2013- Goodbye E Series Ford Vans

[Brewskier]

Originally Posted by oldbernie

Thanks for the info. I have had the Chevy 3500 since July and have put almost 8000 miles on it already. It's a nice riding vehicle and handles well even on gravel roads. We're from North Texas but like to go to New Mexico a lot. BTW according to my mileage computer I'm averaging 4.8 mpg. Can't complain.

4.8?!

[jage]

Somehow I don't think this will slow Sportsmobile down at all. Not only are there plenty of other platforms, but their business doesn't seem affected by anything... not that they didn't get through a tight spot by having Qatar vans sit around for an extended time, but apparently people are still foisting over fistfuls of money for builds.... maybe not as many, but I still see plenty of "started our build!" posts.

What they really need is competition- there is no Coke to their Pepsi. Despite GTRV and other builders, nobody else really captures quite what they have, scale, style, marketshare, je ne se PH, call it what you will, but the disappearance of new E series- probably a minor bump compared to the economy and other factors. It's 10 years from now when the die hard fans can no longer get them to build out a used E-series that should really scare you.

Blah, blah, blah, CJ5, blah-blah, Obamacare.

[oldbernie]

OK 14.8 mpg. There's no worse typist than a retired computer guy.

[Tapatio]

Originally Posted by jage

I got to say, I'm down like a clown if the alternative is the Nissan. I know the E-Series is beloved, but I can actually see myself in an SMB on the new platform.

You can add custom graphics to the Nissan. I took the liberty of building one for you Jage.

[carringb]

I just read yesterday that Ford has committed to continuing the cargo version of the E350.

Personally, I like the Transit. I've seen them in Europe, and I think they look good. For 99% of van buyers, it's a better solution when you factor in improved efficiency, considering most van owners don't off-road or tow heavy trailers. A 3.5L EcoBoost wagon would be a winner.

Bottom line is the Transit should be every bit as capable as the Sprinter, but have more power, cost less, and be easier to service and maintain.

Would I buy one? Not likely. I like a heavy duty body-on-frame van. But I also know I'm not a typical van owner, and an E450 cutaway would probably work better for me anyways.

[jage]

Originally Posted by carringb

I like a heavy duty body-on-frame van.

The fullsize Transit is a unibody? Will it be more suitable for 4x4 than the Sprinter?

[carringb]

Originally Posted by jage

The fullsize Transit is a unibody? Will it be more suitable for 4x4 than the Sprinter?

Yes, the Transit is Unibody. Not all Unibody rigs are bad for Off-roading. The Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Mercedes M-Class are examples of trail-ready Unibody vehicles. And a Unibody doesn't mean it can't be heavy duty. See any modern low-floor city transit bus for an example.

I don't feel the Sprinter has a stiff enough chassis for serious off-roading. The new Transit will be built to meet the same specs as the E-series, and seems to handles the chassis-twist course pretty well. (

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHpv41me4R0

). Not only that, 4x4 Sprinters use the same Ford front end that gets put under 4x4 E350s. I'm guessing MB dealers don't really know how to deal with that when a 4x4 Sprinter comes in for work. Since the Transit will be sharing F150 power-trains, a 4x4 conversion should be pretty seamless, much like the E-series 4x4 conversion. Of course, this involves a little speculation on my part. Guess we'll just have to wait and see...

[TwoVans]

Originally Posted by jage

there is no Coke to their Pepsi

Please... SMB is absolutely the Coke in this analogy! Pepsi... What's wrong with you man???

Must be too much time up in that thin air out there in CO.

[daveb]

Check out Top Gear's show on it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQJKQjXpGQA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=iv ... KiC03_wVjc

[Ford_6L_E350]

Geez, I mean, a diesel Transit is 9 seconds slower/lap around the Nurbering track than a Jaguar.

I thought for sure she would do better.

Mike