Model Year Recommendation for Interstate

[aslanatom]

I am in the market for a used Interstate. (2010-2020). Of course I know the latest will be the best but also would cost most. Given this, are there specific model years more desirable than others other than just being newer? This will help me decide whether I should pay a hefty premium for the age difference or not.
Thank you in advance.

[02interstate]

We have a 2012 (2011 sprinter) and love it. You have to understand that stuff breaks. Batteries need to be replaced, fuses blow, etc. these are expensive toys. But they bring the family together. You maybe buying at the top of the market right now and can likely save money waiting until the winter. One thing you want to do regardless of the year is upgrade the suspension unless you get a new model with air ride. Best of luck!

[aslanatom]

Originally Posted by 02interstate

We have a 2012 (2011 sprinter) and love it. You have to understand that stuff breaks. Batteries need to be replaced, fuses blow, etc. these are expensive toys. But they bring the family together. You maybe buying at the top of the market right now and can likely save money waiting until the winter. One thing you want to do regardless of the year is upgrade the suspension unless you get a new model with air ride. Best of luck!

Thank you. I just sold my 34ft boat/yacht so I am very realistic as to what to expect from a big toy. Also I owned a Sportsmobile a decade ago.
When did they equip the van with the air ride? Is it optional?

[Rocinante]

What length of Interstate are you hunting for? That decision may help focus your search on model years when the the length you seek was produced. For example, in recent years Airstream has not produced the nominal 22-foot unit, which is actually 22.9 feet long.

[aslanatom]

Originally Posted by Rocinante

What length of Interstate are you hunting for? That decision may help focus your search on model years when the the length you seek was produced. For example, in recent years Airstream has not produced the nominal 22-foot unit, which is actually 22.9 feet long.

I am okay with between 20 and 25. Can I expect to find one in a great condition for around 80K?

[Rig Rat]

IMO, the 2015 is a good model to own. It has all of the newer Mercedes safety features(lane assist, collision avoidance etc.) w/o the problematic Airstream power window shades and fusion entertainment system of newer models.
You might be able to pick one up in the $80's!

[aslanatom]

Originally Posted by Rig Rat

IMO, the 2015 is a good model to own. It has all of the newer Mercedes safety features(lane assist, collision avoidance etc.) w/o the problematic Airstream power window shades and fusion entertainment system of newer models.
You might be able to pick one up in the $80's!

Thanks. I am going to look for 2015 this weekend. Hopefully I can pick one up as I plan to take a few weeks off starting Monday. We will see!

[02interstate]

The suspension on the interstate is something you may want to be prepared to spend money on. Especially if you have a need of someone riding in the back during a trip. If you test drive one make sure you bring someone and have them ride in the rear. If you can get one with the new air suspension my guess is that would be worth it. I put $4200 in suspension on my 2012 and now its a much better ride.

[coasttocoast]

I have a 2016 with the air suspension and no Fusion head unit. You want the air suspension for obvious reasons, but you can also level out, mostly, when parking. I also like that I have physical switches instead of a screen for lights, etc.

[JJKinnerup]

Our AI is a 2013/14, Lounge Extended, purchased new. 45K on the odometer now. It has been a great vehicle for what we intended its use to be. No disappointments, but the ride in the back on those leaf springs can be a bit rough for passengers on the couch. In 2017 had installed Sprinter Van 3500 Glide Rite 4 Air Bag Suspension System from the Sprinter Store, which made all the difference in the vehicle's ride both in the front and the back with no negative impact on handling. Highly recommend air suspension!!

[aslanatom]

Originally Posted by 02interstate

The suspension on the interstate is something you may want to be prepared to spend money on. Especially if you have a need of someone riding in the back during a trip. If you test drive one make sure you bring someone and have them ride in the rear. If you can get one with the new air suspension my guess is that would be worth it. I put $4200 in suspension on my 2012 and now its a much better ride.

Thanks for the information. Yes I will have passengers. I am hoping that two other captain seats behind the driver would be comfortable. Also it is great to know that the air suspension can be added for $5K.

[ScottP]

Originally Posted by aslanatom

Thanks for the information. Yes I will have passengers. I am hoping that two other captain seats behind the driver would be comfortable. Also it is great to know that the air suspension can be added for $5K.

2014.5 models and newer have the chassis safety upgrades from MB. Yes they’re known as 2014.5 models.

Personally I think the 2017 year is the best year in the used market. Better awning upgrade etc.

2018 is the new additional production line with multiple issues such as squeaky cabinets, and depending upon your perspective, the Multiplex setup.

Good Luck

[switz]

I had a 2007 (made OCT 2006) Mercedes ML320 CDI (the 3.0L V6 turbo diesel) and my wife had a 2009 Mercedes E320 CDI (the 3.0L V6 turbo diesel) My ML was at 205,000 miles and my wife’s E320 was at 70,000 miles. A third occurrence of the beginning oil leak at the back of the valley between the pistons due to extreme heat was showing up on the ML and starting for the first time on her E320 engine. Price of the repair (requires disassembly of the top of the engine and all accessories) was normally $3,500 per occurance.

I did tow our 2015 23D International Serenity at 55 mpg Max speed in the Southwest and it was an excellent towing vehicle for that trailer.

This is a known engine design issue that even shows up on the Sprinters with this motor. A friend had a fleet of Sprinters for service trucks and at 140,000 this design cooling issue hit their fleet for the second time. Needless to say, the Sprinters are gone.

The Airstream factory (along with other RV mini bus makers) use the various models of Mercedes Sprinter chassis with the aforementioned 3.0L turbo charged diesel. These have the same motor we had. The first failure is after the 50,000 mile warranty ends. I had a 100,000 mile extended warranty so my first out of pocket was at 140,000 miles, but it happened around 75,000 miles the first time.

Neither my ML nor the wife’s E320 were worth $3,500 used. So the repairs cost was not recoverable in the value of the car. They were both traded in on Toyotas and were sent to used car auctions as neither of the two separate dealerships could resell them due to age and miles. Both vehicles looked new and had been kept in an A/C garage when we were at home.

[1jacobo]

I have a 2016. No air suspension but there’s rarely anyone riding in the rear. As mentioned the biggest 2016 headache has been the power shades. The FIAMMA awning is starting to behave badly, but still fully functional. I also have the Fusion infotainment system which has not been a problem for me.