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I bought a Mercedes Benz Sprinter, CDI 313, all-wheel-drive van for $61,000 plus in 2004. Fitted out as a  camper we used it minimally. By 29,000 ks and out of time warranty,  the front differential failed requiring a new crown wheel and pinion. It eventuates that this is a throw-away differential. No parts are available for this diff.  A new differential costs $25,000. Compare this to the price of the vehicle!

This vehicle was still not due for its first service when the front differential failed. The Mercedes specialist I dealt with sent the differential to a transmission specialist who had difficulty believing the crown wheel and pinion had seen only 29,000ks with perhaps 4 hours in 4WD.

Finally after considerable argument with Mercedes I was offered a new differential for $15,000.i.e. a toy differential for $15,000. By comparison a differential for a Toyota Prado costs $2,000 and it’s a strong working diff.
Also with this van you get a grossly inaccurate fuel gauge, ‘steering rack’ rattle, no fuel tank shield and  a badly designed side door with suspension which requires a diff lock to move the vehicle off an uneven suburban verge.

My question which Mercedes in Germany and Australia refuse to answer is: ‘Is this vehicle an aberration or is this standard Mercedes?