Quote:
Originally Posted by husk
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If you read the notes it says based upon diesel fuel @ $1.66/Gal and gas at $1.92. Around here premium is about $2 and diesel is still close to $2.70. That's reality not EPA fantasy numbers and with those numbers is it about a wash. This table is closer to reality but still not correct:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/Feg/bymodel/2006_Mercedes-Benz_E-Class.shtml
It is based upon premium at $1.92 and diesel at $2.42 and shows about $170 difference between the CDI and the E350 4Matic. That goes to about zero if you add $.20 to the cost of diesel to reflect what it really is.
Also, the fact that you are starting out paying 20%-30% less for the gas model makes up for the faster depreciation - in other words the car's already depreciated faster and you are tying up less money in a gasser than a CDI.
I have learned that there are people on these boards which for whatever reason will never admit that a diesel car is impractical, but it is today. 25 years ago when gasoline engines required more maintenance and lasted half as long as a diesel and diesel fuel was cheaper than gas it made sense to drive a diesel car. Today none of those conditions exist. The maintenance is about the same, the engines last about as long and diesel is 30% more costly than gas, so why would anyone buy one and actually pay a premium for it, not to mention settle for RWD to boot. But, like I said, we will never convince those who can't have their minds changed.