Did I miss the part where they talk about the extra costs for owning a diesel? All I saw was talk about the DSG tranny.
Diesels have unique service requirements including, but not limited to, checking and replacing the diesel particle filter, frequent fuel filter replacement and draining the water separator. Small diesel mechanics are in limited supply and parts expensive making service dealer dependent and generating hefty bills.
The VW TDI DSG transmission is proving unreliable and is unrepairable, replacement only at enormous cost. Jeopardizing the warranty by postponing or omitting its expensive service regimen or servicing it independently is unwise. One can reduce his exposure by opting for a manual transmission, impractical unless all household drivers are willing to row their own gears. A conventional automatic is not offered.
Roughly 35,000 kilometers per annum are required for fuel savings to balance the higher diesel vehicle acquisition and operating expense. At lower annual mileage a gasoline engine is the superior choice if life cycle economy is paramount.
Volkswagen oily bits come apart easily and the costs of repairing and replacing them are near extortionate. Interior pieces are flimsy and expensive. Some say VW customer care demonstrates a callousness not seen since the fall of the Third Reich.
