I rarely exceed 70 so that's not an issue. Qualified local mechanics could be a problem, as well as expensive maintenance. I'm going to start checking the local used car ads, maybe one will pop up.

 

A disabled guy bought one due to it not requiring the heavy modifications that other vans do for the wheelchair conversion, he tows his tractor behind it, says no issues, compaired to his previous, the torque makes it feel like a big block gas.
I've had the discussion with many others, my 15 passenger E-350 with the 5.4 gets 9-11 MPG city, 3.50 gears lug it from a stop, so I'm looking to upgrade to a 4.10, I seriously doubt my HWY MPG will suffer that much, in fact, allowing the retaining of OD, it just may remain the same. I have a Superchip Microtuner, but is the early version with only the high test program, I've been running mid grade, and successfully ran a mix of 50/50 E-85 and 87 octane, no MPG loss.

 

The front is a bit too much. It would have been better if they would have redo the rear. Sounds like from the article that the brakes and suspension got a overhaul. I wonder what the initial price is for the new ones?

 

The Sprinter is more a high volume mover than a high weight mover. They're rated to tow a maximum of 5000 lb.

You should not need to ask "why" once you understand what the Sprinter accomplishes with a 2.7 liter 5 cylinder turbo diesel motor. I frequently pull a boat that is well under 3000 lb w/my E-150, more often its used as a 'steel tent' when traveling. The E series small motor is 4.6 liter gas V8. These vehicles have overlapping payload ratings.

Let's take 1 of those Econolines and try to put 367 cubic feet of my bulky furniture into it and see what it'll do. My specs for an '07 E-150 say that maximum cargo volume is only 236 cubic feet. Looks like 2 loads to me! The mid sized 140" WB Sprinter can carry the full 367 cubic feet. Let's take 50 gallons of fuel and see what each vehicle will do with it. My 5 liter V8 may have never hit 15 mpg, 11-13 mpg is more realistic. The Sprinter should never get less than 20 mpg & 25+ mpg is not a fantasy.

Do you see the pattern here? The Sprinter could practically pull off the trick of carrying virtually twice the cargo volume & use only about half the fuel doing it! Or look at it the other way. That same 367 cubic feet would have to go into 2 E-150 vans, each burning nearly twice the fuel Sprinter uses-see what it'll do? Consume ~4 times the fuel to move the same cargo!

 

Well, it's ugly enough to make me not want one.

 

367 cubic feet of cargo room?? How about if I just put the power washer in the Sprinter and then I could eliminate my trailer? I've only been getting 9-10 Mpg pulling my trailer and 13-14 without it. With gas hitting the $3.00 a gallon mark here in So. Cal I'm seriously thinking about getting the Diesel. I've been watching the Super-Duty forums on here to see if anyone is having problems with the new 6.4L if thats what Ford decides to put in the '08s. I would think that they'd only want to keep 1 diesel engine for both the vans/trucks. Thats the way it's been in the past anyways.

 

I'd like to score a low-mileage 2000-2003 E350 15 pass. with the 7.3 diesel. That motor seems to be the best of Ford's diesels. I've seen some of them available, problem is most of them are higher mileage. Although with a diesel that's usually not a problem.

Van 1

Van 2 Nice one!

Here's a nice long list of diesel vans for sale

 

That's what the '06 Chrysler Sprinter brochure specs say. "367 cubic feet" for the tall 140" WB. You should also note that Chrysler boasted about fuel economy with a chart of estimated MPG for various configurations & different typical driving patterns. Perhaps an optimistic high figure, they spec 30.6 mpg for a high roof 140" 2500 unloaded in suburban traffic & 30.4 mpg for an empty std roof 140" 2500 at 55 on an interstate! A 2500 at 70 mph & carrying a maximum load is said to return 21.9 mpg!
In sharp contrast FORD's philosophy has been to delete mention of fuel economy. For years they used to include that; EPA estimates were not available at time of printing. In recent years fuel economy is not even mentioned in advertising brochures for Econoline.

How much does your pressure washer weigh? Sprinter payloads range from ~2800 to ~5800 lb. How much does the trailer weigh/cost?

 

The reason Ford doesn't put the MPG in their advertising is because they don't wanna scare away everyone. I heard with the 6.0L Diesel people have been averaging about 13-14 loaded.

I don't know if the 5,800 payload would be enough for me. Considering 740 gallons of water (2 370 gallon tanks) is approx 5,900 lbs + 700 lbs for the machine + 50 gallon propane tank which weighs about 350 lbs + 2300 lbs of tools and stuff I have in the van already and another 100 lbs for hoses/reels on the trailer equals out at about 7,100 lbs not including the weight of the Sprinter Van (Unk) or me...130 lbs

Plus I'd be a little scared of driving around with that 50 gallon propane tank in the back of the van all time. Including all on my pressure washing equipment (not including the van) I have about 10K wrapped up into it. People wonder why we charge so much?? It's because those machines aren't cheap to maintain, especially if we loose a pump or motor.

 

I would never own a Sprinter! there ugly, and there is no way in hell they could handle the abuse I put on my E-350. towing my toys in to the Sierra's, driving off road... I don't think so. I will stay with Ford.

 

Your unique situation was never my consideration for comparing the qualities of Econoline VS Sprinter.

Sprinter specs say each of their dual wheel 3500 models carry payloads over 4500 lb, all the way to ~5800 lb.

By comparison, FORD specs say the E-350 Regular van payload is their highest cargo weight capacity at less than 4200 lb.

High Roof Sprinters also have 73" height inside.

 

Perhaps more telling is comparing the specs listed for the lightest payload capacities; Econoline VS. Sprinter. E-150 Regular Van was listed ('97) as less than 1400 lb payload in some configurations! Other E-150s are just over 2000 lbs.

Sprinter 2500 offered a lowest payload over 2800 lbs with 2 configuations offering over 3900 lb payload capacity.

Read that again. FORD Econoline's lowest offered payload capacity ('97) was less than 1400 lb, JUST SHY OF HALF the lightest capacity listed for Sprinter 2500.

Sprinters look very attractive to me as cross country campers & economical bulk delivery work trucks. Nobody is pretending that the 5 cylinder turbo diesel motor at 2.7 liters is going to race FORD's big motors. Relatively few who buy vans need to race or haul maximum weight. I suggest you try out the driver's seat in a Sprinter before deciding if its an ugly vehicle.

 

The disabled people buying up the Sprinters are getting 24 MPG, ugly or not, have any of you paid any attention to fuel prices, it's not even summer yet, if that's an indication of whats to come, I pick money saved to beauty. I love the look of my Econoline, but it's getting harder to afford to keep it fueled up, expensive piece of home decor.

 

It is obvious that the new van is just updated externally in the front. Looks like a square peg in a round hole! I'll stick with the older version, thank you. I don't think Ford has the funds/time to really update this van. Seems that all the auto manufacturers are in dire straits and time will remove those that are not necessary/viable. I have really been pleased with the four Ford vans that we have owned. I never thought I would be able to get my wife to drive a full size van but she did and loves it. I suppose a Sprinter would be the same, although she has said absolutely not! She wants an Escape!

 

"Ford’s E-Series line-up has topped its segment’s sales charts for 28 straight years, accounting for more than half of all commercial vans and passenger wagons sold in 2006." (from specs page)

Now I'm an EconolineNut, but consider this:

It isn't hard to lead a pack that has reduced to a field of one. Look at it, there is one full-sized van out there. Chebby/GMC ditched theirs, that thing they have is smaller, cheap and, from the back, ugly as sin. Dodge gave up a while age, any van they make is a pregnant passenger car. The Sprinter, while interesting, is a lightweight due to uni-body construction (at least in the 2500 series)