Hi bro,I'm really keen on turbo diesel. However am concerned about the premature carbon buildup on DGI engines. Yours no problem for last 3 years,is it MPI? If yours is DGI,are you doing any preventive maintenance. Would like to hear about it,before I sink myself into getting the turbo diesel!
Bro,
My apologies for my late reply. Work has not been forgiving since the end of last year.
Currently clocked 77k KM & my next service is due by month end. During BSRI, I usually change engine oil around 8k km. After BSRI, I keep to 6k km interval between oil change. Been using Ravenol, Syntium, Rowe & Castrol Edge. Ravenol works best for me and Castrol Edge the worst. Only Syntium and Castrol, I experience oil lost around 1/4 (frm my OBC's reading) upon reaching 6k km. Ravenol & Rowe has been consistent without oil lost until next oil change. Ravenol is best because engine feels more free-revving & diesel clatter is subdued.
Apart from the 6k km oil change, d oni other preventive maintenance i do is to add a bottle of diesel fuel cleaner once a month into my fuel tank. You can get it from Tesco or Ace Hardware from around RM12-20 depending on brand.
Besides the above and the need to monitor your rear tire threads (wear and tear faster due to the torque), I do not do any additional preventive maintenance on my ride.
Friends using E90 and F10 diesel clocking up to 160k km do the same & only 1 had a problem with his alternator (premature wear & I believe it was due to factory defect since alternators are usually long lasting) & 3 so far experienced leaky turbo hose (me inclusive). Rectified by replacing the hose at RM1.2K (inclusive of labor). Apart from the above, the remaining issues are all confined to the models typical problems regardless if it’s a diesel or petrol. The above sampling is not from 3 or 4 cars but from a group of approximately 20 diesel owners.
So as a BMW diesel owner for 3 1/2 years soon, I don't feel a diesel car requires significantly more preventive maintenance compared to its petrol sibling. For a similar engine size BMW, d oni thing i suffer & miss is d smooth engine idle. Now u get an engine clatter instead. However, the plus side you gain is the torque that is so intoxicating in city drive.
Had many runs with 325i, 328i & 335i on NKVE before, diesel car no way lacks except for speed in excess of 230kmh (especially true with DTUK on). Then again, how often do you get to drive at such break-neck speed. Even my friend who drives a 335i commented that he has problems shaking all the 320d during our convoy. To a purist, I will probably be labeled a cheapskate because for the price I am paying for a 2.0L car, I do somewhat get between a 2.0i and a 325i/328i/335i performance minus the smooth L6 engine. Honestly I am fine with that because in return i get between 7-14 days between fuel ups & yet able to enjoy performance close to its higher capacity siblings. Honestly if i wanna enjoy a petrol car, i will leave tat to my weekend car. While i do so, i will use my diesel ride as my daily workhorse & d savings plough into my weekend car.
Hope d above is enough to help u cross over to d dark side...lol!!! Do let me know if u need more information. Cheers mate!