Excerpts from internet.listserv.vanagon: 31-Mar-95 DIESEL VANAGON
QUESTIONS by Susan & James Kramer@igs 
> 1) How long does the engine last, or better phrased, how much shorter is
> the life expectancy than in a Rabbit?

130K miles on my vanagon (had a fresh head installed at 125K miles)

> 2) After the 5 minute acceleration lead-up, at what speed can the Diesel
> Vanagon cruise comfortably on level highway?

Mine has seen 69 mph (downhill -tailwind -drafting a truck -fresh hamsters)
but seems most comfortable around 55~60 mph

> 3) What are people's actual experiences with mileage around town and on the
> highway?

Currently gettting ~23 to 25 but either injectors are worn or pump is
set too rich.  I hope to pick up fresher injectors soon, then twiddle
with the pump.

> Any feedback about pros and cons particular to Diesel Westfalias would be
> appreciated.

Pittsburgh is not the place to own a diesel vanagon. Too many hills.
I'm almost constantly winding it against the governer trying to maintina
with traffic.   Probably a whole lot sweeter somewhere where it's level,
like Fla.

--

Buz...                          
Rob Armitage     Carnegie Mellon University   
buz+@cmu.edu   or:  ra1d@andrew.cmu.edu or:
.....!{ucbvax,harvard}!andrew.cmu.edu!ra1d+
"Diplomacy:  The art of saying NICE DOGGY until you can find a rock."