is it true that you get 45+ on the highway with the tdi? definitely got more comfort in the vw too. Talked to this guy one time and the numbers blew my mind.

 

Ell oh ell salad

 

Yeah when I drove it home I couldn't believe how little fuel was used with the cruise set at 75. Oil economy has been better since I fixed that vacuum leak and CCV problem. lol (I was losing a lot out of the turbo)

Now like has been previously said, it's not all about just the fuel economy, but rather Total Cost of Ownership. Given similar fuel economy you couldn't convince me to buy a new diesel versus a new gasser - too much crap to break!

To illustrate the point, given cost of fuel and insurance are the same:

Late-model efficient naturally aspirated gasser:
- 46 MPG highway
- 87 OR gasoline is very common
- Fancy spark plugs
- Has an air filter and air manifold
- Has an exhaust manifold
- One long-life catalytic converter

Late-model turbocharged diesel:
- 46 MPG highway
- A little larger inside
- $5k - $10k premium
- Diesel stations rarer
- Diesel in winter can be a challenge, to find winterized fuel or risk gelling
- Cylinder and coolant glow plugs
- Intercooler & plumbing
- Expensive turbocharger
- Risk of a runaway should the above break.... bye bye engine unless you know what to do.
- EGR spitting soot into intake (bad news with a PCV/CCV that spits oil into the intake)
- Expensive DPF that must be manually cleaned or replaced every 100k or so
- THREE catalytic converters
- Or two catalytic converters and a DEF (urea) injection system (aka BluTec, AdBlue, etc)

...you get the picture lol

My model generation is probably the most frugal due to the lack of complicated emissions gear and weird high pressure experimental fuel systems, but replacing the timing belt is serious business (every 100k you take nearly the entire thing apart).

My commute is actually very short, but I do travel far for family and friends and also take a number of trips for work that pay out milage. I'm only paying around $78/month for insurance on this thing and diesel is cheaper than gas where I am. I haven't done the math, but even with all the extra driving I'm not broken even yet - however I'm saving a ton of wear on my XJ (how much do your tires cost???) and I can take the time to work on it and not have to cab to work. lol

 

as long as your wv trans doesn't **** the bed you'll be ok. otherwise you'd prob be better off buying another golf.

 

I have the 5-speed, not that useless POS slushbox. But fair point lol

 

Haha I don't want to put the effort in to go find a study. I am going off of what 20+ year mechanics and master mechanics have experienced in various shops. It wasn't one person trying to screw with me. It was multiple people with lots of years of experience all telling me the same thing.

 

must be something about pressure and flow / broken in all the "new" is worn off it

 

Did they sell you some muffler bearings too?

 

Welcome to CF cpeever

 

I wish I had known this air filter insider info before I replaced mine. who knew the mouse nest, leaves, and acorn shells were improving my mileage. I suppose the less air it can move the less fuel it will use. I should duct tape the bottom of my filter and conduct my own experiment.

 

Would anybody like to purchase one my new pre-dirtied air filters?

 

With or without pinecones and nests?

 

LOL!!


I don't care how many "supposed multi year worth of experience mechanics" have said it. A dirty air filter is not going to improve your mileage any more than a Fish Carburetor will improve your mileage.

 

With 42% more squirrel turds for a gain in power and mileage, how could you go wrong?

 

Cpeever, I hate to say this but I think those "multiple people with lots of years of experience" saw you coming from a long way off. I would say you got out really light if the only things you bought were salad's muffler bearings.

Did you ever wonder why they said the way to achieve their magical mileage numbers was with a dirty filter when you can immediately achieve the same effect by stuffing some rags into the air box intake?

Or have you just been havin' some fun yourself?

And I was going to go to bed early tonight...dumb, dumb, dumb!