Clean Diesel Engines

[E.intheC]

What do you guys and gals think about clean diesel car engines?

I'm thinking about getting a new car within the next 6 months or so, and have a few cars in mind. (Both regular gas and clean diesel)

I just saw the Jetta TDI Cup Edition:

http://blog.caranddriver.com/2010-vo...on-auto-shows/

.....and it looks like a nice car, but I'm wondering about Diesel itself. Anyone out there with experience?

Thanks:birthday:

 

[TonyHNY]

I was thinking about the TDI myself back in December. Most of my diesel experience are from trucks. If cars are made like that, then they generally have a crazy engine lifespan since most of them hit over half a million miles before a major engine overhaul... but i doubt that for cars....

The mileage is awesome for this vehicle and I think you can beat the Prius gas mileage. but there's not many places near me that carries Diesel. The second issue I have is that it is a VW and people I know who work on cars always tells me to stay away from them because of "christmas lights" on the panel that goes off and no one can turn them off. Finally, I decided totally against it when the mechanics in my area have never worked with these cars before...... Instead, I ended up with a 2010 Accord below invoice around Christmas in 09 when the VW guy gave me the MSRP price because they were high in demand....i hope by now, they are willing to give better pricing and not just MSRP....

 

[bigdog1428]

i love diesel

well i have a diesel pickup truck ,,and i absolutly love it ,,,,with all my upgrades,,,i still get 28mpg,,,and thats in a 7300 pound dually ,,,,,the vw tdi car is a beautiful car and u will neva go wrong with a volks wagon (i love the name ) volkswagon

 

[TimberTDI]

I just bought my second tdi but first let me start with my first one:

2003 Jetta TDI had 186,212 miles when I sold it. The only time I ever got stranded on the road was at 186,212 miles because the intake manifold got way blocked off with carbon. I decided to sell it because there were other maintenance items were coming up fast i.e. timing belt, brakes all around, tires & struts. I still managed to sell a car that I had to flatbed home from the dealer for $4,000.

I never had any issues with the car, but I must say that servicing the car can be a little expensive but I imagine that's the same with all cars if you go to dealer (which I prefer and believe me you do not want anyone else putzing around the hood of this car) Although if you have time there are plenty of detailed sites on how to do every repair, I just don't have the time.

BTW I consistently avg'd between 47-52mpg.


I loved the TDI so much that I bought a 2010 TDI sportswagen
Holy Cow is this car sweet. Has tons of more power than my 03, I never have to second guess when I accelerate at an on-ramp. The mileage is a tad lower I avg 42-47 but I gladly accept the lower mileage for the better power. So far I've put 19K in 7 months and no complaints.

The thing with TDIs is that you have to be a commuter, I travel about 750 miles a week (soccer season starts next week so tack on another 100+ a week). If you're not doing a lot a driving then it's not worth paying for it.

Diesel is everywhere, you just never looked for it before. Once you own a TDI you will know where every diesel station is within a 50 mile radius.

There's a reason that VW charges MSRP for the TDI because they can't keep them on the lot. I know folks who have been waiting for 4 months to get the specific TDI they want. The demand has always been high, in 2003 I had to drive 250 miles to PA to get the exact car I wanted. It was either that or wait 12-16 weeks.

Do you know a hybrid that gets 46 mpg while doing 75mph?

For more info:
www.tdiclub.com
www.myturbodiesel.com

Steven

 

[E.intheC]

It sounds like you are definitely a fan of the TDI, TimberTDI :lol2:

I'm just not sold on it yet.. I don't do enough driving per year (between 15000 and 18000 miles or so/year I'd say) and the low horsepower isn't too appealing.

I'm leaning toward a Nissan 350z again

 

[TimberTDI]

I was thinking about the TDI myself back in December. Most of my diesel experience are from trucks. If cars are made like that, then they generally have a crazy engine lifespan since most of them hit over half a million miles before a major engine overhaul... but i doubt that for cars....

The mileage is awesome for this vehicle and I think you can beat the Prius gas mileage. but there's not many places near me that carries Diesel. The second issue I have is that it is a VW and people I know who work on cars always tells me to stay away from them because of "christmas lights" on the panel that goes off and no one can turn them off. Finally, I decided totally against it when the mechanics in my area have never worked with these cars before...... Instead, I ended up with a 2010 Accord below invoice around Christmas in 09 when the VW guy gave me the MSRP price because they were high in demand....i hope by now, they are willing to give better pricing and not just MSRP....

When your pipes are backed up do you call a plumber or your barber?

If cars are made like that, then they generally have a crazy engine lifespan since most of them hit over half a million miles before a major engine overhaul... but i doubt that for cars....

I have personally seen TDIs that have well over 300,000 miles.

The mileage is awesome for this vehicle and I think you can beat the Prius gas mileage. but there's not many places near me that carries Diesel.

Diesel is everywhere. How many stations do you need if you only have to fill up every 500-600 miles?

The second issue I have is that it is a VW and people I know who work on cars always tells me to stay away from them because of "christmas lights" on the panel that goes off and no one can turn them off. Finally, I decided totally against it when the mechanics in my area have never worked with these cars before......

I would also stay away from people who don't work on VWs.

when the VW guy gave me the MSRP price because they were high in demand....i hope by now, they are willing to give better pricing and not just MSRP....

TDIs can be had for around invoice you just have to know how to get it. Who pays MSRP?

Steven

 

[Audi0s]

Hp is low yes, but torque is where they shine. 236lb/ft is very decent. Think about lugging it out v8 style, instead of shifting down a few gears to get into the revs. I cant say enough things about how far diesels have come. I used to prep the benz e320 cdi and they would haul ass, same thing for the 335d that Id service when at BMW. Go drive one, if theyre available for test drives, and see what you think. Im in love with that Cup edition, very sweet car and theyll hold their resale pretty well.

 

[motortrendz]

besides hybrids, and the possibility of hydrogen in the near future... clean diesels are the way to go... expecially bc the will run on flex diesel (used cooking oil filtered and mixed with 10-15% methanol)

 

[E.intheC]

Hp is low yes, but torque is where they shine. 236lb/ft is very decent. Think about lugging it out v8 style, instead of shifting down a few gears to get into the revs. I cant say enough things about how far diesels have come. I used to prep the benz e320 cdi and they would haul ass, same thing for the 335d that Id service when at BMW. Go drive one, if theyre available for test drives, and see what you think. Im in love with that Cup edition, very sweet car and theyll hold their resale pretty well.

The Cup Edition looks great. I really like that blue portrayed in the pics (and I don't normally care for a blue car)

Does anyone own a VW (clean diesel or not)? It looks like there are a few owners here.

I've heard nothing but BAD things about reliability with VW's though.. (and most German cars, to be honest) ....I don't have any personal experience. Even if I don't get a VW, my fiancee wants to get a Jetta in a few months, so I'm very curious here.

 

[skimacka]

This is what I want!


http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_37/b4099060491065.htm

 

[Audi0s]

The Cup Edition looks great. I really like that blue portrayed in the pics (and I don't normally care for a blue car)

Does anyone own a VW (clean diesel or not)? It looks like there are a few owners here.

I've heard nothing but BAD things about reliability with VW's though.. (and most German cars, to be honest) ....I don't have any personal experience. Even if I don't get a VW, my fiancee wants to get a Jetta in a few months, so I'm very curious here.

Yes and no. If you stay on top of them, ie regular oil changes with a mechanic who looks the car over everytime, and dont mind putting some money into them then theyre great cars. My friend has a 01 jetta gl 2.0 with 270k and counting. If you fall behind on a few things, lets say brakes oil change and maybe valve cover gasket etc, its easily 5 to 800. I usually just recommend people to stay on top of them. Dont forget Im pretty sure those are timing belt motors, replacement recommended every 75k or so. The new Jetta 2.5 are a pretty decent car, motor is a little buzzy but very decently powered. Semi cheap, and I think they cover oil and most repairs for 50k, but not 100%.

 

[motortrendz]

me personally.. working on cars for almost 17 yrs.. i hate vw's.. and most german cars for that matter... but when you work in the ER it seems like the world is dying.. so being a mechanic and working on alot of them, but never owning one.. i can only tell you the negatives

 

[E.intheC]

motor, glad to have you back on here talking about cars. If you hate VW's, what's your favorite car out there?

 

[motortrendz]

out of all cars... toyota... out of german.. bmw...