Mahindra diesel pickup

[SherryNPaul]

Originally Posted by AndyW

Someone actually tried this. Pretty funny - and this was in 2003 (albeit, of course, against a 356 and an XKE, not a 911). These days, minivans are only faster and more powerful.

Andy, That was a fun read. Thanks.

[CallDon]

Well, it looks like the Mahindra is gone for good in the USA. But the company is already being sued by some of the former future dealers. It would be nice to see a diesel in something smaller than a 3/4 ton giant truck.

Here's the link to the story.

D*

[Greg H]

I still can't figure out why Toyota doesn't clean up and turbocharge a Diesel forklift engine.

[mcbrew]

Originally Posted by Greg H

I still can't figure out why Toyota doesn't clean up and turbocharge a Diesel forklift engine.

Toyota already puts some great turbo diesels in their pickup trucks... Just not in the US. Do a search for Toyota Hilux. This is what we call the Tacoma here in the US. They also make some nice smaller turbo diesel engines, like the 1.4 liter one that is optional in my little Scion xD if I lived in Europe (they call it the Toyota Urban Cruiser over there). Toyota also sells that Engine to BMW to put in the Mini Cooper 1D.

[Greg H]

That's what I'm saying, Why can't we get it here. Do you remember when you could get 4door mini trucks overseas? They finally made it here because that's what the people wanted, maybe we can get the Toyota Diesel here soon.

[mcbrew]

I'm a huge diesel fan. My current car is my 1st gasoline powered vehicle, in fact. The problem is that 99% of Americans don't have diesel anywhere on their radar. They don't think of it, and would never consider it. Too much trouble for car companies to jump through the EPA hoops just to sell to a gone niche market.

I'd love to see them here... Don't get me wrong. I might even consider driving a pickup if I could get one that got 30+ MPG. One of the big problems is reliability. It was a different story when they could put simple diesel engines in cars, like Mercedes and VW were doing back in the 70s and 80s. You could go 400,000 miles or more without a major problem. Heck, my last Benz (an '83) is still on the road with about 600,000 miles on it! New ones are totally different. Some of them have more than 20 computers keeping them running. Some of them need to inject cow urine into the exhaust to meet EPA guidelines. They spend a lot of tome in the shop, and nothing on them is cheap. I worked on (and owned) both VW and Mercedes diesels, and my father is a Mercedes diesel specialist. He will not buy a diesel Mercedes newer than about 1993. My mother just traded her 2004 VW TDI for a Nissan, and will never go back to VW.

[Sheryl M]

I am a huge diesel fan too. Hubby and I both drive diesel VW Beetles. I'm hooked on getting 630 miles on a 15 gallon tank of diesel. I want a tow vehicle that gets similar mileage.. .

[mcbrew]

Originally Posted by Sheryl M

I am a huge diesel fan too. Hubby and I both drive diesel VW Beetles. I'm hooked on getting 630 miles on a 15 gallon tank of diesel. I want a tow vehicle that gets similar mileage.. .

My previous car was a 2003 Golf TDI. Made a great tow vehicle, but I couldn't stand the little headaches and expensive upkeep. Even though my Scion only gets about 35 MPG (average, including towing), it is costing me less to drive than my 47 MPG average in the TDI.

[GeorgeR]

Originally Posted by mcbrew

My previous car was a 2003 Golf TDI. Made a great tow vehicle, but I couldn't stand the little headaches and expensive upkeep. Even though my Scion only gets about 35 MPG (average, including towing), it is costing me less to drive than my 47 MPG average in the TDI.

What problem did you have with your 2003 VW? Recently we had Beetle TDI 2004 and still have 2006 Jetta TDI; no problems with either one. Current diesels are indeed very complex. In Europe there are problems with particulate filters. Unfortunately gas engine are heading the same direction, direct fuel injection (into combustion chamber), computer controlled valves or likely coming laser spark plugs are going to make gas engines very complex as well.
In my view the simplest system of future power plants for cars is in plug-in Chevy Volt, full electric drivetrain with auxiliary, not mechanically linked gas powered generator. But $40K is too much.
George.

[mcbrew]

Originally Posted by GeorgeR

What problem did you have with your 2003 VW? Recently we had Beetle TDI 2004 and still have 2006 Jetta TDI; no problems with either one. Current diesels are indeed very complex. In Europe there are problems with particulate filters. Unfortunately gas engine are heading the same direction, direct fuel injection (into combustion chamber), computer controlled valves or likely coming laser spark plugs are going to make gas engines very complex as well.
In my view the simplest system of future power plants for cars is in plug-in Chevy Volt, full electric drivetrain with auxiliary, not mechanically linked gas powered generator. But $40K is too much.
George.

We had a few TDIs in the family. Our 2004 had the most problems... As many of them did from that year. The fuel pump failed, the EGR cooler broke, a fuel line ruptured (big mess), seat heater recalled, and finally it started making noise and hard starting. Likely a failing camshaft (big problem with the BEW engine). This car had oil changes with 505.01 oil every 10k miles... Even though both of our local VW dealerships refused to stock 505.01 oil.

My 2003 had a mysterious injection pump code. The dealership said it needed a new pump (approx $3,000). I did not replace it. I had a slipping clutch (replaced on my dime, even though it was a known problem that year), broken brake booster vacuum line, failed coolant temp sensor, had to replace timing belt early due to failing roller ($1,900 job at the dealership... I did it myself after buying $400 in parts, $200 in specialty tools that only work on that one engine, and a $300 computer program).

Our other 2003 had two blower motor failures, smoked a lot but couldn't be diagnosed, had terrible fuel economy (for a TDI), had a broken dual-mass flywheel, and needed a brake pedal switch.

Our 2006 has been pretty reliable, but it belongs to my retired father and only has about 50,000 miles on it.

I know I am forgetting a lot of little things... Like all the headlights and tail light bulbs that needed to be replaced... I don't know why VWs burn through them so fast. In 60,000 miles, I have replaced one headlight in my Scion. I think our average on the VWs was something like every 20,000 miles. Tail lights sometimes needed to be replaced a few times during an oil change interval... Especially the other 2003 Golf. Everything on the VWs seems to be designed to make it as difficult to service as possible. The newer they are, the worse this gets (actually, timing belt jobs has gotten a little easier). You should see what it takes to replace the transmission fluid on a DSG auto... And it is supposed to be replaced every 30-40k miles!

[Greg H]

Don't feel bad, My 07 Dodge 3500 Cummins 6.7 made one trip from In, to Tx and back then spent the next 1 1/2 months in the shop, two of the computers were telling each other lies. I still wish I had a diesel but with today's emission standards they are becoming to much trouble.

[Mike Magee]

Mcbrew, thanks for reminding me. I had sort of let myself forget my negative feelings about our '99 Jetta gasser. Chronic check-engine light problem, cheap plastic that quickly degraded and discolored in sun, quirky electrical issues, window cables riding on plastic tabs that (of course!) broke off, driver's seat wore a hole in it after just 3 years, etc. To borrow a saying, these aren't your father's VWs... if they were they would be much better built!

Beyond regular maintenance, I have not had to do thing one to my Toyota. No unexpected repairs in 80K miles. It's like night (the VW was black BTW) and day.

[2yax2go]

Those test results on these trucks is disappointing. I get better mileage on my old 6 banger 1995 Chevy S-10.

And Mahindra's woes just keep on growing....

Courthouse News Service

Sad on all accounts.

[CallDon]

Back around '76 I drove a 300D and around '80 i drove a 240D. I really fell in love with the Merdeces back then. I know they had problems in the late '80s and early/mid '90s. I hope they are better today even with the bizarre blue additive thing. I certainly hope they are better by the time I win the lottery and buy a new one.

I would love to pull a Casita with a 300TD.

D*

[mcbrew]

Originally Posted by CallDon

I certainly hope they are better by the time I win the lottery and buy a new one.

I would love to pull a Casita with a 300TD.

D*

Keep waiting. Imagine VW... but less reliable and more expensive. I have a Sprinter van (Made by Mercedes, has their 2.7L inline 5), and it took about $3,000 in unscheduled maintenance to get to 90,000 miles. The van is very well thought out... But we have had trouble with the EGR, turbo controller, heater controls, alternator, fuel lines, and more. Also, they use a lot of fasteners that rust to pieces, or plastic bits that break easily.

Having said all of that, I still think the Sprinter is better, overall, than the American made alternatives.

[Ed Harris]

I must be living right or something but I have had no real issues with my Sprinter since I have owned it.
The Paint is terrible and like you say there are all kinds of odd fasteners and tidbits that vibrate off but mine has been solid.
And the mileage is pretty amazing I think.
Now that I have said that of course I am probably in for it?

[Joe Z]

Having a few friends around with sprinters i've heard many say they prefer the five cylinder diesel which gets the best fuel mileage over the six cylinder diesel ..... I would love to have a sprinter.
Joe

[mcbrew]

Originally Posted by Joe Z

Having a few friends around with sprinters i've heard many say they prefer the five cylinder diesel which gets the best fuel mileage over the six cylinder diesel ..... I would love to have a sprinter.
Joe

And most of the Sprinters sold overseas are 4 cylinder.

[CallDon]

Originally Posted by mcbrew

And most of the Sprinters sold overseas are 4 cylinder.

I have also heard that the 5 cylinder is the motor to get. But adding the blue stuff just to meet emisions? Heck, why is our own government making it so difficult to simply enjoy owning good vehicles??

D*

[Joe Z]

Well....Now that Mahindra is gone maybe Mack could manufacture a four cylinder diesel and put it into one of the Big Three......
You can't kill a Mack.
Joe