Mercedes 5 Cylinder Vs 6 Cylinder Diesel

It depends upon the criteria selected for the bet and their respective weighting factors, which haven't been stated in the original post.

I plan on towing a small boat (Boston Whaler 13ft). There are 2 used Winnebago Views with 5 cylinder engines both are 2006 View models for sale one with 105K and another with 127k on their respective engines.

The 6 cylinder choice is a 2008 Winnebago View with 56K on that engine.

I have heard that transmissions on the 2006 models were a problem (both of these units had them replaced.

I am not aware of problems with the 2008 model, however.

I would like to make an intelligent choice. I am a boater (sail) and have a lot of experience with smaller diesel boat engines, mainly Kubotas.

Thanks for your responses.

John G

Then consider each feature about the items in question, put a weighting factor against it, score each feature, then multiply the score by the weighting factor and add the lot up. Do this for each choice. The one with the highest total is the winner.

There isn't a more intelligent way of making any choice than that.

Do let the forum know if it turns out to be the pink one.

The pink one.

The newer the better.....unless you prefer the older.....or which has the better floorplan layout for your needs....or lowest mileage, or best maintained....

I am not an expert on the Merc diesels, but they would not have changed to the newer motor if they did not need to. My guess is that the newer engine gets more power, more torque, weighs less, or has lower emissions. Perhaps all of the above. But that newer technology has more parts, and more complex parts.

When the both motors are working correctly, the V6 is going to be better. But, when the engine needs repairs, you are going to wish you had the older 5 cylinder. Good luck.

The 2005 was close to the last 5 cylinder diesel. They changed to the 6 cylinder for the EU certification for being greener and the 6 IS NOT up to the longevity of the 5 cylinder. At 100,000 miles the 5 is just getting broken in. Mine, a 2500 Sprinter, is over 140k miles and better than when purchased. The 'turbo' problems are not the turbo but instead the $55 resonator (so do not get ripped off with some jerk trying to replace the turbo). The 6 transmission is similar but not as good in my opinion. I have had offers for my van (and this goes for other owners of the same engine type) of close to 3/4 of the original price. Most offers are from contractors/builders who are tired of getting overcharged too often on domestic diesel vehicles. Have a tech put a 'reader' on the vehicle and see if there are errors. Are the 'check lights' coming on during a test ride? The 5 cyl is an awesome little work horse and I doubt you will ever find a more friendly to the wallet drive system. Also get the replete dealer maintenance log printed out. If there is no maintenance log....... you are way out on your own... I would not buy any diesel truck without the log printed out.

My understanding with the 5 cylinders was the constant exhaust errors. I have read that the engine light goes on right after it was removed by a dealer. Had to do with a combination of the Cat and Computer. The fix was a 6 Cylinder engine. One guy bought over 12 ...5 cylinders Sprinters for his business and while the engine is best in class the number of maintenance visits due to emissions made that engine under performing on a spreadsheet.