Is a TDI worth the extra MPG?

[MBrown]

Diesel is more expensive than Gasoline. Is the higher diesel mpg worth the higher price?

 

[Zolty]

Diesel is cheaper than 87 around here

 

[nakedfrog]

Diesel costs the same as gas around here.

 

[purbeast0]

from what i've heard, maintenance on a diesel car is more expensive because you have to go to a mechanic that specializes in diesel engines just because they are completely different than gas engines.

i was just told that from a friend who it may or may not be true, i'm not sure.

all i know is i get about 350 - 400 miles per tank on my 1.8t GTI and that's about a 13 gallon tank.

 

[Aharami]

can easily get 500+ miles to a tank with a TDI. maybe even close to 600

 

[Nyati13]

Originally posted by: purbeast0
from what i've heard, maintenance on a diesel car is more expensive because you have to go to a mechanic that specializes in diesel engines just because they are completely different than gas engines.

i was just told that from a friend who it may or may not be true, i'm not sure.

all i know is i get about 350 - 400 miles per tank on my 1.8t GTI and that's about a 13 gallon tank.

Regular maintenance might be a tad higher, repairs are more expensive than a gasser, but diesels typically last a lot longer before they need repairs, so in the long run a diesel should cost less to keep running.

The mileage bit, even with diesel being a bit more expensive, it usually gets more than enough extra MPG to still come in cheaper per mile than gas. (that depends entirely on which vehicle you're talking about though)

 

[MBrown]

I'm looking at Mark 4 TDI Jetta's

 

[MedicBob]

I have a 2003 VW Jetta TDI. 48 mph average. I can get 50 highway if I keep below 72 mph. Do the math, you almost pay double for gas at 24 to 25 mph gas. Until diesel prices double you save money. Diesel has been usually about 10 to 15 cents higher per gallon, but it is cheaper by 10 cents per gallon compared to unleaded near me.

Maint cost is about the same. I take mine to a VW dealer just like I would a gas Jetta. Maint is cheaper for me as the TDI has extended service intervals compared to the gas ones, 10000 vs 5000 miles.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

I know in the trucks, they get double the MPG empty, and between 3 and 4 times better when towing. And they do a MUCH better job at handling heavy loads.

Example: 2003 Ram w/ diesel and some mods towing a 10,000LB travel trailer over the sierra nevadas and back made the trip in one 35 gallon tank of gas easily, a 2006 Tahoe w/ 5.3L V8 towing a 4,000LB trailer that was going with them stopped three times along the way.

As far as cars go, someone did a road test with a Corvette, SUV, Hybrid, and a TDI Jetta. They were impressed that the hybrid got owned by the TDI in MPG.

 

[thomsbrain]

spare our air and let those particulate-belching old oil burners rest in peace. i never understood why the hippies thought it was eco-friendly to cover everything in soot.

if you really want to go diesel, wait for a BlueTec. if you really want MPG, buy a Civic VX for $2500.

 

[Toastedlightly]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
spare our air and let those particulate-belching old oil burners rest in peace. i never understood why the hippies thought it was eco-friendly to cover everything in soot.

if you really want to go diesel, wait for a BlueTec. if you really want MPG, buy a Civic VX for $2500.

Why the hate? Have you seen a diesel with a proper particulate filter in place? Clean as all hell. Oh yea, wait until biodiesel becomes feasable (it already is partially), then we'll love the diesel more.

 

[MBrown]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
spare our air and let those particulate-belching old oil burners rest in peace. i never understood why the hippies thought it was eco-friendly to cover everything in soot.

if you really want to go diesel, wait for a BlueTec. if you really want MPG, buy a Civic VX for $2500.

I don't want to shell out 60K on a benz. I am a 21 year old college student.

 

[torpid]

Yes, IMO.

Plus there's the potential for converting it into a vegetable oil car or using bio diesel.

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Originally posted by: MBrown

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
spare our air and let those particulate-belching old oil burners rest in peace. i never understood why the hippies thought it was eco-friendly to cover everything in soot.

if you really want to go diesel, wait for a BlueTec. if you really want MPG, buy a Civic VX for $2500.

I don't want to shell out 60K on a benz. I am a 21 year old college student.

AFAIK, VAG is licensing BlueTec from MB; they should be releasing a Jetta TDI with the tech here soon.

 

[RU482]

Originally posted by: MBrown
Diesel is more expensive than Gasoline. Is the higher diesel mpg worth the higher price?

Do you own a caluculator?

 

[ViviTheMage]

do the math, say you get 25mpg on unleaded @ 3$ a gallon
and you get 50mpg + on a TDI @ 3$ a gallon, thats 100% more for your money basically.

get a Jetta TDI and chip it, you will have a quick lil car

EDIT : yeah, you can get that vege mod on your TDI mk4 if you wanted, just pull up to a mcdonalds or wendys and ask em for there grease and you have a full tank

 

[jemcam]

I've had two VW diesels and I would heartily recommend them. My father in law has a 94 TDI Jetta that he bought new and he absolutely loves it.

The TDI is quieter than the other VW diesels and to Thomsbrain, the TDI's have a catalytic converter so there is no black soot or particulates coming out of the exhaust.

If I was looking for a fuel efficient car, I would consider nothing else other than a VW diesel. They get consistently better mileage than hybrids too in a real world situation, not the estimated MPG on the stickers.

TDIclub

 

[Kerouactivist]

nice hehe I searched last nite before posting but not today.....doh :0

 

[Dunbar]

Based on cost yes, the diesel gets significantly better MPG which will save you money. But people claiming it gets double the MPG are a bit optimistic. Compare it to a like-powered Jetta 2.0 and it's probably 15mpg difference. Plus you're putting up with a rather weak, low redline engine that isn't very responsive compared to a gasoline engine. I'd say to drive one and make sure you can put up with the lack of power first.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: Dunbar
Based on cost yes, the diesel gets significantly better MPG which will save you money. But people claiming it gets double the MPG are a bit optimistic. Compare it to a like-powered Jetta 2.0 and it's probably 15mpg difference. Plus you're putting up with a rather weak, low redline engine that isn't very responsive compared to a gasoline engine. I'd say to drive one and make sure you can put up with the lack of power first.

thats so true, I test drove a 03 TDI, great looking car, just like my current jetta, just lacked power off the gun. If I ever got one id chip it, and do a few other performance things to it, never EVER touch the body, haha.

 

[armstrda]

we drove a 02 beetle tdi when in Maui for our honeymoon that ran on Biodiesel. Great car! we put 570+ miles on it with about 10 gallons of biodiesel. And that included two trips up and down Haleakala. Can't complain with that gas mileage, and the biodiesel was 25 cents cheaper than gas at the time. The power was not an issue. With the AC running constantly, it always had plenty of power, even climbing the mountain.

 

[bigdog1218]

Originally posted by: Dunbar
Based on cost yes, the diesel gets significantly better MPG which will save you money. But people claiming it gets double the MPG are a bit optimistic. Compare it to a like-powered Jetta 2.0 and it's probably 15mpg difference. Plus you're putting up with a rather weak, low redline engine that isn't very responsive compared to a gasoline engine. I'd say to drive one and make sure you can put up with the lack of power first.

The 0-60 time may not be great, but there won't be any lack of power at highway speeds. And what who cares about a low redline. It's bad that you don't have to hit 6000 rpm just to pass someone like some Japanese scooter.

 

[imported_Indohottie]

get a TDI.. i love mine.. they arent the fastest thing in the world.. but I get 600 miles to the tank on freeway driving.. and abs. love it..

The best is when you are filling it up and the owner of the gas station comes running out because you are putting diesel in your car, thinking you put the wrong gas in..

Its great!

 

[natto fire]

Originally posted by: Toastedlightly

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
spare our air and let those particulate-belching old oil burners rest in peace. i never understood why the hippies thought it was eco-friendly to cover everything in soot.

if you really want to go diesel, wait for a BlueTec. if you really want MPG, buy a Civic VX for $2500.

Why the hate? Have you seen a diesel with a proper particulate filter in place? Clean as all hell. Oh yea, wait until biodiesel becomes feasable (it already is partially), then we'll love the diesel more.

My guess is uneducated. The particulates largely come from the poor fuel quality. How many airline flights do you take per year, btw?

Bottom line, diesel has more chemical energy than gasoline, which BlueTec is trying to squeeze every last drop. The main problem with cars, however, is that you are hauling around at least 10-15x more junk than the actual cargo you are transporting (conservatively). Unfortunately, motorcycles still have a bad image despite their blatantly obvious fuel-saving benefits.

Yes, high sulfur diesel in the US does have lots of particulate emission, but that just brings up the argument of which is worse. Spewing particulates with the more potent fuel, or spewing more C02 with the less potent fuel. Not to mention the NOx and unburned HC. Control of gasoline combustion is a bit harder and more likely to be neglected. (and not just because there are more gasoline engines)

 

[Nyati13]

Originally posted by: Captain Howdy
Yes, high sulfur diesel in the US does have lots of particulate emission, ....

Not anymore, US diesel is now low-sulfur like Euro diesel.