5.4 or 4.6?

[drivewizard]

Looking at a couple service vans to buy. One is a 2007 with 102,000 miles and a 5.4 litre engine. The other is a 2008 with 83,000 and a 4.6 Litre. Both are Ford E-250's.
The 5.4 puffs a little blue smoke on a cold start.
I am a little worried about that, but also worried that the 4.6 may not have much get up and go once I get it loaded down with tools. ]
What is ya'lls opinion? If you have the 4.6 does it have enuff HP and has it been reliable?

[76olds]

4.6 is underpowered. Doesn't seem to make much power until 3-4k rpms.

Van only has 50k on the odometer, no problems so far.

[quickcat46]

  drivewizard
I am a little worried about that, but also worried that the 4.6 may not have much get up and go once I get it loaded down with tools. ]

i have trucks with both these motors. I have used both doing service work. The 5.4 is a workhorse, will pull a trailer with a full load of tools in the back, can handle the weight of equipment loaded in the back also. But my 4.6 is a little weaker. Overdrive kicks in all the time when equipment or a trailer is added. Does pretty good of handling the regular city/county roads. gets a little better gas mileage also..
My favorite for work trucks is my 6.0 diesel, 3/4 ton truck with a 8' bed. That will pull all day and never blink. I would be interested in hearing about how others feel about the diesel sprinter van. I think about diesel for the longevity. Makes sense to me to purchase the equipment for the long term.