The diesel engines generally go longer between service intervals. This
greatly offsets the additional filters, of which the fuel is the only one,
and the higher oil content. Most Cummins owners plan their oil changes at
7500 to 10000 miles. The cost difference between regular gas and diesel is
the same today as it was two to three years ago. Because of this, it will
still take the same number of miles to break even on the cost of the engine.
This has been hashed out several times on the Ram list and the numbers
consistently presented is 90 - 100K. That's not too difficult to do if you
are retired and drive all over the country. You must also consider the
additional factors which you get along with the diesel. Greater power for
climbing mountains and an engine that's less likely to break down under load
due to the heavier construction of the engine itself. Greater range while on
the road is another very nice perk.
John
<snip>
I think in the magazine Trailer Life, that in order for any diesel engine
truck to break even for the additional initial and operating costs you'd
have to drive the truck over 180K miles. RIght now with fuel costing what it
does, its probably more mileage than that. The diesels just do not get that
much better gas mileage, in most places fuel actually costs more then
regular unleaded gas, you have a greatly different maintenance schedule,
there are more filters to change, it takes more oil to fill the crankcase,
there is a whole list of things you could go into.
<unsnip>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Feb 06 2004 - 11:45:50 EST