Ford E-Series Van

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $23500.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2002 E350 Super Duty 15 Pax

Summary:
(This is an update to my post in May '06)Purchased the van 5 yrs ago, with 66K kms on it. Now have 244,000 (152000 miles) and still going strong. The 7.3L diesel is awesome, tons of power. The paint finish is holding very well. I installed full length alum checker running boards which really helps getting in an out of the van and keeping the dirt off the sides. Mechanically, it's very good; change oil religiously, rear end too. No major problems yet aside from the R4100 tranny frying due to bad electrical connections. The only issue is when some parts need replacing, some are only from Ford, like the dual battery cables. Had to replace it as one battery terminal clamps wore out from the battery moving around. One runs from under the van the other from engine compartment and holy crap was is a rip-off. Aside from that the van is great, wife really likes it; it's great on long trips very comfortable to drive; room for the whole ball team. It rides nicer than a gas pot 15 pax van due to the added lbs of the diesel and it handles well but tires make all the difference ; using Nokian Vativas. Get on average 90k kms (55k miles) rotating every 5000 kms. I highly recommend these tires. The sound system is great and no other issues. This is my favourite vehicles out of the last 15 vehicles I've owned for business and personal. I love driving it on the highway with so much power on the hills.
I recommend this van with the diesel anytime.

Strengths:
Good driver position; interior wearing well with 8 kids pounding it; tons of power with the diesel, tows a trailer nicely.

Weaknesses:
Some parts from Ford are outrageously expensive. Poor air circulation in the rear of the van, one more pop-out window would be nice.

Similar Products Used:
1989 E250

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $2500.00 from Kels

Year / Model Reviewed:
1996 E250

Summary:
This is your average plumbing van, absolutely no comfort features whatsoever but hey, this thing gets beat to hell day in and day out. If it gets stuck in the mud or snow, no one is gentle with it, the accelerator is put to the floor and stays there till it gets out. Do people check the oil? Once in a while. It does exactly what it is ment to do, work. It keeps the tools and supplies dry in the back and it gets ya to the job site. Period

Strengths:
5.8L engine is powerful and practically indestructable.
The amount of abuse this van can withstand is amazing.
Plenty of room in the back of the Van, shelves are handy even though most people just throw everything onto the floor.

Weaknesses:
Comming from an F-150 XLT, the trim of this E250 is lacking greatly, the seats are particularly lacking
Some components are a pain to work on.
The seating position has the constant feeling like you are gonna fly threw the windshield.
Radio crapped out.
Twin I-Beam front suspension can be very tempermental when it comes to alignment

Price Paid:  $3500.00 from Herefordshire

Year / Model Reviewed:
1989 E150 conversion van

Summary:
I have always been a great fan of American cars and always wanted a day van, but over here in the UK they are fetching silly money if you can actually find one that is. After brousing through a monthly magazine i finaly came across a 1989 E150 which was gas converted (massive bonus since petrol is aproaching £5 a gallon).
My wife and i go on regular visits to my auntys in scotland which is about 200 miles from our house, setting the cruise at 60 the van steams along effortlesly up hill and down dale.
The comfort is second to none driving along in an armchair makes all journeys so easy and relaxing.
I've recently give the 5 litre V8 an overhall thinking at 164000 miles it would need it but when i got the motor stripped down it was sound, a waste of money really i supose but piece of mind knowing its probably got another 200000 trouble free miles left.
The van is aproaching its 18th birthday and the last 4 year its been subject to nearly every weekend of some major partys and beer sesions, with aproximately £2500 in sound system we've had some good times! All this has taken its toll on the interior so its getting a retrim at the moment, cream suede walls, red captain chairs and sofa and red carpets. Should look good hopefully.
I've owned a few american cars mainly camaros and i've never had any major problems with any of them. the alternator melted on my van last year but thet was to be expectad at some point due to the amount of stuff its got to run including about 100 exterior running lights,4 amplifiers, tv, dvd, games console etc.
I've had a few british Ford cars from the same era but they're not a patch on the V8 powered Econoline. If you like lots of comfort and luxury around you then this is for you.

Strengths:
Very strong 5.0l V8 engine which pulls really well, think the headers and velocity tuners might help a bit. Ideal for towing.

Weaknesses:
After 4 years havnt found any yet. Left hand drive can be a pain if overtaking on single carrige way roads but that doesnt happen often, Small price to pay for having something so cool.