Yahhh...I'm not going to be a test bunny for a totally new vehicle...2 words...Ford Escort..let's see after the 1 st 300,000+
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Dodge Promaster
- Thread starter Big Al
- Start date
Yahhh...I'm not going to be a test bunny for a totally new vehicle...2 words...Ford Escort..let's see after the 1 st 300,000+
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Rising_Cow
Active Expediter
Well put, thats why I'm sitting on my wallet, and plus my better half is telling too. 
westmicher
Veteran Expediter
REALLY? Technically the Promaster GAS engine gets less MPG than the DIESEL $printer....
HOWEVER, the true expense for FUEL is CENTS PER MILE. As DIESEL is SIGNIFICANTLY MORE EXPENSIVE PER GALLON than GAS, the Promaster is certainly more economical than the $printer in many, maybe all, areas. In FUEL ECONOMY, the Promaster is clearly superior to the $printer!
And how is the OVERALL performance?......Are they holding up under NA conditions?....Are the front ends staying algined?....is there any premature failures?.....all the nuts and bolts rattling loose in Detroit?....On paper it looks good.....but so does the NEW 2014 Sprinter....
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I'm just glad there are choices. Competition will make everyone better.
The new four cylinder sprinter is pulling good loaded at 24 mpg real world according to those driving it.
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Murraycroexp
Veteran Expediter
I get 24 MPG.
when I go DOWN Jellico Mtn. LOL!!
when I go DOWN Jellico Mtn. LOL!!
So $4.17 at 24mpg is about 17.4cpm and $3.44 at 18mpg is about 19.1cpm. That's a difference of about $17.50 every 1,000 miles. For a van that costs at least $4,000-$5,000 more up front, that's about 1/3 million miles once interest is factored in before there's any savings. Add in the higher expenses of diesel maintenance and it could be half a million miles before any savings, if ever at all.
Then there's the Sprinter 4cyl at 161hp 265tq vs. the ProMaster 6cyl at 280hp 260tq so while torque is basically a wash the PM has 75% more horsepower. I'm not mechanical or technical but I've heard it's torque that gets you moving and horsepower that keeps you moving, something to factor in for the climbs along some of the routes.
I'm not saying the PM is the be all end all of expediting vans. It will be interesting to compare the Transit in 4-5 years when it finally is sold to consumers. If Nissan adds at least 3 feet to the NV and a few extra mpg it will be an actual contender as well. For me, the PM is competition for the Sprinter. Time will tell if it's also valid competition.
Then there's the Sprinter 4cyl at 161hp 265tq vs. the ProMaster 6cyl at 280hp 260tq so while torque is basically a wash the PM has 75% more horsepower. I'm not mechanical or technical but I've heard it's torque that gets you moving and horsepower that keeps you moving, something to factor in for the climbs along some of the routes.
I'm not saying the PM is the be all end all of expediting vans. It will be interesting to compare the Transit in 4-5 years when it finally is sold to consumers. If Nissan adds at least 3 feet to the NV and a few extra mpg it will be an actual contender as well. For me, the PM is competition for the Sprinter. Time will tell if it's also valid competition.
Rising_Cow
Active Expediter
Ture on the diesel, cost of fuel and EPA have toke it out as a contender to gas engines. Lower fuel milage and way higher cost Maintance (EPA)
Higher fuel cost (well greed)
Oh don't forget DEF cost too. (EPA)
Higher fuel cost (well greed)
Oh don't forget DEF cost too. (EPA)
The PM drives very well but that is a long way from being the end all be all. I will let you know how it does under load. Also, it is a unibody construction so the frame is built into the body. Lets see if it will start bending under repeated loading and being smacked by the less than stellar forklift drivers we run into. Also don't for get it is front wheel drive. You don't lose much torc from a long drive shaft but the axles are not that big around. Also, how much abuse will the tranny take? Add in the fact that it may eat up tires, may be difficult to keep aligned, etc. I did have them add the 12 volt interface so hooking up the Qualcomm is easy, extra batteries for the fridge etc will be fairly easy and the heated power mirrors are nice but none of these pay the bills. it will be the power and strength that will make or brake it. And if it brakes to much my wife will express her displeasure without hesitation.
Ours has tilt and the wheel will extend upwards. Also the seat has several adjustments tilting the front and rear up and down to fit your needs. Miss the heated seats. May get the swivel adapters for them.
westmicher
Veteran Expediter
The new four cylinder sprinter is pulling good loaded at 24 mpg real world according to those driving it.I have to question the 24 mpg figure unless maybe it's for a 140" wb short roof $printer.
My Promaster is the 159" wb extended 3500 version and it gets a little over 18 mpg. The long tall $printer 2500 is 500 lbs. heavier and presents more frontal area (resistance). We also know the diesel contains about 20% more energy than gasoline so, in the same body (and weight) vehicle, we can reasonably expect about 20% better mpg on diesel so a vehicle that gets 18 mpg on gasoline would likely get 22 mpg on diesel.
HOWEVER, the long tall $printer is heavier and has more frontal area so, carrying the same cargo, it is unlikely the long tall diesel $printer will get even 22 mpg, all conditions being equal.
Even Mercedes cannot change how much energy diesel fuel contains!
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Right now the gas model is the only option and all sprinters come with Diesel engines , things will be different once we get info on MPG from the new sprinters with there 4 cyl engines just like we're waiting for the promaster diesel
But the new Sprinter is also 30 MM closer to the ground to help eliminate drag and improve the aerodynamics.....they lowered the chassis....which helps with MPG's...
Murraycroexp
Veteran Expediter
Wonder if a deep air dam and trailer skirts would help at all on a van or sprinter.
