Blahblahblah. Here we go, let's bash Sprinters, ignore that vision in the
mirror. Just like VW has always had, the Mercedes techs aren't exactly well
trained on current vehicles or to deal with the extra BS the EPA demanded to
meet USA emissions specs [Kalifornia especially]. 'Dodge', 'Freightliner' =
Mercedes, zero difference other than badging.
If someone is being charged $300 for diagnostics while a Sprinter is under
warranty, then that's their own problem for being dumb and not demanding
Mercedes cover the warranty. FWIW, there are great scan tools for half that
cost, read yer own codes and reset! If more info is needed, the MB Star
clones are available for under $400. OR, find a better, independent tech who
actually knows what he is doing and the vehicle in question.
The 'problems' are overblown by those vocal few who have problems, most of
which relates to the ridiculous urea fluid emissions system. The happy
owners outnumber the vocal few 100:1. A chip tuner can delete a few
'overzealous' problems if they exist. Sounds like these worrywarts allow the
dealer to rape them w/o questioning, after all, these folks only know how to
throw parts at something until it is miraculously 'fixed'.
OR - just buy an older Sprinter, like I have (2003), and enjoy that which
most every Vanagon owner has never experienced.