Only recently have I begun to review the mileage in our SD and will soon track the TD. Reason being, I am doing repairs and maintenance and want to understand what repair or maintenance item did what.

I add 5 gallons at 1/4 of a tank and then track the 5 gallons until it is dead center with the 1/4 mark. I am doing that to gather more data points, more quickly.

With mostly rural road highway driving with speeds at 60 to 65 it is getting between 28 to 30, depending on the overall length of trip. I notice my greatest fuel consumption getting started in the morning or in the smaller trips with shutdowns and re-starts.

The window sticker (I have it) had an EPA of 27. Amazing how accurate it is.

If you take the weight..near 4000lbs and compare it to a Lexus of the 400 series which is similar in weight, you will find that the MB will get at least 5 mpg better. That is comparing it against one of the most technologically advanced cars made. I realize that isn't the best comparison as it can be argued the Lexus was/is a higher performance car. If you want to step into the pedal of a Lexus to experience that performance, you will pay for it at the pump a lot more than 5mpg difference if your careful.

It isn't reasonable to compare the MB diesel mileage to a Toyota Camry nor compare it to a Bentley. However if we want to talk mileage... I had a 70ish VESPA and .......

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1980 300TD-T (82 Turbo and Trans) 159,000 Miles "Jackie-O"
1983 300SD 272,000 Miles "Aristotle"
1987 Jeep Wagoneer Limited - keeps the MB's off the ice and out of the snow
1994 BMW 530it