“I looked into getting a TDI VW (the American version), but when I worked out the increased maintenance costs vs the fuel savings it was a wash.”
Increased maintenance costs?
My 1996 VW Passat TDI got 40-50 mpg; maintenance schedules were the same as for the gasoline model, EXCEPT that I drove it for 315,000 miles before I sold it to a friend, who loves it and now has >350,000 miles on it.
My 2002 VW Golf TDI now has 165,000 miles and gets 40 mpg as a daily commuter into NYC from the ‘burbs;
My 2011 VW Jetta TDI Sportwagen has free maintenance for the first 3 years(same schedule as the gas model); it is not yet broken in (Oonly 8500 miles)and is getting 40+ mpg in suburban driving.
The longevity of diesel engines is well-established. I can’t for the life of me understand your impression that maintenance is more expensive than for gas engines.
I live in WA and we have the highest gas prices in the country right now. Diesel is even higher because the taxocrats here know they can tax diesel more with less repercussions.
I think the VW is a great car with German performance. I know what that is like - used to own a BMW 3 series with the factory motorsports package. A blast to drive in the Smoky Mountains on the windy mountain roads - not so much fun to drive on the rutted pavement from studded tires here.
When I talked to some friends who are mechanics and worked out the fuel/maintenance costs it did not make sense for me but YMMV. I have friends that own them and they have been pretty happy with them and I hope you like yours. We had a Toyota diesel when my folks were stationed in Germany and it was a solid car. The only diesel I currently own is a 5 cylinder 48hp Kubota although I would like to get a used F-350 for the farm.