2009 Itasca Navion 3.0 Diesel Reliability

[[email protected]]

I have a 2006 Roadtrek 210 Popular with about 50,000 miles on it. We've owned it for just over a year and put 15,000 miles on it. After purchasing it I did get it road worthy and have traveled with zero troubles and 14.2 mpg.
However, here is my dilemma. I am looking at a 2006 Itasca Navion IQ with 42,000 miles for $26,000. It needs tires and is owned by the third owner who had it serviced by Mercedes two years ago, has driven it occasionally. No others service records. Very clean inside. Needs tires. Hood paint is shot. Solar added although that doesn't matter to me as we don't boondocks. I am interested because it provides more living space than the RT and I guess, I'd just like to try something else. However, I am quite worried about operational costs of the Mercedes diesel. Before purchase, I will have a pre-purchase inspection.
So my question is, does anyone have any experience with these 3.0 diesels (pre-DEF) and how expensive is maintenance. My wife and I travel about 10,000 miles per year in our RV around the country and do short SoCal trips as well.
Thanks for any advice
Save travels.

 

[CharlesinGA]

Not real sure what you are looking at. That I know of, there was no Navion IQ in 2006. That was only the second year for the View/Navion and they had 23J (corner bed+ cab over bed) and 23H (cab over bed plus jackknife couch)

The IQ was introduced in 2008 model year, which would have had a 2007 chassis, which was the first year of the V6 diesel and there were a few Navions and Views that year built on a 3.5L V6 gas engine chassis.

The chassis, up thru the 2006 chassis model year, is known as the T1N and is a slant 5 cylinder diesel. This would be 2007 and earlier Navion and View.

The 2007 chassis and on, would be the V6 diesel and is known as the NCV3 easily spotted by the TWO inlet louvers at the top of the hood, vs one wide inlet on the older T1N models.

Due to the economic debacle of 2008 you will find Views and Navions of 2008 (few) and 2009 and 2010 built on the 2008 chassis. WBO got stuck with a lot of chassis' and had to use them up.

Anyone who operates a Mercedes and intends to maintain it, must become familiar with the Mercedes-Benz Operating Fluid lists and specifications. (formerly known as BEVO) If you look at a lubricant or oil and it says "meets Mercedes Benz specification XXX" that means NOTHING. Mother Benz has a system of approval where oils, fluids, etc are submitted to them (and paid for the testing) and Benz has labatory tests done to insure compliance with the specification. If Benz approves the product then it is added to their list and the manufacturer is allowed to print on the packaging "APPROVED to Mercedes Benz specification....."

Sounds crazy but fluid compatibility can be a real issue, with engine oils and transmission fluids and such.

Some things such as Brake fluid, NO ONE, none, nota, makes a compatible brake fluid. Its DOT4+ and the plus means it has a higher flash point than any other fluid on the market. There are only two or three readily available transmission fluid brands in North America. Shell ATF 134 is the fluid that Benz supposedly uses in the facilities in Charleston, SC during assembly.

I had a 2007 View 23H on the 5 cylinder chassis. I really liked it but it scared me in some ways, and I finally sold it. See my signature.

Sprinter-Source is THE world wide source for forums on the Sprinters.

Winnbago is an excellent choice, they have all of the wiring diagrams, plumbing drawings, and coach parts catalogs online for free. The is a value added feature few (if any) an other RV manufacturers can compete with.

Personally I would suggest a Minnie Winnie on the Ford E series chassis. The Minnie Winnie shares many features with the View and Navion in the shorter models.

 

[[email protected]]

Oh goodness, my bad...the Itasca is 2009 3.0 diesel. I appreciate your experience, knowledge, and advice.
Does the Minnie come in 24' versions?

 

[[email protected]]

Not real sure what you are looking at. That I know of, there was no Navion IQ in 2006. That was only the second year for the View/Navion and they had 23J (corner bed+ cab over bed) and 23H (cab over bed plus jackknife couch)

The IQ was introduced in 2008 model year, which would have had a 2007 chassis, which was the first year of the V6 diesel and there were a few Navions and Views that year built on a 3.5L V6 gas engine chassis.

The chassis, up thru the 2006 chassis model year, is known as the T1N and is a slant 5 cylinder diesel. This would be 2007 and earlier Navion and View.

The 2007 chassis and on, would be the V6 diesel and is known as the NCV3 easily spotted by the TWO inlet louvers at the top of the hood, vs one wide inlet on the older T1N models.

Due to the economic debacle of 2008 you will find Views and Navions of 2008 (few) and 2009 and 2010 built on the 2008 chassis. WBO got stuck with a lot of chassis' and had to use them up.

Anyone who operates a Mercedes and intends to maintain it, must become familiar with the Mercedes-Benz Operating Fluid lists and specifications. (formerly known as BEVO) If you look at a lubricant or oil and it says "meets Mercedes Benz specification XXX" that means NOTHING. Mother Benz has a system of approval where oils, fluids, etc are submitted to them (and paid for the testing) and Benz has labatory tests done to insure compliance with the specification. If Benz approves the product then it is added to their list and the manufacturer is allowed to print on the packaging "APPROVED to Mercedes Benz specification....."

Sounds crazy but fluid compatibility can be a real issue, with engine oils and transmission fluids and such.

Some things such as Brake fluid, NO ONE, none, nota, makes a compatible brake fluid. Its DOT4+ and the plus means it has a higher flash point than any other fluid on the market. There are only two or three readily available transmission fluid brands in North America. Shell ATF 134 is the fluid that Benz supposedly uses in the facilities in Charleston, SC during assembly.

I had a 2007 View 23H on the 5 cylinder chassis. I really liked it but it scared me in some ways, and I finally sold it. See my signature.

Sprinter-Source is THE world wide source for forums on the Sprinters.

Winnbago is an excellent choice, they have all of the wiring diagrams, plumbing drawings, and coach parts catalogs online for free. The is a value added feature few (if any) an other RV manufacturers can compete with.

Personally I would suggest a Minnie Winnie on the Ford E series chassis. The Minnie Winnie shares many features with the View and Navion in the shorter models.

Thanks again for the very helpful reply. BTW, what was scary about the Vista?

 

[CharlesinGA]

Thanks again for the very helpful reply. BTW, what was scary about the Vista? View

The View is identical to the Navion, model for model, except for interior colors. The 5 cylinder had an especially weak transmission (same NAG1 or model 722.6 5 speed auto) but the next to the lowest rated (in torque) of any of that transmission. The V6, same 155 hp for the first couple of years, got a much higher rated transmission. That was a know high failure item. There were several other issues also, including one recall to reprogram the computer that bricked several Sprinters for months until Benz sorted it out. I sold with with the admonition to the new owner, to NEVER allow that recall to be done, ever.

Big thing is I like being able to park the trailer in a campsite and have the truck to tour, sightsee, shop, whatever. The View/Navion is not something you want to be towing with.

Charles