W123 40 mpg goal : The Most Aerodynamic brick - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JimmyL · #1 05-26-2008, 04:30 PM

You're going about this all the wrong way.
Just buy one off of ebay that already gets 45 mpg. I see them listed all the time.......

t walgamuth · #2 05-26-2008, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H-townbenzoboy

Take out the whole interior, carpets, back seat, center console, just leave the driver's side seat in. While you're at it, take out the dash and the spare tire. Once you end up with this result, ONLY then will you achieve the right weight for 40mpg in a W123.

Weight reduction would help around town but on the highway it will not do anything measurable.

Tom W

#3 05-26-2008, 06:10 PM

Honestly, I think it would take some effort to get to 35 mpg, and I don't thing 40 mpg is feasible with the current engine,

GREASY_BEAST · #4 05-26-2008, 07:42 PM

Aerodynamics is key for good highway mileage. Minimizing surface imperfections such as trim and mirrors is a start, but the biggest gains will be when/if you change the overall geometry of the car. I think a boat tail, belly pans, wheel covers, and a front spoiler will make a world of difference in terms of mileage, provided they all work together to reduce turbulent separation and "suction". Improving the ease with which the car "plows" through the air or "separates" it would also likely help. I bet the W123 could benefit extensively from improved geometry of the rear of the automobile (boat tail) to clean up the way the air leaves the car.

EDIT: gains will not be as effective if engine rpm at speed isn't lowered. A 2.47 rear is an easy (and inexpensive) way to do this. ~2500rpm = 65mph.

DieselGrrl · #5 05-26-2008, 07:44 PM

The Don, take off your hood star, that will give you a 0.1% improvement.

#6 05-27-2008, 03:53 AM

Streamlining will be the key.

If you want extreme improvements you need to make extreme changes.

TheDon · #7 05-27-2008, 08:55 AM

I might not even bother with the benz. I have a friend with an old geo he might sell. I've got time and some money... maybe an electric car conversion is in order. I've been doing a lot of research on them since last fall.

Chad300tdt · #8 05-27-2008, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDon

I might not even bother with the benz. I have a friend with an old geo he might sell. I've got time and some money... maybe an electric car conversion is in order. I've been doing a lot of research on them since last fall.

Have you checked out the Zap cars lately? I just went to the site and saw 2 NEW models available. One is priced at $32K and the other at $60K. They look pretty cool.

http://www.zapworld.com/

I saw a site recently where a guy built an electric car out of 2 scooters.

Mr.Kenny · #9 05-27-2008, 09:35 AM

I just don't think you can reach that kind of mileage with a heavy brick driven by a Hitler era diesel.

You would have to reduce the weight considerably by cutting the car in half so there is no back seat area, chop the top for wind resistance. Section the car into a wedge. Replace the bonnet, wings & boot lid with light fabricated fiberglass. Get rid of the bumpers. Forget the amg crap; make your own street scraping air dam.
High gear ratios with super slick lube and then use hyper-mileing driving techniques.
Just get a vw jetta diesel or a Honda crx or hatch back Honda vx and enjoy life.

lutzTD · #10 05-27-2008, 09:47 AM

i think youre giving up too soon. i think with driving technique and a few changes you could get in the 33-35 MPG range and still have something safer than an econobox will offer. If you want to spend 10-15k for a VW TDI then payback will take a pretty long time.

Johnson Chan · #11 06-01-2008, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lutzTD

i think youre giving up too soon. i think with driving technique and a few changes you could get in the 33-35 MPG range and still have something safer than an econobox will offer. If you want to spend 10-15k for a VW TDI then payback will take a pretty long time.

Some of these guys are talking about removing bumpers and interior parts, I dont think safety is a factor

You might be safer in a econobox than in a w123 with no dashboard, no bumpers, no rearseats, etc.

jim16671836 · #12 07-05-2008, 07:03 PM

I don't think a spoiler will inprove fuel mileage.. usually a good spoiler creates downforce which is not any help for fuel mileage???????????? Jim

t walgamuth · #13 07-06-2008, 10:42 PM

I think a front spoiler will block some of the flow under the car which creates drag.

Look at a Prius and I think you'll find a spoiler there.

Tom W

moon161 · #14 08-02-2008, 01:29 PM

Zapcars are a scam. Vaporware.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad300tdt

Have you checked out the Zap cars lately? I just went to the site and saw 2 NEW models available. One is priced at $32K and the other at $60K. They look pretty cool.

http://www.zapworld.com/

I saw a site recently where a guy built an electric car out of 2 scooters.

Chad300tdt · #15 08-02-2008, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moon161

Zapcars are a scam. Vaporware.

The Zebra car and truck are on the road now. The other models are taking reservations and delivery is expected this fall for the Zap Truck XL, 2009 for the Alias and 2010 for the Zap-X.

I personally don't see this as vaporware or a scam, but I won't be buying one either.

I'll stick with w123 diesels.