xfirechief

Thanks for your comments, this is just what I am looking for, this is why I am asking the questions, I do't know much about diesel vehicles. Don't consider it a rant it was just what I was looking for.
Thanks

qqq1970

I don't own a diesel as I have an offer I can't refuse, but otherwise I'd have waited and get a TDI. Gas engine usually lasts 200,000 miles. A well maintained diesel engine can run 625,000 miles. Granted very few here keep the car that long unless you do a lot of coast to coast driving, but it showcases the durability of diesels.

I used to own Mercedes and they have high mileage awards. From time to time they run stories of diesel owners that hit 625,000 miles award as a testament to Mercedes longevity. I don't recall reading a gas owner hitting that milestone.

If you keep the car for a long time, there is payback to diesel premium.

in2dwww

You don't have to own it for a long time, you could simply put a ton of miles on it in a short period of time and net the same benefit. Anyone who drives more than 20k miles a year can increase the benefit curve. I've already put 32k miles on a MB E320 Bluetec I picked up in March. The depreciation with that mileage alone would span 2 years. Also, a bank won't give a loan on cars older than 7 years or in excess of 70k miles nowadays. The only way to maximize returns is to use it past the 7 year/70k mile mark and some of us can do that in about 24-36 months. At that point, you're looking for a cash buyer when you're ready to sell. And since there are fewer cash buyers out there, you need to get the maximum utility out of the purchase so that you can expense the costs and recover something in the end.

Just look at the prices for a 2011-2013 MB E550 and compare that to the E350 Bluetec. The Bluetec has better resale. If the A6 TDI is compared to the 2.0 TFSI or the 3.0 TFSI, I'd suspect the TDI would hold value better than either. You can also check out the 2003-2009 MB diesel (E320 CDI/E320 Bluetec) and it holds value better than or very close to the E55/E63 AMG. I'm not sure what the S6 depreciation curve looks like, but I'd bet that the TDI will outperform.

in2dwww

265k miles on a 2008. Relegated to a cash buyer but I'm sure the owner had some awesome business deductions.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...Index=18&Log=0

qqq1970

Haha you are right. You don't have to own it long just put a lot of miles and you get the payback in no time.

qqq1970

Mercedes has its reliability issues, but its engine is a tank.