How much mpg does a 300sdl give, really?
 

Someone has an ad up on Craigslist. He says he gets 26 city/38 hwy. I don't know how a heavier 6 cylinder (they are 6, aren't they?) 300sdl can get more mpg than my 300d 5 cylinder with turbo.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/car/720461942.html

What are you guys getting in REAL mpg city/hwy? I figured they'd give about 28 on the hwy.

jeff

They are two completely different generations of engines. The 6-cylinder used in that car is much more efficient than the one your 300D.

The OM603 6=cyl engine engine uses a cross ventilated air intake for less restriction and has different cylinder rings so they use less oil (and less blowby). There is also the better aerodynamics on the 124 chassis but even the big 126 chassis with greater frontal area is an improvement over the 123 brick shaped body.
I dispute the claim that the SDL will give 38 MPG however, thats stretching things a bit unless its measured downhill with a tail wind. 26/28 MPG is more like it. maybe the seller meant 26/28 but then again there's always the sales factor (to sell it, tell them what they want to hear!)
If you want good diesel fuel economy get a 190D with a 5 speed transmission! That combo is going to get you closer to 38 MPG maybe more :)

The '86 gets 28-29 like a clock. Runs 90% highway. Speeds are 65-70 typically. Cannot get 30 mpg unless speed is kept below 65 and a/c is not used.

i consistently get 28-29.5 with mixed driving no A/C and a mere 418000 miles on the ole gurl

some guy on my CL is claiming his 190D 2.2 gets 45 mpg.. city.. But he wants 700 for it and its in good shape...

and it sold already :(

Mileage claims with these old cars are like fishing stories, don't beleive everything you hear and read.:D

Figure low 20's around town, high 20's on the open road, maybe breaking 30 on good days if you drive slow without the AC.

What, Would Stalin do?
 

'Have Beria strangle or shoot them.

$700.00 U.S. for a nice running 2.2 190D ain't bad... (Rust?)
(I've heard of 5sp models getting close to 40mpg on the highway,at reasonable
speeds)

In two years of ownership, all types of driving, all types of lead-footing or non-lead-footing, I've never seen lower than 21 or higher than 26.5 in mine.

In my four months of owing a 1986 SDL with at least 290K miles. I have averaged 27.6mpg in mixed highway and city traffic. My best tank was 36mpg on straight highway running at 65mph. My worst was 24.something

I average 27+ doing 75mph up I 81 and I 78.

So far I have put 10,000 miles on it runnign between West Virgina and NY so I think my averages are pretty accurate.

When I had one,with mixed driving I saw 22 mpg to 25mpg.
On my 1993 300SD 3.5 liter nothing better than 24mpg.

I just got back from my first road trip in my 86 and averaged 25.9 running B100 with 80% highway at 75 cruise and A/C. Considering that B100 is usually about 10% less mileage, that would make it 28 or so.

Wow. 418k! That's a few hours on it. Imagine how many rotations the crank has made in that time.


So, at almost half a million miles, and being a Mercedes, it must be due for it's first tune-up then.
Does it still get 60mpg? :D

In town 24-26 mpg. On the highway at 70-75 mph 27 mpg. Keep her at 65 mph and I have seen 28-29mpg with the A/C on.
This is a 86 sdl with 110,000 miles.

Commute 54 miles each way and mileage is dead on 28mpg.

I use my bike 2 to 3 days a week and she gives me 48mpg and is alot more fun and a whole lot faster.