Suddenly feeling stuck between BS OB vs BS BL!!

[tropical2022]

MJE
That looks cool, thanks for the link! But I still much prefer the egg-crate grille =(

Warpious
Dealer said the BS BL grille costs $675 to buy but then they said it will have to be painted and then installed. Both of those things is additional cost so it will be a lot more than $675 in the end. I ended up scratching the grille swap idea off the list when they told me that cameras would not work at all if I put a BS BL grille onto a BS OB. Errr wait a second... I don't even think the BS OB has front cameras? I woud have the co-pilot auto assist... doesn't that use front cameras of some sort?

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[Warpious]

MJE
That looks cool, thanks for the link! But I still much prefer the egg-crate grille =(

Warpious
Dealer said the BS BL grille costs $675 to buy but then they said it will have to be painted and then installed. Both of those things is additional cost so it will be a lot more than $675 in the end. I ended up scratching the grille swap idea off the list when they told me that cameras would not work at all if I put a BS BL grille onto a BS OB. Errr wait a second... I don't even think the BS OB has front cameras? I woud have the co-pilot auto assist... doesn't that use front cameras of some sort?

The BL has a camera in the grill for helping with offroading rock crawling etc it's the only model that does, there are different "cameras" ie radar locations for the 360+ but I'm pretty sure they're located in the same location across all trims. So yes the camera in the BL grille wouldn't work but likely wouldn't affect your safety features...Im not a mechanic so you may want to double check that but that's my understanding of it

 

[Osco]

The 4 cyl will have better resale value mostly because it cost thousands more when new.
As for gas mileage as far as I can tell from the people that actually drive them normally and not grandma to church or led foot there is about a 3 to 4 mpg penalty with the 4 banger.
But with both over 21 mpg that is not a major deal breaker new or used. When gas gets to $5 that may change but we will get our country back soon enough and repair the damage once again.
Gas prices will not stay an issue.
Go with your gut feeling.
If the extra power is more important the 2.0 is for you.
I am completely happy with my 1.5 3 banger and have had it loaded with junk and a few fat people. It did fine on the Interstate and climbed well but if a trailer or loaded down off road glamping was in my plans I’d prolly want the 2.0 once in a while. But for me the mpg’s and initial cost were more important.
I got a brand new BASE model for $28,000 and am at 17,500 miles and could not be happier.
Then again I am not a bells and whistles kind of guy.

 

[Bronclahoma]

If you are going to tow ANYTHING or install 245 tires or larger, I'd to with a BL with the 2.0. If you drive in mountains at high altitude, again, I'd go with the 2.0. Deep sand, same thing, you get front liquid -cooled clutches.

 

[MaxVelocity]

If the 2.0L was available on lower trims, we probably wouldn't have sprung for a BL, most likely a BB.

 

[JamesT]

https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/color-matched-grille.5022/
Does this type of modification provide any ideas for potentially improving the OB grill for you?

Honestly the OB is all I need as I don’t intend any off-roading. I mean gravel/logging roads sure, but that’s not even the primary use. I do really like the ebony/roast interior in the BL though, so that was a positive for me rather than a negative.

My use case is a car I can get paid off & enjoy for a decade or more. If I had money I could certainly have gone full-size, but I still wasn’t completely budget constrained so the bit of extra cost of the BL also wasn’t a factor for me. But when I submitted my order I ultimately decided on the BL for a few reasons:

1. Steelies: Between those & the gray roof for a two tone look, the whole thing gives off a much more vintage vibe which I loved. The OB however with it’s black rims & roof looks the part of a more modern vehicle.

2. Front Camera: This should be optional, along with front parking sensors, on every trim. Since it isn’t, my anxieties over driving were enough to get me to choose the camera should I find myself in a tight spot to get out of in the city.

3. 2.0: Yes, it’s rated a couple MPG lower than the OB, which added up over a couple hundred thousand of useful vehicle life isn’t actually an insignificant cost. But I was willing to endure that little bit less economy to ensure I had all the power I’d ever need.

4. Small Features: I’m in Canada, so things like the rain sensing wipers & deicers & such come standard on even the base model. So I didn’t have to think about what I’m giving up vs. an OB, the only ‘small’ feature I had to give up was ambient lighting. I was ok with that.

5. Rubber Floor. Oddly enough, this really is a feature for me even without off-roading. I have a dog and every Ford fabric, seats & carpet, are made of absolute Velcro for dog hair. The rubber floor might actually help keep the vehicle somewhat clean.

Still I wish they’d just package the BL with absolutely everything the OB has. Including a blue version of the upscale interior not unlike the FE, even if I do favor the brown.

I’ve had our BL+BL for a year. Went through lots of back and forth like OP and came to many of same conclusions you did. Im glad for the capability it can give me if I ever want. I really prefer the ebony roast: classy and tough. The rubber floor has proven to be awesome, especially in this muddy season.

 

[Alistar]

don't even think the BS OB has front cameras? I woud have the co-pilot auto assist... doesn't that use front cameras of some sort?

Cameras for the pre-collision and co-pilot are inside that big black plastic thing where your mirror is attached I think

 

[sajohnson]

As others have said, all the BS trim levels are good, there are no bad choices. It just depends on the buyer's priorities and their situation.

Our thinking when deciding which way to go led us to the Badlands, for the following reasons:

* More capable all-wheel drive system.
* Significantly more powerful engine.
* Paddle shifters.
* Transmission fluid cooler.
* PDU is water cooled.
* Front camera.
* Stronger suspension.
* Hydraulic bump stops.
* Skid plates
* Almost 2 feet water fording ability -- because hey, you never know. ;-)

Do we truly NEED any of that stuff? Most of the time, no. Maybe occasionally though.

We do live on what is considered a 'mountain' around here. Our road has a steep hill (~25% grade in spots) with a 90 degree right turn at the bottom and a 90* left half way up. My AWD WRX often can't make it even half way (with winter tires) but my wife's RAV4 with a lockable center diff and Torsen rear has no trouble. Bottom line, to make it up the hill in snow requires more than a typical AWD system.

Also, we sometimes move a log splitter and/or a trailer around on our property.

The rest of the stuff I listed is in the "nice to have but not necessary" category.

We don't drive much, so mpg is not a big issue. Even if we were racking up the miles, the 2 mpg difference in highway mileage is noticeable but not huge. It's a personal choice, but I'd rather have the extra power. The 3 cyl. is no slouch though.

All of our vehicles are/have been manuals. It would be nice if Ford at least made a manual transmission optional (as they do with the big Bronco). The paddle shifters are better than nothing though -- and there are definitely advantages to automatics, esp for people who do a lot of stop and go driving.

The rest is sorta, 'why not?' We probably aren't gonna be rock crawling at Moab, so the skid plates; water cooled PDU; ATF cooler; stronger suspension, etc., is just added insurance. It might help components last longer. Also, we do occasionally tow a 2,000 lb. trailer

I'm typically a 'function over form' person. I care more about mechanicals than many of the options in the premium package. That's why the only extras on ours are the roof rack cross bars and tow package. So the MSRP (incl. dest.) is 'only' $36,465 (there has been a $500 price increase since we ordered).

The BS OB (and BB) is also very nice, and for anyone not doing any serious off-roading -- which if we're honest is 99%+ of us -- is a good, if not better, choice.

The other trims can be less $; they get better mileage; and probably handle better on pavement than the BL.

 

[Leeford]

The OB is a really comfortable ride. If I get stuck in a parking lot puddle I can get out of it. The blue seats are nice as well as the sunroof. I have a smile every time I look at it. The BL seemed to much for my daily ride. So...it boils down to personal choice.

 

[sajohnson]

The OB is a really comfortable ride. If I get stuck in a parking lot puddle I can get out of it. The blue seats are nice as well as the sunroof. I have a smile every time I look at it. The BL seemed to much for my daily ride. So...it boils down to personal choice.

Great post!

Those parking lot puddles are the worst, right?

There is definitely a "Beware the 1% solution" factor with the BL, let alone the big Bronco.

Now all we have to do is sell our place and move to Utah and the BL will be fully justified!

 

[Grift3r]

Heres my thoughts as a non car guy. I avg about 27.5 mpg in my Outer banks with mostly city driving. I would seriously doubt the 4 cyl does that, but I don't really have proof on hand for what the Badlands gas mileage is. As for the off roading stuff, sure its nice, but I don't think anyone truly buys a sport for the off-roading. We know someone who has the Badlands, and honestly we do everything they do. The tow difference is 200 lbs, so that also doesnt really matter. As for the interior color, see it in person if you havent. I thought I liked the blue better but when I saw the roast, it looked so much better. The blue Outer Banks interior looked cheap to me, but thats just personal opinion. In the end, I went with a Sport because I been stranded with snapped axles and stuff with my old Jeep, and I'm just over it. I wanted something that could do some trails, carry the doggos, and had comforts.
TLR: Buy a big boy bronco if youre super into off-roading, any model of the sport is great, just go with what you like the look of the best and has the features you want.

 

[tropical2022]

Thanks for all the replies!

I've been leaning more towards the BS BL than the BS OB. I'm embarrassed to admit why because all of you will think I am NUTS! It's for a few reasons but one of the more ridiculous reasons is that I REALLY dislike the grille on the BS OB. I know I'm a nutcase... but this last reason has really pushed me more towards BS BL as I really prefer the BS BL grille ?

I do also LOVE that the BS BL has NO carpet. I never understood why most cars have carpet... even the jeep wrangler has carpet!

Broncoette
I'm very jealous! I wish I lived in Colorado. I LOVE snow and having four seasons. Here in AZ, where I live, only has ONE season (HOT then slightly cool during winter... I never really get to wear my super cozy winter clothes)... but NO snow.. unless I drive up to Flagstaff or other parts of AZ.

I hope to move to CO or Utah or Washington one day.... so perhaps having BS BL will come in handy there.

 

[tropical2022]

I am concerned about gas mileage though... HOPING there isn't a huge noticeable difference between the BS OB and BS BL... I also don't drive much... I average less than 10k miles per year... so I guess that's not much driving?

It is depressing seeing the gas meter rapidly go from FULL TANK to almost empty even in my current car! ?

 

[sajohnson]

I am concerned about gas mileage though... HOPING there isn't a huge noticeable difference between the BS OB and BS BL... I also don't drive much... I average less than 10k miles per year... so I guess that's not much driving?

It is depressing seeing the gas meter rapidly go from FULL TANK to almost empty even in my current car! ?

The EPA highway ratings are 28 vs 26 mpg. That's not much of a difference.

At 10,000 miles per year that's:

10,000 / 28 = 357 gallons
10,000 / 26 = 385 gallons

So the difference is 28 gallons, or, at $4.25/gallon, $119 per year.

There is a larger difference in city mpg, so if you do a lot of city driving, the difference will be greater.

Bottom line though -- you gotta have that BL grill!

 

[cgparsons1983]

I test drove an OB before placing my order for the BL and I can say that I'm glad I went with the BL simply because of the extra power. It's really noticeable. As far as MPG's go, I'm only getting about 24 mpg's in the Badlands from doing about 95% city driving. That's with only using 91 octane. Going from a 12 gallon fuel tank on my previous vehicle to the 15 gallon on the Badlands, I end up getting about the same amount of miles on a full tank as I did with a smaller 12 gallon vehicle (around 315 miles). It's not great, but considering it's an SUV/truck, it's pretty reasonable. I also didn't like the seats that much on the BL, but I was willing to put up with them for a bigger engine. Also, I've already put seat covers on (which everyone should do), so in the end your seats end up being the color of seat cover that you decide on.

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