aileron
Expert Expediter
Moot's post here prompted me to add up everything and see where I stand compared to his cargo van.
This is a 2004 Freightliner Sprinter with a 2.7 liter in-line 5 cylinders Turbo Diesel Mercedes engine. I bought this van new in August of 2005 and it has been driven only by me, so I took good care of it. Also, these are all parts only prices (shipping and taxes included where applicable). Since I did all the labor (except the first transmission service, since I was afraid of warranty issues), it is not included. I know my labor is worth something, but I have no way of knowing exactly how much it is worth.
All fluids used were fluids approved by MB.
Oil & Filter (every 12-15k): $1069.50
Transmission service, fuel filter, air filter (every 60k): @1558.41
Rear end service (4 times): $90.28
Coolant service (3 times): $88.59
Serpentine belt (3 times): $77.79
Tires (7): $833.29
Tire rotation (22 times): $0
Battery (1): $74.77
Windshield (3 times): $300
EGR Valve (1 @ 188406 miles): $362.98
Water pump (3 times @ 261720, 279715, 292129): $163.02
- I was unfortunate enough to get 2 NEW water pumps that failed shortly after being installed, which were replaced for free.
Idler pulleys (2 sets @ 279715, 386837): $78.64
Belt tensioner (1 @ 386837): $86.25
Auxiliary water pump (1 @ 336911): $110.00
Front brakes and rotors (1 set @ 342861): $150.98
Shocks (1 set @ 342861): $301.25
Alternator (1 @ 259522): $175
Transmission electrical connector (1 @ 121856): $10.88
Glow Plugs (2): $17.91
Total: $5574.77 or 1.394 cents per mile.
In 400000 miles this van has used 15320.223 gallons of fuel at a cost of $43180.64. This fuel also includes the fuel used by my Espar heater, since it is hooked up to the main fuel tank.
So, average cost of fuel for all these years is $2.819/gallon.
I averaged 26.109 mpg which is not too shabby.
The fuel cost me 10.795 cents per mile.
So, maintenance and fuel combined only cost me 12.189 cents per mile.
I understand that someone who does not do their own maintenance would pay some pretty penny for the maintenance, but the money we save on fuel makes up for it, IMHO.
I would really like to see Moot's fuel figures, just for comparison.
In conclusion, I am very happy with this van. I would like a newer, more roomy Sprinter, I even went and looked at a few, but the fuel advantage of those is not there any more, so, I will stick with this as long as I can keep it on the road.
What do you all think?
This is a 2004 Freightliner Sprinter with a 2.7 liter in-line 5 cylinders Turbo Diesel Mercedes engine. I bought this van new in August of 2005 and it has been driven only by me, so I took good care of it. Also, these are all parts only prices (shipping and taxes included where applicable). Since I did all the labor (except the first transmission service, since I was afraid of warranty issues), it is not included. I know my labor is worth something, but I have no way of knowing exactly how much it is worth.
All fluids used were fluids approved by MB.
Oil & Filter (every 12-15k): $1069.50
Transmission service, fuel filter, air filter (every 60k): @1558.41
Rear end service (4 times): $90.28
Coolant service (3 times): $88.59
Serpentine belt (3 times): $77.79
Tires (7): $833.29
Tire rotation (22 times): $0
Battery (1): $74.77
Windshield (3 times): $300
EGR Valve (1 @ 188406 miles): $362.98
Water pump (3 times @ 261720, 279715, 292129): $163.02
- I was unfortunate enough to get 2 NEW water pumps that failed shortly after being installed, which were replaced for free.
Idler pulleys (2 sets @ 279715, 386837): $78.64
Belt tensioner (1 @ 386837): $86.25
Auxiliary water pump (1 @ 336911): $110.00
Front brakes and rotors (1 set @ 342861): $150.98
Shocks (1 set @ 342861): $301.25
Alternator (1 @ 259522): $175
Transmission electrical connector (1 @ 121856): $10.88
Glow Plugs (2): $17.91
Total: $5574.77 or 1.394 cents per mile.
In 400000 miles this van has used 15320.223 gallons of fuel at a cost of $43180.64. This fuel also includes the fuel used by my Espar heater, since it is hooked up to the main fuel tank.
So, average cost of fuel for all these years is $2.819/gallon.
I averaged 26.109 mpg which is not too shabby.
The fuel cost me 10.795 cents per mile.
So, maintenance and fuel combined only cost me 12.189 cents per mile.
I understand that someone who does not do their own maintenance would pay some pretty penny for the maintenance, but the money we save on fuel makes up for it, IMHO.
I would really like to see Moot's fuel figures, just for comparison.
In conclusion, I am very happy with this van. I would like a newer, more roomy Sprinter, I even went and looked at a few, but the fuel advantage of those is not there any more, so, I will stick with this as long as I can keep it on the road.
What do you all think?
