300 SD - the ultimate cruiser - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tenknots · #1 08-23-2004, 10:42 AM

I just returned from a vacation to Maine and New Brunswick in my wife's "new" 1982 300SD. We overloaded the trunk with camping gear for 10 days (nothing bigger than a mosquito could have gotten in) and put two adults and two teens in the car. The car handled the twisted roads of Maine perfectly (though less weight would have been more fun) and we got a low of 25 mpg to a high of 30 (55 mph hwy with the air on 50% ot the time). From Maine to Manhatten, we got approving looks, rode in comfort and arrived fresh. Saw a couple of 123's ( the guy in the blue 240D that passed me at 80 in Vermont looking very relaxed - you rock!) and only one diesel 126.

2500 miles in a car with over 200k. I brought tools, but never needed a thing. What a car!

skaa · #2 08-23-2004, 08:55 PM

Tenknots,
I must agree with you. Last summer, I drove from Southern California to visit friends in Bangor, Maine (and back) in my 1982 300SD. I averaged 31 mpg over the 7800 miles I drove. Filling up with a diesel cetane rating of 45 to 50 in the midwest really made a difference in mileage. I also brought tools and such, but only needed a few wrenches and screwdrivers when my windshield wiper motor died outside Freeport. ('It never rains in Southern California...'). I had a nice, smooth drive, with only a little A/C use, and at times, the car felt no different after 10 hours of driving than it did after one hour. It had 325k miles on it when I started. This car's a 'keeper'.
SteveKaa
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1982 300SD 337k miles

artpb · #3 08-23-2004, 09:20 PM

Yup - Drove from Buffalo NY to Starfest in Mansfield Ohio then returned to Buffalo and went on to MA, ME, NH, and RI. Abt 1800 highway and 700 local miles driven. Air on and off as necessary. A whopping 29mpg average. Oh, in my 1983 300SD of course.