Hey, Dalko -- until you actually buy a diesel and run it 350k miles, ain't interested in what you've got to say!
And until you and Clutch can provide better feedback on diesel ownership than 'my friends don't drive diesels anymore' I think people on here should take whatever you two say with a pound of salt.
I do hope emission tech gets better/more reliable with diesels, though. I know that's been a sore spot for diesel fans. Some of who, unfortunately, take matters into their own hands. Which does even more harm than diesels already do.
Again, this demonstrates to me that your understanding of the topic is only surface deep. The modern emissions systems, while not infallible, are much more reliable nowadays. You talk about how it's a sore spot for diesel fans, and yet I wonder if you even have enough of an understanding on the topic to explain what the potential failure points are and why. The vague criticisms you throw out lead me to believe that you are simply reading other forum posts to develop your opinion on the matter. The 2007 era diesel emission system is not exactly the same as the emissions systems currently being used; I encourage you to read up on the systems and the changes (arguably improvements) that have been made.
Future is electruc, though. Instant torque, good service life (and continually improving). They just need to figure out that battery thing.
People have been saying that for almost 20 years now and yet it hasn't happened, primarily for the reason you noted (in bold). Personally I think hybrid technology (both gasoline and diesel) as well as Hydrogen fuel cell have much better prospects because the battery capacity is such a shortcoming for EV's.
Edit: Just looked up this B50 rating. Means 50% of engines may potentially reach the rated mileage (not a guarantee. Based on past stats). So, half of Cummins will reach 350k miles before a major overhaul. If that's correct, I'm not too impressed...
1) Most gasoline engines aren't rated to that 350k life. Heck, most manufacturers don't even indicate what the engine life is on their gasoline engine because they don't want it advertised to the public. So you snicker at 350k, but the fact that Cummins and other diesel makers are actually willing to put that stamp on their products should tell you something about their confidence in the engine's longevity.
2) the B50 life is the estimated mileage at which 50% of the engines will need
major repairs, not necessarily overhauls. So even an engine that needs work at that point has the potential of living beyond that point.
3) Plenty of diesel engines, even the modern ones, last well beyond that 350k mark. Turbo Diesel Register, among other sites, tracks quite a few examples of engines lasting 500k and well beyond.
4) There is a reason why diesel engine trucks (at least those that were made well) fetch such a premium on the used market. Again, go compare a used 2006 5.9l Ram Cummins to a 2006 Ram Hemi of comparable mileage; the Cummins fetches a higher price because people expect the Cummins to last much longer (the truck itself may not be so lucky). Go look at all the imported diesel LandCruisers on LandCruiser Direct (
http://www.landcruisersdirect.com/). Do you think anyone would be paying those kinds of prices for gasoline rigs of comparable age and mileage?
5) It's funny that you accused diesel owners of relying on rhetoric to prove their point about diesel's longevity, which was in and of itself a rhetorical statement. Meanwhile I provide you engine life ratings, which up until this point, you haven't even heard of.
