Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire 2014 Mercedes 6 cyl diesel Class C Motorhome

Immaculate shape, two slide-outs, 24 foot, decent bathroom and small shower, 33k miles.

He wants 75 grand. What do you think?

Seems high, but anything goes these days.

Too high, IMO.

I only paid 25k more than that for a brand new 2019, 26' version (Winnebago) in 2020.

3.0 L diesel, Sprinter chassis.

MM

High maintenance costs, really high.

Have you owned a motorhome before?

What are Comps for comparable Mercedes

What is their reputation among owners,
What are repair costs compared to others RV's in the class
Is the rubber as old as the RV
How has it been stored
In what state

IMHO he's fishing for a big one.........

That seems a bit high! One thing to consider is the brand/quality of the motorhome.....not the chassis! All motorhomes/rv’s are “NOT” created equal! And yes.....we have a Class C! memtb

Read up on the DEF system problems with the Sprinters.

I would not own one made after 2008. Based on personal experience helping a buddy with his and hearing his horror stories of being stranded at dealerships across the country.

Wheel sensor problems too, but MB seems to be correcting those.

And it's possible Morewood could be referring to a Class B RV instead of a Class C, being the Mercedes Sprinter van is available in a 24ft, diesel powered Class B model.

The numbers he's quoted, 75K are average resell market for those.
New they run from 130K to 200K+ depending on options and how gullible a buyer may be.

Properly shopped, a comparable Class C, gasoline powered can come for half that price.

Lots easier to find parts and repair shops willing to deal with them when you're on the road too.

Yep, you’re probably correct.....it’s probably a B+! memtb

No, Jeff. Never owned a motorhome but I've rented a few. I have owned a couple travel trailers with mixed results.
Dealing with the original owner. A respectable retired high school principal that really took care of it.

The one I'm looking at looks something like this

You thinking of driving it to Alaska this coming summer for that fishing trip with your son's you been trying to put together?

That's a dupe of my 2019 version; only about 10K miles on it but so far, no DEF or electrical issue, but yes, there is a recall on rear wheel speed sensors that they just now have parts for. Gets 17-18 MPG at 65 MPH.

One of the keys with DEF is recognizing that is has a shelf life & act accordingly.

You should also understand that that unit is really a 2 person deal..............3 or 4 would be very uncomfortable.

If I were buying again, I'd get the Tiffin version as they have a better layout if you can live with white upholstery & it's quieter.

MM

Something you need to be aware of (just thought of it last night) - many campgrounds (not all by any means, but more and more) have the "ten-year" rule... Any camper or RV older than ten years won't be welcome... Some will, IF the owner sends 'em a very recent pic of the camper for 'consideration' of entry..

I.e., that 2014 rig might be OK in campgrounds for the next two years, but after that it can be a crapshoot.. FWIW...

If you do get it - happy camping!!

There is also the problem when you break down some where. You don’t just pull in any shop for repairs. Big money at the Mercedes dealer and no telling how long to get repaired.

We have a 2018 we paid 70k for it with 10k miles. The Mercedes chassis and drivetrain is stout and has been trouble free. Ours is a Jayco, it is built tough and practical but not fancy. Very easy to drive coming from a class A 38’ pusher.

What's the idea behind this?
Shortage of spaces?

Campgrounds that busy?

They don't want any "Cousin Eddie" Winnebagos in their campgrounds.

I've never heard of this potential requirement. You telling me a campground host is going to kick out a restored vintage Airstream?

Hmmm...

Best thing is these RVs built on the Mercedes chassis are pretty proven to be problem free.

But when they do break, it can be a lot more limiting than just finding a Mercedes dealer.

Many wouldn't consider working on a RV at all. Same goes with other brands and their matching car dealerships as well.

RV dealerships with strong service departments stay booked.
Just try finding a good RV shop with a good diesel mechanic along your average rural American hiway.

This past Spring while traveling west on I-40 we hit a chug hole and shattered a front wheel bearing. The interstate was rough as a cob, semi's were traveling the left hand lane to avoid the wasted more heavily traveled right lane.

Got off the next exit, dumped the bike off the RV and went shopping for parts while my travel partner tore down the right front.

I found a Autozone and a O'Reillys auto parts next door to each other, both had the bearing/hub assembly in stock for my Chevy 1 ton, Autozone had the best price.

By the time I got back to the RV it was ready for the install.
Total down time was between 3 to 4 hours.

That Chevy 1 ton is really common and Chevy hasn't changed much at all on it for a long time, I was paying close attention to be sure they gave me the correct part. That part number covered a huge spectrum of years for 1 ton Chevys.

Not so sure I'd have been as fortunate if I was driving a Mercedes.

It's common any more.

The parks that have the requirement seem to cater to the "show and boast" crowds.

The nicest truck pulling the biggest 5th wheel, the most exspensive bus, etc..

Everybody goes RVing for different reasons.

Yes, even out here in rural Idaho. Most campgrounds have limits on vehicle age.

Like CC&Rs in a subdivision. Can't let the environment become populated by undesirables.

What conversion company built it?

A 2500 or 3500 sprinter?

Anything made by MB is 2 or 3 times more expensive to fix when something goes wrong, and it definitely will.

Campground HOA
LOL !

https://www.youcanic.com/mercedes-benz-sprinter-problems

just sayin'........

Bingo.....
Again, it depends... They can ask for a recent pic of the camper for approval.. A 'restored' Airstream's probably not going to be an issue..


Exactly...

Only problem with that assumption is Cousin Eddie ain't paying the prices the parks with the age limit are charging.

One of I think the first two issues on the list at your link comes about at the 100K mile point and is a $2500.00 wonder for repair.

When I was in the market for one the more reputable dealers pointed out if the problem had already been corrected or not.



Just shopping parts, not repairs, the costs for the Mercedes are quite simular part for part with Ford or Chevy for driveline/chassis parts.

It's most likely due to the Dodge, Frieghtliner and Mercedes all being one in the same.
All the chassis parts are interchageable, everything but the grill and badge anyway.

It keeps the price down but doesn't seem to help with availability, Sprinter parts just aren't stocked like Ford and Chevy.
Seems odd considering how common the Sprinter chassis has become in recent years for delivery and commercial work vehicles.

They are just not old soul's like the Ford and Chevy chassis are.

The "no start countdown" is the worst of the bunch.
I was along with my buddy when this occurred, not for the first time. It involved a 200 mile detour to a Mercedes dealership which uncharacteristically worked us into their schedule. Only cost one day of a hunting trip and $1700.

Well, I bought it. That 6 cyl diesel engine feels good, plenty of power and supposedly 16-18 mpg. Clean and good resale value.
LED accent lites, mf's. Killer jensen stereo surround sound

With this sweet unit I can tow my other money pit, the fishing boat behind it no problemo for fun-filled adventures.

Jesus take the wheel

Have fun,

If you get up this part of Cali let me know. I'll bring some coffee grounds for us to brew in your fancy rolling camp!

I sincerely hope it serves you well.

Now get out there and start rackin up miles on that bad boy.

If that is correct, I'd be totally surprised.. I'm betting it's really about 10-13... But best wishes for you onward...

My bets 15 to 16 mpg towing the boat, but a lot depends on cruising speed.

If you are worried about how much it costs to buy and maintain, you better pass. They don’t put the Mercedes emblem on front to indicate low budget and no maintenance.

Anything over 14 doubles the fuel mileage that I get with my Ford V 10, when “NOT” towing anything! memtb

That's why I avoided the V10, lot's of those on the used market awaiting their next victim.

My Chevy 6.0l vortex gets 10.4mpg @ 65mph pushing my 28ft coach down the road.

70mph knocks me down to 9.6mpg.

The fuel economy those coaches build on the Sprinter chassis get is about all I find desirable about them for my needs.

Now if a guy were to pop for the $200k + model and get the lifted 4x4 version it might be worth dealing with the more compact interiors.

I believe it.. My 6.7 PSD gets about 16 empty.. Towing the camper runs about 9, tops...

Ha ha.

I bought a C class with that motor in it, drove it from Fresno CA to Eastern WA......................yep, 7 MPG.

All the torque I needed to get it up some hills along the way, and there are a lot. Some big ones too.