Ian0354 Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 Hi, Long time since I've been on the forum. Could I please ask for opinions from owners of motorhomes built on Mercedes Sprinter chassis. We are currently looking at Autotrail motorhomes built on Sprinters and have found one built on a 316 MWB and after speaking with the owner of one built on a 313 MWB questions come to mind. Whatever we buy will be an auto (Sprintshift) and would ask for reports from owners of motorhomes fitted with both engines/gearbox variants. We don't drive fast but wonder about the hill climbing ability of the less powerful engine ie is it working that much harder and so using more fuel than its bigger sibling would? Thanks for the help. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 Hi Ian, I'll start you off, we have a 313 Manual in our AutoTrail Cheyenne plated to 3,800 kg and it is more than adequate for 99% of our driving. Only very occasionally do I have to shift down to 4th for a steep incline, but equally it will climb anything put in it's way given time, even Sutton Bank on the Thirsk to Pickering road (Google it if you're not familiar). I don't think there are many (if any?) 313 Autos out there, all I've come across are 316 Sprintshifts (but I may be wrong). One big thing I have found about the Sprinters is that they do not like to be laboured, they much prefer shifting down a gear and keeping the revs up, say over 2,000 to 2,500 rpm. Even in a sprintshift! In case you don't know (apologies if you do) the first digit of the model designation stands for the nominal weight in Tonnes, (ie 3 for over 3 Tonnes) and the second and third digits for the engine power in tens of horse power (13 being 130 HP). So a 416 would be an over 4 Tonne 160 HP. What year and model are you looking at? Hope this all helps and ask away if you have more questions. Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian0354 Posted September 13, 2013 Author Share Posted September 13, 2013 Hi Keith, Thanks for the info, just what we were looking for. We have previously owned three Mercedes motorhomes; two Hymers and a James Cook and of these two were on the earlier Sprinters with the 312 2.9lt engines and one on the prior Bremmen chassis so we are used to the make. We thought minds were made up on a 316 engined Autotrail but we were speaking with an owner who said the 313 was a "sweeter" engine and, in everyday use, just as powerful. We have seen 313's with Sprintshift but they are rarer. It is good to hear that you find the smaller engine quite adequate for power, do you know if there is much difference in MPG? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian0354 Posted September 13, 2013 Author Share Posted September 13, 2013 Keithl - 2013-09-13 8:16 PM ..................... What year and model are you looking at? ..................... Keith. Sorry, I should have added. We are looking at a 2005 630 LB SE with Sprintshift but also very taken with the layout of the 635 SE. Both layouts have plus points so what to do, flip a coin? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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