Gas mileage on w126
 

I am thinking of buying a 126 as my daily driver and would like to know what real life fuel mileage I might expect. My daily round trip commute is about 120 miles so I need comfort but don't want 15 to 18 mpg, but 22 to 25 would be OK. I know this rules out a 560SEL and proububly a 420SE/SEL. I am guessing that a 300SE or better yet a 300SD would meet my needs but what mileage could I expect from a 380SE. I see alot of low mileage well maintained 380SE/SEL's for sale at good prices but have no idea what to expext as gas mileage. I know the mechanical differences between each model such as early 380's with single row timing chain.

Any advice or MPG info would be greatly appreciated... Thanks

your best bet for creature comforts, fuel mileage, and reliability is probably the 300SDL (NOT!! the 350sdl, it has major engine problems), i dont own one personally, but everyone i talk to that has them says they easily get 28 or so on the highway. I hear they are decently quick too, especially on the interstate. Hopefully someone who owns one will chime in soon.
R

RG5384 is correct about the 300SDL's mileage. My commute is 60 miles each way and I routinely get high 20's MPG. Plus, the car really doesn't ever lack power once she's moving. The first 20 feet or so is rough, but as soon as the tach hits 2000rpm, it moves quite nicely.

I've got around 270k miles on mine and it runs great.

Good luck in finding a car.

I recently drove my 420SEL from Kentucky to Louisiana and checking the gas mileage it was 21 to 22. You might want to do better for a longer daily drive everyday, but the comfort is sure there. Good luck in whatever you choose.

Keith D

I have a '91 300-SEL with about 95,000 miles. If I drive a consistent 70mph and am not dealing with a head wind, I can get as much as 22mpg, but 20 is more the avg.

Keith mentioned what I would think to be good mileage for a 4.2l V-8. I've read other comments here that mirror Keith's. I wouldn't rule out the 420SEL.

You are correct
 

I get 16-18 mpg with my 560SEL so you are correct to rule it out if you are looking for low 20's

Thanks for all the input. 20+ MPG from a 420SEL sounds pretty impressive. I assume that's all highway driving.

My commute consists of a lot of stop and go. Anyone have any real life MPG experience with a 380SE????

Yes you are correct that is highway driving which is what you originally said you would be doing 120 a day. If not thats alot of stop and go city driving which would not even come close to low 20's.

I do drive 120 miles a day, but in a lot of freeway traffic and that means some stop and go. I currently drive my E320 to work and it will get 23-25MPG. When I drive my 560SL it gets 16 to 17 MPG. Still would like some feedback on a 380SE. Thanks

Anyone out there with a 380 with gas mileage info???

Ask MBZ380se about the mileage he get.
In the 500 I got 21-23 normal and once I got 27 on the interstate. :D

I have a 1990 300SE with 180,00 miles. I drive about 90 miles a day. For rush hour driving on the highway I get 19.5-20.5 MPG. A nice open highway at 75mph without any slowing I get 22-23.5 mpg.
Hope that helps,
byt the way the car is a dog from a dead stop but on the highway it move right along

Dan

Regarding the 380 question.

This reply is not so much about mpg, but a word of caution.

I may stand corrected on the year, but I believe the '84 model was refitted with a double-row timing chain. Earlier models had a single-row timing chain and these were known to fail.

Check thru the archives here to ensure I'm right about the year MB switched to a double-row timing chain. I you find a 380 you like, make sure it's equipped with such.

Yep, during 1984, Mercedes switched to a double-row chain and solved the problem.

I've read that converting to double is a $2500-$3000 proposition,
but the conversion is unnecessary if the owner changes the chain and tensioner every 40,000 miles -- a $300 job.

w126 is right :D Again preventive repairs are always the cheapest way out.