New Diesels to come: high diesel fuel costs

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

So are MBZ diesels aluminum block??

And is the fact that BMW diesels are aluminum a factor resulting in a quicker wear out rate?

The 300d quoted above was a lump of iron, with indirect injection, naturally aspirated, that started out at 80 hp. That is the type of heavy, overbuilt, understressed design that quite comfortably went hundreds of thousands of miles, often in taxi service. That reputation was well-deserved, but has nothing to do with a modern higher-speed higher-output diesel.

The E320 CDI I6 (2006) was cast iron. The latest E320 Bluetec V6 is aluminum. BMW diesels have been iron up until the latest generation.

My point is that the reputation enjoyed by older automotive diesel engines can not be applied to the latest generation of automotive diesels. When comparing gasoline and diesel engines of similar output, and similar displacement, the diesel is stressed more, it is a simple design fact. That is not to say that it will wear out prematurely, but it should not be expected to outlast a similar gasoline engine.

A lot of the early adopters of Volkswagen Rabbit diesels (many of whom switched over from the Mercedes 240d) learned that years ago.

[edco]

When I was driving my 2002 VW Diesel Jetta up to March of this year, I noticed the following:
1) No matter how cold it got in the morning, it always started right up. (I actually installed a quickstart - electric coolant circulator - and never plugged it in)
2) It consistently got 45+ MPG
3) Fuel was cheaper in the summer than in the winter since it was shared with home heating oil (Both the same product only 1 is dyed and one is taxed)
4) Low end torque was unquestionably better than any gasoline powered vehicle I had ever owned
5) There are LOTS of folks who drive for free by getting used fryer oil (for FREE) from restaurants and fast food places like McDonalds who typically have to pay to have it hauled away. While I dont know if it would be exactly the same process on a BMW engine, I knew quite a few folks who would simply install larger fuel lines (due to the lower viscosity) and/or a heater for the cold weather which sat enclosed in the fuel tank and/or would dilute with a bit of kerosene in really cold climates.

Again, I have ZERO experience with other diesels (ala MB, BMW), but VW owners I met, drove vehicles that were known to run for 10+ YEARS, and 300K+ miles with little maintenance other than replacing the fuel filter (water seperator) the MAF, and the air filter.

Just my 2 cents worth of experience..

ED

[Quicksilver]

Yeah i heard about that VW thing. Beautiful.......

[jonnyp42]

Could be worse.. Diesel is $8.10 per US Gal here in Central London.. I'm getting high 30's on the Motorway (70-80mph) & high teens in the city per Imperial Gallon (1.20 US Gallons).