Getting a new truck, compare RAM EcoDiesel vs F150 Platnum??

That's a great question, but me working in the supply chain tells me that parts supply now would be pretty much nonexistent for non production line use.

 

Here's some interesting reads on the diesel vs gas arguments with fleet operators. It's worth a read as the a lot of the same costs and benefits will be the same for a personal light truck. But the summary is fleet owners are finding that upfront costs and maintenance costs of diesels is higher for 1-ton and smaller trucks so they're switching back to gas and are seeing savings.

Comparing Gas and Diesel as Fleet Fuels

Gas vs. Diesel: The Bad Investment Only Fleet Managers Know About - Article - Government Fleet

Gas vs. Diesel in Utility Fleet Applications – Which is Better?

 

If the rebates on the new trucks are only for diesel trucks I can see that, but if they're just general rebates you'll still pay more. Right now Ram is offering 20% off select models, so a comparably optioned ecodiesel will still be $2,160 (80% of 2700) over a Hemi optioned the exact same way.

I don't buy that modern diesels are more reliable either. There's so much EPA mandated crap on those engines that they are nothing like those legendary 7.3's.

 

Sorry, that's non-sense. I've seen this same argument, and did the research myself to find out the truth. I spec'd out the price of an oil change for the Ram eco, it is exactly the same as the oil change for my 2002 F150. It is $20 cheaper than my Mini CooperS, and $100 cheaper than my Range Rover. In addition, the oil change on the Ram Eco is every 10 or 12k. My 02 F150 is every 3000 miles. So I have to change the oil THREE TIMES to every one on the Eco.

The $3k is the "sticker" price difference. Not actual. As already stated, the actual price difference on the street is within a couple hundred dollars.

Forget about knowing somebody else bla bla bla, how about I (ME) got an oil change at FORD, and they put 3 quarts of oil in, ran out of oil, moved my truck to the lot... and forgot about it. I show up to pick up my truck, pay for it and drive away wondering why my oil pressure light is on!!!! That crap can and does occur ANYWHERE.

 

First off you can push your current F150 oil changes past 3000. I would guess the manual actually says that.

And why is the range rover so expensive? That must be a dealer price. Oil is oil. Mobile 1 is $25/5 qts. Even if it's a $20 filter which I bet there are Purorlator pure one for less than $10. I don't see how it could even be more than $75 and that would be it holding 10 quarts.

 

I've been pricing them ALL for over a month now.... more than I'd like to admit to. When you get down to the final price your going to buy a truck for, the same model truck with the Ecodiesel VS their Hemi motor in them are within a couple hundred bucks, period.

 

Apparently you've never had a Range Rover serviced. Most stations including jiffy lube and the like will not do them. They do not stock the filters and/or the proper oil for them. Last I checked, the rovers oil filter is something like $59 at discount stores... These trucks are currently $120k new, you get them serviced at the dealership, you really don't have a choice. Wanna be in a warranty fight for $120k because you went to a jiffy lube?

 

Doesn't ford own controlling share of them? Why don't they use a current filter ??

And no I wouldn't buy a range rover or have one to service.

They can't deny a warrenty claim based on oil that meets spec (but you know how they will try to weazel out of one)Must use some wacky euro spec oil but I would think M1 would meet the spec? And it's not that expensive really.

 

I'm not 100% sure, but I think Ford smartly got out of the "Land Rover" biz a few years ago...

 

I don't follow as much on auto stuff as I use too....Seems like you may be right?

 

Ford doesn't own Rover anymore. That said, I do the same on my Audi. Yes it needs special oil, but there is a Mobil one on the 0w40 it needs. 8 qts of that, and all the auto stores vary the same German made filters that Audi dealer's do. 14 bucks for the filter. Walmart has the special oil for 25 a 5qt jug. I buy 2. Oil changes go 12k, per manual. So, like 65 an oil change, and I have oil leftover.

As you say, the warranty won't be void by doing your own maintenance. This is however why many premium brands carry no fee maintenance for 50k or so. Most cars run 7500 per oil change, even with a normal sized oil capacity. Get a vehicle with a bigger sump, and your oil changes become less frequent.

Modern diesels have a lot of equipment that gassers don't, and as has been said, gets expensive and difficult to repair when something goes wrong.

 

That was a smart move. They sold off Jaguar, Rover, and Aston Martin. They owned Volvo too, and sold them too.

Now, as part of the deal, the diesel that's in the td6 rovers is the same motor that Ford will put in the f150.

 

There really is no special oil, there is oil weight like you posted. Most oils meet any manufacturer spec or exceed it.
I would also never waste money on a VAG oil filter. But then again it's splitting hairs.
I also don't know anybody that changed oil 3k anymore, if anything I know more people who forget and go 10k without issue.

 

It was more trying to buy tech than have anything to do with the companies.

 

I do not change my oil every 3000 miles. It is not necessary with the more modern engines. If you are beating the hell out of it with non stop, big city driving, maybe that would be warranted. But I doubt it.

 

crud I wanted to respond, but the new Big Bang Theory is on. Fall is on it's way. I run 15-40 royal purple in the duramax. 10k miles between oil changes. Pricey but it is what it has been running since new. I have just about 195k on it. My friend has 385K on his LMM with the same oil. Mine will rot out before that.

 

Like old deisel engine oil is like CJ2 or 3 or whatever you choose older than current spec. You dont go looking for that oil you use current CJ4 or better oil. Same with oil changes you don't do something that was called for 30 years ago, you go with current manufacture standards based on better oils. Similarly ford more than a decade ago retroactively recommended 5w30 oil for all their vehicles that speced 10w30 when made....why then? Well 5w30 didn't exist or was very expensive when those vehicles were made so they used the standard oil of the time.

 

LMM?

 

2007.5-2010 duramax.

 

For VW and Audi, there is a special oil spec.
Audi/VW 502.00 approved oil list reference | Automotive General Topics | Bob Is The Oil Guy
Not using that oil in a VW or Audi ( Porsches too) is asking for trouble.

When the same oil filters as be and Audi ( Mann and Hengst) are for sale at O'Reilly, and Napa I find it quite silly that some will go to a dealer to be overcharged for the same exact part. At Napa auto, they say it's a Wix filter on the box, but open it up, and it's a Mann or Hengst.

I guess it didn't make sense for Wix to actually make their own filter, when they can import one.

On my car, the oil filter housing is made by Hengst, so using that company's filter doesn't bother me at all being OEM