Are Clean Diesels All They Are Cranked Up To Be? Diesels Bring Along A MESS Of Decisions...

The Detroit News reports:

A clean diesel car can be good for the environment -- but will it end up cleaning out your wallet? With mileage that can be as much as one-third better than comparable gasoline engines -- hitting more than 40 mpg on the highway -- clean diesel engines can take a big bite out of your car's carbon footprint.

The new diesels are much improved over the models that appeared in the late 1980s, with lowered tailpipe emissions and quieter performance that refutes diesels' reputation as noisy stinkpots. But the premium cost of diesel models and diesel fuel mean they also can take a bite out of your wallet.

In many cases, it can take years for drivers to see real savings from the improved mileage of a diesel, notes John O'Dell, senior editor of the Green Car Advisor at Edmunds.com.

"There is a cost savings on fuel, but you still have the premium diesel price on most models," O'Dell says. "It takes a while for the savings on fuel to offset that."

Figuring out the economics of clean diesel is a balancing act. You get much better mileage than a similar gas engine in most cases, but the fuel costs more, and you'll pay more for the car, in most cases. Some of the higher price is offset by federal tax credits for clean diesels, which run from $900 to $1,800, depending on the model.

Auto shoppers need to add it all up to see how a clean diesel will affect the family budget...

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Willis - 3/15/2010 2:57:52 PM

+3 Boost

Some people don't buy diesels with the intention of breaking-even in a few years. Some people want an economical car that will allow them to get more range out of driving while putting in fewer gas stops.

david999 - 3/15/2010 4:56:36 PM

-1 Boost

Just like hybrids.

commander104 - 3/15/2010 6:17:10 PM

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Dave999; I've taken the prius on a couple trips--great mileage except that the gas tank is so small you don't get the extra time between fuel stops. I still had to fill up on the return (4 hrs total drive time)

pennfootball - 3/15/2010 3:27:16 PM

+3 Boost

I want a diesel Jeep Wrangler and a diesel powered half ton truck alas!

theoptimisticpessimist - 3/15/2010 3:51:50 PM

+2 Boost

No kidding, every true North American Jeep fan has be crying for a diesel Wrangler for years. Maybe the reason Chryser is in so much trouble is they don't listen to their customers.

commander104 - 3/15/2010 6:04:26 PM

+2 Boost

and there's esp no excuse since euro jeeps can be had with diesel engines!

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 3/15/2010 3:27:40 PM

0 Boost

Up to 1/3 Beter ??

The whole of Europe know that the Real World MPG from modern diesels are almost always 50% better than their Petrol Powered Sisters.

Cars I have driven and can report Huge Diesel Advantages:

S 350 Vs S 320CDI
335i Vs 335d
A6 3.0T Vs A6 3.0TDI
Sirocco 2.0 TSI Vs 2.0 TDI 170

In all cases the diesels performance was not much worse than its petrol sibling however the Range between fill-ups was much, much better. And i mean with proper Heavy Footed Driving in all cars not some computer generated & Simulated driving scenarios.

thstone - 3/15/2010 4:21:25 PM

-3 Boost

Americans hate diesels. Case closed.

theoptimisticpessimist - 3/15/2010 9:35:35 PM

+1 Boost

What premium? In my area diesel fuel is cheaper than premium gas.

racinghart - 3/16/2010 5:27:34 AM

+3 Boost

So you do your maths (sorry, math - maths an abbreviation from the english 'mathematics'). End of story.

well nearly... taking cost (be it tax in Europe, or economy, or range between fills) out of the equation completely, other benefits of diesel:

torque > towing economy and performance even greater
torque > improved in gear acceleration

Did I mention torque?

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 3/16/2010 8:31:53 AM

+2 Boost

racinghart - 3/16/2010 10:30:36 AM

+1 Boost

I forgot another benefit ;o)

On *certain* cars (so lets exclude premiums here since they'll doubtless have higher levels of sound insulation) many diesel engined cars are quieter - stay with me here - on motorways (sorry, should that be highway or freeway?) since they rev lower for the same speed. For your average company car driver doing a significant mileage over a certain speed, that can amount to a fair few dbs, and thus make for a more pleasurable driving experience.

Granted, city driving, at idle, cold starts etc all likely to be much noiser.

I'm also only comparing to a normal petrol (yup, that means gasoline)...

The beauty of course is having a choice!

suspence - 3/16/2010 12:17:56 PM

+1 Boost

Why will Jeep sell a diesel in the Liberty (up until recently) and not a Wrangler? As niche as the Wrangler is why not offer the Rubicon with a diesel? Make it a high cost option like Ford's F250 and see what happens. Rubicon is very capable out of the box but I get the feeling most enthusiast shy away because of the engine or the feeling that they can build up an X model better themselves. A diesel conversion cost would probably be on par with the engine upgrade but without the security of a factory lifetime warranty.
If around mid 30's I could have either a 2dr Rubi w/ diesel or an A3 tdi w/ quattro tough decisions would have to be made....and I shutter to think of what I would do for a U.S. G350CDI.