2018 3.5 Ecoboost

[RN89]

Considering a 2018 F150 Lariat with 55k miles with the 3.5. Seems meticulously maintained. What are your thoughts on the 3.5?

Second consideration is a 2018 F150 Lariat with the 5.0 with 48k miles; again, meticulously maintained. 5.0 oil burning issues?

They’re priced very similarly and I’m considering either for different reasons. The 3.5 has the dual-pane sunroof which is cool but I’m a tad concerned about it leaking or being too hot.

What are your thoughts on either engine as far as reliability? Would you consider a used F150?

 

[Vegoose]

2018 would be the Gen II 3.5 EcoBoost. Seems to be a good engine. While I've never owned one, I have several buddies with relatively high-mileage Gen II's with no issues. My B-I-L has an F150 with the 2.7 and complains about the 10-speed transmission doing wonky things, but the engine has been great. He has around 80k miles and tows a decent-sized boat.

 

[Bird's_Garage]

I own a gen 1 3.5, so mine isn't as powerful as the newer gen 2 3.5s. I like the power curve much better on the 3.5 over the 5.0. It has plenty of low end, where the 5.0 needs to rev. As long as you're OK with not having that V8 sound, I think you'll like the 3.5. It's funny how the sound of a V8 affects some. It makes them feel like it's stronger, faster, better, but I can assure you a stock 3.5 will outperform a stock 5.0.

My 3.5 has about 65k miles and has only needed 1 O2 sensor to be replaced (well technically 2 since I replace them in pairs.)

 

[b_b]

both will suit you well and really come down to how well they were maintained. the 5.0 oil burning issues are extremely over blown.
1. the engine oil must be hot when you check it from hot to cold the oil will expand half a quart.
2. the oil must be checked 10 minutes after shut off. (how many people do you think were actually doing this?)
3. the gen 3 5.0 engines have low tension piston rings and a plasma liner. the rings do not push as hard on the cylinder wall and the wall is harder than the steel liners. this means the cylinder does not seal as well as the old engines. this is how they get good fuel economy out of these engines.
I have about 50k miles on mine and it used to burn about a quart over the course of an oci. the workaround is to run something high on the 5w-20 scale. rgt, Mobil 1 extended performance, are my go to. now my truck burn virtually nothing.

for reference my wifes lexus burn no oil with 0w-20, but it get sh*t gas mileage and has little power.

 

[atikovi]

Early models had timing chain issues which have supposedly been worked out by then. Not sure if they still use two turbos, but even one will be a repair expense down the line if you keep it long term. Complexity of a 10 speed transmission might be concerning too. Otherwise they are as nice the other brands.

 

[KJSmith]

I would get (and did) the 3.5 and never look back.
I had a gen1 put 147k on it, no issues.
Currently have a gen 2 with 117k, no issues.

And yea, I do 10k OCI's despite what everyone else says.

 

[JavierH19]

eh maybe id consider it but id rather have the na 3.3 which is no slouch in all honesty or the 5.0 since that's available on the higher trims especially with the 6spd but im not sure if that's available beyond the lariat but the lariat is still nice anyway. i used to have a lariat 5.4 back then wasn't disappointed.

No 4wd either as most never use it and even when they do they didn't really even need it as ive taken my all season tire rwd non lsd sierra into mud after the rain on my farm and still didn't get stuck.

if you're gonna buy it id run the 2.5 gallon delo xsp syn 5w-40 that's about 4.40 a quart reg price on walmart with free shipping. the 1 gallon is a lot more expensive per quart. id immediately change the gear oil to a 140 syn too and maybe do a trans dump and fill. no filter is required at that mileage just a fluid change.

 

[BeerCan]

I have a gen 1 3.5 with over 130k and no issues. It spent the first 90 k towing often and heavy. I like the eb over the 5.0 if you are going to tow