Yo - Eisboch
 

You mentioned in a post while I was gone, that 'the Sprinter is ready'. Do
you have a Sprinter-based RV? If so, who converted it to an RV? I've seen,
on the web, conversions by Great West and Winnebago and am wondering if
there are more out there.

Thanks.
--
******************************************
***** Hope your day is great! *****
******************************************

John

Yo - Eisboch
 

"JohnH" wrote in message
...
You mentioned in a post while I was gone, that 'the Sprinter is ready'. Do
you have a Sprinter-based RV? If so, who converted it to an RV? I've seen,
on the web, conversions by Great West and Winnebago and am wondering if
there are more out there.

Thanks.

Ours is a Pleasure-Way ... made in Canada. Most of the major RV companys
have their version.

Also ... new Spinter engine options will soon be available. A V6 gas engine
and a bigger diesel. Ours has the little Mercedes diesel which I have
found to be more than adequate, plus it has a proven track record in Europe.

www.eisboch.com/sprinter

Eisboch

Yo - Eisboch
 

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"JohnH" wrote in message
...
You mentioned in a post while I was gone, that 'the Sprinter is ready'.
Do
you have a Sprinter-based RV? If so, who converted it to an RV? I've
seen,
on the web, conversions by Great West and Winnebago and am wondering if
there are more out there.

Thanks.

Ours is a Pleasure-Way ... made in Canada. Most of the major RV companys
have their version.

Also ... new Spinter engine options will soon be available. A V6 gas
engine and a bigger diesel. Ours has the little Mercedes diesel which I
have found to be more than adequate, plus it has a proven track record in
Europe.


So what sort of mpg do you get on the highway with that rig? It's cute!

Yo - Eisboch
 

On Sun, 24 Sep 2006 11:36:41 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:


"JohnH" wrote in message
.. .
You mentioned in a post while I was gone, that 'the Sprinter is ready'. Do
you have a Sprinter-based RV? If so, who converted it to an RV? I've seen,
on the web, conversions by Great West and Winnebago and am wondering if
there are more out there.

Thanks.

Ours is a Pleasure-Way ... made in Canada. Most of the major RV companys
have their version.

Also ... new Spinter engine options will soon be available. A V6 gas engine
and a bigger diesel. Ours has the little Mercedes diesel which I have
found to be more than adequate, plus it has a proven track record in Europe.

www.eisboch.com/sprinter

Eisboch


Thanks for the info. We're currently considering a Sprinter based RV for
when the wife retires. Our friends in Holland have a VW based RV, which
seemed very satisfactory for them. Now I've another maker to add to the
list. I'd be interested in the diesel, and have heard nothing but good
things about the diesel you have in yours.

Now that I've seen the pics, I remember you posting them a while back. Old
age is a bitch.

Thanks.
--
******************************************
***** Hope your day is great! *****
******************************************

John

Yo - Eisboch
 

"RG" wrote in message
m...

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"JohnH" wrote in message
...
You mentioned in a post while I was gone, that 'the Sprinter is ready'.
Do
you have a Sprinter-based RV? If so, who converted it to an RV? I've
seen,
on the web, conversions by Great West and Winnebago and am wondering if
there are more out there.

Thanks.

Ours is a Pleasure-Way ... made in Canada. Most of the major RV companys
have their version.

Also ... new Spinter engine options will soon be available. A V6 gas
engine and a bigger diesel. Ours has the little Mercedes diesel which I
have found to be more than adequate, plus it has a proven track record in
Europe.


So what sort of mpg do you get on the highway with that rig? It's cute!


On the trip to Norfolk and back, towing the cargo trailer, it averaged 17
mpg.
The manufacturer claims as much as 22 mpg highway (not towing).
What surprised me was its ability to cruise along at 65-70 mph, up and down
hills without straining. If fact it only downshifted out of overdrive twice
on the trip ... when returning to MA with some fairly long and steep grades
on I-95.

It's only rated at 154 hp.

Eisboch

Yo - Eisboch
 

"JohnH" wrote in message
...


Our friends in Holland have a VW based RV, which
seemed very satisfactory for them. Now I've another maker to add to the
list. I'd be interested in the diesel, and have heard nothing but good
things about the diesel you have in yours.


Do plenty of research. The VW based RV is not getting rave reviews here in
the US.

Eisboch

Yo - Eisboch
 

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...



On the trip to Norfolk and back, towing the cargo trailer, it averaged 17
mpg.
The manufacturer claims as much as 22 mpg highway (not towing).
What surprised me was its ability to cruise along at 65-70 mph, up and
down hills without straining. If fact it only downshifted out of
overdrive twice on the trip ... when returning to MA with some fairly long
and steep grades on I-95.

It's only rated at 154 hp.


Interesting. I saw the 154 hp rating on the Pleasure-Way website, but they
didn't include a torque rating. Mileage is probably very close to what you
would realize with the M5. Interesting choice between driving the M5 and
staying at motels versus driving the RV and having the comforts of home
right there. I can see the upside and downside to both scenarios. I
suppose the ratio of driving hours versus parked hours for a given trip
might determine which way to go?

Yo - Eisboch
 

Just thought of another question: How's the clatter from the diesel from
the perspective of the two front seats, say compared to the clatter of the
Powerstroke from the same seats in the SuperDuty (a known reference)?

Yo - Eisboch
 

On Sun, 24 Sep 2006 13:56:44 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:


"JohnH" wrote in message
.. .


Our friends in Holland have a VW based RV, which
seemed very satisfactory for them. Now I've another maker to add to the
list. I'd be interested in the diesel, and have heard nothing but good
things about the diesel you have in yours.


Do plenty of research. The VW based RV is not getting rave reviews here in
the US.

Eisboch


The VW based RV sold here, until last year, was put together by Winnebago
and had a gas engine. The five cylinder diesel in the European van is much
like your engine in the Sprinter. We drove that thing at 130kph for hours
on end. He had a higher top installed and did the interior work himself.
He's talented!
--
******************************************
***** Hope your day is great! *****
******************************************

John

Yo - Eisboch
 

"RG" wrote in message
.. .


Interesting. I saw the 154 hp rating on the Pleasure-Way website, but
they didn't include a torque rating. Mileage is probably very close to
what you would realize with the M5. Interesting choice between driving
the M5 and staying at motels versus driving the RV and having the comforts
of home right there.

Heh. The M5 is another story .... but first ... here's a portion of a
review done by "DieselPower" on the Sprinter:

"Looking at the spec sheet, things don't look terribly promising for a fun
ride. Weighing in at around 5,000 pounds, and with just 154 hp and 243 lb-ft
of torque to tug you around, we were expecting glacial acceleration, at
best. Surprisingly, the turbodiesel five-cylinder scoots the Sprinter around
town with remarkable vigor. From 0-50 mph, the Sprinter easily keeps pace
with traffic, with a flat torque curve from 1,600-2,400 rpm, providing ample
thrust for urban duty. Not surprisingly, freeway driving is a little more
labored but still not embarrassing. Acceleration to 70 mph is adequately
quick, and maintaining cruising speeds is not a problem. Under our
admittedly lead-footed testing, we averaged a respectable 19.24 miles per
gallon. We've heard reports of averages between 22 and 25 mpg, and even as
high as 30 under an especially judicious right foot."


---------------------------------------------------------


Now ... the M5. I am selling it. The dealer has made an acceptable offer
to buy it back and there are two interested private parties that are
seriously interested in it to avoid the year long delivery of a new one.

I enjoy cars, can fully appreciate the technology and engineering of BMW and
the performance of the M5. But, I also would like to keep my license. The
problem with a car like the M5 is that unless you are into racing or renting
track time you cannot use the car in the manner it was designed to be used.
It will accelerate from 60 mph to over 140 mph in what seems like a
nanosecond, but the state police have radios that are faster. When you
drive normally, you may as well have a regular 5 series. Since we also have
an '06 750Li ... we won't be BMW-less.

Truth is, I ususally drive like a little old lady .... even with the classic
muscle cars. The performance of the M5 is so spirited and exciting that it
is very tempting to use.
I've gone for 40 years without a speeding ticket and I don't need to start
collecting them now.

Eisboch

Yo - Eisboch
 

"RG" wrote in message
. ..

Just thought of another question: How's the clatter from the diesel from
the perspective of the two front seats, say compared to the clatter of the
Powerstroke from the same seats in the SuperDuty (a known reference)?

The Mercedes diesel is much, much quieter .... in fact when I went to get it
inspected and pulled into the garage bay, the tech didn't believe it was a
diesel.

It uses common-rail injectors, as does GM's (Izuzzo) Duramax. Ford uses
some other injection system on the 6.0L which is noisier. BTW ... the new
6.4L Ford diesel is going to use common rail injectors and should be much
quieter.

To answer your Sprinter question specifically, from the driver and passenger
seat the only time a knowledgable person would recognize it as being a
diesel is when you first start it up. After that, you can't tell, other
than a very mild and distant diesel knock when idling. You have to remember
also ... it's a much smaller engine than the pickup diesels.

Eisboch

Yo - Eisboch
 

"JohnH" wrote in message
...

On Sun, 24 Sep 2006 13:56:44 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:

Do plenty of research. The VW based RV is not getting rave reviews here
in
the US.

Eisboch


The VW based RV sold here, until last year, was put together by Winnebago
and had a gas engine. The five cylinder diesel in the European van is much
like your engine in the Sprinter. We drove that thing at 130kph for hours
on end. He had a higher top installed and did the interior work himself.
He's talented!


The comments I've heard were on a couple of RV forums that I occasionally
read.
Complaints were centered around lack of power and poor handling. (RV
conversions are typically heavier) The diesel variety may be much better.

Eisboch

Yo - Eisboch
 

On Sun, 24 Sep 2006 16:22:47 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:


"RG" wrote in message
. ..


Interesting. I saw the 154 hp rating on the Pleasure-Way website, but
they didn't include a torque rating. Mileage is probably very close to
what you would realize with the M5. Interesting choice between driving
the M5 and staying at motels versus driving the RV and having the comforts
of home right there.

Heh. The M5 is another story .... but first ... here's a portion of a
review done by "DieselPower" on the Sprinter:

"Looking at the spec sheet, things don't look terribly promising for a fun
ride. Weighing in at around 5,000 pounds, and with just 154 hp and 243 lb-ft
of torque to tug you around, we were expecting glacial acceleration, at
best. Surprisingly, the turbodiesel five-cylinder scoots the Sprinter around
town with remarkable vigor. From 0-50 mph, the Sprinter easily keeps pace
with traffic, with a flat torque curve from 1,600-2,400 rpm, providing ample
thrust for urban duty. Not surprisingly, freeway driving is a little more
labored but still not embarrassing. Acceleration to 70 mph is adequately
quick, and maintaining cruising speeds is not a problem. Under our
admittedly lead-footed testing, we averaged a respectable 19.24 miles per
gallon. We've heard reports of averages between 22 and 25 mpg, and even as
high as 30 under an especially judicious right foot."


---------------------------------------------------------


Now ... the M5. I am selling it. The dealer has made an acceptable offer
to buy it back and there are two interested private parties that are
seriously interested in it to avoid the year long delivery of a new one.

I enjoy cars, can fully appreciate the technology and engineering of BMW and
the performance of the M5. But, I also would like to keep my license. The
problem with a car like the M5 is that unless you are into racing or renting
track time you cannot use the car in the manner it was designed to be used.
It will accelerate from 60 mph to over 140 mph in what seems like a
nanosecond, but the state police have radios that are faster. When you
drive normally, you may as well have a regular 5 series. Since we also have
an '06 750Li ... we won't be BMW-less.

Truth is, I ususally drive like a little old lady .... even with the classic
muscle cars. The performance of the M5 is so spirited and exciting that it
is very tempting to use.
I've gone for 40 years without a speeding ticket and I don't need to start
collecting them now.

Eisboch


Sounds like we both fell head over heels, and then came to our senses. What
the hell, it's only money!
--
******************************************
***** Hope your day is great! *****
******************************************

John

Yo - Eisboch
 

On Sun, 24 Sep 2006 16:34:20 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:


"JohnH" wrote in message
.. .

On Sun, 24 Sep 2006 13:56:44 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:

Do plenty of research. The VW based RV is not getting rave reviews here
in
the US.

Eisboch


The VW based RV sold here, until last year, was put together by Winnebago
and had a gas engine. The five cylinder diesel in the European van is much
like your engine in the Sprinter. We drove that thing at 130kph for hours
on end. He had a higher top installed and did the interior work himself.
He's talented!


The comments I've heard were on a couple of RV forums that I occasionally
read.
Complaints were centered around lack of power and poor handling. (RV
conversions are typically heavier) The diesel variety may be much better.

Eisboch


There is a chance, so I hear, that VW may start importing the diesel van.
In the meantime, the Sprinter based RV's are commanding my attention. The
damn things aren't cheap, though. They seem to run within 5k of $80k no
matter who does the conversion.
--
******************************************
***** Hope your day is great! *****
******************************************

John

Yo - Eisboch
 

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...


Now ... the M5. I am selling it. The dealer has made an acceptable
offer to buy it back and there are two interested private parties that are
seriously interested in it to avoid the year long delivery of a new one.

I enjoy cars, can fully appreciate the technology and engineering of BMW
and the performance of the M5. But, I also would like to keep my
license. The problem with a car like the M5 is that unless you are into
racing or renting track time you cannot use the car in the manner it was
designed to be used. It will accelerate from 60 mph to over 140 mph in
what seems like a nanosecond, but the state police have radios that are
faster. When you drive normally, you may as well have a regular 5 series.
Since we also have an '06 750Li ... we won't be BMW-less.

Truth is, I ususally drive like a little old lady .... even with the
classic muscle cars. The performance of the M5 is so spirited and
exciting that it is very tempting to use.
I've gone for 40 years without a speeding ticket and I don't need to start
collecting them now.


I understand the citation situation, and apparently much more intimately so
than yourself. I currently have two speeding tickets on my record (both by
LIDAR, for which there is no practical defense other than driving closer to
the limit), and am not eligible to have any subsequent ones dismissed by way
of traffic school until this November. AZ only allows you one matriculation
at defensive driving school every two years. I think by this point I should
have some sort of special alumni status.

Well, that 750 is a pretty fine road car. You can chew up some serious
miles in enjoyable comfort in that ride, for sure. How do you decide
whether to take the RV or the Beemer for a given road trip?

I've driven Infinitis for the last 15 years, but just made a change a couple
of months ago. The lease on my M45 was up, and now I'm driving a Lexus LS
430. I like it. Build quality and attention to detail is pretty
astounding.

Yo - Eisboch
 

"JohnH" wrote in message
...

There is a chance, so I hear, that VW may start importing the diesel van.
In the meantime, the Sprinter based RV's are commanding my attention. The
damn things aren't cheap, though. They seem to run within 5k of $80k no
matter who does the conversion.

I may be mistaken, but it seems to me that I remember one RV company
(RoadTrek?) that had some models in the 50-60's. We looked at one after we
got ours and it wasn't bad, although the Pleasure-Way's fit and finish is
superior.

It would also be fun --- but a bit of work --- to buy a shell and do the
conversion yourself. It could be done over time, starting with basics so
you can use it right away. I think the shell, depending on size, is very
reasonably priced.

Eisboch

Yo - Eisboch
 

"JohnH" wrote in message
...


Sounds like we both fell head over heels, and then came to our senses.
What
the hell, it's only money!


You don't think about these kind of things when you buy them. I still am
reluctant to get rid of it though. It's an amazing car .... probably ... no
certainly... the finest car I've ever owned or driven. I don't mean finest
by "luxury". It's just a perfectly balanced performance sedan that can
compete with and beat many of the Porche and some Ferrari true sportscars.
The super fast Corvette Z06 will beat it in a straight drag race, but it's
not a blow out. The M5 does amazingly well against it.
Problem is, I am not into racing.

Eisboch

Yo - Eisboch
 

"RG" wrote in message
. ..


How do you decide whether to take the RV or the Beemer for a given road
trip?


The RV is my daughter's fault. She and her husband are into family camping
and convinced us and our oldest son to get RVs so we could all go get bitten
by mosquitoes and get rained on in comfort.

Actually, that's not completely true as we had others before, thinking we
would use them for relaxing winter time travel. Never happened.

Eisboch

Yo - Eisboch
 

On Sun, 24 Sep 2006 17:05:53 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:


"JohnH" wrote in message
.. .

There is a chance, so I hear, that VW may start importing the diesel van.
In the meantime, the Sprinter based RV's are commanding my attention. The
damn things aren't cheap, though. They seem to run within 5k of $80k no
matter who does the conversion.

I may be mistaken, but it seems to me that I remember one RV company
(RoadTrek?) that had some models in the 50-60's. We looked at one after we
got ours and it wasn't bad, although the Pleasure-Way's fit and finish is
superior.

It would also be fun --- but a bit of work --- to buy a shell and do the
conversion yourself. It could be done over time, starting with basics so
you can use it right away. I think the shell, depending on size, is very
reasonably priced.

Eisboch


Funny you should mention it. My friend in Holland wants me to buy the basic
Sprinter (about $35K), ship it to Holland, get the high roof put on, and
then do the inside. He figures I'd save a bundle. All the amenities for the
conversion are available over there, including showers, stoves, heaters,
etc, etc.

He figures it would take us about three months to do a nice job. His major
expense, in doing his, was *glue*. The entire interior is carpeted, and it
all had to be glued in place. He also mentioned that the materials he used,
plywood, etc, are a higher grade than what would be used by a commercial
conversion.

Interesting, but I'll have to give it some thought.
--
******************************************
***** Hope your day is great! *****
******************************************

John

Yo - Eisboch
 

"JohnH" wrote in message
...

Funny you should mention it. My friend in Holland wants me to buy the
basic
Sprinter (about $35K), ship it to Holland, get the high roof put on, and
then do the inside.

Why ship one from the US to Holland? Why not just get the Mercedes badged
version in Europe? I understand they are a dime a dozen over there.

Eisboch

Yo - Eisboch
 

Eisboch wrote:
"RG" wrote in message
. ..


How do you decide whether to take the RV or the Beemer for a given road
trip?



The RV is my daughter's fault. She and her husband are into family camping
and convinced us and our oldest son to get RVs so we could all go get bitten
by mosquitoes and get rained on in comfort.

Actually, that's not completely true as we had others before, thinking we
would use them for relaxing winter time travel. Never happened.

Eisboch


Why not just a medium sized travel trailer towed behind your pickup?

Yo - Eisboch
 

On Sun, 24 Sep 2006 17:38:19 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:


"JohnH" wrote in message
.. .

Funny you should mention it. My friend in Holland wants me to buy the
basic
Sprinter (about $35K), ship it to Holland, get the high roof put on, and
then do the inside.

Why ship one from the US to Holland? Why not just get the Mercedes badged
version in Europe? I understand they are a dime a dozen over there.

Eisboch


They cost more in Holland than they do here. Don't ask me why, maybe the
same reason the Nikon lenses cost almost twice what they do here.

DOT, the EPA, and Customs are very strict with regard to vehicles meeting
US specs before being imported into the country. There are such things as
'gray market' autos imported, but the owners go through a hassle to get
them brought up to spec. (At least, this was the case several years ago.)
Now that Dodge has the right to sell the vehicle here, I'd expect it to be
even more difficult to import a gray market version. Shipment round trip
would probably be less than $2K.

When I was in Germany, it was not possible to buy a Mercedes direct from
the company made to US specs. Mercedes of America (or whatever the name
was) had a deal with Mercedes that prohibited it. I haven't checked with
Mercedes or Dodge, but I'd doubt that things have become any easier.

This wasn't true for all auto makers. I was able to buy a Saab made to US
specs while stationed in Germany.
--
******************************************
***** Hope your day is great! *****
******************************************

John

Yo - Eisboch
 

"JohnH" wrote in message
...

On Sun, 24 Sep 2006 17:38:19 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:



Why ship one from the US to Holland? Why not just get the Mercedes
badged
version in Europe? I understand they are a dime a dozen over there.


They cost more in Holland than they do here. Don't ask me why, maybe the
same reason the Nikon lenses cost almost twice what they do here.

DOT, the EPA, and Customs are very strict with regard to vehicles meeting
US specs before being imported into the country. There are such things as
'gray market' autos imported, but the owners go through a hassle to get
them brought up to spec. (At least, this was the case several years ago.)
Now that Dodge has the right to sell the vehicle here, I'd expect it to be
even more difficult to import a gray market version. Shipment round trip
would probably be less than $2K.

When I was in Germany, it was not possible to buy a Mercedes direct from
the company made to US specs. Mercedes of America (or whatever the name
was) had a deal with Mercedes that prohibited it. I haven't checked with
Mercedes or Dodge, but I'd doubt that things have become any easier.

This wasn't true for all auto makers. I was able to buy a Saab made to US
specs while stationed in Germany.


I didn't realize that. I know that several people have taken delivery of
US spec'd M5s in Germany and then shipped them here.

Eisboch