4x4 Sprinter Vs 4x4 E350

[GBreezy]

For those of you who own a 4x4 Sprinter and previously owned a 4x4 E350, how does the ride quality compare? I own a 09 E350 with a Quigley conversion and an Agile RIP, and am looking at possibly moving to a 4x4 Sprinter. I am curious how it rides and drives.



If there is anyone in the Coeur d'Alene area and would not mind letting me check out their 4x4 Sprinter, please let me know.



Thanks, Greg

 

[Fitz2]

Van Compass is in Post Falls, take a trip over there and talk to Rob about his red Sprinter. He will give you good information.

 

[MSD-SMB]

I’m not a 4x4 sprinter owner but I’ve driven a lot of them (work related) they drive a bit nicer on the road than a E350 Quigley with RIP. But it’s not even close enough in capablity for what we need in off road driving so until older age mellows us out will stick with a E350 4x4 for that sole purpose.
Once we got to mostly gravel roads & skiing the it’ll be a sprinter. But that me be a while. YMMV.

 

[Pritikin]

I was in an e250 quigley. Now 4x4sprinter.

MSD is correct although I’d go even further. Much nicer on the road — much worse off the road. (I admit I decided to run the stock tires down a bit while my wallet smoulders before i upgrade the wheels & tires. Maybe that will help).

 

[Ramjet-SMB]

There were a couple 4x4 Sprinters when we did Bill Burke's offroad class a couple years ago. I forget their names, (except for Allan Feld, owner of SMB West who had one of his rigs there) but I believe they belong to the forum here. The vehicle was capable of far more than gravel and snow. Loose, rutted terrain, sand and off-camber rock on grade up to the Slot at Anza Borrego was navigated as well. Frankly, I was amazed. Perhaps one will chime in with the photos. I wouldn't hesitate to own one after I sell my Quigley Ford.

 

[CaptainVo]

I have a 2002 7.3 4x4 Quigley and have spent some time driving around with my buddy Rob from Van Compass. So far I've been really impressed with how capable his rig is. It helps that it's on 35's though. He had no problem in the least with the NW Overland Rally obstacle course and cruising 50+ miles of northern Idaho backcountry roads on a trip to Cayuse airstrip. If you get a chance watch a couple of their instagram videos or just swing by the shop. Both Rob and Mark are really good guys and very knowledgeable.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl_ZYbuh_vd/?hl=en&taken-by=vancompass

 

[GBreezy]

Thank you for the feedback. We don't do any hard core 4x4ing and are looking for a more comfortable ride on paved and forest service type roads.


Van Compass has been on my "to visit" list for a year or so now. Will take a drive over and see them.

 

[Fitz2]

Here is an older (related) thread on this topic.


http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/forums/f9/sprinter-4x4-what-can-it-handle-service-16758.html

 

[tlg-SMB]

There is no comparison. The 4x4 Sprinter simply rides better. We went with a Van Compass set up and it took a great ride and made it even better. That said, the 4x4 Sprinter will not be as capable as the 4x4 E350 off road. But if you're spending most of your time on pavement and forest service roads the Sprinter is definitely the way to go.

 

[Flux]

While I can't compare because I have never driven a sprinter 4x4 all loaded out, my Agile 4x4 conversion/suspension is pretty darn nice.

 

[Van Compass]

GBreezy, since you're so close to us in Post Falls, come swing by our shop and you are more than welcome to take my red 4x4 for a spin. A 4wd Sprinter upgraded with armor and proper suspension can get you pretty much anywhere you want to go.

Once you learn how to drive the Sprinter's traction control system while in lo-range, there really isn't anywhere it won't take you. I've built, owned and driven lots of off-road vehicles from desert race trucks to Ultra 4 cars, to countless hardcore rock crawling jeeps & trucks. I must say, the Sprinter is a total blast to take off road and it's only real drawback, like any full-size rig, is it's size.


-Rob

 

[86Scotty]

I am in Tennessee. Whoever is willing to deliver me a 4x4 Sprinter can be guaranteed an objective full, torturous, rigorous and damn thorough test of the 4x4 Sprinter capabilities. No extra charge for dog hair, joint burns, a few unidentified stains or unusual smells. Those things just happen in a real test, not like that shite you read about in magazines. I'm a professional. Bring it.

Oh, I had a SMB Ford Quigley. It was meh when I did a few laps around the Rubicon trail.

 

[JWA-SMB]

I am in Tennessee. Whoever is willing to deliver me a 4x4 Sprinter can be guaranteed an objective full, torturous, rigorous and damn thorough test of the 4x4 Sprinter capabilities. No extra charge for dog hair, joint burns, a few unidentified stains or unusual smells. Those things just happen in a real test, not like that shite you read about in magazines. I'm a professional. Bring it.

Such a magnanimous offer----you're nearly saint-like IMHO!

 

[86Scotty]

I do what i can for the good of all JWA!

 

[Pritikin]

What I'm hearing here is that i should just dip my wallet in kerosine and start upgrading the tires, wheels, suspension, and armor. Oh, and probably should "learn how to drive the Sprinter's traction control system while in lo-range" beyond just: stomp on it.

 

[Fitz2]

What I'm hearing here is that i should just dip my wallet in kerosine and start upgrading the tires, wheels, suspension, and armor.

You forgot bumpers, winches and assorted recovery gear!

 

[JWA-SMB]

I do what i can for the good of all JWA!

I've noticed over my time here---impressive! :d5:

 

[Sloya]

Just Do It

You won't need all the extras talked about so rest easy on your wallet. The only expenses you will really need is tires and wheels of choice. As for the rest of the options consider them creature comforts, you can add them as you go. It will do little towards increasing the 4x4 abilities of the 4x4 Sprinter.

I had read many articles about the outerbanks of NC and this was one of the first test I gave my 4x4 with stock out of the box and SMBW interior. Had no problems on the outerbanks. Now I'm running 17x8 with 265/70 17" General Grabber X3s that a little more aggressive than I usually run but liking them. I spend a lot of time in the deserts of the southwest and Baja California. The ride is great, smooth on the road and pleasant off road. The biggest thing is to learn the 4x4 system and how it interacts with the diesel. The suspension upgrades work but you will learn in time what your needs are.

We are currently in Ilwaco, Washington visiting and cruising the Pacific Northwest and planning on cruising the beach later today.

Make the switch, you will be glad you did!

 

[michsprinter]

sprinter vs E350

hi all
i put over 100, 000 miles on a '95 E350 Quigly conv and now have just over 35000 on a 2016 sprinter 4x4 144wb. i concur with what has been said here, but will just add that since the fuel economy is almost twice 18 vs 10 mpg, i find the sprinter to be hands down winner for long trips. i just put over 4900 miles on the sprinter going from Pa to Ca and back putting as much as 15.5 hours per day behind the wheel. it is farrrr more comfy than my 350 (which i loved) major complaint is the 5 speed tranny. it is ridiculous for a turbo diesel to be hooked to a 5 speed. i'm spinning 2600 rpm at 70 mph. whaaat? i will cry when MB finally wakes up and uses their 7 speed. but to your question, ride quality is far superior.

 

[Sloya]

Michsprinter, it may be time for you to purchase a new year Sprinter. I recently read that Mercedes Benz was going to offer the v6 with a 7 speed tranny, ask and you shall receive...!

I as well have a 2016 144 4x4 and enjoying it to the max. Cross country twice, Eastern Coastal from Keywest to Canada, Cabo San Lucas twice, Loreto Mexico and currently doing the Pacific Coast and Northwest. I agree, to have this size of a package and economy is wonderful. I ordered the comfort seats and thought I would not be comfortable on long trips but this has not been the case. I wanted swivel seats but they were not offered in 2016. I added after market swivels and they work but are not like the factory ones I had in my 2014 Sprinter.

Happy trails to you and anyone else reading this blog.