I've done a LOT of research and this is list of what I am looking for:
1. LWB sprinter - gives more room.
2. 4x4 with locking diff at rear option if possible. We will be going a fair bit of "off road". I may regre the expense of 4x4, but would rather have the option.
3. High roof.
4. Preferably manual.
5. Left hand drive - vast majority of counties are LHD.
6. 516 model - though 316/319 would be an option.

With that list - the number of vehicles available is very, very, very low - across Europe.

Have found couple of vehicles in Europe that tick the box:

Option 1: As above with 75k, 2011 for about 31,000 euros
Option 2: As above with 150k 2014 for about 31,000 euros as well

Questions:
1. Mileage on these - is 150k high? Looking at some of the ads I would say no!
2. Price - they seem expensive - given that there is a 316 LWB new for sale in UK for 35k GBP + Tax - but from my research Europe (Germany, Holland etc) seems more expensive than UK for same vehicle.
3. Is there a good source of inf (forum) in the UK purely on Sprinter's
4 Buying a car from Europe - my understanding (even after Brexit) is that I DONT pay tax in Europe and pay tax in UK - anyone know different.

Hope someone can help.

Cheers
Dave
Hi Dave,
Have you managed to find your ideal van? The figures you stated are a tad lower compares to reality but if you’re still aftet such a rare van as the Sprinter LWB 4x4 with have a full spec 2013 Auto sand live in Croydon. LWB’s are not cheap as everyone is looking for them to convert in campers so rest assured ours is not cheap either :)
 
Hi there,
Brand new to this site - normally I'm on BMW sites (boo, boo!!).
I'm looking to buy a Sprinter van to convert into camper to ship overseas and so some travelling: US/Canada/Mexico/Central America....

Anyway I've done a LOT of research and this is list of what I am looking for:
1. LWB sprinter - gives more room.
2. 4x4 with locking diff at rear option if possible. We will be going a fair bit of "off road". I may regre the expense of 4x4, but would rather have the option.
3. High roof.
4. Preferably manual.
5. Left hand drive - vast majority of counties are LHD.
6. 516 model - though 316/319 would be an option.

With that list - the number of vehicles available is very, very, very low - across Europe.

Have found couple of vehicles in Europe that tick the box:

Option 1: As above with 75k, 2011 for about 31,000 euros
Option 2: As above with 150k 2014 for about 31,000 euros as well

Questions:
1. Mileage on these - is 150k high? Looking at some of the ads I would say no!
2. Price - they seem expensive - given that there is a 316 LWB new for sale in UK for 35k GBP + Tax - but from my research Europe (Germany, Holland etc) seems more expensive than UK for same vehicle.
3. Is there a good source of inf (forum) in the UK purely on Sprinter's
4 Buying a car from Europe - my understanding (even after Brexit) is that I DONT pay tax in Europe and pay tax in UK - anyone know different.

Hope someone can help.

Cheers
Dave
150k is not a lot for a sprinter and you are correct about the tax did you find a van eventually ?
 
Would diesel quality in South America be good enough for a modern diesel?

There's the VW Crafter too.
yes
 

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