Long term maintenance diesel vs gasoline
Thread Starter
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Long term maintenance diesel vs gasoline
I've had my current Audi's for nearly ten years and getting ready to trade them in. I'm trying to determine if I want to pay up for diesel with my next Audi purchase.
Are there any europeans with evidence or anecdotal experience of long-term (over ten years) maintenance costs of Audi diesel? I've got a simple Yanmar diesel in my sailboat which I've now got 2000 hours and no maintenance costs. I realize the Audi diesel is much more complicated due to emission control, etc. but are there complicated timing belts like there is in gasoline engines?
I know there are other advantages to diesel such as torque and disadvantage such as noise and temperature but at this time I only want to learn about maintenance.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Are there any europeans with evidence or anecdotal experience of long-term (over ten years) maintenance costs of Audi diesel? I've got a simple Yanmar diesel in my sailboat which I've now got 2000 hours and no maintenance costs. I realize the Audi diesel is much more complicated due to emission control, etc. but are there complicated timing belts like there is in gasoline engines?
I know there are other advantages to diesel such as torque and disadvantage such as noise and temperature but at this time I only want to learn about maintenance.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,501
Likes: 249
From: Chicagoland
Maintenance aside, there is the plan in some/most states to go to B20 (20% Bio Diesel) which none of the (German) car manufactures is approving. B5 is all they allow in modern Diesel engines.
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=360916
http://www.thedieseldriver.com/2012/...your-warranty/
http://jalopnik.com/5968228/are-fuel...diesel-engines
I love Diesel (I had two TDI back in Germany over more than 10 years with more than 100000 miles on each) but without warranty I would not plan on keeping one long term.
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=360916
http://www.thedieseldriver.com/2012/...your-warranty/
http://jalopnik.com/5968228/are-fuel...diesel-engines
I love Diesel (I had two TDI back in Germany over more than 10 years with more than 100000 miles on each) but without warranty I would not plan on keeping one long term.
Super Moderator
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 9,250
Likes: 480
From: Boston MA
Steve, we've owned diesel autos for years, domestic and Euro, and they are not less expensive to maintain compared to the gas equivalent. And, FWIW, an under-maintained diesel will become a very expensive diesel (Audi).
Banned
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
I guess you missed this panel Q&A session with Audi regarding the TDI models:
"We stand behind our owners... we will not void the warranty."
"We stand behind our owners... we will not void the warranty."
Maintenance aside, there is the plan in some/most states to go to B20 (20% Bio Diesel) which none of the (German) car manufactures is approving. B5 is all they allow in modern Diesel engines.
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=360916
http://www.thedieseldriver.com/2012/...your-warranty/
http://jalopnik.com/5968228/are-fuel...diesel-engines
I love Diesel (I had two TDI back in Germany over more than 10 years with more than 100000 miles on each) but without warranty I would not plan on keeping one long term.
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=360916
http://www.thedieseldriver.com/2012/...your-warranty/
http://jalopnik.com/5968228/are-fuel...diesel-engines
I love Diesel (I had two TDI back in Germany over more than 10 years with more than 100000 miles on each) but without warranty I would not plan on keeping one long term.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
Furthermore, I put 115k miles on a 2010 Jetta TDI and had zero issues. 115k is roughly 8 years worth of driving for the average person. I drove across the country several times, performed my own oil changes (mainly Castrol SLX but Mobil 1 ESP at other times). Fuel and engine air filters every 20k miles... I had the dealers do the fuel filter because it was too messy for me, and the cost was ~$125.
I sold the car 5k miles before the timing belt was due. Everyone suggests to replace the water pump while doing the belt. I decided to use the money toward purchasing a lower milage car rather than invest $1800 into something with more than 100k miles.
Timing belt was due at 120k.
The V6 diesels use timing chains, which are more robust and longer lasting design than the 4-cylinder belt.
Once you live with a diesel, there's no turning back. I'm hooked.
I sold the car 5k miles before the timing belt was due. Everyone suggests to replace the water pump while doing the belt. I decided to use the money toward purchasing a lower milage car rather than invest $1800 into something with more than 100k miles.
Timing belt was due at 120k.
The V6 diesels use timing chains, which are more robust and longer lasting design than the 4-cylinder belt.
Once you live with a diesel, there's no turning back. I'm hooked.
Thread Starter
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Thanks for the posted video link. I've always liked my Audi cars but the other thing that keeps me loyal is Audi customer support. When my TT core-packs had to be replaced I did it myself because I'm 100 miles from a dealer. I simply asked Audi for reimbursement and they sent me a check - without a shred of evidence. You can't ask for more.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
So, the 6-cylinder 3.0 TDI has chains? As I recall it was over $2500 to replace the belt and pumps on my 2004 A6. That's nearly the cost differential right there. When do the chains have to be replaced? Does anyone know where to get a PDF of the TDI maintenance schedule (and the 2.0 for comparison)?
AudiWorld Stories
Bringing Audi to Life for Audi Fans
Top 10 Most Expensive Audis Ever Sold on Bring-A-Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Audi Features & Options We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Audi Recreates Crazy-Looking Speed Record Breaker From 1935
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilder Recreates the 1995 Audi TTS Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Every Audi V10 Car Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
9 Audi Designs That Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
2026 Audi Q5 Buyer's Guide (Every Model Explained)
Brett Foote
Ranking Every Current Audi 'S' Model From Worst to First!
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Audis That are FINALLY LEGAL to Import to the U.S.!
Joe Kucinski
Banned
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
Chains might stretch over time, but I do know someone in my family who has a 1993 Mercedes 400E with a V8 and 275k miles... original chain. The only thing, which was inherit to that engine (M119), was the chain guides were plastic and break off. Essentially, the chain should last the lifetime of the engine.
Now, you can look at the Q7 TDI as a guide for maintenance costs, but keep in mind that the 2014 A6 TDI has a revised V6 engine. The revised engine has 1 timing chain. The engine in the A8 and Q7 TDI models have 4 timing chains.
Here's a very German explanation of the new V6 TDI engine:
Now, you can look at the Q7 TDI as a guide for maintenance costs, but keep in mind that the 2014 A6 TDI has a revised V6 engine. The revised engine has 1 timing chain. The engine in the A8 and Q7 TDI models have 4 timing chains.
Here's a very German explanation of the new V6 TDI engine:
So, the 6-cylinder 3.0 TDI has chains? As I recall it was over $2500 to replace the belt and pumps on my 2004 A6. That's nearly the cost differential right there. When do the chains have to be replaced? Does anyone know where to get a PDF of the TDI maintenance schedule (and the 2.0 for comparison)?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BobTX10
Audi A5 / S5 / RS5 (B9)
20
Apr 13, 2020 06:20 AM
marnes
Q5/SQ5 MKI (8R) Discussion
28
Oct 7, 2016 03:18 PM
