Hi everyone, Just got a Mercedes - YEAH! :D

My question may be a bit tricky as it is UK related. I have just bought a 1985 230CE and I am worried that it might be affected by the new petrol laws in the UK. Leaded petrol is being phased out here so I need to know if I can run unleaded or I have to do any major work.
There will be additives available to adjust the octane so unleaded will work on any engine, but the general opinion of people I have spoken to is that they will not be much good. Some people have said they might even shorten the engines lifespan.
Hopefully I'll get away with just a timing adjustment?

Engine Number:- 10298022130504
First Registered 22 Feb 1985

Thanks

Hi Tim,
Unleaded fuel shouldn't cause any problems for you. All Mercedes made since the 50s have valve seat inserts that are hard enough to work with unleaded fuel. We haven't had real leaded fuel here in the US for a long time and I haven't seen any of the cars suffer.
Regards,
Randy D.

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W.R.Durrance
ASE Master Tech
Mercedes Tech 19 Years

hi, have a W123 200 and unleaded has been going into it for a few years now. everything still seems fine, i mean at least when it comes to the engine... :)

Hi,

With the recent upgrade from all leaded fuel to a lower octane rating leaded fuel is it save to just use a higher rated unleaded fuel instead of the regular? I have a '69 280sl which is mechanically fuel injected.
Ever since we've lost the leaded fuel, I've had some backfiring problems under acceleration.

Thanks,

Kevin

Thanks Guys!

Picked it up on Saturday - It's *loooooovely*
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D