Gas prices are rising too fast, too quickly, with no hint of going back down anytime soon. Is diesel cheaper? Does the diesel engine get better mileage?

First I see this is your first post. Welcome to mercedesshop, if you like to learn about Mercedes, you have definetly come to the right place. As far as fuel prices go. You're right gasoline prices are going up, and I would imagine diesel may follow. For gas, it's a seasonal thing. With more people gearing up to travel in their cars because of the nicer weather, the gas stations start to jack up the prices. Diesels do get better fuel economy. My car is 21 years old, weights a little over 4,000 lbs and I am averaging 25-27 mpg, and that's in combination driving.
Diesel used to be really cheap compared to gasoline, but in recent years that has changed. Around here in NJ, at most places diesel is priced somewhere between regular unleaded and premium. At my last fill up I paid $1.35 a gal and at the same station, supper unleaded was $1.47. Another thing that makes diesels cheaper is there are no sparkplugs, sparkplug wires, dist. cap, or rotor to change. Basicly all a diesel needs is clean diesel, clean filters, a strong battery and periodic valve adjustments(every 15K). Now don't let the words valve adjustment scare you, did you know that all Hondas/Acuras require valve adjustments too. Actually to own a diesel, the operating cost would be LESS than a run of the mill Honda. Are you looking into buying a MB diesel?

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1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member

Yes! I am thinking about a diesel, especially after hearing the gas mileage per gallon!! I've heard about an older MB a neighbor has for sale and I am going to give it some serious looking into. Any tips on inspecting a diesel engine?

What model diesel is your neighbor selling? I notice under your name you list 1971 250. I don't recall a 250 diesel.

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1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member

Rick,
Those are amazing prices. Today, near Denver, I paid $1.729
for premium gasoline at Costco. Elsewhere, the price was up to $1.86.
I run premium from Costco and mid-grade everywhere
else. When you burn as much as I do, you look to save every
penny. (Not really, but nearly.) I am looking for a diesel too.
I had no idea that the 300 series was that good on fuel. I
was actually considering a 190D from the early 80's. Our
family needs a good economical car to go along with the 560SEL.
Not that our gas car is bad at nearly 19mpg, but it will cost
a lot if prices go way up. At today's prices, the 190D 2.2 is
within reach, but maybe I will consider a car like yours, Rick.
You certainly have better looks and safety going for your model.
Vaughn.

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VR
1967 250SL

My view is that diesels are great as long as the engine is not too small, the lack of power can actually be dangerous if it takes you too long to accelerate

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1996 E320
2000 C230 Kompressor
1988 190e 2.3 - 225K miles, owned for 7 years. I cannot say enough good things about this car. Very well built, even at 225 it ran like new.

it would be the E320. Although one of the testing magazines rated the 240D the best way back when I feel the 300D turbo is the best. I average 25 mph city/hwy combined. I have not run a tank through it since replacing the timing chain and bringing the tire pressure up from 27. The only thing I would change would be to have a manual tranny in it. I have noticed that over the past 6 months the number of 240D's in listed for sale in the Atlanta paper have dropped ALOT.
Jim
'85 300D
'95 E320
'97 CRV

Gas prices in the Netherlands are high as well, but besides the prices of gas or diesel, I would sell both of my convertibles before selling my diesel.
I like the way a MB diesel runs and brings you around the world. MB diesels are great!

I used to drive a 1985 190D (600.000km when I sold it).
I am currently driving a 1993 C250D (371.000km and gaining 1.500km per week).

greetingz,

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1990 300SL-24
1993 C250D with a minor 600+k kilometer
www.MBenzNL.com(the Netherlands)

I'll add a welcome to the new member. The question about how to inspect a diesel has a few answers.

One, you can ask that a prospective seller agree to have an independent shop do a pre-sale inspection. This can be a Mercedes dealer, or an independent shop. This method will work for older, less expensive models.

We bought our 1996 E300 Diesel from the MB dealership. The car carries a StarMark warranty, which is MBs used car warranty. They had done the inspections and replaced questionable components and certified the rest of the vehicle. That goes a long way for piece of mind, but StarMark is only available through MB dealers and only on vehicles under a certain age and miles.

My late, great 1985 diesel I simply drove, listened, and took a chance. It had a few flaws but as a 16 year old car with 225,000 miles on it was well worth the money I paid. Then it was killed in action before I had a chance to do much.

The 1996 diesel gets around 30 mpg. Right now diesel is $1.48, while Regular is $1.78.

The diesel doesn't accelerate as quickly as the Suburban, or the Audi, but it will keep up with most traffic quite well. Freeway merges mean a bit of planning and running up to speed as soon as we can, even if we have to slow up a bit, but it's quite comfortable. The 1985 E300SD turbodiesel was also OK in this department.

I hear the 240D, non-turbo, is less comfortable. It depends on how comfortable YOU feel with a slower car. I've driven some gasoline engine underpowered 'economy' cars in my time that were also really slow.

Anyway, welcome and stay tuned to this forum. Let us know how your search goes and don't be afraid to ask questions.

BCingU, Jim

I test drove a 240D and was shocked by the lack of power. A 300D with 5 cylinder turbo was much better. I hear that the 2.5 turbo is quite good and that the 2.2 in the 190D is very low power. Likely better than the 240D due to the lighter weight. I would like to get a 190D with 2.5 turbo. I am looking for one to test drive.

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VR
1967 250SL

The 300D 2.5 Turbo is no race car, but it is certainly quick. I have no problems climbing a 6% grade mountain pass at 75 mph in fourth gear, although the engine will sometimes get a little warm. I probably need to install a new thermostat and flush my cooling system.

If you stomp on the pedal around a corner it will spin the tires going into second gear.

I average about 27 mpg, with mixed city and highway driving. I accelerate and brake gently, but I have a tendancy to cruise at 80+ mph on the highway. My speed habits probably cost me in the fuel mileage.

Hey Vaughn, I just noticed that you are located in Parker. I live up in Broomfield. Perhaps we should get together sometime in the future for a drive and maybe coffee or something. I'm pretty busy in the near future, but maybe eventually we should do it.

Cheers,

[Edited by Ben300SD on 04-23-2001 at 03:10 PM]

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Ben

The MBs:
1976 300D (W115) - 330K and still going (sort of)
1991 300D 2.5 Turbo - Sold at 221K
1983 280SEL - Sold at 206K
1981 300SD - Sold at 232K

Hey Debbie, welcome!

As the owner of both a gas and diesel MBZ, I can tell you they are quite different. It takes a couple of minutes to adjust driving styles(pedal pressure) when switching between the two.
My diesel was the long distance commuter vehicle and it's hard to beat for freeway cruising. The price of diesel in LA is about the price of regular unleaded so that's kind of a wash. The main issue with diesel is availability where I live and that may not be a problem for you.
I love my 300D, but I would only drive the turbo. It adds loads to the driving pleasure of the diesel but doesn't make it race-worthy . I'm not sure I would recommend my car for day to day street driving for a lady since it can feel quite heavy. But one thing is for sure, this car is made to withstand accidents and you would be safer by simply surviving an accident with a less dense vehicle!

To check out this car, there's no subsitute for a mechanic performing tests, compression etc. Looking for subtle signs the car has been cared for is important. Examples are the condition of the foot pedals, rubber seals around the doors, missing knobs etc. Basically you're looking for pride of ownership.
Best wishes, let us know what you decide!

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Ed "Don't Benz's just feel better..."

Current wives...
2000 ML430 Skyview "The Mel"
2000 CLK430 Cab "The Cab"
85 300D Turbo "The Diesel"

Past wives...
92 300E
85 190E

"One should as a rule respect public opinion in so far as is necessary to
avoid starvation and to keep out of prison, but anything that goes beyond
this is voluntary submission to an unnecessary tyranny, and is likely to
interfere with happiness in all kinds of ways."
Bertrand Russell

My 300D turbo may be on the slower side when accelerating, but in no way does it pose a safety risk. Once up on a highway the revs creep up high enough for the turbo to make a difference. It has plenty of power above 30 mph.

Diesels rule on the highway. How else can a 4000 pound car get 25-30 mpg?

Oh another thing, with a diesel you can smoke tailgaters. You just floor it for 5 seconds. With a little luck out comes some half burned fuel. Suck on my soot pushy driver.

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JSR

1983 300D Turbo
1995 E320 Wagon
2001 MR2 Spyder
2001 Subura WRX Sedan

I have noticed that I don't get tailgaters when I am driving my diesel. Even at stop lights, people tend to hang back a bit, so you're never being "pushed" to go faster. On the note of acceleration. My neighbors own a 1991 Audi 100 5cyl, and recently my wife and my neighbors wife went for a drive in our Benz. My wife let her drive it. She said she could not believe how quickly the car got up to 60 mph, considering it's size and that it is a diesel. She said it seemed to go faster than their Audi. When you lean into the accelerator and that turbo spools up, you know it. Not that it's neck snapping, but if you're not expecting it, it sneaks up on you.

__________________
1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member

Although I admit to shutting off the air conditioner for freeway onramps while I lived in LA, the 2.2L was powerful enough for me in the '84 190D. However, if I had the auto trans, like my cousin, I would be suicidal withing two weeks!!! I find acceleration just fine with the 5-speed, and the mileage is consistently 33 - 41 mpg, depending on the type of driving I do. I had almost 300K miles on it before I decided to have engine and clutch work done on it, and maintenance was a breeze, . . . just change the oil, filter and two fuel filters. Occasionally, when I had to go to a MB mechanic, I would have them adjust the valves and check the timing chain. I got great service out of my little car before someone creamed it while it was parked!!! As far as safety, the trunk collapsed to under the rear windshield, but no damage to passanger area, and the windshield is still intact.!!! I'd like to know if there is any relationship to the early 190D of the late 60s and early 70's to my '84 engine.

What kind of mileage does the 2.5L 190 get? Can someone give me info on that?