Mike,
I realize diesel engines are used in trucks, buses etc...This is to keep fuel consumption down, and im sure having the low end torque makes the diesel a much better choice in a dump truck. This however, does not convince me that diesel engines last longer. You say they are built more robustly, but as I mentioned before, diesels have double the compression ratio, so they NEED to be built to withstand their own inherant stresses.

As for operating costs, the days of diesel simplicity are over. EGR valves, trap oxidizors, turbos, glow plugs, vaccume pumps...there is plenty to go wrong with a diesel. And that is just for the 80's diesels. A 211 diesel car will have everything controlled electronically, just like its gas powered cousins. The new generation diesels are not simple engines.

So as far as I can tell, the only advantage to the diesel is the MPG. And the smell.

Please don't get me wrong, I like diesel engines (see my car list), I just find this an interesting debate. Mike