webasto or espar?

[dean07]

i have a sprinter van, and need info from those who have either a webasto heater or an espar, just wanted to know how well they work and who has the best bang for the buck, and if anyone knows a location in the detroit area, please and thx!

all your info is appreciated!

 

[flattop40]

Don't have either one but have talked to several that have the espar and love them. Have not talked to anyone about the webasto.

Heard best place to get the espar is from a place in Grand Rapids MI

Price somewhere between $1000 and $1500.

 

[Turtle]

Espar. Hands down.

Not sure where in Grand Rapids you can get one installed for that price. Unless that's a cash and carry thing and you do the installation yourself.

Espar of Michigan, in Romulus, where I got mine, has them for about $1500 installed for the small one and $2000 for the larger one. My Sprinter is open with no bulkhead and the larger one (Airtronic 4, versus Airtronic 2) keeps me warm and toasty.

 

[Wingnut]

I have the webasto heaters in all my trucks and absolutley love them. I bought & got them installed in Binghamton, NY. Many truck dealers are now stocking & installing them because they are becoming such popular tools of the trade.

 

[piper1]

Espar, easy to fix. Webasto, don't need to fix often but likely after 3 years will need an extensive tune-up.

 

[dodgeboy]

I have a Webasto for sale in the classified section under other if anyone is interested. Webastos are very good heaters, you just have to keep them going all night. I had to replace the glow plug and fuel pump in mines because the van was so well insulated that the heater kept turning on and off all night. This is what burns up the components. You need a less insulated van because some of the heat needs to escape in order for the heater to run on low all night without straining the system. These heaters were made to run for a long time after they have been fired up. They are great during the winter time because you can go into the truck stop and take a shower while the heater is running and come back into a nice warm van.

 

[FIS53]

FYI the sprinters that have the auxillary heater are equipped with an espar unit from the factory. I have one. The espars are quite simple units and small so light weight and warm up the sprinter motor and cab well.

Your choice, but the espars in the sprinters are mounted in the left front fender below headlight unit and in front of wheel well.
Rob

 

[Turtle]

Yeah, some Sprinters have the aux heater, some don't. Mine don't.

 

[FIS53]

Well turtle not everyone likes to be warm and cozy when visiting ND in January hehehehe!
Rob

Actually two versions of heater in sprinters. One just used to keep engine temp up and for faster warmups (can leave heater in on position while driving) and the other has a timer, water pump (elec) that pre heats motor and warms cab while engine off. Normal practice is to have 2nd battery (goes under pass seat) for this setup. Both setups use the same D5 unit.