hi, i just wanted to see what others are gettin for average miles per gallon, i have a 1986 EURO model 500SEL which has the newer fuel injection control system, being a 500SEL, most think it to have the frequency valve, this one has all the same features as a 560SEL, with an eha. i drive 190 miles round trip to and from work, and i have averaged19mpg, this is with the A/C on, and driving 75-80mph.
the way i figured this was by filling the tank, driving to and from work, filling the tank again, then dividing the ten gallons it took to refill the tank into the miles driven, 190. i have never needed to figure this, so i would like any input. thanks

The window sticker for mine suggests 14 city, 17 highway, is to be expected,I got 18.5 highway ('91 560SEC, Calif. emissions car), so if you achieved 19 mpg at 70 mph with AC on, you are doing fine.

By running a Euro-spec 500SEL you are probably achieving or bettering the performance of a California spec. 560SEL

I own a 560 SEC. It's been a California car all its life, delivered new at Calstar Motors MB in Glendale, and seldom been outside of California the last 10 years except on vacation to Portland and Las Vegas a few times

I've always used Chevron Supreme,exclusively, in the belief that the Techron additive in that fuel helped keep the injectors cleaned, at 114k I replaced them, did the timing chain at 100k, car has 118k and with clean plugs and Beru plug wires it never has had any drivability problems...

It runs especially well in the 90-125 mph envelope, and it once touched 148mph (on I-5) though in these out of joint times, it's difficult to do so without putting your license in jeopardy

To put things into perspective, it should be remembered that when new, according to the window sticker, it cost $84,500, for a 1991 560SEC, and that included the $1300 gas guzzler tax, so that people who could afford to buy these cars when new were not particularly concerned with the costs of fueling them.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

Hmm,
I get approx 9 MPG in my Euro 500 running propane! I do give regular italian tune ups though, and am rarely out on the highway.
I really should start relaxing my right foot more.

Ben

Edit:

I should mention that the timing chain is new, the ignition timing is spot on, and my CO level is set to as per the cam cover sticker and the AC is on.

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Ben

'85 500 SEL
'85 928S2
'88 560 SEC
'90 750i

very very few people in the US have 2nd generation 500's (nearly all are 1985's and older). I saw only two, including yours. Performance between a US 560 and Euro 500 should be about the same(in terms of hp) but I think torque is greater in the US 560. I will have to double check on that though.

500's burn slightly less fuel than 560's, so your numbers sound very normal.

I need to check what my current mileage is.. but its not good as I do 95% city driving (to work and back). When I took it to Niagara Falls and Vermont last year, I averaged I believe just over 18 mpg on the highway. This with 3 adults, 3 suitcases and some misc stuff.

By propane, do you mean LPG? I know that when running on LPG, cars use more volume of it than opposed to gasoline... but your number sounds awfully low. Is it adjusted well?

Yes, I mean LPG. I've never purely run on petrol (gas) So i dont know what the figures are for that.
Its adjusted fine as far as I can tell... One of the reasons why I bought an exhaust gas analyser was to set it up!

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Ben

'85 500 SEL
'85 928S2
'88 560 SEC
'90 750i

I have a 380SE, which is the same body style, but is slightly shorter and has the 3.8L. I get about 19-21 mpg in town. I would imagine that a 500SEL of the same year should get around 15-17 mpg in town.

It is IMPOSSIBLE to make 9 MPL on MB 560 or even 500!!!!!!!!!
That means arround 300KM per 20L it means that if u filled the car u can drive 1350KM (839Miles). What is this, Japanise care with 2 CYL?!!!

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Master Computer Engineer, A+, Network+, MCP/MCSA/MCSE 4/2k/2k3 - Messaging, MCTS, MCITP, MCT, Brainbench, ICDL and starting Ph.D

380SE 1984 <------- Totaled by flipping accident
300SE 1988 <------- Sold
Volvo S70 2000 <---- 4 family
Opel Omega 2002 <-- 4 family
560SEC 1989 <------ Sold
560SEL 1990 <------ Sold
560SEL 1991 <------ 4 my mother
560SEL 1989 <------ Sold
600SEL 1992 <------ Current

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZkhazenzcc

Sorry, I'm talking MPG not MPL, Here in the UK we still use MPG rather than the rest of europe using L/100km
On a 90L propane (LPG) tank with 85-90% fill, I get around 180 miles. On the highway i've had 250 miles out of it.

Ben

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Ben

'85 500 SEL
'85 928S2
'88 560 SEC
'90 750i

My W126 was not a 500 or 560, but the 420SEL. For comparison, though, consider that in Denver (higher altitude), I got 19 mpg on a regular basis, driving about 1100 miles a month, with a good deal of city mixed in. I suspect it ran leaner, plus I drove more highway (approx. 70 mph) than I do now.

When I came back down to The Swamp, the mileage dropped to 17.5. More city driving, 850 miles a month, with more stop lights.

I'd say you're doing great.
.

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* *
-- Paul W. (The Benzadmiral)
('03 Buick Park Avenue, charcoal/cream)
Formerly:
'97 C230, smoke silver/parchment; '86 420SEL, anthracite/light grey; '84 280CE (W123), dark blue/palomino

Just thought I would add my figures on this thread too. I have an 84 500 SEC. The V8 is still running smooth on it's origonal internal parts. With the exception of the timing chain and rails. I get a consistant 14.5 mpg on the freeway. And around town that drops to 12. Not bad for 231,000 miles and counting!!
Currently I am using 15/50 Mobil 1 senthetic. And at each fillup (Chevron Supreme) I put in a bottle of Marvel mistery oil.

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Selling used Mercedes parts on Ebay...always changing...
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My S320 gets 23.9mpg in mixed driving. My SD gets much better but I have not measured it lately usually between 26 and 28. Ok Ok not V8's but I just wanted you V8 guys to see what you "could be" getting.

that is good information, i appreciate you sharing your figures. one thing i did forget to mention is the 500 sel, while it is a euro model, it was actually delivered in israel, and i found out while doing the cylinder head rebuild that it has the lower compression engine. the engine was designed for countries with poor quality fuel. so i can run the low octane chevron, and the engine still performs well.

NEAT! I wish I could run anything less than premium in my S320. But the good thing is fuel prices are coming down. I have quite a commute and bought the S320 because of comfort and fuel economy. While I like to save money there's no way in hell I would commute in a tiny "econobox".

24.7 mpg in my cummins 1 ton dodge dually .
The 380SE euro gets around 20-21mpg.
VW caddy has done an average of 48.