From passenger van to party bus
The Sprinter 2500 is Mercedes-Benz’s flagship offering in the large van market, currently in its third generation, and highly popular around the world. This 2011 model is the second-generation Sprinter; however, it was destined to be more than a cargo hauler or a mundane passenger van.
With such a winning baseline vehicle to work with, Midwest Automotive Designs, based in Indiana, converted it into a full-blown luxury road trip machine with all the comforts you would expect. According to their own website, MAD was the first refitter to receive the Quality Approved status from Mercedes-Benz in the United States. Over the past twenty-five years, more than 13,000 vans have been upgraded, and at a rate now as high as 1,800 per year, that number is only expected to grow. Check out this converted 2011 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 on Bring a Trailer by clicking here!
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A platinum-tier ride fit for the club, the airport, or wherever you want to arrive in style
This Sprinter has been elongated to accommodate the lavishly spacious interior, with the roof height raised to match, despite already being famously high on the basic Sprinter offering. The Brilliant Silver metallic paint also stands out as a sign of opulence and status to anyone passing by.
An air dam has been fitted to help direct air flow, which adds a chunky change to the basic Sprinter front-facing profile. Beneath the passenger-side sliding door is a long and reinforced running board that helps you enter and exit with the kind of grace and poise you’ll want to exude.
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A miniature living room on the go
While the outside is subtle about its luxury, the interior is much more plush and decked out in overstuffed beige leather and paneling with darker grey carpeting. Tinted glass all around the rear windows ensures privacy wherever you go, for up to seven people. An entertainment system and overhead lighting have also been set up in the back for ambiance and music.
Up front, the beige leather look continues, with two fully adjustable captain chairs for the driver and passenger. Several comfort and safety features are included, like air conditioning, cruise control, heated windows, hill-start assist, and Mercedes-Benz’s Electronic Stability Program to reduce the danger of losing control and skidding.
The dash and console are beige and adorned by wood trim with light gray carpeting underneath. The speedometer climbs up to 120 mph, which is probably not advisable, and the tachometer can rev as high as 5,000 rpm. There is also a digital display and CD-capable stereo system in the center of said dashboard.
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Economical diesel for a smooth and comfortable powertrain
This Sprinter party bus conversion features a 3.0L turbodiesel V6 engine, boasting a respectable factory-rated output of 188 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque sent through a five-speed automatic transmission to the rear wheels.
Some notable repairs and maintenance include the replacement of the serpentine belt in summer 2022, all four brake pads, and the replacement of the front shocks in the fall of this year. The differential was also serviced in summer 2022, coinciding with the change of the transmission fluid. The odometer shows just 68,000 miles, and the owner estimates only 100 of them have been on their watch.
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Final thoughts: Wherever you’re going, get there in style
These van conversions are always a treat to look at. Every upscaler has their own marks and preferences, and oftentimes the customers get a considerable say in what the final product looks like as well. In my opinion, MAD nailed about 95% of the look, with the main downside being those fairly unremarkable, plain six-spoke wheels with no flair or theatrics that a bus of this caliber deserves. If you don’t mind swapping those wheels out, though, or think there’s a certain charm to the more down-to-earth look, this is a great find!
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