I'm interested in a Promaster but have some concerns and questions. I'd like to draw on the wisdom of the forum.
Back in the '70s I had a Ford Econoline that I built into a simple camper: double bed, VW sink/ice box unit, skylight. I'd like to do that again, plus haul my motorcycle (BMW F800 ST), a couple of kayaks, two bicycles, my wife and our dog -- maybe not all at once.
I now drive a VW Jetta TDI Diesel Sportwagen and am intrigued by the i4 Diesel option for the truck. My dealer predicts June/July, BTW. I'm used to Diesel and like it, especially efficiency and torque. People buy horsepower but drive torque, as they say.
But the EcoDiesel uses DEF, similar to the blue goo VW, Mercedes and Audi require in their larger displacement Diesels. I read somewhere that the PM needs DEF refills every 4000 miles. That seems odd, given passenger cars going 10k miles on a tank of urea. Does anyone know if Dodge will charge Mercedes type money for urea? Will the PM be able to use generic urea?
I'm also worried about reliability. Not the engine so much as the emission systems. VW has problems with EGR plumbing and also Diesel particulate filters. The latter are insanely expensive if one fails after the 80,000-mile federal warranty expires, which is why I'm thinking about shopping to replace my Jetta in the next year. Any word on how these systems have performed in Europe? Are the US versions the same as Europe or do we get lots of untested add-ons to go with the DEF and EGR setups?
I realize definitive answers to all this may be over the horizon, but any info would be appreciated, as would suggestions on options or observations about my intended use of this vehicle. I have also read some info here about heat and AC and am concerned that the cargo area will be way too hot or cold in extreme conditions.
Many thanks in advance for any ideas,
-dan
Back in the '70s I had a Ford Econoline that I built into a simple camper: double bed, VW sink/ice box unit, skylight. I'd like to do that again, plus haul my motorcycle (BMW F800 ST), a couple of kayaks, two bicycles, my wife and our dog -- maybe not all at once.
I now drive a VW Jetta TDI Diesel Sportwagen and am intrigued by the i4 Diesel option for the truck. My dealer predicts June/July, BTW. I'm used to Diesel and like it, especially efficiency and torque. People buy horsepower but drive torque, as they say.
But the EcoDiesel uses DEF, similar to the blue goo VW, Mercedes and Audi require in their larger displacement Diesels. I read somewhere that the PM needs DEF refills every 4000 miles. That seems odd, given passenger cars going 10k miles on a tank of urea. Does anyone know if Dodge will charge Mercedes type money for urea? Will the PM be able to use generic urea?
I'm also worried about reliability. Not the engine so much as the emission systems. VW has problems with EGR plumbing and also Diesel particulate filters. The latter are insanely expensive if one fails after the 80,000-mile federal warranty expires, which is why I'm thinking about shopping to replace my Jetta in the next year. Any word on how these systems have performed in Europe? Are the US versions the same as Europe or do we get lots of untested add-ons to go with the DEF and EGR setups?
I realize definitive answers to all this may be over the horizon, but any info would be appreciated, as would suggestions on options or observations about my intended use of this vehicle. I have also read some info here about heat and AC and am concerned that the cargo area will be way too hot or cold in extreme conditions.
Many thanks in advance for any ideas,
-dan