sprinter engines

[luders79]

Hello all,
I need to get a new van to tow my car trailer around which weights about 2 tonne I also want to put a few extra seats in the back then a partiton off for a small area at the back for a work bench and some tools. It needs to be a 3.5 tonne GVW van due to my age! What I would like to know is what would be the engine to go for? Or what model of spriter if thats how you tell the engine? Sorry if its a stupid question but dont work of sprinters at all so don't know how the model range works. I want to make sure that the engine has enough grunt to get up steep hills with trailer on back!! Forgot to say been looking at van from 52 reg to about 54 reg!

Thanks for any info

Lee

 

[mister_cee333]

Sprinters at that age are all cdi's (common rail direct injection). There's a 2 or a 3 series.

The 2 series (208, 211, 213 [and maybe a 216?]) have a gross weight of 2.6 or 2.8 tons or so, so they can carry a bit under a ton.

The 3 series (308, 311, 313, 316) have a gross weight of 3500 kgs, so they can carry about a ton and a half.

Most are available in short (8 feet inside), medium (nearly 11 feet inside) or long (4 metres inside) wheelbases, and with standard or high roofs. You can stand up straight inside the high roof ones.

The badge explains the engine output. ie the 08 is 80 bhp, the 11 is 110bhp, the 13 is 130bhp, and the 16 is 160bhp. So a 311 van is a three and a half tonner with the 110bhp output engine etc.

The 08, 11, and 13 are all the same 2150cc engine with different tweaks. The 16 is the 2700cc engine also fitted to the ML class 4x4.

The 08 has lower geared differential/final drive ratio so it's loud and intrusive at 3250 revs at 70 mph, whereas the 11 or 13 is cruising more gently at 2750 revs at the same speed.

They'll all tow 2 tons but I'd avoid the 08 as it'll struggle. The 11 will be ok, the 13 will be pretty good and the 16 will be a rocket. The 16 will go through more fuel.

I note that you need a 3500kg gvw van due to your age. You can drive up to a 7500kg gvw vehicle at 18 but you need to sit a test for it (category C1). Remember you also need to sit a test (category B+E) to tow anything more than 750kg, or if your gross train weight is more than 3500kgs. If you sat your car test before 1997 you may have grandfather rights. What age are you and what categories do you currently have?

 

[luders79]

Thank you very much for all that info that was just what i was looking for! I'm 24 and i only have the normal category B licence so i can only drive up to 3.5 tonne and have got to do my b+e test as you stated!

Thank you vey much for the info

Lee

 

[mister_cee333]

You're most welcome.

Regarding the B+E test there's no requirement for formal training - you can simply book it and turn up in the appropriate category vehicle and trailer and sit the test. Beware though that they've got requirements for additional mirrors etc for the examiner (and obviously L plates and someone sitting beside you when you turn up etc). There's plenty info on the net...I think it was direct.gov that had the exact requirements in pdf format.

Good luck and happy van hunting. As a pointer the injectors on the Sprinters can break down (worst is 02-03 reg) so if there's any strange starting habits on one then walk away from it. Injector repairs will cost about £200 each.

 

[luders79]

Thanks again, is there much else that goes wrong with them? Or anything to check? I work on mercedes cars by day are the systems basically the same? I would be aim for a 313 or a 316 if i can find one a reasonable money! I would really like a sprinter as other options are the transit and volkwagen lt. I've been told to stay away from the transits and don't know much about the volkswagens.

Lee

 

[mister_cee333]

Remember it would be possible to re-map a 311 to 130 bhp. You'll find lots more 311's than 313's around. It's the same 2150cc engine as fitted to lots of merc cars, so I'd guess they will share similar systems.

You can either be lucky or unlucky with transits - it will either be a money pit, or it will be very reliable. For towing make sure you get the 125 or 135psi engine.

VW's are pretty good. They're the same shell as Sprinters and come with different engines. You get a 88bhp, (98bhp?), 109bhp and 160bhp (and perhaps a 130bhp?). Usually it tells you on the front wing. Also if the "i" of the "TDi" badge is red then its the 109bhp. The 88, (98?), & 109 bhp ones are a straight 5 cyl 2.5, the higher outputs are turbo'd. I think the 160bhp one has a different engine. They're not common rail. I had one before my Sprinter and it was very very reliable. It was a bit noisier than the Sprinter and a bit lower geared. To be honest the Sprinter was a bit better but was reflected in it's price.

 

[chris heap]

what to buy ?

hi there, have worked on sprinters for the last 8 years, if it was me i wouldnt even look at anything else.easy to service,lots of cheapish parts,etc overall a good van. chris: