Want to buy a new 2015 or 2016 Ram 2500 diesel

[Motogp2015]

Hello Forum,
I have never owned a diesel but I an very interested in owning one.
To help me make my decision I have a few questions.
How expensive are they to maintain?
Do they require a lot of maintenance?
Have any of you had serious issues with the 4 gen.?
What are the things you do not like about the your 4 gen.?

Thanks for the info, I have enjoyed reading all of the valuable info.
Motogp2015

 

[gsbrockman]

I have a few questions.
How expensive are they to maintain?

If you can perform your own maintenance, it will cost you about $85 for 3 gallons of Shell Rotella T-6 Synthetic oil and a MOPAR oil filter. The warranty book stipulates it to be changed every 6 months OR 15k miles OR 500 hours....whichever comes first.

Fuel filters can be delivered to your door for around $106 for the pair. They are to be changed yearly or every 15k miles.

A MOPAR air filter can be purchased around $30 or so. These should be replaced within every two years or 30k miles max.

Differential fluid changes require about 7 quarts total for the front & rear. Valvoline 75W90 SynPower GL5 Full Synthetic fluid runs right at $10/quart. I think the manual suggests every 15k miles....but I generally do it every 30k to 40k miles.

As for transmission services......can't answer that one as I don't know which transmission you're looking at (G56, 68RFE, AS69RC).

 

[Motogp2015]

Thanks for the info!

 

[mfurrh55]

Welcome to the forum, you won't be disappointed ,Monte

 

[Newsa]

The longevity of a diesel as compared with a gasser pays for itself.

Resale values of these Cummins equipped diesels is top notch. If plan to own it a long time, it will likely last 2 or 3 times longer than a gasser. Some have topped 500,000 miles. If you plan to sell it, it will hold its value well (better than a gasser) if taken care of.

Diesel fuel is cheaper that premium gasoline in my neck of the woods.

I think they have worked some of the kinks out of their clean diesel emissions system. I have had to do some recalls on the emissions, but that was minimal cost (cost of a rental and a day or 2 off work)

The fuel filter and DEF listed above (and more often replacing the air filter) (they pull in more air) are the only costs associated with these new diesels that are more than the gassers. The fuel economy of these trucks makes them economical for the cost of diesel. But since you don't have to replace spark plugs, or worry about ignition timing, those are not huge costs.

For me, the longevity of the engine and efficient performance of the Cummins (pulling a load) was the clincher. Before I bought the Ram, I took a trip in my parents gasser RV with the Ford V10. I got 8-10 miles per gallon. I get 13-15 miles per gallon pulling an equivalent load with my truck. (22 ft trailer vs 23 ft RV I think that RV had 4.3 rear end. My truck has a 3.42 rear end and is economical on the hwy

 

[DonFitzwater]

So far I'm averaging about 1000.00 per year on maintenance.........this is significantly higher than some think, however, I've figured in new tire pricing into my figure. The factory tires on these new trucks just suck and I can rarely get 25k miles out of a set.....these lasted 24k before they became unreliable for my usage (Firestone garbage).

Oil change with filter-108.00 for Delo 0w40 and a Fleetguard filter
Fuel filters-110.00 for both from local dealer

The rest will depend on how many miles you put on.....air filters, axle gear oil, trans fluid and filters, shocks, etc.

 

[Newsa]

So far I'm averaging about 1000.00 per year on maintenance.........this is significantly higher than some think, however, I've figured in new tire pricing into my figure. The factory tires on these new trucks just suck and I can rarely get 25k miles out of a set.....these lasted 24k before they became unreliable for my usage (Firestone garbage).

Oil change with filter-108.00 for Delo 0w40 and a Fleetguard filter
Fuel filters-110.00 for both from local dealer

The rest will depend on how many miles you put on.....air filters, axle gear oil, trans fluid and filters, shocks, etc.

Yeah. I will be lucky to get 25,000 out of my firestones. But I've heard Michelin and Nitto do better.

I thought these hard rubber E rated tires would last longer than they do.

 

[Motogp2015]

Thanks for the info!

 

[Kojack]

Just bought my first Ram as well as I've always been a Chevy man and switched over from a Duramax. So far so good, Even with the DRW and 4.10's I get better fuel mileage than my 08 Duramax, about 17mpg. The Ram interior is night and day compared to the GM's and I love the exterior aesthetics.

 

[dfb]

Just sold an 04.5 Dually Laramie 6 speed 4x4 for 25000 within 30 minutes…. a dealer bought my friends with 83 k on it . it was an 03.. Dealer gave 25 cash and sold it for 37k!/////

 

[mrbb]

been a long time dodge ram 2500 owner had 7 or so in a row, all GAS
just picked up a 2016 2500 in diesel
right off the bat, I get better fuel mileage than ANY gas truck I had, its got WAY more get up and go too, and I have owned a few V10's
BUT My honest take on things is this
if you DON"T tow often, or in hilly area's
the diesel will never pay for itself unless you keep a truck for a LONG time
the added up keep, added up front cost, and all, its never going to be a BIG difference to say BETTER than a GAS
when you sell/trade your gas your going to get less, YUP< 100% on this, BUT you also paid less

the KEY to justifying a diesel IMO< is do you TOW enough to make it worth your while
will this be a BUSINESS vehicle you can well, write off some what!!
OR do you have the income to NOT care about costs and JUST want one!

other wise, your buying cause you WANT one and will pay what it costs

LIKE most trucks on the road today, MOST owners use them as daily drivers, grocery store runs and such than AS A working truck

I very much LIKE My diesel, and might NEVER go BACK to a gas, IF fuel prices stay closer to where there at NOW

getting an extra 5 mpg, and paying more( in my area its about .35 cents gallon more) its worth it
I honestly DON"T that often, so lived with gas truck for the past 30+ yrs, buying a new one every 3-4 yrs along them 30+ yrs

but I was able to afford this truck, without killing myself
so to me, it was worth the added price
BUt I doubt I will ever MAKE money on it over a Gas truck
due to again price to buy and up keep
UNLESS MAYBE I decided to keep it for the next 20 yrs then?? MAYBE
but if you tend to buy new every so often and drive 25-45k a yr
I don't see it MAKING money, just costs you more to run it

IF you TOW heavy , YES< it will for sure, you will get where your going faster NOT kill your gas truck, and get more MPG's too doing so
and you will feel like your driving a HD truck to boot!
and the LAST part I think is WHY so many BUY them when they don't NEED them!

 

[Newsa]

Well, there is a less expensive option. (See link below)

But for those of us who drive a stick, it's either a Tacoma or a Ram. And the Tacoma just "feels" cheap and doesn't have comfy seats for long drives.

if you spend alot of time in your truck, it makes sense to buy the one you want. And I don't like spending all my time and money at a gas pump.

From a pure economic stand point, I'd say this Canyon/Colorado gets great fuel mileage


http://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/colorado/2016/road-test/