What Would It Take for YOU to buy a diesel car?

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 05, 2009 9:49 am)

Probably why it appeals to a "Marin County" type?
 
I have 112,000 miles on one; enough to know I want another turbo diesel? I also realize for the overwhelming majority of folks, a diesel will be a "leap".
 
Now I have run up 250,000 miles each on 2 gassers so naturally, I have a slightly higher expectation on the diesel. It continues to amaze me that this thing can cruise at 85/90 mph, climb the grapevine hill and fuel in Santa Monica and give 50 mpg !! So I slow to 75 mph and get 59 mpg!!??? Go figure !

Replies to this message:
• Mr_Shiftright (Jan 05, 2009 9:59 am)
  • cdnpinhead (Jan 06, 2009 2:07 pm)
    • larsb (Jan 06, 2009 2:51 pm)

Replying to: ruking1 (Jan 05, 2009 9:52 am)

I used to live in Sausalito, and I couldn't even find diesel fuel nearby. I had to drive to Corte Madera. I asked the local Shell station if they'd install some and they laughed at me. "We aren't a truck stop" was the answer.
 
But yeah, the old "buy a Volvo, save the world, and install an $80,000 slate shower in the meantime" crowd.
 
I'll never forget the SF Chronicle reporter who went to a "Save the Redwoods" party in Marin, that took place on....you guessed it... a redwood deck!

Replies to this message:
• cdnpinhead (Jan 06, 2009 2:07 pm)
  • larsb (Jan 06, 2009 2:51 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 05, 2009 9:49 am)

Replies to this message:
• Mr_Shiftright (Jan 05, 2009 10:04 am)

Replying to: ruking1 (Jan 05, 2009 10:03 am)

Replies to this message:
• larsb (Jan 05, 2009 12:40 pm)
• ruking1 (Jan 05, 2009 12:59 pm)
  • gregg_vw (Jan 05, 2009 1:27 pm)
    • Mr_Shiftright (Jan 05, 2009 1:44 pm) and 5 more...
    • ruking1 (Jan 05, 2009 4:01 pm)

Replying to: nippononly (Jan 05, 2009 12:38 pm)

Replying to: nippononly (Jan 05, 2009 12:38 pm)

Yes, 2003 Jetta TDI.
 
But then again... there is MORE POWER !!! AW AW AW !!!
 
I just got done with app an hour in the rain with a 2009 BMW 335 D at the local BMW dealer!! MAN !!! 425 foot #'s of torque under foot is really something to behold. Before we started it had 14 miles on it. It was this dealers first and only one so far.
 
The sales man did a computer reading for a 33.5 mpg. I asked him what a gasser BMW 335 I gets and he just mentioned in passing 19/20!?

Replies to this message:
• gregg_vw (Jan 05, 2009 1:27 pm)
  • Mr_Shiftright (Jan 05, 2009 1:44 pm)
    • bpeebles (Jan 05, 2009 4:50 pm)
    • gregg_vw (Jan 06, 2009 6:09 am) and 3 more...
  • ruking1 (Jan 05, 2009 4:01 pm)

Replying to: ruking1 (Jan 05, 2009 12:59 pm)

Replies to this message:
• Mr_Shiftright (Jan 05, 2009 1:44 pm)
  • bpeebles (Jan 05, 2009 4:50 pm)
  • gregg_vw (Jan 06, 2009 6:09 am)
    • ruking1 (Jan 06, 2009 7:43 am)
    • Mr_Shiftright (Jan 06, 2009 9:26 am) and 1 more...
• ruking1 (Jan 05, 2009 4:01 pm)

Replying to: gregg_vw (Jan 05, 2009 1:27 pm)

Replies to this message:
• bpeebles (Jan 05, 2009 4:50 pm)
• gregg_vw (Jan 06, 2009 6:09 am)
  • ruking1 (Jan 06, 2009 7:43 am)
  • Mr_Shiftright (Jan 06, 2009 9:26 am)
    • gregg_vw (Jan 06, 2009 10:23 am)

Replying to: gregg_vw (Jan 05, 2009 1:27 pm)

I am glad you posted. At times I truly believe reported D2 mpg is NOT believed by the majority of gasser readers who actually are open minded about D2 products. Indeed I would have dismissed my own 59 mpg 75 mph, if I did not do it over two fill ups on a 965 miles leg of a return trip. I really have to stress that all I was trying to do was keep the highest possible speed to avoid a customer service stop by 3 state, 5 car highway patrol wolf packs, and turn off the radar detector; as it was very annoying. I was NOT trying to maximize fuel economy. BUT I'll take both to the bank as it were, no tickets and good fuel mileage.
 
As for the chip and/or injectors upgrades, they do/can have a Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde characters to them. IF you upgrade, the key to continued good mileage is to resist the temptation to get on it, and just let it ride episodically. The other issue is both these upgrades have the capability of emphasizing (now) weak links, aka V6 clutch upgrade.