Sportsmobile Sprinter 4x4

[mhiscox]

Given the topic, I want to remind everyone of the post last February that showed pictures of and a link to detailed information on the use of a Sprinter for extensive expedition use in Turkey, Iran and other destinations:



Link here:

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=39308

[AdamK]

Hi,
I been looking at the Sprinter for a while.
Interesting vehicle, so ideal for camping, etc,
Did you say the clutch was smooth. Is this not only a 4x4 but also a 4x4 with a standard transmission in NA? WOW, Can you clarify the transmission?
When is MB going to smarten up and bring these over, or let us import these on special order?
Or even better, when will the bureaucrats drop the US 25 year and Canada 15 year import rules, and let this continent join the rest of the world?
Help????????????????, It’s so frustrating????????

[Scott Brady]

Adam,

Very drivable vehicle, especially given the size. Call up Sportsmobile and buy it. I am so surprised someone hasn't grabbed this one of a kind rig.

[cwsqbm]

Adam,

Very drivable vehicle, especially given the size. Call up Sportsmobile and buy it. I am so surprised someone hasn't grabbed this one of a kind rig.

I'm not surprised: (1) The fixed rear bed means there's limited interior seating - just the front seats. If it had a more conventional rear folding seat it be much more useful (although giving up a lot of storage space for long trips). (2) Its expensive. A full-customized diesel Ford 4x4 Sportsmobile could easy cost as much, but it'd have the color and interior the owner wants. (3) Its RED. It is was a more neutral, less SEMA-like color (say EXPO white), it'd probably be sold. Some people like red trucks, but they're a small minority.

[AdamK]

Scott,
I may have to buy it, because there is nothing else available this side of the Atlantic that suits our camping style and purposes.
I inquired with Lynn at SM and she was kind enough to send me some additional pics and as-build sketch of the vehicle. She tells me it’s an automatic transmission, …… not good. From your write up, I was left with the impression; the Sprinter had a standard transmission… “Shifting is easy with a light clutch feel”. It got me so excited.
I guess everybody has their own preferences for camp mobiles, but here is my take ;
1. color suits me fine, no issues there
2. Layout is not my first choice; I like the fixed bed at rear but would turn it sideways, and not install the wall of storage all along the full side of the vehicle, I believe this would also make room for a table and additional seat (seen it on some German van layouts)
3. Take out tv’s and microwave, no need for them when off the grid, install good quality diesel furnace and stove, ie keep things simple, and practical
4. Low roof with pop up roof would be more desirable for loading and unloading kayaks, and/or canoes, not sure how this high roof would work for us,
5. The price of 100k for 2006 model year is definitely a premium price, due to the rarity of the vehicle, I figure 30 to 35k over market value if vehicle was available in NA
For the above reasons I am doing a lot of hummmmmmming about this Sprinter.
My preference would be for SM to figure out a way to get me a clean Sprinter van, low roof, 4x4 with standard transmission, and will build it from there. I figure for 100k, SM can build it nicely, just the way we would like it. Let me know if its doable and I can wire you a healthy deposit for starters.
Adam

[skysix]

I'm not surprised: (1) The fixed rear bed means there's limited interior seating - just the front seats. If it had a more conventional rear folding seat it be much more useful (although giving up a lot of storage space for long trips). (2) Its expensive. A full-customized diesel Ford 4x4 Sportsmobile could easy cost as much, but it'd have the color and interior the owner wants.

I'd agree with that - especially after seeing some of the interior available for sprinters in the EU complete with toilets and showers...

4x4 Sprinter





360 interior view

Perhaps locate a 13-14 year old diesel 4x4 sprinter with a manual transmission (best fuel mileage) on www.mobile.de then drop it at the above factory for conversion. By the time that is done and you finish your European/African acceptance tour and ship it to Halifax/Montreal/Vancouver (or wherever) it will be legal to import into Canada (15 years). Then rent a garage with a phone (so you have a utility bill for proof of 'residence') near the US border in Canada and get it licensed/insured in Canada. You can then drive it in the US for up to 364 days at a time - just has to be exported to it's home country within a year.

[AdamK]

Looks like you are of same mind on this, same web pages too.
That is the layout I am thinking of, but with some modifications; take out toilet and shower (like to peeee behind a tree at 3 in the morning) move the fridge onto the side with cupboards above.
Your described plan was already thought of, and this whole thing just upsets me, because of the protectionist rules set in place to benefit NA auto industry and/or dealer network. Spending 20 to 30K to outfit 13-14 year old Sprinter (even with low mileage) is not exactly the smartest of moves either.
If anyone is considering this importation plan, may I suggest to do it soon. There are these rumors floating around, Canada maybe following US example of protectionism and modify the import rules of vehicles to be in sync at 25 years. Go figure. But, all is well in the land of the free.

I am surprised that operations such as SM, do not have more flexibility to import vehicles to satisfy a market niche. There is a large group out here in NA, that would appreciate something different and practical. Not everybody with money in the bank wants to drive a 45’ Provost.
Adam

[haven]

You'll have to go to Europe to find a 14 year old Sprinter. They were introduced in North America in 2001, and delivery didn't really take off until the 2002 model year.

Think carefully about a layout where the bed sits across the back of the vehicle. A Sprinter is about 79 inches wide on the outside, so inside it's maybe 73 inches wide. Most mattresses in North America are 75 inches long, and people often hang feet over the foot of the bed. There's nothing quite so uncomfortable as sleeping in a bed that's too short!

I remember seeing one European design that added a box to the side of the Sprinter that added about a foot of stretch-out room for the sleeping quarters. I'll try to find it.

Edit: Actually, looking at the floorplan provided by Skysix, the sides of this van seem to extend outwards somehow.

[18seeds]

Scott,
I may have to buy it, because there is nothing else available this side of the Atlantic that suits our camping style and purposes.

I thought Salem Kroger was doing 4x4 conversions for sprinters. If you got 100k to spend i'm sure you can make it all work within your budget. Maybe you buy the sprinter used

[AdamK]

I am not 100% on this, but from various leads on the net, my knowledge is that SM and Salem were to do 4x4 conversions with parts from Germany (Oberaigner, the firm that supplies MB with 4x4 systems). From what I gathered SM and Salem did one conversion each in North A and MB cut off the supply chain. Politics of course, just not sure where. I believe Salem is trying on his own to develop and build a 4x4 system, but not ready yet and SM has given up not having the available parts from Germany. I stand to be corrected on this.

A 4x4 option on a Sprinter in Germany costs under 12.5k Euro (under 15k US). Salem advertises 27k US for a conversion which at this point in time is not available. PS. Having money, does not mean to squander it.
Adam