New Diesel Passat

[Boomer]

Well, after looking at several cars (Accord, Passat, Altima, Fusion), we pulled the trigger and got a burgundy VW Diesel Passat with the sunroof, heated seats, auto trans, nav system, etc. What sold us was not only the excellent mileage but the rather large back seat that makes it far easier for two folks in their mid 60's to get in back and tuck the grandson into his rear facing car seat. Also, the trunk is positively CAVERNOUS!

The dealer offered a lifetime warranty on the drivetrain that is non-transferrable but good for as long as we own the vehicle. So far, we love driving it and the onboard computer is giving us about 44 mpg. I'll know more when I actually fill it up. The torque from this little engine is great.

Any thoughts from other diesel Passat owners on diesel fuel adds? The dealer uses a Castrol synthetic that meets VW 507.0. Any thoughts on that? First three years of maintenance are free (10,000 mile oil changes) but I think I'll pay for on around 4-5000 miles just to get the metal particles out of the engine from breakin.

 

[sasilverbullet]

Welcome to the world of owning a VW diesel! I have two, a 02 Beetle and a 03 Jetta. They are both ALH engines, not sure what yours is. Pop over to http://forums.tdiclub.com/ and check out the forum. I'm a member there also. Tons of information about our cars. You'll want to join the VW Passat Family (NMS and B7) TDIs (2012+) forum.

Your questions have already been answered over there, enjoy!

 

[Fleetmon]

Nice and kudos to you for purchasing a diesel! We own a 35d and bought it for the fuel mileage. Diesel - you either get it or you don't! I change my oil around the 5k mark.

 

[Donald]

I am not sure I would go for any fuel additives unless you have problems in the winter with gelling.

Your injector pump is made to use ULSD.

 

[Boomer]

Sasilverbullet, thanks for the tip on the forum. Already over there at your advice and it is really useful! Fleeetmon and Donald, appreciate the info!

 

[S65AMG]

Congrats on the purchase.

I had one as a rental in the UK and liked it, especially the fuel economy.

Even though the price of gas is twice as much over there, the total $ cost ended up the same as it would have over here thanks to the great mpg.

 

[cpayne5]

Congrats. We got ours 4 months ago yesterday. We have 7600 trouble free miles on it so far. It is averaging just over 42mpg. It is my wife's DD, and she's loving it.

 

[JHZR2]

Congrats! Awesome! Far more optioned up than id buy, but great car.

I have my brother change between tcw-3, redline and power service fuel adds. He blows away EPA MPG ratings.

Good luck!

 

[tig1]

How much extra did the diesel cost over the gas model? Do they still have the timing belt?

 

[dparm]

There are many good VW 507.00 oils you can get off-the-shelf.

Also, I have seen that burgundy color before -- very sharp.

 

[kam327]

Diesel is 50 cents more than regular by me now. Ouch.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: kam327
Diesel is 50 cents more than regular by me now. Ouch.


Show me a ga$$er that will return those types of fuel economy with that much torque.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: kam327
Diesel is 50 cents more than regular by me now. Ouch.

Regional variation I guess. Around here diesel right now is cheaper than regular.

 

[Donald]

I am not sure I would go for any fuel additives unless you have problems in the winter with gelling.

Your injector pump is made to use ULSD.

 

[Boomer]

Thought I would do a calculation that I show below. The mileage (mpg) figures are the average trip values for these three vehicles, the first two from long history and the third from the in-dash computer...no real fill-em-up results yet. The cost figures for fuel are from the local Exxon station.

2007 Frontier 22 mpg (gets this mileage on premium fuel and about 4-5 mpg less on regular)

Premium $3.65/gal 45.4 gal /1000 miles Cost: $165.71/1000 miles

2003 Saturn 28 mpg on a trip

Regular fuel $3.35/gallon 35.6 gal/1000 miles Cost: $119.26/1000 miles

2013 VW Diesel Passat 45 mpg

Diesel Fuel $3.95/gal 22.2 gal/1000 miles Cost $87.69/1000 miles

So, using the Saturn as my most efficient gasoline powered car, the diesel saves me $31.57/1000 miles or $3157 in 100,000 miles. I would have to have a gas car that averaged 36-37 mpg highway to equal the cost of diesel. While those are certainly available, none seem to have the interior room or trunk capacity of the Passat which is what attracted us. Also, most Passat owners report getting well over 50 mpg after engine break-in. If one uses that figure, then you would used 20 gallons or less for 1000 miles. At 20 gallons, this would be $79.00/1000 miles, making almost $4000 difference between the Saturn and the Passat in 100,000 miles.

And most of all...its fun to drive!!

 

[rshaw125]

But what about alternative new vehicles you could have purchased instead? How many miles to break even? I have seen analysis where the breakeven is 50-60,000 miles+.

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: rshaw125
But what about alternative new vehicles you could have purchased instead? How many miles to break even? I have seen analysis where the breakeven is 50-60,000 miles+.


With the size/refinement of the Passat included in the calculations, there is nothing comparable in the US market today. Maybe some hybrids, but even then those are still expensive.

And, for some folks 50-60k miles comes in 2-3 years. If the OP is in a rural part of PA where everything is 5-10 miles away, putting on 20k miles a year or more is common. After break-even point is reached, it's all gravy, assuming no expensive repairs are necessary.

 

[kam327]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: kam327
Diesel is 50 cents more than regular by me now. Ouch.

Regional variation I guess. Around here diesel right now is cheaper than regular.


What region? I just checked Springfield and Peoria IL and both are showing about a 35-cent premium for diesel. That about matches the current national average (I guess Florida is particularly bad at a 50-cent premium).

 

[kam327]

Originally Posted By: rshaw125
But what about alternative new vehicles you could have purchased instead? How many miles to break even? I have seen analysis where the breakeven is 50-60,000 miles+.


Agreed. Motor Trend says payback is 60,000 miles for the average consumer.

People seem to forget that checking the diesel option typically adds a couple grand to the price of the car. It appears maybe the diesel premium for the Passat is less than that, but then there's also the market effect - you're far less likely to get a big discount on a relatively low volume Passat TDI then the various other gas powered sedans out there.

 

[rshaw125]

As an example there was a link on here to the test Edmunds did. They got 38 mpg+ from their test Altima.
Compare these two and you'll never be in the money by buying the diesel VW.