As big as our sprinters (we have the long tall boys) are they have about the same real estate for stickers as the last box we had. And we get about 22-24 MPG hauling everests and 100 gallon f.w. tanks and that 5 cyl has more getup than our 1 ton vans (2 e350's).
I don't know about the folks who have had issues with the older sprinters, we have an 02,03,04, mileage between 110k-146k and have had no big issues to date. Had all three since 07 - and so far 2 sets of pads, 1 set of rotors, 4 fuel filters, one turbo intercooler tube, and one water pump.
I could go out and get a new one, but I can't see paying 45k for a new one when 17-20k gets me a used one with 70-90 k (keeping in mind the engine is not fully broken in until 65k).
For giggles we went to test drive one at a local dealer who had one with 510k (original motor and tranny) on it (no typo, over a half million) - and unbelievably - it ran really really well. I was going to snag it just to haul equipment for flood jobs, but the body was beat to death, but the dude ran like a champ, and shifted fine.
Its different looking yes - but that alone gets attention, we get a ton of compliments on them from custy's.