[quote=ucodegen][quote no_such_reality]For example, why are super efficient small diesels the norm in Europe? The answer is simple, the fuel expense due to taxes is much higher than here and hence the added cost of the diesel technology ‘pencils’. [/quote]
Actually, not so simple as this. Two primary causes:
1) Power – remember those old Volkswagen Diesel Rabbits? I drove one once. A good way to become a flyspeck on the front of a semi when trying to merge into traffic. Newer turbo-diesels are better.
2) California actually bans them for emissions reasons. The only two diesel cars that have managed to pass CA’s diesel emission regs for cars (which are tougher than truck regs). These are the Volkswagen TDI and a Mercedes. You can get some of the other diesel passenger vehicles in other states (and then import them to CA after 1 year – skirting the ban on sales of the new vehicles in CA.).
3) Cost. Vehicles with diesel engines are priced higher than gasoline. Significantly higher.
Actually, on some brands.. Diesel cars have a eco credit so the cost is almost on par with the gas versions… The X5-35 and X5-35d are roughly the same price after the $3500 eco-credit applied to the x5-35d, ditto could be said about the 335d… And the other thing is because diesel’s aren’t as popular in the US, manufacturers are discounting them more so than the gas version.
There are a few major drawbacks with running diesel however.
1)Limited number of gas stations that have diesel. No so much an issue here in SD, but it’s an issue in L.A. So if you drive long distances, bring a spare tank of gas
2)Some gas stations like to jack up diesel prices just for the sake
3)Most modern diesel requests a special DEF fluid (diesel exhaust fluid) specifically to reduce NOx emissions. This fluid, needs to be filled at regularly, i believe approximately 8000-10000miles (15k miles as BMW is reporting is way too optimistic). On a german performance diesel, this isn’t cheap outside of your included maintanance windows. So if you plan on keeping the car longer than the 3-4 years of warranty (which a good tree hugger should do), you get to pay for the DEF fluid changes after your free maintenance is up (If you happen to own a Mercedes Bluetec product, your SOL and on your own)…
Stealer cost is roughly
BMW: $33/gallon, and the DEF tank is about 6 gallons..BMW includes this in the first 4 year of maintenance, but only if you do the fill up at your scheduled maintenance intervals (if you run low in between maintanance, your SOL and on your own)..
Mercedes Bluetec: No included free maintenance…You’re on your own. Expect to pay $$$$ more than BMW.
Audi: No included free maintenance, unless you buy the optional maintenance package. Then it’s include with the first 4 years. Otherwise you’re on your own. The DEF fluid fill by Audi is approximately 1/2 the cost of BMW.
VW: Included in the first 3 years of maintenance. I believe afterwards, the cost is approximately the same as what an Audi DEF fill would cost…
You could also go aftermarket, roughly $4-5/gal but then need to figure out the fill procedure yourself, which shouldn’t be that hard….
I think it was the PITA factor that deterred me from getting a diesel, despite I came very close to it and despite the better gas mileage….
That brings me to the next point about some of these “green” techs. They will only be adopted en-mass if they are at approximately equal cost-parity and PITA-parity with non-green. Until the cost of gas goes way up, people en-masse aren’t going to be willing to pay extra for green tech, especially in this economy….
Look no further than hybrid cars and what some owners are moaning about the civic hybrid…
