What was the factory published fuel mileage for a 3.5 coupe? It seems that everyone and their dogs can get better fuel mileage than me, but I want to know what the factory says.

My 2.8 gets 13, maybe 15 just hiway, and my 3.5 struggles to break 12mpg, usually getting 11mpg mixed driving. When I complain my mechanic always put the cars on the exhaust sniffer and tells me the mix is good. I'm also pretty gentle with the gas pedal.

I read somewhere that the 3.5 fuel consumption was 18 liter per 100km which i calculated to be 13mpg and that the M130 was about the same but I'm not sure if it was factory data. When the europeans publish this figure is it at a steady cruise or is it city condition?

My 3.5 is my daily driver and the premium fillups really add up now that gas prices are so high so I want to know if there is something I can do.

Perry

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1970 280SE Cab
1983 300D Euro 4-speed
past MB's:
1971 280SE 3.5 s/r
1981 300D
1985 300TD
1987 300TD

My source 'Mercedes-Benz Production Models 1946-1975'
lists 13 L per 100 km / 18 mpg for the 280SE 3.5 V8.
It states 12.5 L per 100 km/ 18.75 mpg for the 280SE 6 cylinder.
My' 72 250 automatic, with '70 M130 2.8 six, gets around 14 - 16 mpg city and 17 - 20 highway. Closer to the higher figures with the carbs set as lean as possible and spark timing advanced to just short of pinging on premium gas.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

I just did calulation on milage. If odometer and gas pump are showing correctly that's what I have: 15 mpg city and 16.8 mpg freeway. I thought it would do better on the freeway. The speed was 75 - 80 miles/hour with 4000 RPM.

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280se 3.5 coupe DB172 anthracite grey
2006 Toyota Avalon Limited
1999 Ford Explorer Limited
Looking for early '60s Vespa 150

I'd be very pleased with that mileage if I were you.

My owner's manual for the 4.5 says:

"Average fuel consumption
(m. p. US/Imp. gal.).......... 17/20-11/13
(14-22 | /100km) -> liters per 100k?

Fuel consumption
(m. p. US/Imp. gal.).......... 16/19
(15 | /100 km)

measured at a speed of........ 68 mph
(110 km/h)"

With the footnote "Consumption was measured at a steady speed on even road with two people in the vehicle."

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Current:
2021 Charger Scat Pack Widebody "Sinabee"
2018 Durango R/T

Previous:
1972 280SE 4.5
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited "Hefe", 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo "Jeepy", 2006 Charger R/T "Hemi"
1999 Chrysler 300M - RIP @ 221k