Rumor mill - dealerships refusing to purchase low mile Big Bend, OBX models.

[magicbus]

I only looked at the BL because of the 2.0L. 1.5 was not something I would ever consider. Retired Ford.

I only looked at the BL and FE for the enhanced and cooled 4WD clutch system and bash plate for deep sand driving. Who knew I’d also get an engine cover!!! The power of the 2.0 was a bonus for me.

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[coopny]

I only bought the BL because of the 2.0L engine... some of the trimmings like accent lighting, rain sensing wipers, etc. were not available in the BL that I would have wanted, the additional ride height and dual clutch are likely irrelevant for my use case (I'm the "grocery getter" guy, I appreciate all of you that offroad your BS), and some of the additional features were likely unnecessary. I went with the BL for three reasons:

1. Numerous sources have talked about annoying vibration from the EB 1.5L I3 at certain speeds.
2. I had the EB 2.0L I4 (prior revision) in my 2015 Fusion Titanium and did not want to sacrifice speed/pickup/HP from that. Plus it was reliable for as long as I owned the car.
3. Between the talks of the water pumps and (as many here have pointed out) the 1.5L I3 design being clean sheet (the I3 "Dragon" 1.5L engine cannot be compared to the I4 1.5L that preceded it, vs. the 2.0L in the BL that is essentially an iteration of the prior EB 2.0L that improved the couple of relatively rare reliability issues they had).

I don't think engine reliability is a major blow-up, but car demand changes, particularly in light of current interest rates being high, very very likely favor people who will go for higher end trims. And when lower trims sit on the lot, as interest rates soften demand for used cars and drive down prices as well - I could see where dealers would not be willing to take on as much used inventory in the lower trims.

IMO, the OB should have taken on the more powerful engine and a few more extras should have been added to the BS to differentiate it, but I'm not going to pretend I know all the rationale for how Ford decided to target market segments for the trims.

 

[rocks]

The 1.5L power is adequate but if Ford somehow comes out with an OBX with the 2.0L, I probably trade my OBX for one. I don't go off road, no snow here, rough ride, more costly, I'm just not a fan of the BL.

 

[Dantanman]

I only looked at the BL and FE for the enhanced and cooled 4WD clutch system and bash plate for deep sand driving. Who knew I’d also get an engine cover!!! The power of the 2.0 was a bonus for me.

What is this engine cover you speak of? ?

 

[hellb0y]

I only bought the BL because of the 2.0L engine... some of the trimmings like accent lighting, rain sensing wipers, etc. were not available in the BL that I would have wanted, the additional ride height and dual clutch are likely irrelevant for my use case (I'm the "grocery getter" guy, I appreciate all of you that offroad your BS), and some of the additional features were likely unnecessary. I went with the BL for three reasons:

1. Numerous sources have talked about annoying vibration from the EB 1.5L I3 at certain speeds.
2. I had the EB 2.0L I4 (prior revision) in my 2015 Fusion Titanium and did not want to sacrifice speed/pickup/HP from that. Plus it was reliable for as long as I owned the car.
3. Between the talks of the water pumps and (as many here have pointed out) the 1.5L I3 design being clean sheet (the I3 "Dragon" 1.5L engine cannot be compared to the I4 1.5L that preceded it, vs. the 2.0L in the BL that is essentially an iteration of the prior EB 2.0L that improved the couple of relatively rare reliability issues they had).

I don't think engine reliability is a major blow-up, but car demand changes, particularly in light of current interest rates being high, very very likely favor people who will go for higher end trims. And when lower trims sit on the lot, as interest rates soften demand for used cars and drive down prices as well - I could see where dealers would not be willing to take on as much used inventory in the lower trims.

IMO, the OB should have taken on the more powerful engine and a few more extras should have been added to the BS to differentiate it, but I'm not going to pretend I know all the rationale for how Ford decided to target market segments for the trims.

“…EB 2.0L that improved the couple of relatively rare reliability issues they had…”

those EB engines are prone to coolant intrusion, tons of lawsuits going around. Highly doubt they fixed this…people will find out in 3-4 years.

 

[Dude]

“…EB 2.0L that improved the couple of relatively rare reliability issues they had…”

those EB engines are prone to coolant intrusion, tons of lawsuits going around. Highly doubt they fixed this…people will find out in 3-4 years.

But on the other hand this is a fair amount of data showing that Ford did correct the problem for the 2.0L engine installed in the Bronco Sport but I agree that time will tell.

 

[scaryhours]

I don’t fall for the fear mongering. Perfectly happy with the 1.5.

It’s not really fear mon

“…EB 2.0L that improved the couple of relatively rare reliability issues they had…”

those EB engines are prone to coolant intrusion, tons of lawsuits going around. Highly doubt they fixed this…people will find out in 3-4 years.

They definitely fixed the coolant intrusion issues by redesigning the block and leaving the sidewalls thick while adding slimmer water jackets.

The main issues on the 1.5 3cyl are:

- Water pumps failing
- Lack of belt tensioner
- Pretty bad vibrations at low speeds
- Very bad vibrations at idle with the AC on

 

[Black Rob]

It’s not really fear mon


They definitely fixed the coolant intrusion issues by redesigning the block and leaving the sidewalls thick while adding slimmer water jackets.

The main issues on the 1.5 3cyl are:

- Water pumps failing
- Lack of belt tensioner
- Pretty bad vibrations at low speeds
- Very bad vibrations at idle with the AC on

I don’t understand your need to throw dirt on the 1.5. Whatever makes you feel better, I guess.

 

[jkeaton]

It’s not really fear mon


They definitely fixed the coolant intrusion issues by redesigning the block and leaving the sidewalls thick while adding slimmer water jackets.

The main issues on the 1.5 3cyl are:

- Water pumps failing
- Lack of belt tensioner
- Pretty bad vibrations at low speeds
- Very bad vibrations at idle with the AC on

Don't really consider those issues. Nature of the beast.

 

[AndyMac204]

No issues with my 1.5 base, not one and I'm not very easy on the sport.
I get a phone call every month from my dealer asking to come for an appraisal so they can buy it. I don't think I'll ever get rid of it tho, it's been so good to us, and we've had many great memories and road trips with it. I think some dealers here in Canada are still looking for used cars on the frequent.

 

[Bucko]

It's not just Bronco Sports, used car prices in general are dropping.

If it makes the BS owners feel any better, I took a hit on a 2022 Challenger GT. It had lass that 2000 miles on it when I tried to trade it in on a new 4 door Jeep. The Dodge dealer I bought it from low balled me $3000.00 under what KBB said the average trade in value was.

I went to Ford to check out the bronco's and Bronco Sports. They gave me $2000.00 more than Dodge, but still $1000.00 less then KBB.

Post pandemic prices on used cars are down now, not what we saw during pandemic times when they were at an all time high.

 

[rocks]

If it makes the BS owners feel any better, I took a hit on a 2022 Challenger GT. It had lass that 2000 miles on it when I tried to trade it in on a new 4 door Jeep. The Dodge dealer I bought it from low balled me $3000.00 under what KBB said the average trade in value was.

I went to Ford to check out the bronco's and Bronco Sports. They gave me $2000.00 more than Dodge, but still $1000.00 less then KBB.

Post pandemic prices on used cars are down now, not what we saw during pandemic times when they were at an all time high.

Go to Carmax or Carvana and get a number. It will be higher than a dealer. I just went through that with my trade. Dealers told me they can't match Carmax for whatever reason. I got $2K more for a Ridgeline I traded with Carmax. Even Honda wouldn't match Carmax when I was interested in a Passport.

 

[scaryhours]

I don’t understand your need to throw dirt on the 1.5. Whatever makes you feel better, I guess.

lol what?

 

[scaryhours]

Don't really consider those issues. Nature of the beast.

I'd agree minus the water pump issue. Don't like having to check my coolant level every week and worrying about it. If there was a low coolant sensor, I'd feel a little better.

 

[bouwmatic]

Interesting. All I'll say is that I bought my Badlands last month. I was certain I wanted the 2.0 engine, and really nothing else mattered for me, outside of that. I really was unaware of any pricing dyamic on it. I was simply looking for the cheapest price on a 23 Badlands..

I had about a total of 10 or 12 to choose from IN TOTAL.... from Tampa/Orlando on down south to where I am, in Miami. That's it. I searched every Ford dealer and while plenty had the other models, the BAdlands were few and far between.

There are 73 total BL available (including ordered and in transit) in the 100mi radius around me here in Denver...

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