Here’s a little info that may be useful for everyone. If you don’t already know, familiarize yourselves with the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act. It protects you but you also have to be responsible and keep up with the maintenance schedule ETC. Most dealers will have their own fluffed up service/maintenance schedule with a lot of adds. Follow the schedule set by the manufacturer in the owners manual. Do I have to use the dealer for repairs and maintenance to keep my warranty in effect? No. An independent mechanic, a retail chain shop, or even you yourself can do routine maintenance and repairs on your vehicle. In fact, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which is enforced by the FTC, makes it illegal for manufacturers or dealers to claim that your warranty is void or to deny coverage under your warranty simply because someone other than the dealer did the work. Will using 'aftermarket' or recycled parts void my warranty? No. An 'aftermarket' part is a part made by a company other than the vehicle manufacturer or the original equipment manufacturer. A 'recycled' part is a part that was made for and installed in a new vehicle by the manufacturer or the original equipment manufacturer, and later removed from the vehicle and made available for resale or reuse. Simply using an aftermarket or recycled part does not void your warranty. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act makes it illegal for companies to void your warranty or deny coverage under the warranty simply because you used an aftermarket or recycled part. Below are a couple helpful links to the magnuson Moss Act and consumer.FTC.gov Hope this is useful, don’t let the dealers tell you different. apb-law.com/understanding-magnuson-moss-act-relates-aftermarket-car-parts/ www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0138-auto-warranties-routine-maintenance

Way higher than expected. Definitely makes me think the Transit or Promaster would be a huge savings

Yours is the most REAL and RAW profile on KZfaq and on Instagram. I look forward to all you material and thank you so much for sharing!!

you made my mind up.... I'd never get a Diesel Sprinter.... Ford Transit maybe with Extended cargo to max. I just saw the shuttle bus conversion video tour. Bob Wells just put out a video on it..> Magnificant build. 13X7 ft back area to work with.

For anyone flipping over how much she spends for maintenance, think of how much you spend on your house. Just saying. Also, you are my total role model and am definitely living in a van after I finish school.

I absolutely love her videos😍😍 she inspires me so much with my own channel hopefully one day I’ll be able to do more traveling !

I would be really neat to see a tour of other solo female traveller's vans in the next video, and like asking what key things they have learned in their travels so far! 😊 Love your videos btw! 🤗

Wally World is your friend. Learn how to DIY the simple stuff like fluid and filter changes. Just keep the receipts for proof for warranty claims in accordance to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and the court cases thereafter. Basically you don't have to use "dealers ships or OEM" parts but can use non OE equivalent of said parts. For example you don't have to use a Mercedes oil or air filter but can use an equivalent and still be covered under warranty.

It's still just a diesel engine. Yes Mercedes, but no different really for general maintenance. I have a Sprinter, oil change costs 100 bucks total, oil and filter included. Go find a sprinter fleet vehicle repair station at least. Fed Ex, motor home, all use them.

Great informative video Liz’👍🏿 nxt week’s video, could you interview other solo female van lifers. Keep Smiling!!

"It is a balancing act." Lol. Good one. Often the speedometer & trip meters will not show accurate after changing to a bigger or smaller tire outside diameter. This is because at 1 rotation a 18" tire will travel more inches than a 17 inch tire. The tire's sidewall height will also cause or cancel a diameter change. You can compare this by running a string or tape measure around the outside diameter of the tire (in the middle area where the tread is) & comparing the 2. Or usually a tire manufacturer's website or retail seller will have the diameters available. Don't want you get a speeding ticket because the speedo is off. Bigger tires will make the speedo read lower. Say, for example an 18" offroad tire with high sidewalls may show 50 mph when the vehicle is in fact doing 56 mph. But would show 50 mph at 50 mph with the original 17" tires.

$600 for an oil change? Does that include a trip to Germany? Why so much?

This was fascinating! I am never whinging about my Toyota minivan costs ever again hahaha. Nice to see you again 🤗

I am addicted to watching these videos :) luv you

that was higher than i expected good luck and i love your videos

Another wonderful video Liz. You are so good in front of the camera. A true professional, and it shows.

Wow, you've given you'd so much info, and some things I've not thought of. We are converting a different year/model, however you've given us a lot of things to keep in mind. I also thought it was great that you did the legwork to price out and didn't let the dealership intimidate you into their higher costs. Sometimes you have to go with them, sometimes you don't. But dealerships tend to use intimidating tactics and odd reasoning rather than simply having lower prices. Overhead costs and all that, but still. It's insane how much higher they are for the same parts and servicing. Massive thanks for all the info. I enjoy watching van tours, DIY stuff, there is a guy named Lee that is in the western US that did an insanely detailed DIY that might interest you. I'm always interested in how people get their vans to fit them, rather than trying to fit a prefab design. I also like learning how some common sense practices and items help make van life much easier, things that a newbie like me isn't aware of because we've never done it before. We are just having our windows installed in a couple of weeks, step one! Wicked excited, we are now on the way, and I'm gathering as much info and insight as I can to help us design and kit out this conversion to work great and be fun to be in.

This is what Beverly d'Angelo looked like before National Lampoon, the Griswolds, and van life.

Lady, you have gained my absolute RESPECT for what you're doing. Lots of chutzpah for being bold! Keep on forward. :D

Go to a chain parts store for DEF. $12 for 2.5 gallons at most parts stores. Make sure you use a brand that meets Mercedes requirements. Peak BlueDef does. Your cabin filter can be replaced by just opening the hood. Buy it yourself and do it. Get the correct part number from the dealership and go to Rockauto.com for most if not all your parts. Just make sure you have the correct part number. That’s the easiest way to find it on that site. The engine filter is easy to replace too. You can get an oil change way cheaper than $300 too. Less than $100 should be your target.

In case you didn't have this checked,when changing your wheels and tires to bigger size you need to recalibrate your speedometer. If you didn't you could actually be speeding and not know it. That can throw the speedometer of a few mph depending on the circumference difference of your tires.

I liked the part on the tires.. while showing you getting stuck 😂 always shows that research is key on maintenance 👌 even with me getting a simple oil change I get hassled to do more like my cars life depends on it haha well it does but that’s why I have a husband who is a mechanic so I know a little more than they think 😂👌 look forward to the next video ♥️

Holy cow, I didn't have any idea how much it would cost but I didn't know it would cost that much. Following van life I've heard owners say they chose or Transit or ProMaster because of maintenance cost and didn't have to worry as much as to find specialty mechanics. Good reality check of how much you need to spend.

Omg I totally love your videos. I can’t wait until I get me an van and travel. I would love to see other solo women traveling vans! ❤️😍❤️❤️

Thanks so much. I was torn between the mercadies and dodge promaster for my van build. Definitely going with the promaster now.

Very helpful cost breakdown that ppl should consider beforehand.

The way I see it is, if someone is full time in a sprinter, the maintenance costs makes sense. It still is cheaper than paying rent somewhere.

I love your videos 💚 You can change your own air filters they tend to be pretty easy to do it's generally a few clips and they're done 💚 I've done it on most of the vehicles we've owned car and van 💚 You can also buy your own oil straight from supplier tends to be cheaper and then just paying for someone to do it , sometimes in general it works out cheaper to source your own parts/fluids and then just pay for labour 💚💚

As always love the video ❤️ xxx

I'm always exited for a new video lol you look pretty in the thumbnail

When I finish school I wanna travel in a van🤗🤗🤗

Buy K&N air filters so you never have to buy filters again, you just clean them and put them back in. And find a shop that allows you to bring your own oil & filters, instead of paying the 300 to 400% mark up a lot of shops charge you for parts. Because you will find that A LOT of shops, including dealerships, (No matter what they tell you) they will get the parts you need from places like Discount Auto or AutoZone, and then they charge you 4 times the price they paid for them.

I love your videos and the information you provide your followers thank you

Welcome back. “Hello, you.” Haha. Love that.

Thank you for this helpful and informative video...I enjoy watching your channel.....:)

I’d love to see you go round vans of other solo female travellers - discussing your different methods, what works for different people, what you have in common with other people’s vans, etc. It’ll be nice to see some comparisons :D

What made me back off from purchasing a Mercedes van was one vandweller spent $7k to replace the transmission!!!

This is great info! Thanks!

An oil change at MB is $170 (it takes 12.5 quarts of oil). However a "Service A/B" which includes other things is $600.

First DEF light has a 1000 mile range, I've put a few hundred on after the light comes on If you need filters and basic parts try www.idparts.com they specialize in small and rare diesel engine parts, air filters, always carry a spare fuel filter and hose clamp wrench, if it gives you trouble it will be the worst possible time. Mine was an hour north of Bend Oregon at 11pm Those high priced oil changes are only every 20,000 miles, I keep an eye out for diesel rated Mobil 1 on sale, usually $25 a gallon or $75 for 3 gallons and an oil filter, even if I pay tax I can DIY for under $100. The huge capacity of oil is part of the reason those long oil changes are ok and won't hurt your van, be careful to get oil with the proper rating per Mercedes spec, if you skimp your emissions systems will fail sooner. Do not EVER take a sprinter to jiffy lube ect.

Hoehn Mercedes in Carlsbad has done VERY right by me, my oil change was less that $200. Then they offered to wash my Sprinter it was showroom new when I picked it up.

I'm very curious about the van life community. What's the demographic? How often do you get together? How do you know about van meets? Have you ever had any "issues" with other van lifers?

I would love to see you tour the inside other people vans

Solo female traveler van tour for sure!

I would like a mix of tours from people’s vans! Much love xoxo ❤️

One additional idea. You may want to buy a true diesel oil...eg Amsoil has good oils...on line and have it delivered. Buy Mercedes filters only if you want to retain your warranty, but then take oil and filter to a shop capable of taking a high roof rig and have them change the oil. You will then have confidence that you have a true diesel oil and a fair price for service. I would also recommend you install a magnetic drain plug to catch all the bits of metal that inevitably accumulate in your oil pan.

To save money I save at least 1 Def canister and the lid. When you top off your Def at the truck stop fill the empty Def container. Keep it in your van, in the box along with the lid and dispenser hose. The next time you're NOT near a truck stop you've got your backup Def container AND, it because you refilled it you saved about 3 to 4$ on the containers.

Great video just found you have now watched 7,the weather is always (hot...) not like England at the moment

Thank you for your. videos. FYI: There is a class action suit against Mercedes. Mercedes knows that the exhaust system is compromised and they do not tell the new owners nor have they tried to fix it. You can look it up on the internet. Sorry I cannot remember the name of the person who has the information. It cost owners $6,000. each time you have to have it "fixed". It is not a ONE time fix. I almost purchased one but thankfully found out the info the day prior. Purchasing a promaster. Thank you. I hope this helps others.

Love your video's we have a Mercedes Sprinter and it may be the easiest vehicle made to change the oil on you may want to try it yourself.

Wanna save money on tire balancing? Go to any Walmart and have them balance your tires. They currently have a program that you pay once for a life time of balance and rotations. Usually the first balance is more than there competition but the second pays off the dividends. Best news is Walmart’s exist in many town in America.

I'm a female and I've learned to do some of the service myself ..an oil change is fairly easy ( practice makes perfect) , and under 45 min. To complete .🖤💛🚐🤗

cool ,I absolutely love her videos

No brakes or shocks yet? Mostly smooth roads? My gas Ford E350 Class C didn't last 50K for those, but I also only need regular oil changes at any cheap oil change center. Are your plugs easy to get to? (if not, lots of hard labor).

Really good info. I for sure will not be getting a van or any type of "all in one" vehicle. I have a good truck already. I am looking at a.nice travel trailer. Maintenance cost sounds lower and i can park the trailer, detach and drive around if i want.

K&n filters is a great tip. Unfortunately MB spec oil is very expensive. The 3.0 l engine also takes a absurd amount of oil. 14qts to be exact (yes 3.5 gallons). 13qts for the 2.1l. Best place to get it is online. It’s about $150 for a kit with filter. A girl is more than capable of replacing it herself. All you need is a $15 Walmart tub to collect it into.

Just a note to mention you could buy the DEF fluid at any Walmart for less than what it costs at gas (non-truckstop) stations

Thanks for this video!!!

You can buy the DEF at walmart for 10.00 a box

I love what you are doing! I am retired in my mid fifties and am going to do the samething you are doing. Thank you for all the tips! Are you single???lol. Great choice on tires!!! You are so like me.

Full inspection means check if widows open fully, dealers even damage cars so you come back to them for more serious repairs

Could you do a where ive traveled video or a how i edit and work from my van

Great video 🤙🌴🤙

Thanks...good info!

Money saving tip: buy a Promaster. I had the oil change done for $7X including Mobil full synthetic and OEM filter. I buy my parts online for wholesale cost too. Sprinters are underpowered money pits.

Complete brake job $2,200, pads/rotors/sensors. Just had mine done last week.

Would love to see vans of other solo female travelers, please! Especially those with pets!!

I love your channel. Please upload more vids.

If anyone is shocked about the prices - remember its a Mercedes. Theres a reason the Transit is the best selling van in Europe and North America (and yes they have diesel (a bigger one)too). I bought the Medium roof transit with standing headroom (I'm 5'10") with the eco boost and it drives like a sports car (when you want it too). Theres a Ford dealer in every town with more than 2000 people and the staff don't think they are the elite in the car world. The popularity of the Mercedes comes from the fact that 5 years ago, it was the only option with factory standing headroom. Thats no longer the case. Now all the big 3 van makers have it and its a no brainer that Mercedes is no longer on the top of the list, unless you "need" the ultra long version. And Ford/ RAM has a SRW 1 ton.

I had a Lexus vehicle that needed a timing belt. The cost here in my city was $1,000. However, I drove 200 miles to Augusta Georgia and paid only paid $700 from a Lexus dealer for the same work. So yes, what city you go to to repair your vehicle does matter.

Tip! You can buy DEF at Wal-Mart for about $13 for the 2.5gal box.

Go to a TA or Petro and you might find a cabin filter that will fit for a lot less.

jarrod tocci has a two gallon recirculating shower check into that gl

Sure glad I do my own maintenance. Valvoline does the transmission fluid for a $125 fee. Takes about 30 minutes. You look smart enough to do your own oil changes. With a van you don't even need a lift. $50 for a diy

Why does an oil change cost so much. My Dodge Ram takes 12 Quarts of Synthetic + filter is under $90 (Walmart has best prices on oil). My labor is free ;-) Trying to understand what is that much different on a Sprinter.

FYI: Your spare should be the same size as your new tires and wheels

How do you fund your travels living on the road?

I think it's cheaper to maintain a Dodge 4x4 3500 dually diesel, with a large lance cab-over, gas mileage is worse, but then again you can tow over 25,000 lbs. Gvw

if you have a new vehicle doesn't the custom work to turn it into a camper void the warentee?

Your vids are super addictive, ever vanlifers in the winter?

Whewww.... that’s a lot of mula.... thanks for the info... this will really help me select what type of van I will select.

Think you did good on maintenance costs

I work at a MINI dealership. Call and ask what their labor rate is- MINI of Valencia in SoCal has the cheapest labor rate in the LA region. I believe it $90/hr rather than $130(or around there). Parts should all be relative- you can save big bucks on finding a cheaper labor rate!

the dodge promaster , fiat ducato is just as good but the parts are a lot cheaper

hi! i'm hoping you'll share the company that made your abso beautiful wood piece. i thought you posted it before but i can't find it. i need it! :) happy trails.

Get your tires at America's Tire. Free rotation and rebalance, they honor internet pricing and no hassle replacements nationwide ( almost all states) at Discount Tire.

Interview others on how they live in the van life

Omg cars in general are expensive. I wanna live in a van to save money lol I wanted to move to California again.

Fluid changes are not that hard to do yourself at a fraction of the dealer price. The BIG issue with the Mercedes Sprinter is the exhaust/emissions control system. At around 100,000 miles expect to spend upwards of $10,000 a year in maintenance. The Promaster may be a better option.

Others vans, please !

So.....what kinda fuel mileage do you get?

Can u do both?! XD Interview and tour other people with vans!

I can not believe how expensive vehicle servicing cost in US compared to UK.

Hello, I've been living the camping life for 2 years now, wouldn't trade it for anything!! When are you coming to Alberta? I know lots of cheap to free beautiful places to visit. Cheers!

so gorgeous, real woman enjoying life

I can do an oil change on my Gmc van myself in about an hour for around $50 dollars .I would avoid the dealers at all cost literally myself .

One should NEVER buy DEF at a truck stop. It is bulk DEF that is mixed with unknown quantities of various dates of production and can be contaminated...plus it is expensive. Buy Blue and learn how to read the production date on the container and always try to buy within 2 months but never over 6 months. Also, I believe you are only getting your transmission fluids checked. A transmission “flush” can damage your transmission.

She's beautful 😍

San Diego is nice for year round near perfect weather but the cost of living and other things like car maintenance and insurance are expensive as hell here. Never, never go to a dealership unless you have warranty and its free! They will over charge you for eveything and anything! You can get the same OEM parts far cheaper at places like napa auto parts, partsgeek, or if you live in SD the cheapest place I found was national autobody parts. I paid $107 for radiator support and $146 for front bumper reinforcement. Also, I use my brother's address in la Mesa for cheaper car insurance rates lol. Also, I find good mechanics/ body/paint through offer up, letgo, or craigslist because these big companies and businesses like to RIP off customers (especially if you are a female they are like starving lions). So always shop around and always compare prices.

You are a princess!