Pro's and Cons of a Mercedes Chassis w/3.0L Diesel Class C

[Buckeyedrew]

Hi, I am trying to narrow in on what I want for a first motorhome. Part of me says, play it safe and buy an older Ford F-450 ('15-'20) 25ft or so and live with it for a few years to get some experience. But, the "Dumb" part of me found a newer MB Chassis motorhome that I really like that fits my budget. My only concern is I'm not that familiar with owning a newer "Clean" Diesel and the Mercedes one at that. I know all these newer diesels have emissions that can lead to many problems. I also am aware diesel fuel, DEF , and regular maintenance will be more costly than regular gas. What else do I need to consider? I would appreciate any feedback you can offer regarding these coach's. Thanks

 

[SPearsall]

I have (now selling/renting out) a 2015.5 Winnebago View that I purchased for my business travel pre-pandemic. I paid nearly 70K for a unit with 38,000 miles on it back then, and watch prices soar to nearly $200k (stupid).

First of all (my opinion) everything under $750k or more is total junk. Cheaply made, assembled. Staples hold the crap together. If you're like most RV'ers you'll drive a few hundred miles to "camp" and then go home. You'll love it. If you travel for business (100K in 4 years, new to me 2021 Nexus Triumph 33TCS has 33K on it in 8 months) the C series units will literally vibrate apart as you drive down I40, East coast etc. If you live out West you're much luckier, the roads are much better.

Highly recommend a mechanic check it out before you buy. Mine I found out they towed without disconnecting the drive shaft. At 51K it was $8500 new transmission time. At 126K (the dealer never told me, but further research confirmed) the turbo seal blew 2.5 miles from home. Just left on a trip east. 50mph. Seal blew, engine shot. $18,735.00.

The original shocks are terrible. Everything rattles as you go down the road. GW is 11,000 pounds. What they don't tell you is that it comes from the factory at like 9400#'s. That's before fuel, oil, people, stuff. They actually recommend you don't fill your water tanks and drive. Cross winds are a nightmare. 13-17mpg. 14-16 is normal at 62mph

He's how you fix most of it:

B6 Bilstein front struts
Fox 2.5" tractor trailer rear shocks
Airman Airbags for rear axel
Battleborn Lithium batteries (double the power, half the weight)
3000W inverter, solar control, battery charging controller
Merlin Military grade peel and stick solar (28 pounds for 3 panels 740W)

Get one that you don't have to sleep on a couch mattress.

Rent before you buy. See if it's right for you.

I ended up with what I need. Super C

 

[Roadtripper78]

not sure about the clean diesels but diesels should be far more reliable than gas engines and last longer too if maintained properly.

 

[newmarokie]

We have a 2014 Freightliner custom van. It is a MB with a Freightliner badge on the steering wheel. We have put 160k on it. We have spent very little on it in 10 years. It went in for service recently and we spent $2800 on pieces and parts that needed updated or replaced. The biggest part of the cost was the dpf/emissions systems. It runs good and pulls hard. It is still an excellent travel vehicle.