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Old 12-26-2014, 10:00 AM   #41
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Re: 2011 with transmission issues - back away?

Quote:
Originally Posted by BrianW
Our 98 E250 SMB 2WD has the 5.4 with 3.73 rear. On our cross country trip we averaged 14.9 mpg over 8,300 miles, about evenly split between 70mph highway and single lane mountain road driving. I'm sure we would have done better at 60mph on the highways if we had slowed down. Never did I feel like we didn't have enough power to do what we wanted to.
I have the exact same van as well. I bought it in Delaware and my daughter and her boyfriend drove it back to San Diego - with a lot of side trips. They put on just over 4000 miles and also averaged just under 15 mpg.

We just converted this as well to 4x4 and I will be driving it here to Cabo towing our Cherokee in just over a week. There are some insane hills on the way here so it will be interesting to see how it does now that it is 4x4 on 33" tires and 4.10 gears.

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Old 12-26-2014, 10:22 AM   #42
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Re: 2011 with transmission issues - back away?

I, too, had a fine experience with my 5.4 powered SMB. The one thing different than many here was that it was 2WD. Max loaded weight was around 7,600# (vs. the higher weights I know you often have). On the other hand, I towed a ~5,000# trailer for tens of thousands of miles, back and forth across the country, including over numerous mountain passes. I never really wished for more power ('course that is subjective), and I loved the 16-18 mpg when whizzing along at 70 mph when not towing (towing it was more like 12.5).

I'd take one again any day, myself - I'd consider it a plus for my uses so would seek it out.

Mine is still purring along with its next owner (friend of mine), up around 150k now. Shows no signs of giving up the ghost.

Not everyone will feel the same though, natch.
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Old 12-26-2014, 11:16 AM   #43
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Re: 2011 with transmission issues - back away?

The van is perfect for us, including the price. Unfortunately me being a writer complicates financing and the appraisal on my trade came in stupid low. Do we want it? Heck yes, but we can't put a deal together right now. I tipped off BajaSportsmobile on Monday so he could grab it. If something changes for us in the next week, we want it, but it's fair game for any one else at present.
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Old 01-02-2015, 11:16 AM   #44
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Re: 2011 E350 RB w/top in TX - WE HAVE A RIG!

The loan's approved; she's ours! Now we just have to work out how to go get her.

Oh, and she's got name - Lola, which is totally an Agents of SHIELD reference.
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Old 01-02-2015, 11:40 AM   #45
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Re: 2011 E350 RB w/top - WE HAVE A RIG!

Congrats!

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Old 01-02-2015, 12:03 PM   #46
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Re: 2011 E350 RB w/top - WE HAVE A RIG!

Sweet! Get a couple one way flights and camp on the way back!
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Old 01-02-2015, 12:12 PM   #47
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Re: 2011 E350 RB w/top - WE HAVE A RIG!

Re: fly / drive - that's totally how it's going to be. Might be just me, though.
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Old 01-02-2015, 12:31 PM   #48
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Re: 2011 E350 RB w/top - WE HAVE A RIG!

Congratulations.
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Old 01-02-2015, 12:51 PM   #49
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Re: 2011 E350 RB w/top - WE HAVE A RIG!

Congratulations Dia! I know how long you've been looking. Hope it is everything you were looking for. Now you can start the process of spending more money.

Happy camping and safe travels,

Mike
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Old 01-02-2015, 02:52 PM   #50
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Re: 2011 E350 RB w/top - WE HAVE A RIG!

Thanks, folks. We've been looking since sometime in 2013. It's hard to find a good SMB when your budget is under 20k. This one was a lucky find.
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