Blue Mercedes Sprinter MWB

After thinking about building another campervan for a while, I was looking online at vehicles in the Cornwall area.  I saw a few that looked good, especially a Blue Sprinter very near by.  I went and had a look.  It was in good condition, an ex Transco van that had a few bruises as all work vans do, but a full service history and brand new MOT.

After thinking about building another campervan for a while, I was looking online at vehicles in the Cornwall area.  I saw a few that looked good, especially a Blue Sprinter very near by.  I went and had a look.  It was in good condition, an ex Transco van that had a few bruises as all work vans do, but a full service history and brand new MOT.  I bought the van and got it back to my parents house where it will live for the next few months whilst it is being worked on.

Having previously converted a Sprinter I knew I wanted another. I love their reliability and build quality.  I was tempted by a more modern LDV Convoy for their size and width, but decided a Sprinter was enough.

My previous conversion had been a SMB medium-top.  I couldn’t stand up in it fully.  I lived in it for 9 months whilst touring around Europe, and new this time that a proper high-top as essential.  I also knew that the little extra length a MWB offers is well worth it for the trade-off in parking and slightly worse MPG.

The new Sprinter is a phase 2, rather than the phase 1 I had before.  With 110 BPH from the turbocharged engine it is a lot quicker than the old 80BPH unit.  In fact it’s quicker than most cars I have been in.  This will be good for touring.

Stripping out

Being an ex Transco van it had full racking, a bulkhead and beacons on top.  None of which I need, so the first job is to get these out.  sold most of these things, mainly to ensure they are re-used rather than scrapped, but also to make a few pounds.

Transco equipped van

Nearside

Offside

Things to remove, and the price I got for them on eBay

  • Van racking – £30
  • Bulkhead – £10
  • Yellow floor track – Gave away with racking
  • Rear step
  • Roof beacons
  • Plastic lining, given to a friend for his lightweight T4 conversion.
  • Internal lights, will reuse

 The racking and bulkhead took a bit work to remove, but the rear step was also a challenge.  The step was attached with many very big bolts which had become corroded.  

Posted by Darren

I'm a huge campervan enthusiast, and the maker of CampervanLife.com. I believe everyone can convert their own campervan, and enjoy a great lifestyle with it.

  1. MWB high roof sprinter vs a SWB low roof
    Hi Darren, now you have had both the swb and the mwb sprinters which one do you think makes the best for an all year round weekend surf van with capabilities to tour europe for months at a time? I have a car for daily use so it’s not a primary transport.
    I’m leaning to towards the mwb as it will be more comfortable and only a little more thirsty on fuel. However i’m worried about car park access due to the hight. I think that is why the t4/t5 are so popular is that they can fit under a 6’6″ barrier that many beach front car parks have.
    How to you find parking the MWB in and around the coast/villages etc?
    thanks,
    Jamie

    Reply

    1. Hi Jamie
      There both great.

      Hi Jamie

      There both great. The MWB offers that bit more space, the SWM that bit more manoeuvrable. As you say fuel consumption is negligible.
      If you are doing long trips in Europe get the MWB, that extra bit of room is great, expecially outside of summer when you’ll spend more time inside.
      I use my MWB as my only transport. No problems. Bit thirsty on long runs, but I rarely do them. I travel with my girlfriend, so the MWB is a must really. If I were traveling solo I might consider another SWB, but probably not.
      MWB is fine for parking. Fits in a supermarket space. Rarely a problem anywhere, even at cost.

      The high top does limit parking at car parks with height restrictions. My SWB was a low height, and was close to giving me a bad bacl as I couldn’t stand it in. Love the high top I have now.

      Reply

  2. Any more pics?!
    We’re looking at converting a sprinter so would love to see some more pics!

    Reply

  3. Thanks very much, good info
    Thanks very much, good info for us as we are beginners! We intend to convert our vw van in the near future

    Reply

  4. transco van
    HI did your van come with the stripes around the bottom of the van. If so are they easy to remove?
    david.

    Reply

    1. My van didn’t have any
      My van didn’t have any stripes. I am assuming they are just stickers. I have seen vans with the stries removed, and you can see where the stripes have been. Maybe T-Cut would remove the marks underneath?
      My van has no marks at all from the stickers.

      Reply

  5. Floor Question
    Have you taken up the ply floor lining on your van?
    I’m just about to start building on top of mine but I am mithering myself that I should pull up the floor and check underneath for rust and treat accordingly – it’ll be tricky to do as it looks pretty well screwed down but even trickier later…

    Reply

    1. No, I haven’t taken up the
      No, I haven’t taken up the floor. I can see areas of it, and it is very clean, as it the whole lower area of the van. As with yours, the floor is very well attached.
      I guess we should do it for peace of mind.

      Reply

  6. Snap!
    Well not quite snap but I have also gone for a MWB sprinter and started the conversion.
    I was heartened to see your van also bears the scars of working for a living before undertaking its new role as a ‘vehicle of leisure’.
    Cheers

    Reply

    1. Great to see your pics on
      Great to see your pics on your blog. My van is now stripped out, and the roof de-cluttered of lights and ariels. Now ready to fit a campervan inside it!

      Reply

      1. Thanks
        I’ve now added a memory card on my phone so I can snap away as I work.

        Reply

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