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What Would It Take for YOU to buy a diesel car?
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36.55 mpg (530 miles/14.5 gal) on 14 MB GLK 250 BT. I can't descern better/worse mpg due to the DEF metering system fix. We only put 27,000 miles on the OCI. No oil use @ all! Next OCI due@ 80,000 miles.
VW is evaluating required & submitted 2009 Jetta TDI buy back paperwork. So we are on a wait cycle. Next step appears to be more paperwork or make appointment with local dealer for buyback turn in.
TMI
It would appear that the two oil specifications (MB 229.51, 229.52) allows for varied viscosities.
I have been using M1 oil products for many miles/years. Anecdotally the above specification/s DIESEL M1 synthetic oils are VERY robust. It is also becoming more commonly available. Yet probably this specification oil remains still a niche type of application. There are of course many other oil vendors. Some that come to mind: Total, Castrol, Mogul, etc.
Since the MB GLK 250 BT has twin turbos and a (smaller) 2.1 L engine, & higher torque output (369# ft of torque/2.1 L = 176 # ft) per liter, I'm impressed with (imperceptible) no oil consumption. (way less than 1 L in 27,000 miles)
None of my gassers even with M1 use, ever came close to this kind (lack) of oil consumption.
Needless to say, one advantage of DIESEL!
Had an incident where my brother in law rented a U-Haul and the "dummy" gas station pump nozzles prevented a bigger error.
But I'm told as soon as the fuel contamination mistake is discovered, immediately stop the running of the vehicle. Get it towed to a dealer/ place that can drain the contaminated tank and do the necessary actions, if needed to get systems back to ULSD. I've read/been told that it is an approximately $600 OOPS!
More TMI
Reduced oil use/ consumption (zero to .75 L with 30,000 OCI 's) has been noted across all 4 diesels & for many miles (421,000 miles: 187,000, 120,000, 66,000, 48,000 miles) obhas Obviously, there are variances.Brands have included: Castrol, M1, Total, & 4 unknown oem fills. Occasional "topping" ( in my more OCD days) across brands never an issue.
"Adding oil" is really NOT required until the oil levels reach the "add oil mark on ones dipstick, which in most normal cars is 1 quart/liter.
Just got my oil change on the 2008 Nissan Frontier. Two years and 5500 miles seemed long enough. I never bother to check the oil levels. Walmart said it was down 1/2 qt. Always use Mobil One 5W30. They were running a special on M1 oil and filter change. $44. Usually costs $55 so that was good. Want to keep it in good shape to sell when I buy a new diesel PU truck. Ford has decided to get into the business of selling real trucks. I don't need an F150 size, but with a diesel it will be on my list.
http://www.tfltruck.com/2017/05/check-2018-ford-f-150-diesel-prototypes-tow-testing-mountains-video-prototype-hunting/
I've long since given up a lot of diy! Still unless I know a dealer uses correct diesel specifications oil, I BYOB !
Had to beat $44. for a synthetic oil change. The MB uses 7/.8 L . @ a sale price of ? 6.50 per, just the oil is a min of $46.
Indeed ! You and I have at this discussion before. But for the general topic site, a diesel small/big truck has been a total no-brainer for multiple decades!
Truck diesel's even though there's still 3.0 L can be muscularized to incredible levels and ...no one even cares! Fart sideways in a VW 2.0 L & EPA/CARB wants to shoot it in the head. Go figure?
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A friend of mine had one, and also a C6. I drove the C6 Z06 (505 HP), but I don't know the torque specs. It felt like a bunch!
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With app 100# ft more torque (500# ft) & 7 speed manual....Yeeeee ha!!!! The new C6 is a terrific road car!! I've read the 8 speed A/T is good for the naught to 60 mpg fans. I have not a clue what kind of mpg the new ones get? I was never a naught to 60 mph fan boy.
The diesel slant, aka 5.0 L V8 turbo/twin turbo TDI easily makes 550# ft!? 30 mpg would be icing!
Its almost a crime to think about a 7.0 L TDI's output 786 to 919 # ft? Geez!
In effect, the claim was being held up, while they were telling me to resubmit paperwork they acknowledged receiving!!!?? They even sent me a PDF showing what they received & scanned in!? The claim was I was switching to buyback, when they were clear NO 2009 VW Jetta TDI emissions fix was contemplated nor approved!!??
So a phone call to the claims # (sub treed to a real person) seemed to get the paperwork received, acknowledged & the promise for the buyback. & forward progression. In theory, dealer turn in appointment next & then funds.
Pure speculation on my part. IF they pay for my next timing belt change, & do an approved emissions fix that is seamless to adding torque, I would seriously consider switching options.
The brouhaha has seemed to tighten up to elevate the prices of unaffected diesels! I was pleasantly amused to out right shocked, to see USED 2014 GLK 250 BT prices higher than what was paid NEW.
If one has multiple requirements, in our case, it saves 298 gals.(@ 15,000 miles, 21 mpg/36-37 mpg) $$'s saved = $998 per year/12=$83.17 mo. (2,036 ($2.85) - 1,038) ($2.49)
Keeping it the average vehicle age PVF 12 years would potentially save $11,976. to more!?
If the governments had any B's, V's, just give FOLKS (me) attractive tax credits & tax write offs, (taxes paid, & taxes due on the replacement vehicle, etc.) end of story! ? If I chose great. If not, oh well.
The IRS gave tax credits to buy (specifically) the 2009 VW TDI. So not only do I think they can do it, they already HAVE done it! The only difference would be the numbers changing.
In any case, it is an IRS NON taxable event.
In war time, the penalty for (EPA/CARB) falling asleep on guard duty is a very SERIOUS offense. But it appears that those responsible will probably get promoted. It's an absolute travesty all the way around.
Sf to NY? http://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-model-x-america-electric-car-road-trip-elon-musk-2017-6?ref=yfp. Too much waiting converters to higher hotel bills!?
Castrol for VW 507. 5w30 are app 8 to $12 per L, bulk being slightly cheaper.. I was lucky to get M 1 5W40 MB 229.51
.."The 75D is the base trim level, providing 237 miles of range from a 75-kWh (kilowatt-hour) battery. Despite being the base model, it's not slow, reaching 60 mph in a claimed 6.0 seconds. Air suspension is (as of this writing) standard on every Model X, as is keyless entry, a power liftgate, navigation and power mirrors.
Stepping up to the 90D nets you a 90-kWh battery that bumps up range to 257 miles. The 90D models are quicker still, hitting 60 mph in a claimed 4.8 seconds. The 100D's 100-kWh battery increases range to 295 miles but is no quicker than the 90D. For the ultimate in Model X speed, head right to the P100D. Though range drops slightly to 289 miles, this variant sprints to 60 mph in just 2.9 seconds."...
So 90 kWh ( real world full charge) per 195 miles! @ $.375/$.4297 kWh
= 17.3 cents/ 19.83 cents!!!?? Cpmd: electrical
With a TDI & 2nd driver the same trip would be a piece of cake in 2.5 days. I've done 1,100 miles alone. So the only question is how many miles the TBD 2nd driver is ok with! Any TDI fuel stop would not exceed 10 min each (4 each) 26.4 gal tank @ 32 mpg = 845 miles. Keeping it at 2,100 rpm, which converts to approximately 82 mph where one can still post to 36 mpg,or 950 miles a tank. But I'm fine with 845 miles range or less
So 3,500 miles @ 32/36 mpg= 110 gal/98 gal* $2.49=$274./$244.,
$7.83 cents, $ 6.97 cents cpmd:ULSD.
Fill time max 10 min. The math (19.83/7.83) indicated 253% cpmd more for EV !
Im remiss leaving something out: TESLA X up to $140,000 bucks? I'll start looking in all the usual places for all the spare change I would need.
Our SDG&E summer rate is 42.97 cents a KWH. Makes driving my Touareg cheap.
https://www.sdge.com/sites/default/files/regulatory/03-01-17 Schedule DR Total Rates Table2.pdf
Actually NOT! A local Fox station anchor got "shamed" on TV (by another station) when her (personal) home utilities got on local Cable TV (too costly for some environmental conservatives!) Her on TV persona is FAR from being a stuck up, screaming mini environmental neo conservative. .
I hope this area of CA keeps a few of its "small town" quirks. When you hit the eligibility, they give 50 % off the garbage bill! (all one can discharge, so to speak.)
When the toilet had a leak, not noticed by us, they sent another meter reader to make sure it was not a misread & rang the bell. Once fixed, they credited back the water overuse.
It was an almost 8 year old $15.50 oem tank fill "GREEN" valve/of 3 (research indicates the other two identical toilets came with a different P/N than the "GREEN" designated one.) that was the culprit.
I'm not sure how wise it was to buy the oem replacement for (50%+) more money, when the plumbing professionals replacement was WAY cheaper & probably as importantly made by the same vendor as the oem "green" model!!? !!
While I speak a lot about TDI mpg, it's impossible to overlook this discussion. http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/a10033989/how-bigger-and-smaller-wheels-affect-ride-handling-and-performance/?ref=yfp
So are they all the same, but different? Or are they all different but the same?
Would I really do far better (than .85 G) on on narrow parameter with 17 in, 18 in , 19 in, 20 in, 22 in tire & rim combinations?
Leave all the " whining" to the wine mongers!
https://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin/2017/06/22/ninth-circuit-court-to-california-you-cant-always-get-what-you-want/#3bbff7c46d4e
So who was the POTUS in 1967?
LBJ
The barrel of oil refining ratio tells the real stories for the PVF: gasoline=19 gals/ diesel= 13 gals.
Bearish!? https://finance.yahoo.com/news/oil-prices-climb-off-10-month-lows-u-003532293--finance.html
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/opec-few-escape-routes-another-162124568.html
Gasoline engines simply can/do NOT meet forward mpg goals in like model configurations! . Even if they did, diesels get a minimum of 33% better than gasolines! In a practical example, (like model, going on 50,000 miles, anecdotal case) ) 21/22 mpg RUG vs 36/37 mpg diesel, it's 71.4% better! As good as 50 mpg Prius are, a diesels engine gets better mpg.
Again, the barrel (42 gals) of oil ratio (19 gal/13 gal) , flummoxes the anti diesel advocates! The ratio has been that way since John D. Rockefeller founded Standard Oil, since before 1870 in Ohio, app 147 years ago. Indeed a 40 % gasoline 60% PVF would cut barrel of oil demand by app 45 to 60%. Evidently higher consumption of oil is the real goal!!
EV's cpmd electric are beyond predatory, compared to E85 & gasoline! Does any one reasonably expect CA rates of $37.5 cents to 42.7 cents per kWh to go DOWN?? (TESLA X 90 kWh battery posting 195 miles)
http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2011/10/27/141766341/the-price-of-electricity-in-your-state
Every so often the real truth comes out. Almost every electrical utility company, in PUC submissions & testimony, says the reasons why they have to charge way more is because a lot of (accounts) people are using a LOT LESS! Those bigger accounts that use a lot more @ way cheaper prices, opt out to get way cheaper rates.
Whsle costs are between .025 to .035 cents per kWh.(easy to verify) So according to your average 15.4 cents/.3.5= 440%!!! Believe me oil companies would be in NIVANA DREAM land making those %'s. @ 42.7 per kilowatt hour/3.5 = 1220 %, are figures way beyond!
So it would seem $30,000 in electrical utility stocks are better choices than a $30,000 EV. But if a TESLA X EV floats ones boat, more like up to $140,000 is the ticket.
As a comparison the barrel of oil is $ 43. /32 gals = $1.34 per gal. @ $2.75/$2.49....
So the reality is not so good for the new Tesla X. For us in San Diego it would cost almost 20 cents a mile to drive. Roundtrip to Costco about $6.40.
Shifty says: Avg. CA KwH rate is 15.4. Not the highest in the nation, however.
That was 6 years ago. Interestingly we just got back from Hawaii and the owner of the Villa where we stayed was complaining about paying 32 cents a KWH. Actually less than when your NPR piece was written. Now our summer rates are 43 cents a KWH. Strange when that is when most of the solar power comes into the grid. I cannot get moved out of this state soon enough. I will leave it to the fat cats that can afford $1500 per month electric bills. Not to mention gas a buck a gallon more than our neighbors in AZ & NV pay. Anyone for $1.97 diesel? Try Prescott AZ Costco.
https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=epmt_5_6_a
VW - out
Audi - out
MB - out
Outside of full-size pickups, the only brands offering diesel are BMW, Jeep, Jaguar, Land Rover and Chevrolet. Mazda keeps teasing us about a diesel in the CX-5, but it hasn't happened yet.
Maybe not dead, but in critical condition.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
IMO, it's gotten past the point of being able to justify a diesel car in dollars and sense--it's shifted more to owner preferences --"just because".
I call it "diesel aesthetics"---I like that feel of low end torque and the distant clatter---the rhythm of the diesel engine. It almost calms you down in a way, when you're driving.
However, I don't know if the US passenger car diesel market will return. The Germans love to exploit every possible niche, but these are some pretty small niches, and fuel is cheap these days. I think we'd need a sustained fuel price spike to make it happen again.
Cherry picking what it costs ME. That is the most important cost factor. So my SDG&E bill for the 3.5 weeks I was in Hawaii. I used 313 KWH and stayed below the 43 cent per KWH rate. That is what it costs to run two refrigerators and little else.
The EIA chart does not reflect everyone in CA. San Diego has always gotten the rotten end of the sucker. If we could split off from the rest of the state at the Orange county border with Los Angeles, I would not mind staying in SO CA. I am tired of carrying Sacramento and the Congress of baboons.
Even if VW does not buy my Touareg back I will likely sell my Nissan PU and buy a GMC Canyon diesel. I want a 4x4 that I can beat around the desert in. One with more than 300 mile range or worse 195 mile range that loses cell coverage and can lock you out of your vehicle.
I think it is safe to say I will NEVER have to buy another RUG/PUG powered vehicle. If I get moved out of CA, I will NEVER have to be ripped off by a smog check again. Life is good.
It has also taken 1.5 decades (2003 to 2017) for gas hybrids to prove both reliability & durability in the market places. http://www.cheatsheet.com/automobiles/reliable-cars-suvs-road-today.html/11/ Long before that happens for EV's, I'm sure the environmental conservatives will be vilifying EV's! On the other hand, this was ONE longer-term reason the US & allies fought in Afghanistan: so China could get the rare earth mining contracts!?
Funny how the environmental conservatives overlooked putting the 200,000 + city of Oroville downstream of the easily breachable Oroville, CA DAM- DAMN? If any of them were ever in the service & didn't learn "stuff rolls downhill", they sure forgot it fast building this damned dam upstream of this city. Makes you wonder what this is going to do to flood insurance premiums?
At $16.47 per kilogram, based on the station we visited, those fill-ups would cost about $90.
Again that afternoon, after another refilling, the estimated range briefly indicated around 260 miles before plummeting again.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2017-honda-clarity-fuel-cell-first-drive-review
http://www.theenergycollective.com/todayinenergy/2407323/growing-octane-needs-widen-price-difference-premium-regular-gasoline?ref=yfp