Coffee Delivery Van...

Oceaneer · Feb 25, 2019

Hello All.
I am doing some research and would like some opinions. We run a Coffee Roasting business and have daily deliveries to our customers. We send out approx. 400-700lbs of beans in each delivery and the distance is a 400Km round trip again approx. Deliveries are 4-5 days a week

We are looking at some options for a new or newer van, as the current one is a joke.

1) Older sprinter 2006, with 300,000Km on the clock. Buy this and do an engine rebuild before putting it into service. Total cost about 15K
2) New Nissan NV200. This will fit what we need now, but is not so good for expansion. (Great MPG) 30K
3) Newer Promaster 35K
4) Newer Transat van 35K

Any other serious contenders we should be looking at?
Were the older sprinters (5Cyl Diesel) a good rig? They seem to get great MPG and dont have the after treatment system that I will not touch with a 5ft pole.

Thanks!
Oceaneer

SoG · Feb 25, 2019

Oceaneer said:
Hello All.
I am doing some research and would like some opinions. We run a Coffee Roasting business and have daily deliveries to our customers. We send out approx. 400-700lbs of beans in each delivery and the distance is a 400Km round trip again approx. Deliveries are 4-5 days a week

We are looking at some options for a new or newer van, as the current one is a joke.

1) Older sprinter 2006, with 300,000Km on the clock. Buy this and do an engine rebuild before putting it into service. Total cost about 15K
2) New Nissan NV200. This will fit what we need now, but is not so good for expansion. (Great MPG) 30K
3) Newer Promaster 35K
4) Newer Transat van 35K

Any other serious contenders we should be looking at?
Were the older sprinters (5Cyl Diesel) a good rig? They seem to get great MPG and dont have the after treatment system that I will not touch with a 5ft pole.

Thanks!
Oceaneer

If you looking for an older one GMC would work. Newer I like Ford Transit. Driving one myself and enjoying every minute! Can put a box on the back and carry a big load!

What a glorious Day!

Oceaneer · Feb 25, 2019

Thanks SOG... good to hear

brokcanadian · Feb 26, 2019

Oceaneer said:
Hello All.
I am doing some research and would like some opinions. We run a Coffee Roasting business and have daily deliveries to our customers. We send out approx. 400-700lbs of beans in each delivery and the distance is a 400Km round trip again approx. Deliveries are 4-5 days a week

We are looking at some options for a new or newer van, as the current one is a joke.

1) Older sprinter 2006, with 300,000Km on the clock. Buy this and do an engine rebuild before putting it into service. Total cost about 15K
2) New Nissan NV200. This will fit what we need now, but is not so good for expansion. (Great MPG) 30K
3) Newer Promaster 35K
4) Newer Transat van 35K

Any other serious contenders we should be looking at?
Were the older sprinters (5Cyl Diesel) a good rig? They seem to get great MPG and dont have the after treatment system that I will not touch with a 5ft pole.

Thanks!
Oceaneer

That's your answer. I have a friend who just sold his at 1.5 million km for $3500. Never touched the engine or transmission. Skip the rebuild, that engine was rated for 800,000 km by Mercedes

I have one myself.

You will have to be a little familiar with sprinters. There's a site called sprinter-source.com where you can look up issues

Possible problem areas: egr valve clogs up on idling or city driven vans (can be deleted but that's illegal if you care. $400 to replace)

Transmission control board: van suddenly acts like it has no drive and slips...resulting in a shop telling you it needs a transmission rebuild (it doesn't, $100 part)

Various error messages triggering the engine light and limp mode for something as simple as a burned out tailight

In summary: it's the cheapest most reliable option. But also the most "needy" and shops don't know how to fix it. You need a specialist

Also, you have image to consider. Most of these sprinters are having a huge issue with rust.

I hear the gasoline Promaster, or gasoline Transit are mostly trouble free

Oceaneer · Feb 26, 2019

Thanks BrokeCanadian!

I am leaning towards the older sprinter. And the advice you have given is amazing!

The Sprinter we are looking at seems pretty rust free.. and will receive a full wrap.

But should we just change the transmission board and EGR as preventative maintenance?

Thanks
Oceaneer

brokcanadian · Feb 26, 2019

Oceaneer said:
But should we just change the transmission board and EGR as preventative maintenance?

The transmission control board and connector plug can be done when the transmission fluid is due (it needs Shell ATF 134, same as dealer Sprinter/Crossfire fluid and less than half price) in most cases you can turn off the engine and restart to reset, leaving it for the shop to fix at a later time...

Egr, when failed, will only cause "limp mode" and van can still be driven (severe loss of power and 45-50 mph top speed)

Personally I don't replace parts that aren't broken. You really need to find a good mechanic to miminize your cost and downtime (ask on Sprinter source forum), I can't stress this enough, otherwise you'll be spending your time becoming an old Sprinter expert instead of running your business

Still far less troublesome than any newer DEF / DPF equipped diesels. Buy a newer gasoline model if you don't want the headache

brokcanadian · Feb 26, 2019

You can message me anytime if you do need advice and get the Sprinter, if I don't know I may be able to point you to the information

I'm holding on to my 2005 for now. I have no fears about 100,000 km a year with it.

Where in Canada are you? (I guessed by the km)