Hi,

I want to buy, here in Germany, a 2001 Silverado 2500 HD D'max with
all options. ( Leather, 4x4, all power packages) . It's ext.cab short box
in blue met and the odometer says 100.618 miles.
This Duramax has had 2 owners in Meridian and Maben, Mississipi .
How is the weather in MS ?

My question: if I buy this car, what I have to do for specials,
that this engine has a long life. I've heard about special filters and oil... etc.

Which powertuning for this LB7 is the best ?


Regards from Germany
Oliver

*Sorry, for my bad english* :D

Well from my experience, the only problem I see if you buy an american vehicle is that they are not built for continuous speeds on the autobaun, like a Mercedes or BMW. If you are planning on going 200km an hour then this is not the vehicle for you. But if you are planning on using it like a truck on a farm or similar use, then it should work out fine for you. Another thing to consider is maintenance, I am sure there are plenty of diesel techs over there but this an american made diesel and getting a part for a duramax may require extra time. Just a few things to consider. Oh and the weather in MS, is hot and humid, with no snow or salt on the roads, Hope this helps. Erich

Thank you Erich.

No, I don't want to drive 200 km ( = 125 miles) fast with this truck.
I want to cruise... max. 85 mph, sometimes towing a 2-horse trailer with 4000 lbs...
and only have fun with a D'max.

But I've heard , that the injectors of the 2001/2002 Duramax are often going broken.
Is it right, that they costs 900 $ per one ???

Thanks,
Oliver

I have a question and please folks please do not take offense. In a previous post it's said that Duramax diesel engine is American made. do they build this engine in more than one manufacturing plant? The label on my diesel says "Made in Mexico" All the other Duramax's I've seen are labeled the same way.

xamarud1...don't take this offense either but the last time i look or i was in collage,mexico is part of north america!!! from Yucatan to alaska!!!is north america.

Yes the injectors are known to fail. GM extended the warranty to 200,000 miles or 7 years for the 2001-2002 trucks. They are expensive but aftermarket units are starting to come down in price. This is really the only major drivetrain problem with these trucks. I would make sure you have the extended warranty.

I have a question and please folks please do not take offense. In a previous post it's said that Duramax diesel engine is American made. do they build this engine in more than one manufacturing plant? The label on my diesel says "Made in Mexico" All the other Duramax's I've seen are labeled the same way.

DMAX ltd has a plant in the united states. Bosch has manufacturing in mexico. My guess is that you are looking at the shiny case on top of the motor that contains the fuel injection electronics? Yes, it says made in mexico on it... :) The rest is made in the u.s.

- jeff

Mr.Turbodiesel-
I'm not sure I know what kind of information you wish to receive regarding 'special' maintenance to ensure the longevity of your truck. Keeping to the regular service intervals for engine, transmission, and fuel system should make these vehicles last well over 200,000 miles. As far as this sort of maintenance is concerned, there are many retailers on the Web from whom you can purchase fuel, engine oil, and spin-on transmission filters in bulk (provided they ship overseas) so that you don't have to worry about trying to buy these items in Germany. The same goes for all your engine and drivetrain lubrication needs; there is a world of conventional and snythetic lubrication products out there for the Duramax-equipped trucks.

I guess if I were you, buying a vehicle from another country and having to pay shipping across the Atlantic, I might try to find one with slightly fewer miles on it -- say, 50,000 or less -- or one might even consider a new vechile with all the discounts the manufacturers are running. This, of course, will increase the cost of the vehicle by a few thousand dollars, but seems like a good investment for this kind of purchase. If you continue searching around for used vehicles and do well in your price negotiations, you should be able to purchase an excab/shotbox LB7 with around 50k miles for well under $26,000. If you don't mind my asking, what is the price of the vehicle you're considering in Mississippi?

I realize that for a new visitor to this site who doesn't necessarily know what questions to ask, the amount of information is pretty overwhelming. However, with a little browsing around in the Maintenance & Do-It-Yourself, Allison OEM, First-generation LB7, and LB7 Electronics forums, you will find the answers to all your questions about maintenance, performance upgrades, and more. For instance, if you went to the LB7 Electronics forum and performed a search for "best programmer," you would find reams of discussion on various members' experiences with performance enhancing electronics.

Thanks to all, and specially "Siphon"

It's all right, here are many information about the duramax...negativ and positiv.
I think, in the next time..I want to learn here at the different forums.

Can I get the 200.000 miles warranty for a D'max, which was built in USA, here in germany ?
Does someone knows about this ?

This D'max from Mississipi is standing in germany: www.leospickup.de
It's the one for 29850 € (Euro) = 35820 $ Dollar...and that's a good price in germany,
because there a only 15-20 Duramax for sale...yes 15-20....in whole germany :-))))

The problem of importing an D'max from USA is, that it is very expensive.
First you have to go to US to find a good one in USA, you are total allone in USA, the
next problem is the tranport ( the costs) to Germany with all papers etc. Then, in Germany, you have to pay 22% Import-taxes +16% taxes + the costs of modification,
to allow driving in germany .

So you see, it is not so easy to get an Duramax...:-)

I think, in USA it is normal for a truck-driver, that he makes 25000 miles per year...or ?

Thanks, Oliver

MrTurbodiesel, to me $35k for a used truck is still high with 100k miles I know it probably has to do with supply and demand but, if you do the math even with import taxes, you could have bought a new 05 with all of the goodies that sticker for around $47-48k and could have got for it for around $37k then added back the import taxes and any modification cost and still would have been in good shape. It was just a thought. If you do get the truck, I would't worry about doing any engine modifications, just look at the maintenance records make sure the previous owners had done normal mantenance, and things should be fine, keep that up and you should have a fine truck for another 100k. Take care Erich

Thanks Erich,

first I have to go to USA, maybe Texas. I don't know anyone there. Now I have
to find a right one in maybe 2 weeks. Then I have to find a carrier. After this, 6 weeks,
the truck comes per ship to germany. And now the works begins with taxes, paperwork
and modification...that's a long way.

Sure, it is better to buy a 2005 model than a 2001. :-) but....
37000 $ = 30833 € Euro
30833 + 22% +16 % = 43635 + 1000 € modification = 44635 € !!!
That's 14000 over my budget :-)

cu Oliver

You can also run the VIN# here to see the repair history. Just a thought.

@Black Max

I have ask for....now I am waitung for an answer.


Regards, Oliver

Informieren Sie uns, was Sie entscheiden

@Maxium4x4

Gutes Deutsch :-)

Yes, sure, I will inform this forum, if I've bought a Duramax....

Your English is better than my German.

Is the import tax to Germany lower on a used vehicle or the same if you purchased new in the USA? I know used vehicles are taxed lower sent to Austraila. Just a thought you might consider.

Just to let you know, the Duramax Limited plant is in Moraine, Ohio and the engine is manufactured there. From what I understand Duramax Limited is considering another plant to boost production.

Dan

@Maxium4x4

Thanks. I don't know the difference for taxes between new and used. I think it's
the same. First 22% and then 16%...

Mr.Turbodiesel-
Wow, I hadn't realized that the import taxes were so high. :eek: If one were to calculate backward from the asking price in Germany (converted to US -- $35820), take off 38% for the taxes, then another $4000 for transporting it (this is only a guess, it may be more), and $1000 for modifications, this would come out to a price of just over $17000 in the US. This is very reasonable for a truck with 100,000 miles; you would be unlikely to find a better price if you flew to the US looking for one. As an aside, I should say that if ever you were seriously considering coming to the US to buy a Duramax, you would not be "alone." I'm certain you could find members of this forum who would be happy to show you around and help in any way they could -- this is a good bunch of people, here.

So, back to the topic, my advice would be: 1. Wait for your VIN check request to come in and see what it says about the service history, 2. Examine the seller's service and maintenance records and be sure they meet with your approval (if you have questions, post them here), 3. See if you can resolve the warranty question to your satisfaction, and 4. If possible, have a good mechanic there in Germany perform a thorough inspection of the vehicle. #4 is farily common practice in the US, and while undoubtedly few mechanics in Germany will be familiar with the Duramax, I'm sure you have plenty of qualified diesel technicians over there who will know the basics of what to look for. If you like, I could also send you an e-mail or PM with my 'checklist' of things to look for on a used pickup truck & Duramaxes in particular. Regarding the extended powertrain warranty (e.g., fuel injectors) and being able to have it serviced in Germany, perhaps the first thing you should do is contact General Motors. I doubt that anyone in their US customer service or warranty departments would have any idea what to tell you, so the place I'd contact would be a dealership in your part of the world. I'm sure you know where to find one, but if not, you can locate one using the following link from GM's web site:

http://www.europe-chevrolet.com/english/start/frameset/en_de_frame.htm

I cannot remember all the details of the 200,000 mile warranty. I believe all the 2001-2002 model years were granted the 200,000 mile warranty on fuel injectors ONLY. The warranty on all other powertrain components would have expired at 100,000 miles. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will answer this for you, but if not, you can perform a search in this forum (LB7) for "injector warranty" and likely find the answer.

@Siphon

Yes, it's very expensive in germany, to drive a used pickup from USA.
It's cheaper to drive a japanese pickup......iiiiiiihhh. :-))) Never !!!

I thank you for your good information. Next I will contact GM Europe and
wait for VIN-check.

To buy a D'max in USA with the help of someone of the forum is a good alternative.
I will sleep about this..:-)

In germany there a few us-car mechanics, who knows a little bit about
the Duramax. I think, that's the smallest problem.

Thank you,
Oliver

Good luck on any purchase you make.
I have not driven overseas but I have heard that the fuel is alot better over there than in the US. So this may help in the longevity of the injector issues.
There are not many Allison mechanics in Alaska (dealers and an Allison dealer), so I would think there are even less in Germany. The same can also be said for the Duramax. Not to many mechanics here want to even touch the Allison becuase they do not know anything about it since it is so new.
The injector problem is also seen in Fords and Dodge as well so it is more of a secondary manufacture issue than a Duramax issue. The fuel system is a major part of the Duramax but dont let the "Injector Factor" scare you away.
Contact a dealer in the US and ask them about a purchase of a new or even used Duramax and see if they would take care of the transprotation of the vehicle for you if you buy it from them. Dave Smith is a large dealership and I am sure they deal with overseas sales.
A coment was made about long travels on the Autoban (don't know if I spelled that correctly). And there are plenty of owners that drive there Dmax over 3000 miles in a singel trip pulling a large load and have not had any problems. Yeah they are not doing the average 125 mph, but you are also 3000 lbs heavier so I am sure when the faster cars come up to you they will stay clear. You should be able to hold 65-75 mph no problem for long trips with a large load. I would not recomend faster than that pulling large loads.

MrTurboDiesel,

Your english is better than mein Deutsch. So, I will not embarass myself.

Does anyone see the irony of this thread?

A German is asking Americans about whether to buy a DIESEL powered truck with German designed injection system. :)

I think that even if you buy the truck, you will be fine. Your fuel quality is much better than what we have here in America. In fact, that is the apparent cause of why the injectors are failing in the Dmax. Bosch designed and tested the Duramax Injection system using German fuels and standards. I think your injectors will last much longer than our's will.

In addition, if your injection system breaks, it should be easy to find a good DIESEL mechanic in Germany. The only thing you would have to wait on is the parts to come from America.

Gutentag

@akdiesel
The word is "Autobahn" , nearly perfect of you. :-))
That can be, that the diesel-fuel in germany is better, because here, every
second car is a "Diesel". We have many Audi, VW, BMW, Mercedes...TDI, CDI, etc..
But with a D'max your are a "lonesome king" in germany....:-)..but very happy.
75 mph cruising is ok for me. I think at that speed the mpg is really economy.
To buy directly in USA is a alternative. I will think about it.

@DavesDmax
Yes, it's funny. I am from the country of diesel-cars and I'm asking you about a diesel-truck. But...it's a D'max. I think, in germany are only 30- 50 D'max drivers....:-))
I have contacted 3 of them and they are very happy. But before I buy a D'max,
I will inform me at daily user of this trucks...and these guys are living in USA. :-))
And so I says many thanks to all here....it's a great side.
Nice weekend,
Oliver

@Siphon

It would be great, if you sent me a pm about the points I have

to look for, before testing and buying a D'max at dealer here in germany.


Thank you.

Nice weekend

Oliver

MrTurboDiesel,

I just got back from a 7 month stay in your country. You might try looking around by the U.S. military bases for a Duramax truck for sale. I only seen a few on some of the bases I was on, but someone may be looking to make a quick sale before heading back to the USA.