Sprinter or Syncro: Which one would you keep?

[jackbombay]

[MidwestDrifter]

The dpf systems seem to be fairly reliable overall. They will need replaced at some point as they seem to be wear out. I think many of the dpf issues come from owners operating the vehicle for long periods with another malfunction. The regen process is fairly sensitive. Of course many other vendors are having similar issues with dpf and scr equipment.

I argree that SCR/DEF adblue system had some teething issues at introduction. Many of which were exacerbated by poor dealer tech training. Updated programming and redesigned nox sensors seem to have solved the issue for many.

By all accounts the new I4 dual turbo engine and 7 speed auto is rock solid, and an improvement over the 6 cylinder.

For early ncv3 vans dpf and egr delete is available. The same for T1Ns.

2004+ T1Ns have an improved egr design which can last the life of the vehicle.
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2004 Dodge/Mercedes Sprinter (Custom Camper)
2000 Jetta TDI
1982 Diesel Westy W/ ABA I4 hybrid (Sold)
Epic Road Tripping since 08/05/12 | http://VagariesAbound.blogspot.com/
My Current Build | http://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41215

[whynotvw]

Sold the sprinter yesterday, the buyer for syncro backed out. Honestly I would've like to keep the Sprinter. Oh well, I'm glad I got to drive the Sprinter and try it out. $50 to fill up goes about 500-550 miles. Drives like a car, tons of storage, every person that I knew gave me compliments. Thumbs up everywhere. At this point in my life Sprinter would've been more practical.

I had multiple buyers for the Sprinter at $55k I'm pretty sure I could've sold it for over $60k. I had a buyer at $55k and I gave verbal agreement to sell to him without deposit. It took a week for buyer to make arrangement to buy it. Just incase this deal didn't go through I raised the listing price to $65k and I was still getting lot of interests. But I wanted to honor my word so the buyer took delivery yesterday. But I'm sure I would've got over $60k for it.

The original owners bought it for $78,000. I could've easily sold it for over $60-$65k WoW that's not bad. Depreciate my ass. Seriously, maybe it was the layout but sprinter diesel does not depreciate much. I could've sold it multiple times over.

Last night I had little of seller's remorse and I tried to find something similar and there was none in the whole united states for that $55k price range.ZERO right now with that price range and model and sportsmobile layout. No wonder the buyer was so thankful and happy. Well good for him. He was a really a nice guy. I know I could've made more money but keeping your word is important too. Good thing is I paid less then $40k two weeks ago so I don't need to be greedy.

Thanks for all the input. I know Syncros are nice but Sprinter kicks ass. My next dream van Sprinter 4x4 sportsmobile with poptop with similar westfalia layout. Guarantee it will hold its value and just a awesome rig.

By the way my sprinter had about 72,000 miles.

Jackbombay and others who pm'd me because they didn't want to get crucified by saying sprinter was better. After driving both and having both on the market for sale. Hands down sprinter is a kick ass van, not sure if its better but for me I think there is no comparison.

[Merian]

what the world needs is a 4wd Sprinter the size of a Vanagon
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[jackbombay]

[MidwestDrifter]

What vehicle is the best for me? The one that takes you where you want to be.

In response to the helpless off pavement comment. My 2wd sprinter with lift and A/T tires will go 98% of the places my vanagon westy does. Which is saying quite a lot.
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2004 Dodge/Mercedes Sprinter (Custom Camper)
2000 Jetta TDI
1982 Diesel Westy W/ ABA I4 hybrid (Sold)
Epic Road Tripping since 08/05/12 | http://VagariesAbound.blogspot.com/
My Current Build | http://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41215

[campism]

You know there are companies that have been converting Sprinters to 4WD for years now, right? You can have your Sprinter with 4WD without buying new and still have most of the 60 grand left from selling your Syncro, if you can bear to sell the Syncro.
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'87 Westy in Wolfram Grey Metallic

[jackbombay]

[Gruppe B]

[jackbombay]

So, I drove to Alaska in my sprinter with 5200 pounds of Cargo and trailer, and I got 20 MPG for the trip, best tank was 23 MPG, worst was 18 MPG. I essentially could have towed a vanagon and would have gotten better MPGs than driving the vanagon.

And some more pics from my road trip that didn't include 4wd so it was terrible

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Gas struts to pop your top easily!
Pop Top strut kits now available for late Bay window Westies

Samba ad here.


DIY artificial rain gutters (ARGs)

[rmcd]

Size comparison. Photo found on Syncro fb page.

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VW LT40 build. Like a Vanagon but 30% larger in every direction and 40% slower even in metric.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=749359&highlight=

[Zeitgeist 13]

[bokonon42]

Sprinter is more modern, more comforts, etc. But its more of a McMansion type of thing for me. I just prefer the older smaller stuff.
-terry
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Terry
88 Vanagon Wolfsburg Carat - https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=671319

[Abscate]

During the next recession, used Sprinters will flood the market, the perfect time to pick one up cheap from someone who took a bath on it, not in it. (c) Samba

The Synchro owners will hold on during the recession knowing it will come back.
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.ssS!

[stuzbot]

Sixty grand for a Syncro?! :shock:

Bloody Hell. I wish I was trying to sell mine in the US!

Over here [UK] they go from about £5000 - £12000, depending on wht kind of condition they're in. Even allowing for £ to $ conversion, that's a hell of a difference.

Re Sprinters. Great vans [I fancied one of the 4x4 ones myself, but they DO go for silly money over here]. But, like all Mercedes vans, great mechanicals let down by bodywork made of tin-foil. Might not be a big deal in warmer, drier climes. But it's rare to see one in UK that isn't rusting away badly along the seams and door bottoms.
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Click to view image
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1992 VW LT35 2,4D [SOLD]
1993 VW LT35 2,4D [SOLD]
1992 VW T3 1,6TD Syncro [SOLD]
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[Steve Arndt]

That 60k syncro is just samba talk, real prices are between 20 and 30 for a NICE example.
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Steve
Steve's 87 Syncro project

[SyncroButter]

[Stuartzickefoose]

[riceye]

[Waldi]

https://www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de/s-anzeige/vw-t3-...7-220-5776


https://www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de/s-anzeige/volksw...6-220-1309


Maybe you see the differences