Hi all, what are the unloaded fuel mileage differences between these? I'm reading e350 v10 is 13 to 15 hwy mpg. 3500 is 17 to 18 mpg hwy? Is this true? Does someone have numbers other than this?I read excursion people reporting 15 mpg with the v10. Will this be comparable to the e350?Thanks bill

As much as I generally speaking like diesels, I would get the V10. 13-15 empty is not uncommon. I have a friend with a 4 sp auto, and he gets 13-15 with it, loaded to 10K with construction tools etc. The V10 is a bullet proof motor. The 6.0 main block is a good motor. but Ford did some other external stuff that really screwed the pooch with that motor. If you get a good one, you're lucky. Otherwise, it is like the old GM 350 diesel, or 6.5td, where they can be pricey to fix when things happen. At least with the GM models, fixing is cheap vs the 6.0!marty

Oh. I was comparing the 6.0 6spd gm gas to the v10. We're you talking about the 6.0 diesels?

I think Fords and diesels got scrambled together somehow. The 6.0 six speed 3500 gas GM pickups are very reliable but thirsty when towing. Gas mileage will be close to the V-10 Ford, maybe slightly better when not towing but not much. The six speed is a big improvement.

With the GM 6.0L/3.73 we get 13-14mpg in mixed daily driving. We have had as high as 17.7mpg over 1000 miles non towing. The vans with 3.42 seem to get about 1mpg better than our Suburban, maybe a combination of 2WD and the axle ratio.GM's 6-spd ratios are better than Ford's 5-spd. Ford V10 has more torque, so it will be spinning less for every desired acceleration rate than the GM. Both combinations are very reliable and cheap as far as maintenance.

Both drive trains are first rate and close in performance. I prefer the front suspension design of GM for a better steering feel.

v10 e350 vs 6.0 6spd 3500 | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

NCMODELA
Explorer
Sep 18, 2015
Has advance track but not the airbags. Not to trash the gm. Really like them. Was my first thpught.
NCMODELA
Explorer
Sep 18, 2015
So now that I have it reserved. It is a 2011 e350 12 pass. V10 162k. It was bought, serviced and traded into the same dealership. They have all maitenance records and the service guy said the owner never said no to having something done. Kbb excellent private is 11k. It is listed for 11400. I can't seem to post a picture. It is blue metallic
DaveF-250SD
Explorer
Sep 18, 2015
My V-10 F-250 4x4 in my signature will get 16 mpg unloaded if the speed is held right at a steady 70 mph.
Dadoffourgirls
Explorer
Sep 18, 2015
TomG2 wrote:
There are lots of things that make a Chevy worth more than a Ford, not just how many spark plugs they have.

This is very true.

I am not sure if the E350 you are finding cheaper has stabilitrak or roof rail airbags for all rows.
TomG2
Explorer
Sep 18, 2015
There are lots of things that make a Chevy worth more than a Ford, not just how many spark plugs they have.
NCMODELA
Explorer
Sep 18, 2015
My concern was that the v10 gets below 10 on highway unloaded. If that was the case would choose the 3500. But if there is about 15% difference then that is not worth the additional value of the express because they are priced higher.
downtheroad
Explorer
Sep 18, 2015
My thought...both are huge, heavy, powerful trucks...built for a specific purpose....one of these is not grocery getting.

When I want "good mileage" I drive our Subaru.
NCMODELA
Explorer
Sep 18, 2015
Yea. I'm not so worried about the towing fuel cause I don't tow a ton. I was wondering about the unloaded fuel mileage.

Thanks
APT
Explorer
Sep 18, 2015
Towing will be the same fuel. Unloaded, I would say the V10 will use 15% more than the GM.
NCMODELA
Explorer
Sep 18, 2015
So I found a well maintained v10 for what I think is a good price. The 2011 plus 3500 expresses are at a min of 18k. I just wanted to figure out if I'm shooting myself in the foot by going v10 but it seems that the capacity can be raised much more than a 3500 express. Is it safe to say there is only about 3 mpg difference between the two?