Real-World fuel mileage - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

t walgamuth · #16 04-28-2013, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KAdams4458

I refrain from posting mileage results generally, as I seem to pull down mileage results that might result in me being tarred and feathered by the community. That said, the '83 turbo drivetrain in my '77 300D prior to my 4-speed conversion was accomplishing 29 MPG consistently with about 25/75 city/highway. Odometer verified with GPS.

I figured I would just keep my mouth shut and enjoy it. I am hoping that the 4-speed conversion will bump up the fuel mileage a little.

If you will excuse me, I need to go spray myself with WD-40, so that the tar and feathers won't adhere as well.

When we converted my 82 300CD to stick the mileage jumped 3 to 4 MPG.

Skippy · #17 04-28-2013, 07:49 AM

When I converted my 300D to stick I picked up about 3 mpg doing the same type of driving. I had been staying around 25, then I got more like 28. Last couple tanks have been more like 24, but I have a dragging caliper issue that I haven't solved yet, along with more city driving. I managed almost 31 on a tank once. Worst ever was 22, running very high speeds on U.S. 50 in rural Nevada. My 240D got as bad as 17, as good as 28, and generally around 22-23.

My bike has never done worse than 41 and tends around 51-52 except in cold weather. I think I could get 60+ in warm weather if I quit riding like a squid.

layback40 · #18 04-28-2013, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

IN general about mpg here:
Call me skeptical, or trying to keep it real, but after 5+ years here, I routinely read claims of 41 to 44 mpg @ 65 mph with my identical '99 E300TD diesel car auto here on DD. It is a physical impossibility to get 44 mpg out of a car that will not get out of the LOW 30s, unless it is covering those miles being pushed or towed with it's engine off. I get my hip waders out when I read mpg claims that a like car will physically return beyond 32 mpg under any real world conditions. If my car and an exact like car were to be able to return ANY better mpg @ 60 to 70 mph than 32 mpg, ithey would have already done so in 14-years, AND 130K miles since buying it new.

Joe,
Its good to see a little honesty in a fuel consumption thread.
Normally its a case of "Lies, Dam Lies & fuel consumption figures"
I used to think that some were quoting figures for imperial gallons, not US gallons. I have been assured that is not the case.

At the end of the day, many of these ~ 40mpg figures are just a case of little boys seeing who can go the highest on the urinal.

Figures around 26-34 is about right for a careful driver.

andrewjtx if you slowed up just a little you would see a big improvement. My guess is that you are probably the first off at the lights as well, dont worry, I used to be like that 35 years ago. I soon realized that the slow cars would catch up at the next red light. But dont concern your self, as us old ##### need something to complain about!!

oldsinner111 · #19 04-28-2013, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

When you had 8 quarts of ATF did you add two gallons to your fuel quantity before calculating?

Yes I went and filled up.Anytime I added anything ton the tank that was slippery when mixed with fuel,gave good results for mileage. This new low sulpher from the truckers is causing less mileage.

Mark DiSilvestro · #20 04-28-2013, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1983/300CD

75 MPH on the highway.
Sorry if I don't immediately believe you.

Is anybody else getting even HALF that?

My worst overall diesel mpg was my first, a tired, automatic 240D. 17 city with the AC going, 25 max on the highway. But even that car could manage 75 MPH on the highway!

My two remaining stickshift W123 diesels, an '84 5-speed 300TD and '82 4-speed 240D get about the same mpg - 19-22 city and 28-31 highway
Compared to some of my relatively modern 4-cyl gassers (Altima & Camry), that with their overdrive automatics, manage to get 35 mpg highway, they're not that good. Compared to most of the old Mercedes gassers I've had, which used to get around 13-15 city and 19-22 highway, my diesels are great.
If maxinmum fuel econony was my only concern, I'd be riding a bicycle.

Happy Motoring, Mark

npretnar · #21 04-28-2013, 10:52 AM

The best I've ever gotten is 28 mpg a couple of times. One was last May on a trip to Chicago with a nice southerly breeze helping me along. This past November I got 28 for a four-hundred mile stretch of freeway driving. Otherwise 24-26 hwy, and less in the city, though I don't do enough straight city driving to figure it out.

wildhorsemfg · #22 04-28-2013, 10:52 AM

my 240D . worst figure was 24 , best was 33

mazda pickup , 5 speed , 617 N/A , worst 23 , best 26

around here there is 6 miles of gravel we are on with 25max
and most the hyws are curvy 55 max , and lots of 10% grades

oldsinner111 · #23 04-28-2013, 11:04 AM

I drive under 70 the SD because it gets noisey

Skid Row Joe · #24 04-28-2013, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

IN general about mpg here:
Call me skeptical, or trying to keep it real, but after 5+ years here, I routinely read claims of 41 to 44 mpg @ 65 mph with my identical '99 E300TD diesel car auto here on DD. It is a physical impossibility to get 44 mpg out of a car that will not get out of the LOW 30s, unless it is covering those miles being pushed or towed with it's engine off. I get my hip waders out when I read mpg claims that a like car will physically return beyond 32 mpg under any real world conditions. If my car and an exact like car were to be able to return ANY better mpg @ 60 to 70 mph than 32 mpg, ithey would have already done so in 14-years, AND 130K miles since buying it new.

Quote:

Originally Posted by layback40

Joe,
Its good to see a little honesty in a fuel consumption thread.
Normally its a case of "Lies, Dam Lies & fuel consumption figures"
I used to think that some were quoting figures for imperial gallons, not US gallons. I have been assured that is not the case.

At the end of the day, many of these ~ 40mpg figures are just a case of little boys seeing who can go the highest on the urinal.

Figures around 26-34 is about right for a careful driver.

andrewjtx if you slowed up just a little you would see a big improvement. My guess is that you are probably the first off at the lights as well, dont worry, I used to be like that 35 years ago. I soon realized that the slow cars would catch up at the next red light. But dont concern your self, as us old ##### need something to complain about!!

Ha ha!

The fact of the matter is that all the wild claims re: miles/per/gallon about the mid-'90s to 2005 and newer E-Class MB 6-cylinder turbodiesels returning "41 mpg" OR BETTER @ 80 mph, are not credible. Keep your hip-waders handy, layback40.

I'm afraid the wild and unsubstantiated claims of the E-Class always getting no less than 40 to 44 mpg will continue - on cars that never get out of the mid 30s, if ever, that's quite a feat.

1983/300CD · #25 04-29-2013, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark DiSilvestro

My worst overall diesel mpg was my first, a tired, automatic 240D. 17 city with the AC going, 25 max on the highway. But even that car could manage 75 MPH on the highway!

(Facepalm)

Hahaha!
I guess I was asleep. Thought I was dealing in MPG.
Sorry about that.

andrewjtx · #26 04-29-2013, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by layback40

andrewjtx if you slowed up just a little you would see a big improvement. My guess is that you are probably the first off at the lights as well, dont worry, I used to be like that 35 years ago. I soon realized that the slow cars would catch up at the next red light. But dont concern your self, as us old ##### need something to complain about!!

Austin is agressive driver central. But really, on the new toll roads around here, you get run over at 75mph.

Once off the highway, I try to stay out of the pedal. I piss off a lot of neighbors coming into the 'hood with strictly staying at the 25/30/25mph limits on the three streets to my house. They complain and tailgate until they know I'm the HOA Treasurer and have a direct line to the Sheriff's traffic enforcement officer who patrols our area.

GregMN · #27 04-29-2013, 11:40 AM

1996 W210 E300D
Our trip home from AZ after purchasing it.

Date ----Location ------------Milage --Miles -Gallons --MPG
01/09/13 Payson, AZ ---------66104 ---------6.082
01/10/13 Springerville, AZ ----66245 --141 ---3.704 ---38.1
01/10/13 Socorro, NM --------66399 --154 ---4.361 ---35.3
01/10/13 Santa Rosa, NM ---- 66571 --172 ---4.579 ---37.6
01/11/13 Hooker, OK ---------66819 --248 ---5.437 ---45.6
01/11/13 Pleasant Valley, MO -67261 --442 --11.622 ---38.0
01/12/13 Fort Madison, IA ----67538 --277 ---9.333 ---29.7
01/13/13 Rochester, MN ------67821 --283 ---8.913 ---31.8
01/20/13 Two Harbors, MN ----68319 --498 --15.336 ---32.5
01/30/13 Two Harbors, MN ----68812 --493 --17.513 ---28.2
02/07/13 Two Harbors, MN ----69262 --450 --13.361 ---33.7

03/14/13 Two Harbors, MN ----70910 -1648 --16.986 ---97.0
04/07/13 Two Harbors, MN ----72235 -1325 --14.716 ---90.0

Payson to Santa Rosa: tail wind, hilly/mountains, 2 lane @ 65mph or less
Santa Rosa to Hooker: 40mph tail wind with gusts to 60mph, dodging tumble weeds for 4 hours
Hooker to Pleasant Valley: tail wind
Two Harbors fill-ups: my wife's normal 62 mile daily commute

So... If it ever sell it on e-Bay, it gets 46 mpg; Craig's List, 97 mpg