Sprinter 4x4 2014-18 316 ex-utility company
Discussion
Hi
Thanks for help in my earlier thread. Someone recommended a Sprinter and in the end I managed to borrow one from work these past months and it’s been great. Two slight issues! .. 1. it had to go back to work today and 2. It was RWD and yes, I got it stuck in a field. Tractor help was appreciated if errr humiliating ..
I’m now after a crew cab 316 (2014-2018!ish) low/ medium roof sprinter 4x4 from ex- power/utility/drill support co. Few about as a regular van - but none as crew cab although I know they exist.
Anyone with van auction access ever see these go through? Any insights as to which traders buy them or just random? I’m trying to get one before the summer and would like to avoid the van-life crowd chase as I want it for work and play so don’t want to convert into a ‘manly camper’ with a tough outside but with the obligatory van life bamboo panels, merino throws and soft cushions with happy dogs faces on them…
Any insights welcome.
Thank you.
Thanks for help in my earlier thread. Someone recommended a Sprinter and in the end I managed to borrow one from work these past months and it’s been great. Two slight issues! .. 1. it had to go back to work today and 2. It was RWD and yes, I got it stuck in a field. Tractor help was appreciated if errr humiliating ..
I’m now after a crew cab 316 (2014-2018!ish) low/ medium roof sprinter 4x4 from ex- power/utility/drill support co. Few about as a regular van - but none as crew cab although I know they exist.
Anyone with van auction access ever see these go through? Any insights as to which traders buy them or just random? I’m trying to get one before the summer and would like to avoid the van-life crowd chase as I want it for work and play so don’t want to convert into a ‘manly camper’ with a tough outside but with the obligatory van life bamboo panels, merino throws and soft cushions with happy dogs faces on them…
Any insights welcome.
Thank you.
Edited by weeve on Friday 15th March 20:00
I think you are worrying yourself unnecessarily because few "van life" idlers will be interested in any crew cab .I am assuming this is the sort of thing you are after ?
https://www.gumtree.com/p/vans/mercedes-benz-sprin...
https://www.gumtree.com/p/vans/mercedes-benz-sprin...
Edited by reddiesel on Saturday 16th March 12:17
John Whiting is the sort of trader who'd have what you're after, worth enquiring > https://www.johnwhitingltd.com/
And https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_ssn=john_whitin...
And https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_ssn=john_whitin...
Might have a 4x4 Sprinter coming to work in the next week or two. Will be going off lease and replaced with a new one. This will be immaculate. The user has a choice of vehicle and any spec he wants.
Not a crew cab, but easy to retro fit and glaze the slide loading door and off side panel.
Not a crew cab, but easy to retro fit and glaze the slide loading door and off side panel.
A mate has a 4x4 Sprinter, except his is a First Generation model, and from memory it came from Poland, so a left hooker. He converted it into a campervan, and it had 78k km's on it looking the van's Mot history. I say had, as it boarded a boat in 2017 to Veracruz in Mexico, and pretty much driven from Argentina to Alaska, and while it was due back in December, the van decided to break down during a mega storm that hit Canada, so missed the crossing.
I would be lying if I said it has been problem free. I often get messages of problems, mostly engine related, and finding people who know what they are doing is a big pain, I don't think it was a common engine in that part of the world, so often sourcing parts from the UK for it. But then again, he has had broken stuff welded back up, like transfer case mounts in Mexico for bugger all. There is always something going wrong, but it has had a pretty hard life since arriving in the Americas.
That reminds me to send him a message, I haven't heard from him in a month, last time I heard from him he was parked up next to a beach in Florida.
I would be lying if I said it has been problem free. I often get messages of problems, mostly engine related, and finding people who know what they are doing is a big pain, I don't think it was a common engine in that part of the world, so often sourcing parts from the UK for it. But then again, he has had broken stuff welded back up, like transfer case mounts in Mexico for bugger all. There is always something going wrong, but it has had a pretty hard life since arriving in the Americas.
That reminds me to send him a message, I haven't heard from him in a month, last time I heard from him he was parked up next to a beach in Florida.
Thanks all.
I saw that monster lwb one on eBay myself this weekend. That dealer has had an occasional sprinter 4x4 before but that is enormous. Looks good but it’s bigger than my garage by some margin!
Defo need a L1 or L2 and preferably H1 but H2 at most to get it inside to work on/store. Smaller the better really. It won’t be converted (except to add couple of seats as need more than 3 which may be necessary as a crew cab is indeed like hens teeth) That wouldn’t bother me but might be an issue getting it insured if not going for a full van life conversion?
I saw that monster lwb one on eBay myself this weekend. That dealer has had an occasional sprinter 4x4 before but that is enormous. Looks good but it’s bigger than my garage by some margin!
Defo need a L1 or L2 and preferably H1 but H2 at most to get it inside to work on/store. Smaller the better really. It won’t be converted (except to add couple of seats as need more than 3 which may be necessary as a crew cab is indeed like hens teeth) That wouldn’t bother me but might be an issue getting it insured if not going for a full van life conversion?
Edited by weeve on Sunday 17th March 21:30
Regbuser said:
John Whiting is the sort of trader who'd have what you're after, worth enquiring > https://www.johnwhitingltd.com/
And https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_ssn=john_whitin...
And https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_ssn=john_whitin...
Thx for the tip
I live in an area where there are a lot of teams of forestry workers (tree planters etc). They all have "welfare vans" nowadays and quite a few seem to be 4x4. Usually Sprinters, Transits or Crafters.
I guess they have a pretty hard life up in the forests but you might find a decent one. The ones that aren't forestry owned tend to be hired from plant hire companies rather than normal van hirers. I imagine they'll sell them on when they are a few years old.
Try a search for "4x4 welfare vans sprinters" on eBay or similar.
I guess they have a pretty hard life up in the forests but you might find a decent one. The ones that aren't forestry owned tend to be hired from plant hire companies rather than normal van hirers. I imagine they'll sell them on when they are a few years old.
Try a search for "4x4 welfare vans sprinters" on eBay or similar.
Well.
I failed.
Spectacularly.
Lost the will to live.
Went online.
Pressed click.
Made bank transfer.
Pick up an approved used Shuttle SE LWB next week.
20k on clock.
Probably had ex-hire co. start in life.
FWD.
Will depreciate like a stone.
Not particularly nice colour.
Seats are crap.
I'll need to get shot of my (awesome) old SUV with intel lights, leather, CrossClimates, bike rack tow bar, FSH to WBAC or some such joker for about 5 pence within 5 days of pick up so it fits in the garage. Boohoo.
BUT.
For the win.
With rear bench dumped, a vinyl floor offcut and some new mich agilis
I WILL NEVER HAVE TO USE A FING BIKE RACK EVER AGAIN AS LONG AS I LIVE
Boom.
I failed.
Spectacularly.
Lost the will to live.
Went online.
Pressed click.
Made bank transfer.
Pick up an approved used Shuttle SE LWB next week.
20k on clock.
Probably had ex-hire co. start in life.
FWD.
Will depreciate like a stone.
Not particularly nice colour.
Seats are crap.
I'll need to get shot of my (awesome) old SUV with intel lights, leather, CrossClimates, bike rack tow bar, FSH to WBAC or some such joker for about 5 pence within 5 days of pick up so it fits in the garage. Boohoo.
BUT.
For the win.
With rear bench dumped, a vinyl floor offcut and some new mich agilis
I WILL NEVER HAVE TO USE A FING BIKE RACK EVER AGAIN AS LONG AS I LIVE
Boom.
Edited by weeve on Sunday 31st March 21:15
Whoa there !
There's a 4x4 sprinter here that fits spec > https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/166667797890
Get a refund, and buy it !
This one's not bad either > https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/315249649596
Patience is required, but they're out there
There's a 4x4 sprinter here that fits spec > https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/166667797890
Get a refund, and buy it !
This one's not bad either > https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/315249649596
Patience is required, but they're out there
Edited by Regbuser on Wednesday 27th March 10:33
Ha. I do love the look of the old gen old skool sprinters, pretty cool that. I was (ahem) already a card carrying adult when they built that though, so I'll pass.
Seems the wife and kids have perked right up. When I said we'd drive to Alps in the Shuttle to (pretend to) be XTREME this summer they actually smiled. Like in real life. And everything. Must be the appeal of no longer having to watch Dad shout at
's trying to nick bikes off the back, or more likely knowing they now wont be asked to help install seats and fix a 20 year old prop shaft.
Seems the wife and kids have perked right up. When I said we'd drive to Alps in the Shuttle to (pretend to) be XTREME this summer they actually smiled. Like in real life. And everything. Must be the appeal of no longer having to watch Dad shout at
's trying to nick bikes off the back, or more likely knowing they now wont be asked to help install seats and fix a 20 year old prop shaft. 
Gassing Station | Commercial Break | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff