DECISION MADE ! DIESEL WINS (Help to decide : 2008 4.8 vs. 2011 3.5d)

[dmfelger]

Originally Posted by dmfelger

This is why I bought a 35d
Vegas to LA 4/7/10

http://www.xoutpost.com/attachment.p...1&d=1275453924

I was about a 1/2 hour east of Baker having filled up in LV, so I pulled a lot of hills and coasted down a lot, but usually doing 79-80 avoiding trucks.

I've had this photo up twice now and no one has ever asked about the triangle.

[alexmish]

Originally Posted by dmfelger

I've had this photo up twice now and no one has ever asked about the triangle.

Now you are getting me worried ... Please do tell !

[dmfelger]

Warning indicator for service or other issue that needs to be addressed. This one was for the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) was due for flush/refill. Operating Manual said the warning would show up around 12K miles and it did. Had 999 miles to drive before the vehicle would not start unless the DEF was serviced.

[BGM]

Originally Posted by alexmish

Comparably equiped:

3.5i = $70.5K
3.5d = $70.7K - $4,500 ECO CREDIT which is applied as down-payment to the lease
5.0i = $77K

The ECO credit, together with fuel consumption of the diesel, made huge difference when compared TCO of the 2011 vs. TCO of 2008 4.8 for next 3 years. Essentially, they made leasing of 2011 more cost efficient than keeping 2008. For the 3.5i, it was the other way around. This is more physcological than anything else.

Other factors that were in favor of 3.5d:

For 3.5i or 5.0i, I'd want to go for M-Sport package. While MSRP did not change dramatically from non-M-sport setup, it would require me to deal with getting all-season secondary tire/wheel set. That is another $3K.

Essentially, the 3-year TCO by leasing of 3.5i was around $37K, and 3-year TCO of by leasing of 5.0i was around $42K. For the 3.5d, the same TCO is $32K. That is a huge difference!

Gotcha. Yeah you have quite a few options you are wanting--for me I'm happy with Sport, Prem, Tech, Climate and iPod

[MPowerFarmer]

Mileage is far beter with diesel. I average true 25mpg. Theres no way the 4.8 comes close, and I think the performance difference is minimal.

[Xtony]

Originally Posted by MPowerFarmer

Mileage is far beter with diesel. I average true 25mpg. Theres no way the 4.8 comes close, and I think the performance difference is minimal.

Yeah, but how much is the burble of the V8 exhaust worth?

[alexmish]

Originally Posted by Xtony

Yeah, but how much is the burble of the V8 exhaust worth?

It is replaced with rattle of the diesel

[alexmish]

dmfelger - thank you!!!! That picture of 29.7mpg avg speaks better than words

I presume you weren't going downhill at 79mph to show 35 instant mpg, right

[alexmish]

I am going with the diesel, the decision has been made...

Now to choose the color (interior black for sure)...

[mtech8]

Great decision alexmish. I've been doing the calculations myself. I'm planning on getting out of my 4.8 into a 35d too. The 4.8 is a great car, but a tank only lasting mid 200 miles is really annoying and expensive.

Love the front end of the new LCI, but I'm still on the fence when it comes to the back end. I'd normally be the one recommending the white w/black as the white is so easy to take care of. But something just doesn't look right in the back. It really suites darker cars better. And the new aero kit for the rear just looks too busy. I vote for Platinum Grey.