Dave Dawson
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2004 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158” wheelbase high roof
6’3” of standing headroom inside van.
It's branded a Dodge van, but it's a Mercedes. I changed the grill to allow it to live up to it's teutonic origin.
Cargo version with OEM Mercedes backseat added
Seat has 3 belted positions/headrests and a dual drink holder
163,000 miles I bought it with 138,000 miles on it 2.5 years ago in Wyoming from Wyobrew. Great transaction, I bought it from pictures and an accurate description and flew across the country to pick it up.
I bought it as a "proof of concept" vehicle to change the way I work, and now I'm looking at upgrading to a newer model sprinter.
Michelin LTX Radial tires; the best tires for these vans by far.
Tires have 25,000 miles on them and should be good for another 35,000 miles
Meticulous maintenance by a mechanic in Atlanta who specializes in Sprinter vans
Mileage is about 19.5MPG under any and all conditions. Freeway, town, it doesn't seem to matter.
New Synthetic oil changes every 10,000 miles and tire rotation
New Battery 2013
New Alternator 2013
Turbo resonator replaced with better metal aftermarket version. The OEM version was plastic and would warp under load and heat. Don’t ask me how I discovered this, but it’ll never happen again.
New front shocks 2013
New belts 2012
Van was customized with dynamat insulation/plywood and then short pile carpet on walls and ceiling. All work was done before I bought it, but the finish inside is nice and quiet.
Bulkhead behind middle seat that separates passengers from cargo compartment.
Back of bulkhead has two large full width shelves to carry cargo off the floor.
There is a bracket on the back of the bulkhead wall that you can ratchet motorcycle tires to. Previous owners would carry up to 3 enduro style bikes in the back.
Floor mounted removable tire brace makes it easy to ride up into the van and lock the front tire into the cage.
4 through mounted tie down points at four corners of cargo area make for easy tie downs of bikes or cargo
I’ve carried a fully loaded BMW 1200GS with panniers in the with room to spare.
The ramp is going with me to my new sprinter, unless you REALLY want it. They’re about $2000 including shipping and I use mine every single day because of the way I have my television gear carts loaded into the back. You could easily run a bike up into the van using a standard folding pickup bed ramp.
The stereo system was built out by the previous owner who spent about $3500 on it. I’ve since replaced most of the components, but it’s WAY more stereo than is necessary for a van like this. It has a new SONY head unit that includes XM Radio, Bluetooth connection to your phone and has an internal compartment to store an iPod. Also has a new amplifier in 2013. Box behind the back seat has two 12” woofers, there are two memphis audio speakers in the bulkhead, the dash speakers have been upgraded to memphis audio, and there are two separate tweeters in the front pillars. This things sounds better than any system I’ve ever had.
I also installed a Rearview Systems backup camera and monitor system that stays on all the time. I find it helpful to be able to glance up and see what’s behind me. I can park the van anywhere using the mirrors and the back up camera. Makes it really easy to park in town. This is an industrial grade system that cost close was around $1000 installed.
The van has a VIPER alarm system onboard with Smartstart. You can start/unlock/lock the van remotely using an iPhone app. Also has a keychain clicker to turn alarm on and off or remote start too. My favorite part of the VIPER system is that it immediately texts your phone if the alarm is triggered. This was about a $800 system installed.
My only issues with the van are some sort of locking/unlocking sequence that has to be done. Basically you have to push the remote twice and it locks/unlocks/locks. I’ve had a couple of people look at it and not be able to figure it out. I think there’s a sensor somewhere on a door that’s telling the system that a door is open. I haven’t taken it to a Mercedes dealer to sort it out, it was that way when I got it and it’s one of those things I’ve gotten used to.
There are a few minor scratches on the van, the biggest one is pictured on the back door. The previous owner had a door blow open in the wind and it hit a signpost and dinged it. The paint on the roof above the windshield is starting to wear, I’ve laid a good coat of wax down on it, and it seems to be holding fine. Otherwise the paint is in pretty remarkable condition for a ten year old van. I had it detailed and waxed last year in Jacksonville.
Asking $20,000 not including the Handiramp
