Sustainability and Longevity (100K+ miles)

[DrewBronc21]

The 2.7 is a tiny v6. How much more “strained” will a 2.3 be?

I think either motor is engineered to easily make triple digit mileage regardless of 2 door or 4 door Bronco.

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[tb8983]

Got the 2.7 in my 18 f150 with 42k on it. Other then oil changes and air filter changes I've had no issues and my buddy who has a 17 f150 with the 2.7 has 82k on his and he has done all the scheduled maintenance and has had no issues.
Will be getting the 2.7 for sure

 

[Beef78]

The 2.7 is a tiny v6. How much more “strained” will a 2.3 be?

I think either motor is engineered to easily make triple digit mileage regardless of 2 door or 4 door Bronco.

I really hope so. I’ve put 100,000miles on my focus in less than 4 years. I’d like my new bronco to last at least longer than my payments.

 

[vrewald14]

Looking to get a 4 door Badlands with 2.3L so I can get the manual - and also save the upgrade money from the 2.7/auto combo and put that into creature comfort features.

I feel the argument "having a "big" vehicle with the smaller engine" is really not relevant. As someone has already mentioned, we're talking about going from a 2.3L engine to a 2.7L. Since when is a .4L increase up to a 2.7L engine considered big? If we were talking about going to a 5.0L this would be different... Both engines have been designed to handle the loads of these vehicles reliably and without problems.

Complexity: More parts = more potential failure points. 2.3L is the clear winner here.

Injection strategy: 2.3 is direct injection and 2.7 is direct + port. MANY will "flaunt" this as a negative for the 2.3. Don't let this rhetoric scare you - direct injection has been around for many years and used successfully well over 100k miles all over the place. Some have had problems - but I have a tough time labeling it as an "inherent weakness" of this engine or a widespread concern. Even if it is truly a concern, there are approaches to help eliminate it as a concern such as "catch can" add-ons or intake regular maintenance. At some point both engines need "regular maintenance".

Timing chain: Inherently better than timing belt IMO. Believe both engines have them which is great!

Conclusion - there should be no reason not to expect 100-200k miles on a modern vehicle - especially a premier vehicle from Ford. Proper maintenance alone gets you most of the way there, and perhaps if you are very worried about it your dealer can offer extended service / warranty plans.

Get the motor you want / need, not one based on reliability fear in this instance.

 

[Section8]

I expect the 2.7L engine to be more reliable than the 4 cylinder. I’m not convinced that a 4 cylinder with a 5000 pound SUV is a good idea. That engine will be strained.

I hear people say this, but in my experience its a myth until I see a study actually showing it. My 89 4runner, 94 Toyota PIckup, and 07 Element all had 4 cylc and all did 200k+ with no major issues. The former two 300k+. That all includes a lot of mountain and light offroad duty. My least reliable vehicles were my 94 YJ's straight 6 and my 85 Firebird Formula's V8, both of which barely hobbled over 100k.

Reliability comes down to how its maintained and how its built, the latter is what the OP is asking.

Sadly, new vehicles are uncertain until they get there. There are a couple things you can do though:

• Read reviews of similar engines in Mustangs
• Read reviews of this engine in the Ranger
• If you buy, pay close attention to how many small things go wrong with the engine sub 100k
• If you have a lot of the above, sell it before it gets over 100k

 

[porjos]

Again, the number of cylinders on an engine is too simplistic to determine vehicle life. Output, gearing, weight, maintenance, etc - there are a lot of factors.

If I put one factor above all us, I would say usage. If you beat the hell out of it, it's not going to last as long. I liken vehicles to tools. You need to understand the tool you have, understand it's limitations, and use it properly. This is an SUV with an emphasis on off-roading. It's not a performance track car, it's not a truck, nor is it the Bronco R that you can "Mad Max" with, unless you customize it as such. There are other options for those applications.

I intend to make this a 200,000+ mile vehicle. Will it? Maybe, I hope, depends on a lot of factors - but using it properly and maintaining it won't be the reason it can not.

 

[vrewald14]

Again, the number of cylinders on an engine is too simplistic to determine vehicle life. Output, gearing, weight, maintenance, etc - there are a lot of factors.

If I put one factor above all us, I would say usage. If you beat the hell out of it, it's not going to last as long. I liken vehicles to tools. You need to understand the tool you have, understand it's limitations, and use it properly. This is an SUV with an emphasis on off-roading. It's not a performance track car, it's not a truck, nor is it the Bronco R that you can "Mad Max" with, unless you customize it as such. There are other options for those applications.

I intend to make this a 200,000+ mile vehicle. Will it? Maybe, I hope, depends on a lot of factors - but using it properly and maintaining it won't be the reason it can not.

VERY well said.

 

[Hkak45]

I don’t understand why people think modern engines can’t last 100k miles? In my mind 100k is only half way through it’s life if you have done proper maintenance. There are many F150 owners with EB engines lasting over 200k with no issues. Change oil regularly, change air filters when needed, don’t beat the piss out of it and MOST important is follow guidelines set forth by Ford for maintenance when off roading. (Use the Harsh condition schedule in the book if off roading, change fluids and grease parts after treading a lot of water, etc..) If you ask many people who go over 200k what they did to make it last most will say they kept up with maintenance.

 

[DrewBronc21]

And If the Engine doesn’t last, it’s a good excuse to put a built motor in and a turbo upgrade

 

[Ajusaf]

I would be more worried about the 10 speed tranny than the engine. Automatic transmission don't hold up as well as engines

 

[rgwinn]

There is another factor, and it doesn’t matter which car, is to do the regular scheduled maintenance. I had a first gen Explorer (1991) and put 250,000mi on it. Taking your vehicle in for regular service is the best way to ensure longevity. I usually go to the dealer for the first couple years then just keep up on any recalls/service bulletins. And get regular oil changes.

 

[cybersal]

Amen to regular maintenance. My '02 Escape has ONLY been serviced by the dealer and has over 234,000 miles on it. Regular check ups and some normal maintenance, nothing crazy or too expensive. Treat your vehicle well and it should last over 200,000 miles.

 

[Big Boss]

The 2.7 is a tiny v6. How much more “strained” will a 2.3 be?

I think either motor is engineered to easily make triple digit mileage regardless of 2 door or 4 door Bronco.

The 2.7 is a small V6 and the 2.3 is a big I4. Both engines like you said I think will be fine.

Service it regularly and take care off it and it will last.

I'd be more worried about the electronic stuff than the drive train

 

[Straight 6]

Yup the electronics are going to be the problem

We'll have cars in the junkyard that have a perfect drivetrain but a busted touchscreen

 

[Big Boss]

Yup the electronics are going to be the problem

We'll have cars in the junkyard that have a perfect drivetrain but a busted touchscreen

Yep, it was the electronics in the EPAS that killed my focus, and I had one with the piece of crap DCT

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