BubbaGee

I've been looking into some used F150s but have a question. I've noticed they have a 5.0L V8 and a 3.5L V6 but the estimated MPG of both engines are the same. Why deal with extra maintenance of the turbo on the V6 engine if it won't save you anything on gas? Is there some special attribute of the V6 with turbo that I just don't understand? Am I just seeing incorrect estimated MPGs?

Thanks,
BubbaGee

BCMIF150

Oh good. Another 3.5 Ecoboost vs. 5.0 V8 thread, and you've been a member since 2006 which makes me think you've see them all before you started this one.

What extra maintenance?

Buy the one you want.

Missmy06

No your observation is correct. I own an Ecoboost and I always recommend people buy the V8, especially a 6.2 if you can find one. The Eco is certainly less reliable than the V8, at least mine has been and based on what I have seen on this forum seems to back that up. My advice, drive both and see which one you like better. You will get a little better fuel economy with the V8 and spend less money on repairs and maintenance as well.

TJPlatinumEB

You only see the bad on forums, people don't come here necessarily to say how great things are.

I've had 3 EB's in total. Driven a total of over 200k miles. Not one dollar spent on anything other than oil changes. Nothing else on the trucks had to be fixed either. Two local friends of mine have EB's over 120k miles each. Both have had the large coolant hose replaced that runs across the entire engine and that's it. No other issues.

I still think it's hilarious that even to this day people talk about how much more maintenance and repairs will be. Turbos themselves are extremely reliable and when you have an engine that was designed to be turbocharged and put through the rough paces, it isn't going to require more maintenance. Yes there are those that things happen to, they've sold hundreds of thousands of them. No one is perfect. But they aren't unreliable by ANY stretch of the word.

The turbo V6 will get comparable MPG. Unfortunately Ford marketed it as something that can do better mileage and make more power than the V8 trucks. It gets comparable mileage and more power and will out tow almost all of them doing so. Even with 75lb 33" tires and sitting 4" higher than stock, I can still get almost 20mpg on the freeway. I could get as high as 23 before.

I went and drove both the 5.0 and 3.5TT in early 2011 when they first came out. Dealer let me have them over 1000 miles each before committing to buying. 5.0 just didn't cut it for me and when I did tow my car trailer, it was a BIG difference in how the 5.0 did versus the 3.5TT. To each their own! Go drive them both.

WIF-150

This thread is going to go over great:-)

SteveLord

This is baloney. There is no shortage of those who do both.

Tallyman89

One word....torque. 2016 specs show the Eco with 33 lb ft more torque.

who_knos

Boo Hoo.....please listen to me and read my name..so you already know my thoughts.....I bought a pile of a ecoboost and it wont pull my empty golf cart trailer and I wish I had my 06 back because of the love of plugs breaking and phaser problems and really loved the loss of power.......holy cow dude really......lmao.......oh boy...lol.....Please at some point I and maybe others would like to see a positive post from you..........Oh and you are correct the 6.2 is a beast.....wait till its time for a starter then see how you love it. They are a P..I..T..A..to change and the 16 spark plugs.


Now as stated before this has been covered many times, if pull you pull alot and want low RPM power....the ECO....if you want higher revs and some manly sound while being able to tow 5.0 both are great engines, both have problems, both get the mileage they get due to setup, maintenance, and how its drove. Study up test both in different setups and pick what is the best for you, remember the forum has many opinions, in the end its you that has to live with the final decision. I own a eco with 3.73s and mileage isnt the best but the smiles dont stop for me. Will I put exhaust on it nope.....now the 5.0 screaming the revs with a good sound would make me smile the same.....which equals poor mileage as well........Pick for you not what others say.....remember its a opinion.....have a great day good luck with the choice.

tareed94

Honestly, I had the same thoughts as OP. Mine came down to eventual replacement of parts (I keep my trucks till they die), and turbos are pretty pricey. I also took sound into account I like louder vehicles, and personally something never quite sounds right about a V6 exhaust. Then the real world MPGs of the ecoboost just wasn't enough higher (sometimes lower) than the 5.0 to sway me. It all comes down to what suits your needs the best.

tareed94

This is unnecessary, rude, and childish.