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Old 05-21-2016, 08:47 AM   #1
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The terrible cost of diesel maintenance

Prior to buying my Duramax I read on a lot of forums, including this one, about how much more expensive diesels are. Constant DEF issues, $100+ oil changes, high price of fuel, etc.

I've now owned my truck since November. In that time the price of diesel has been cheaper than or close to the cost of regular. Considering this truck gets better MPG on avg than my 1500, and when possible I fill up on the reservation for even cheaper diesel, I'm ahead of the game.

I have had to fill the DEF tank 1 time with a $12 box of DEF from Walmart.

Yesterday I took it to the GM dealer for the first oil change\tire rotation etc. That cost me $54. I used to pay $48 for semi synthetic oil at the local quick lube, so not a big difference there either.

I've already sang the praises of towing with my vehicle in another thread, so I won't go there. And I'm not trying to start a gas vs diesel debate. Just sharing my experience as a "real world" story for anyone looking for information.
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Old 05-21-2016, 09:52 AM   #2
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Other than a string of recalls in which I got a new airbag and new front end suspension, the only mx done are oil changes (been free up to now from the dealership), a replaced wheel stud where the neighborhood tire place crossed the threads, and a fuel filter change for $100 ( would have done it myself but didn't feel like having the diesel stink on me, plus truck was already in for the airbag recall). Fantastic trade off for the added hp gain.
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Old 05-21-2016, 10:15 AM   #3
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Other than a string of recalls in which I got a new airbag and new front end suspension, the only mx done are oil changes (been free up to now from the dealership), a replaced wheel stud where the neighborhood tire place crossed the threads, and a fuel filter change for $100 ( would have done it myself but didn't feel like having the diesel stink on me, plus truck was already in for the airbag recall). Fantastic trade off for the added hp gain.

I guess I am a sicko...diesel doesn't bother me. I have been driving one since 1999. I can get it on my hands...wipe on my jeans...and eat a burger.


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Old 05-21-2016, 10:22 AM   #4
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what you have experienced is closer to normal. Not the ridiculous stuff all the gas truck people say is wrong with diesels.
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Old 05-21-2016, 10:28 AM   #5
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I have had diesels for years, the added cost are or were higher cost of filter changes but the benefits normally outweigh these. The fuel prices years ago were much cheaper than gas but several years ago went up to 50 cents a gallon more, yes better fuel millage. Right now the same as gas but diesel prices seem to change slower than gas so they are headed up.

BUT......... the big difference is when (not if) something goes wrong the repair prices are much higher......... price a gas engine replacement to a diesel engine replacement ................ A couple years ago my turbo went out.....$4500 replacement cost.................

Having said that I still would and do tow with a diesel.

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Old 05-21-2016, 10:29 AM   #6
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I never hear people bash diesels . the initial cost is tough for some to handle , the oil changes is minimal 6 qts gas 14 qt diesel , extra fuel filters , other then that things should be relative . i can't go out and spend $45,000 . for a std cab diesel when i can get the gasser std cab for $32,000 .that's a lot of gas to make up the difference and your only looking at a couple mpg difference
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Old 05-21-2016, 10:38 AM   #7
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I always figure the initial cost of the diesel option is a wash. It's resale value will always be considerably higher than an equivalent gas truck. As far as MPG, diesel is as much as 50% higher towing or not. That's a huge difference over the life of the truck. Once you tow with the torque of a diesel and have the exhaust brake for the down grades, you will wonder how you ever did without it.
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Old 05-21-2016, 10:45 AM   #8
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I guess maintenance on mine is cheaper since it is an 2005....... oil filter $8 / 10 quarts of oil change less often than gas....... Fuel filter $20, air filter added AFE dumped the cheap quality K & N that was on it. Rarely use any additives when I do $5.

Oil change about $60

Pricing diesel truck about $5,000 to $7,000 more than the same gas truck.


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Old 05-21-2016, 10:45 AM   #9
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The terrible cost of diesel maintenance

Get back to us after several years 👌
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Old 05-21-2016, 10:49 AM   #10
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I think I've read 13,247,302 Gas/diesel threads........... ....... OK, maybe not THAT many, but they're all the same... The folks with diesels say the same things... mostly that they should have moved to diesel power sooner. The gasser folks can never seem to justify the cost. I bit the bullet and bought my diesel... and guess what I say...
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Old 05-21-2016, 10:54 AM   #11
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I always figure the initial cost of the diesel option is a wash. It's resale value will always be considerably higher than an equivalent gas truck. As far as MPG, diesel is as much as 50% higher towing or not. That's a huge difference over the life of the truck. Once you tow with the torque of a diesel and have the exhaust brake for the down grades, you will wonder how you ever did without it.
50% higher mpg , I'll call you out on that one . i get 9 mpg with my gasser 9000lbs th your saying a diesel gets 14 towing ? the same weight ?
i know for a fact most are lucky to get 11 mpg . i get 15 mpg not towing now that same diesel gets 22mpg . haven't seem it from any diesel owner i know .
I agree the extra torque is great the exhaust brake is awesome but the cost is higher . i change my oil for $25 . not $60. do i have to change the oil more often not really depends on the oil you use . longevity not really the 6.0 is a proven 300000 mile engine
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Old 05-21-2016, 10:58 AM   #12
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Diesel Option runs $8200 MSRP after discounts on my F350 I paid about $7200. Diesel adds $8150 over a gas engine to three year old F350 according to NADA pricing.
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Old 05-21-2016, 10:59 AM   #13
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Diesel here in Co. Springs where I'm visiting is about a dime cheaper than gasoline.

I get better mileage in a diesel, but hard to compare......I've never owned a 1 ton dually that was gas!

I will say this........I'm almost 68 and have owned trucks for 50 years. The last 3/4 ton diesel and now this are TRUCKS!! The others were toys. Brand name is immaterial any more........the differences in specs is infinitesimal. Get whatever you like.
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Old 05-21-2016, 11:00 AM   #14
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50% higher mpg , I'll call you out on that one . i get 9 mpg with my gasser 9000lbs th your saying a diesel gets 14 towing ? the same weight ?
i know for a fact most are lucky to get 11 mpg . i get 15 mpg not towing now that same diesel gets 22mpg . haven't seem it from any diesel owner i know .
I agree the extra torque is great the exhaust brake is awesome but the cost is higher . i change my oil for $25 . not $60. do i have to change the oil more often not really depends on the oil you use . longevity not really the 6.0 is a proven 300000 mile engine

He stated UP TO 50% better. Not everyone is getting that much because nobody's comparing apples to apples. But yes it is possible to get 50% better mpg on a diesel vs gas.
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Old 05-21-2016, 11:05 AM   #15
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50% higher mpg , I'll call you out on that one . i get 9 mpg with my gasser 9000lbs th your saying a diesel gets 14 towing ? the same weight ?
i know for a fact most are lucky to get 11 mpg . i get 15 mpg not towing now that same diesel gets 22mpg . haven't seem it from any diesel owner i know .
I agree the extra torque is great the exhaust brake is awesome but the cost is higher . i change my oil for $25 . not $60. do i have to change the oil more often not really depends on the oil you use . longevity not really the 6.0 is a proven 300000 mile engine
I did say "as much as" 50% higher. Didn't say it was guaranteed. From my experience, I got 7-9 with all the gas trucks I towed with. My last 2 diesels, towing more than I ever towed with gas, getting 11-12 MPG. 8+50%=12 since I took math before the "new math" and common core was around
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Old 05-21-2016, 11:10 AM   #16
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Get back to us after several years 👌
I've owned 3 diesels since 1988 costs not much more than gas. Only work had done was a turbo replacement but it was going bad when I bought the truck. Yes it was pricey. But with the deal I got on the truck it was not out of line.

Unless you want to count the 5 Ford transmissions that went south on me (two of the trucks) but I suspect they would have went bad with a gas engine as well.

Very little difference it maintenance costs for me.

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Old 05-21-2016, 11:25 AM   #17
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He stated UP TO 50% better. Not everyone is getting that much because nobody's comparing apples to apples. But yes it is possible to get 50% better mpg on a diesel vs gas.
Talking real world here not hopes and wishes . I've never seen or heard of a diesel getting that much better mpg in the real world . maybe not towing and keeping the foot off the pedal someone may squeeze that much more mpg . not not in the real world .
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Old 05-21-2016, 11:25 AM   #18
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50% higher mpg , I'll call you out on that one . i get 9 mpg with my gasser 9000lbs th your saying a diesel gets 14 towing ? the same weight ?
i know for a fact most are lucky to get 11 mpg . i get 15 mpg not towing now that same diesel gets 22mpg . haven't seem it from any diesel owner i know .
I agree the extra torque is great the exhaust brake is awesome but the cost is higher . i change my oil for $25 . not $60. do i have to change the oil more often not really depends on the oil you use . longevity not really the 6.0 is a proven 300000 mile engine
Not 22mpg but close in my 2015 Ford F 350 crossing Ohio with 4 souls on board.

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Old 05-21-2016, 11:30 AM   #19
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I don't like gas or diesel, thinking of going to nuclear power
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Old 05-21-2016, 11:31 AM   #20
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ok guys you win . guess i should not have bit . the diesels are the way to go anybody who buys anything but a diesel is bonkers . why they even sale gas powered trucks is beyond me . i mean what the heck is another $8700 and extra tax just dig a little deeper . don't take so many trips with the TH stay home and save your money to make up the difference . i mean we are all made of money and what's money for if not to spend on the biggest and best

i'm heading out right now and go get me a Chevy duramax cause i want the best truck out there and we all know Chevy beats the heck out of the other two wannabe trucks . can you even call dodge a truck and ford diesels we all know are the worst
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