9396 messages,
Last post on May 25, 2013 at 6:54 PM
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Car Buying, Biodiesel, Diesel, Hybrid Cars, Coupe, Hatchback, SUV
#8109 of 9396 Re: . [fintail]
by ruking1
Feb 17, 2013 (9:10 pm)
We of course are looking forward to your take on the new diesel ! All the best on your new Bluetec.
#8110 of 9396 Re: . [gagrice]
by fintail
Feb 17, 2013 (9:10 pm)
It's a 13. I wouldn't have cried about a 12, seeing as there's a discontinued color I want, but I don't think any are left.
It's really more than I could hope for - some of these deals make the cars obtainable to a non-tycoon such as myself. Financing it is sometimes crazy now, unless you really want to keep it for the long haul.
I already like the faint diesel purr of the car, especially evident at low speeds.
#8111 of 9396 Re: . [ruking1]
by fintail
Feb 17, 2013 (9:11 pm)
I hope break-in is only about 1000 miles or so - I want to see what she will do for mpg. The 400lb ft of torque is already evident - no problems merging or lunging off the line.
Feb 17, 2013 (9:45 pm)
Hey, now that is a cool post to see! Enjoy!
You've been hinting it (some form of diesel) was going to happen for awhile..way to do it in style. I've driven that motor in the GL recently. It will feel like a rocket in the much lighter E350.
#8113 of 9396 Re: . [fintail]
by ruking1
Feb 17, 2013 (10:03 pm)
I might be wrong on all accounts, but it will be more like 5,000 miles before the first mpg stabilization starts to happen. The first 500 miles are "critical" for both the diesel and NON diesel related items. While I have always followed a moderately to slightly more aggressive break in regiment, the fact is that longer term effects might be a non issue. This would especially be true if the plan is to surrender the car when the lease is up. An example might be 5 years, 12k max per year or 60,000 miles with mileage penalties over that.
Having said that, the first 500 miles (65 mpg and under) are important for the brake pads, rotors, suspension and other sub systems to break in slowly. The other side is to break in the engine with slightly to moderately aggressive rpm (75% of red line with occasional runs TO redline). One key being not going a steady rpm for too long (too long being 10 to 15 mins). Some other pieces of information might be too arcane for a leased vehicle.
#8114 of 9396 2014 Audi A8 L TDI
by gagrice
Feb 17, 2013 (10:07 pm)
Looks like Audi wants in on the diesel trend. Fin, is this what you rented in Germany? Only available as a diesel?
HERNDON, Virginia — The 2014 Audi A8 L TDI starts at $83,395, including an $895 destination charge, reflecting a $4,000 premium over the base 2013 Audi A8 L 3.0 TFSI.
The 2014 Audi A8 L TDI arrives in U.S. showrooms in the spring.
Available only in the long-wheelbase version, Audi estimates that the A8 L TDI will deliver 24 mpg in city driving and 36 mpg on the highway.
Engine options on the A8 L TDI are limited to a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 engine rated at 240 horsepower. It sprints from zero to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds.
http://www.edmunds.com/car-news/2014-audi-a8-l-tdi-starts-at-83395.html
#8115 of 9396 Re: . [ruking1]
by fintail
Feb 17, 2013 (10:24 pm)
I'll go easy on it for the first month, for sure. Even though I might not have it more than a couple years, I want the car to be treated properly. After a few thousand miles, hopefully I'll get some remarkable mileage on road trips. Looking forward to summer.
#8116 of 9396 Re: 2014 Audi A8 L TDI [gagrice]
by fintail
Feb 17, 2013 (10:28 pm)
I had a SWB A8 3.0 TDi for a rental, yes. I think I averaged around 33mpg in it, which included 120 mph+ driving. The 8 speed transmission is really something.
#8117 of 9396 Re: . [ruking1]
by steve_ HOST
Feb 18, 2013 (6:54 am)
My gasser mpg "stabilized" around 4 to 5,000 miles but didn't really hit its stride until 10k. Then you read about other folks who get better than EPA mpg from the first tank.
I think those owners must follow the biker's theory and drive their new cars like Andretti from the get go. Seems like most manufacturers don't even talk about break in any more, and if they do, it's about the brakes, not the engine.
Fin, stomp that puppy - it's a lease after all.
Feb 18, 2013 (7:03 am)
When I bought my new Skoda Fabia vRS, (1.9 TDi Pd / 130bhp), the dealer's advice on running-in, (break-in), was simply........."Drive it like ya stole it".
So I did and it never used a drop of oil between services in the 4 years I owned it but the mpg improved noticeably from 10k miles onward.