Mercedes Class C motorhome?

[timberghost72]

We sold our E450 class C motor home last year and now looking to get another one. I love the E450 and the Triton V10 but are also looking at the Mercedes diesel powered type motor homes with their smaller size.

Looking for feedback on these in terms of mostly, the engine and transmission, power and reliability. Even better, if you've had experience with both of these, how do they compare? I plan on towing a UTV and trailer behind it, around 4,200#. Also, possibly flat towing a vehicle, like a Jeep, at times. It looks like in my research most of these are rated at 5K for towing. But how are they in reality?

[Boss .300 winmag]

You referring to the Sprinter Vans?

[jackelope]

Be prepared for the cost of maintenance.

Also be prepared for not all Mercedes dealers will work on Sprinters. They have to be a Sprinter dealer/service shop to work on them and not all are.

[HntnFsh]

Yes. They have proprietary software. Not just any shop can or will work on them.
It's been a few years but the municipality where I worked had several of them and had so much trouble they quit buying them.

[jackelope]

Yes. They have proprietary software. Not just any shop can or will work on them.
It's been a few years but the municipality where I worked had several of them and had so much trouble they quit buying them.

Proprietary software is pretty much status quo for all manufacturers at this point. 

[timberghost72]

I believe these motorhomes are built on the Sprinter 3500 chassis. I'm not worried about maintenance/repair as I do all my own. What do you mean by proprietary? Are you refering to OBD 2 or other systems? I'm fine with OBD systems but if I can't get into others with scan tools/laptop software like Auto Enginuity, that might be a problem. I will check that out.

[jackelope]

I believe these motorhomes are built on the Sprinter 3500 chassis. I'm not worried about maintenance/repair as I do all my own. What do you mean by proprietary? Are you refering to OBD 2 or other systems? I'm fine with OBD systems but if I can't get into others with scan tools/laptop software like Auto Enginuity, that might be a problem. I will check that out.

I’m guessing your only limitations would be programming modules etc. Oh and you might need to figure out a way to reset maintenance lights. I hear that’s a little tricky.

Regardless of whether you do your own maintenance or not, it will be significantly more expensive. Safe to assume you’d go diesel? The oil and filter for the 3.0 MB diesel is way more expensive than your v10. Fuel filters, DEF, etc.

[EnglishSetter]

JMHO, but that 3L has to work pretty hard, especially if towing.  Also not a fan of all the emission$ on “modern” diesels. The new Ford Godzilla motor is pretty stout.