Diesel
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 77
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After reading about the TDI in this car, I am kicking myself (just found out it is available in the 2014's) ... I can tell you from my research, you will save consider amounts of gas. As long as you are a calm reasonable driver you will save a ton (if you are a lead food you still save gas but calm drivers get a better return due to the power in the lower range)
Here is what I was told by a mechanic at the Audi Shop & at a very reputable Audi specialist.
1. If you drive a lot, TDI's are amazing for fuel consumption.
2. If you drive a little, be worried about carbon build up
3. The TDI is relatively a new engine in the US, but so is the TFSI 3.0, so the risk should be about the same.
4. TDI engines go FOREVER, but then again these gas engines go forever too with the proper maintenance ..
I think the best way I would decide is on my driving habits, if you put in quite a bit of miles on a regular basis, go to the TDI. I think my problem is that i drive very little to work, but I drive a lot everywhere else. I really wanted a Diesel .. I even looked at some VW's a few years ago to get one... but fell in love with the A7 when my wife pointed it out to me...
Here is what I was told by a mechanic at the Audi Shop & at a very reputable Audi specialist.
1. If you drive a lot, TDI's are amazing for fuel consumption.
2. If you drive a little, be worried about carbon build up
3. The TDI is relatively a new engine in the US, but so is the TFSI 3.0, so the risk should be about the same.
4. TDI engines go FOREVER, but then again these gas engines go forever too with the proper maintenance ..
I think the best way I would decide is on my driving habits, if you put in quite a bit of miles on a regular basis, go to the TDI. I think my problem is that i drive very little to work, but I drive a lot everywhere else. I really wanted a Diesel .. I even looked at some VW's a few years ago to get one... but fell in love with the A7 when my wife pointed it out to me...
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 13,980
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From: SE Massachusetts, U.S.
Until the 2014 prices are released and the difference between a 3.0T and 3.0TDI is known, it's difficult to estimate the overall end-of-the-day savings comparison for a given driver's annual miles over a period of time. What is the price difference in the UK between the two for example?
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,552
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I did a quick look up on www.audi.co.uk and.......
Until the 2014 prices are released and the difference between a 3.0T and 3.0TDI is known, it's difficult to estimate the overall end-of-the-day savings comparison for a given driver's annual miles over a period of time. What is the price difference in the UK between the two for example?
When you convert this to US Dollrs it's about a $5450 premium over the 3.0T.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 13,980
Likes: 124
From: SE Massachusetts, U.S.
The price difference is about 3600 sterling pounds. I took the S-line price in the 3.0T and 3.0TDI Bi-Turbo. I am unsure if the spec. is the same across the 2 motors but am assuming so based on this quick look-up.
When you convert this to US Dollars it's about a $5450 premium over the 3.0T.
When you convert this to US Dollars it's about a $5450 premium over the 3.0T.
Current U.S. avg fuel cost (of 5/6/13):
Premium - $3.78 per gal
Diesel - $3.85 per gal
Rated City/Highway avg MPG:
A7 3.0TFSI - 23.0 mpg
A7 3.0TDI - 32.6 mpg
Annual fuel cost based on 15000 mile driven per yr:
A7 3.0TFSI - $2465 (15000/23*$3.78)
A7 3.0TDI - $1771 (15000/32.6*$3.85
TDI Difference - $694 LESS per Yr ($2465-$1771)
Based on a $5450 cost difference and assuming avg. fuel prices remain at current levels, it would take 7.85 years driving @ 15K miles per year to break even with the 3.0TDI vs. the 3.0TFSI.
($5450/$694)
(Notwithstanding any service cost differences and other comparative factors, i.e. 0-60 mph TFSI @ 5.4 sec, TDI @ 6.4 sec, torque, feel, resale value, etc.)
Last edited by snagitseven; May 6, 2013 at 07:04 PM.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 23
From: Honeoye New York USA
Based on a $5450 cost difference and assuming avg. fuel prices remain at current levels, it would take 7.85 years driving @ 15K miles per year to break even with the 3.0TDI vs. the 3.0TFSI.
($5450/$694)
(Notwithstanding any service cost differences and other comparative factors, i.e. 0-60 mph TFSI @ 5.4 sec, TDI @ 6.4 sec, torque, feel etc.)
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
I had a 1981 diesel Pontiac Grand Prix. Yes, a beautiful and rare Grand Prix with a 5.7 liter diesel engine. Granted, the GM diesels of the early 80's were crap, but it got 31 mpg back in the 80's when gas stations in the northeast were only allowing odd number plates to buy gas on odd numbered days, and so on. And when was the last time you saw a mint diesel Grand Prix at auction or in person? Of the 16 cars we've owned, it is one of the few that I wish I had kept and put in storage.
The point is that there were two things that I disliked about my diesel car. First was passing acceleration. While accelerating from 0-60 was okay, trying to pass someone on a two lane road was impossible. Be sure to ask some of the new diesel owners how the newer diesel engines perform in this area if you do much rural driving.
Second was filling the tank. For the most part, gasoline on a pump handle evaporates. Diesel fuel glues to the pump handle and later to your hand when you grab the handle. While some petro stations had a disposable poly glove dispenser near the pump, I usually had to get one out of the box I kept in my glove box.
I've not ruled out buy a diesel car in the future, but it was an inconvenience in my past.
The point is that there were two things that I disliked about my diesel car. First was passing acceleration. While accelerating from 0-60 was okay, trying to pass someone on a two lane road was impossible. Be sure to ask some of the new diesel owners how the newer diesel engines perform in this area if you do much rural driving.
Second was filling the tank. For the most part, gasoline on a pump handle evaporates. Diesel fuel glues to the pump handle and later to your hand when you grab the handle. While some petro stations had a disposable poly glove dispenser near the pump, I usually had to get one out of the box I kept in my glove box.
I've not ruled out buy a diesel car in the future, but it was an inconvenience in my past.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 13,980
Likes: 124
From: SE Massachusetts, U.S.
If so, subtract the 11 extra quarts of oil per year on average from the TDI difference (although many C7 TFSI owner change the oil every 5K anyway).
Last edited by snagitseven; May 6, 2013 at 07:28 PM.
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 356
Likes: 3
If $5450 holds for the U.S. difference on the TDI, a quick and dirty estimate of cost difference would be:
Current U.S. avg fuel cost (of 5/6/13):
Premium - $3.78 per gal
Diesel - $3.85 per gal
Rated City/Highway avg MPG:
A7 3.0TFSI - 23.0 mpg
A7 3.0TDI - 32.6 mpg
Annual fuel cost based on 15000 mile driven per yr:
A7 3.0TFSI - $2465 (15000/23*$3.78)
A7 3.0TDI - $1771 (15000/32.6*$3.85
TDI Difference - $694 LESS per Yr ($2465-$1771)
Based on a $5450 cost difference and assuming avg. fuel prices remain at current levels, it would take 7.85 years driving @ 15K miles per year to break even with the 3.0TDI vs. the 3.0TFSI.
($5450/$694)
(Notwithstanding any service cost differences and other comparative factors, i.e. 0-60 mph TFSI @ 5.4 sec, TDI @ 6.4 sec, torque, feel, resale value, etc.)
Current U.S. avg fuel cost (of 5/6/13):
Premium - $3.78 per gal
Diesel - $3.85 per gal
Rated City/Highway avg MPG:
A7 3.0TFSI - 23.0 mpg
A7 3.0TDI - 32.6 mpg
Annual fuel cost based on 15000 mile driven per yr:
A7 3.0TFSI - $2465 (15000/23*$3.78)
A7 3.0TDI - $1771 (15000/32.6*$3.85
TDI Difference - $694 LESS per Yr ($2465-$1771)
Based on a $5450 cost difference and assuming avg. fuel prices remain at current levels, it would take 7.85 years driving @ 15K miles per year to break even with the 3.0TDI vs. the 3.0TFSI.
($5450/$694)
(Notwithstanding any service cost differences and other comparative factors, i.e. 0-60 mph TFSI @ 5.4 sec, TDI @ 6.4 sec, torque, feel, resale value, etc.)
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AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,038
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From: Honeoye New York USA
You are right. The statement is not correct.
I read it in the spring 2013 Quattro Quarterly article about the new TDI engine. It was on page 63 and it was the authors recommendation to change the oil at 5,000 miles verses the factory recommended 10,000 mile schedule.
Thank you, I stand corrected.
I read it in the spring 2013 Quattro Quarterly article about the new TDI engine. It was on page 63 and it was the authors recommendation to change the oil at 5,000 miles verses the factory recommended 10,000 mile schedule.
Thank you, I stand corrected.