2018 5.0 vs 3.5 EB
08-28-2018, 08:03 AM
#11
So I know there's lot of debate over which is better and this is not the point of this at all.
I own a 2018 with the 5.0 coyote. I love the truck and haven't had a single problem for almost a year now and roughly 13K miles (not all miles are from me. Wife drives it when I'm out of town). I've been happy with the power and never felt like I needed more. With the 10 speed, it stays in the power well and maintains RPM through the shifts.
I'm currently working on a project out of town long term for roughly 6 months. I'm into month 5 right now. For the last 3 months I've been driving a rental, a 2018 with the 3.5 EB. Most people will do no more than test drive either truck and make a choice based on a short term opinion. I've put 4K miles on the rental so far and feel like I'm able to give an experienced opinion between the two trucks, which happen to be identical models with the only difference being color.
Sometimes hype is just that, hype. Opinions based on hearsay or popularity. I'm here to say that the 3.5 EB is not hype. Both trucks have plenty of power in my opinion, however, the 3.5 EB provides a better driving experience. Power is available with the 3.5 no matter where you are in the RPM range. Normal acceleration doesn't require as much throttle input as the 5.0. Passing at highway speeds is impressive with both and I'd have to say it's a draw here.
If any of you are old school dirt bike guys, I'll use this analogy. We used to ride 2 strokes (I know some still do) and they have a great powerband when they're on the pipe, but down low they weren't much fun. This is the 5.0. Today's 4 strokes make power from anywhere in the RPM range but also rev out to an impressive top end. This is the 3.5 EB.
I'm giving this non-biased opinion here so that maybe someone on the fence will make an educated decision based on some factual experience. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the 5.0 and I love it. After driving the 3.5 EB for an extended time, I love it more.
I own a 2018 with the 5.0 coyote. I love the truck and haven't had a single problem for almost a year now and roughly 13K miles (not all miles are from me. Wife drives it when I'm out of town). I've been happy with the power and never felt like I needed more. With the 10 speed, it stays in the power well and maintains RPM through the shifts.
I'm currently working on a project out of town long term for roughly 6 months. I'm into month 5 right now. For the last 3 months I've been driving a rental, a 2018 with the 3.5 EB. Most people will do no more than test drive either truck and make a choice based on a short term opinion. I've put 4K miles on the rental so far and feel like I'm able to give an experienced opinion between the two trucks, which happen to be identical models with the only difference being color.
Sometimes hype is just that, hype. Opinions based on hearsay or popularity. I'm here to say that the 3.5 EB is not hype. Both trucks have plenty of power in my opinion, however, the 3.5 EB provides a better driving experience. Power is available with the 3.5 no matter where you are in the RPM range. Normal acceleration doesn't require as much throttle input as the 5.0. Passing at highway speeds is impressive with both and I'd have to say it's a draw here.
If any of you are old school dirt bike guys, I'll use this analogy. We used to ride 2 strokes (I know some still do) and they have a great powerband when they're on the pipe, but down low they weren't much fun. This is the 5.0. Today's 4 strokes make power from anywhere in the RPM range but also rev out to an impressive top end. This is the 3.5 EB.
I'm giving this non-biased opinion here so that maybe someone on the fence will make an educated decision based on some factual experience. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the 5.0 and I love it. After driving the 3.5 EB for an extended time, I love it more.
08-28-2018, 08:11 AM
#12
No fart cans allowed
I think, with the quiet stock exhausts, there is very little difference in sound between the two. My 3.5 Lariat does not have the "piped in" V8 sound. Add a loud exhaust, then I agree, but why add a loud exhaust to a twin turbo V6 that you know is going to sound like *****?
08-28-2018, 08:27 AM
#13
08-28-2018, 08:28 AM
#14
Super Duper Senior Member
I think, with the quiet stock exhausts, there is very little difference in sound between the two. My 3.5 Lariat does not have the "piped in" V8 sound. Add a loud exhaust, then I agree, but why add a loud exhaust to a twin turbo V6 that you know is going to sound like *****?
Take the sound factor out of it and which one you get is a personal preference thing. I choose V8 because I know how to work on it, and the sound.
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m3zumm (08-29-2018)
08-28-2018, 08:28 AM
#15
You never know what circumstance makes one engine better or worse for an individual. For me, the 5.0 allows a winch behind the bumper without a warranty voiding intercooler relocation. Simple as that. I do enjoy all the banter though, and don't think it's nearly as serious of some portray.
08-28-2018, 08:37 AM
#16
If any of you are old school dirt bike guys, I'll use this analogy. We used to ride 2 strokes (I know some still do) and they have a great powerband when they're on the pipe, but down low they weren't much fun. This is the 5.0. Today's 4 strokes make power from anywhere in the RPM range but also rev out to an impressive top end. This is the 3.5 EB.
08-28-2018, 08:45 AM
#17
First of all I'm happy that Ford gave us a choice of 4 great engines to choose from.
I also did an extended test drive in a 3.5 EB and decided to choose the 5.0. For me the showstopper with the 3.5 EB was the dead pedal effect. (ie the lag between Eco and Boost).
I could have easily lived with the 3.5 EB but preferred the seemless acceleration of the 5.0.
Moral of the story is to try and arrange a meaningful test drive even if you have to rent a truck for 24 hours. A quick around the block test drive with a hungry salesman breathing down your neck is not a meaningful test drive for a $50k+ investment. I wish more dealerships would have 24 hr. test drive programs.
I also did an extended test drive in a 3.5 EB and decided to choose the 5.0. For me the showstopper with the 3.5 EB was the dead pedal effect. (ie the lag between Eco and Boost).
I could have easily lived with the 3.5 EB but preferred the seemless acceleration of the 5.0.
Moral of the story is to try and arrange a meaningful test drive even if you have to rent a truck for 24 hours. A quick around the block test drive with a hungry salesman breathing down your neck is not a meaningful test drive for a $50k+ investment. I wish more dealerships would have 24 hr. test drive programs.
08-28-2018, 10:08 AM
#18
In my experiences the 3.5 Ecoboost has a fuel dilution issue.
I have sent 2 oil analysis samples away to 2 different labs, well before the Oil life monitor called for oil change. (around 80% life remaining)
I have posted both oil analysis reports on the forum.
I cant say that the 5.0 L is any better, but I have 2 oil analysis reports that show it is an issue. First oil change at 3900, kilometers, 2nd at 4100 km. I was leaning towards the 5.0 L, but was rushed, as I was replacing my only vehicle/ single person household, after my 2007 King Ranch was stolen from me. I also wanted the 6.5 foot box in a Supercrew, & my options were limited.
Wishing I didn't have to worry about turbo issues, & direct injection, which seems to be common for them to have fuel dilution.
I am also finding that my drivers side turbo is pulling oil residue into the intercooler, which sounds like may lead to problems down the road.
I haven't seen anyone sharing 5.0 l oil analysis, so maybe they are no better.
My previous truck had 383,000 kilometers on original engine/ transmission, with no serious issues.
I never had it in a dealers garage, in the time I owned it.
I have sent 2 oil analysis samples away to 2 different labs, well before the Oil life monitor called for oil change. (around 80% life remaining)
I have posted both oil analysis reports on the forum.
I cant say that the 5.0 L is any better, but I have 2 oil analysis reports that show it is an issue. First oil change at 3900, kilometers, 2nd at 4100 km. I was leaning towards the 5.0 L, but was rushed, as I was replacing my only vehicle/ single person household, after my 2007 King Ranch was stolen from me. I also wanted the 6.5 foot box in a Supercrew, & my options were limited.
Wishing I didn't have to worry about turbo issues, & direct injection, which seems to be common for them to have fuel dilution.
I am also finding that my drivers side turbo is pulling oil residue into the intercooler, which sounds like may lead to problems down the road.
I haven't seen anyone sharing 5.0 l oil analysis, so maybe they are no better.
My previous truck had 383,000 kilometers on original engine/ transmission, with no serious issues.
I never had it in a dealers garage, in the time I owned it.
Im on my second timing chain now and I have learnt a lot along the way.
3.5 ecos like to eat up spark plugs so keeping the mpg in a good place means changing plugs every couple years.
And...most important is oil change intervals.
Drop it in half to what Ford recommends, do not rely on the OLM and switch to full synthetic in a premium brand.
( i should mention my engine is a 2013 but fuel dilution is still a factor)
Last edited by Stu Cazzo; 08-28-2018 at 10:11 AM.
08-28-2018, 11:29 AM
#19
Senior Member
I personally have driven all of these engines, and the 2.7 felt the quickest. The thing is, if you switch from a 3.5 to a 5.0, the 5.0 will feel like a turd. And if you switch from a 5.0 to an eco boost, the boost feels very fast.
It’s all feeling with the pedal. The 2.7, 5.0 and 3.5 all perform somewhat close, especially the 3.5 and 5.0 (in a drag race), but daily driving, you have to push the pedal down 3/4 to do what the ecoboosts do at 1/4 down. That’s the quickness you feel.
Gotta drove the 5.0 with a heavy foot
It’s all feeling with the pedal. The 2.7, 5.0 and 3.5 all perform somewhat close, especially the 3.5 and 5.0 (in a drag race), but daily driving, you have to push the pedal down 3/4 to do what the ecoboosts do at 1/4 down. That’s the quickness you feel.
Gotta drove the 5.0 with a heavy foot
08-28-2018, 12:05 PM
#20
I personally have driven all of these engines, and the 2.7 felt the quickest. The thing is, if you switch from a 3.5 to a 5.0, the 5.0 will feel like a turd. And if you switch from a 5.0 to an eco boost, the boost feels very fast.
It’s all feeling with the pedal. The 2.7, 5.0 and 3.5 all perform somewhat close, especially the 3.5 and 5.0 (in a drag race), but daily driving, you have to push the pedal down 3/4 to do what the ecoboosts do at 1/4 down. That’s the quickness you feel.
Gotta drove the 5.0 with a heavy foot
It’s all feeling with the pedal. The 2.7, 5.0 and 3.5 all perform somewhat close, especially the 3.5 and 5.0 (in a drag race), but daily driving, you have to push the pedal down 3/4 to do what the ecoboosts do at 1/4 down. That’s the quickness you feel.
Gotta drove the 5.0 with a heavy foot
I've never felt like the 5.0 is a turd going from driving the EB to the 5.0 in the same day. Rather it is similar to what the OP said, the powerband is way different. It's like going from a 450 four stroke (EB) to a 250 two stroke (5.0). In your case, the two stroke may feel like a "turd" because 1/4 throttle on a two stroke doesn't do much, but overall it isn't really slower than the 450, it's just different.