34.5 MPG Woo Hoo! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Chris W. · #1 07-28-2003, 10:22 PM

Just finished my first tank with my newly acquired '95 E300D. Reserve light was just flickering on when I pulled in to fill up. Book says reserve light comes on with 2 gallons left, but I put 20.03 gallons in to the 90 liter (23.8 gal) tank, and the odo read 694 miles. That calculates out to 34.5 MPG! And if I ran it almost dry, I could conceivably get over 800 miles per tank! Nifty!

I also visited the dealer recently to have them run a Vehicle Master Inquiry. I find it interesting that this car was built on November 3, 1993! Dealer predelivery date was January 6, 1994, and it was first registered in September 1994, but it accumulated almost 11,000 miles before it was first registered - hmmm? Maybe a dealer demo?

Among the options - Option Code 814 - Active Bass Speaker System? It does seem to have good bass. Most other options seem "standard", but I suppose in this case "standard" for the US market. And no telescoping steering wheel! Option 805 was for 1995 registration...

Anyway the clock doesn't work, and the cruise doesn't work either. I'm going to take a shot at the clock soon, but doing a search on cruise control brings an overwhelming number of hits. Gotta research it some more to sort thru the data.

Rgds,
Chris W.
'95 E300D
'93 500E
two extremes of acceleration

CSchmidt · #2 07-28-2003, 11:19 PM

Chris,

The clock on my 87 wasn't working when I bought it. A simple push in on the adjustment knob, wiggle the knob and set the time correctly, and make sure the knob gets back to the correct rest position fixed it.

Great news on your mileage. I'm not in the postion to buy a car for the $$ of yours, but great to know there will be more great used cars down the line.

Chuck

slowmoe · #3 07-28-2003, 11:50 PM

I got 35.2 on my '96 last week. That was before fesh oil and a trans service with mobil1 !!! That 606 is a fantastic engine. Although, I think my old 602 got better mileage around town

Mark Herzig · #4 07-29-2003, 09:40 AM

that is great mileage. My '95 seems to get between 29 and 30 consistently. I have the "special" option which includes the tele. Steering wheel, sapphire black paint, Mercedes door sills, different wheels...

The power and drivability of the 1995 E300D OM606 is awesome... It simply glides down the highway at speed.

#5 07-30-2003, 01:33 AM

I dont know much about the diesel Mercedes, but are theses E300D very fast? like compared to a plain E300 or E320?

#6 07-30-2003, 01:34 AM

I don't know much about the diesel Mercedes, but are these E300D's very fast? Like compared to a plain E300 or E320.

#7 07-30-2003, 01:35 AM

Also, are they usually automatic trans or do some have manuals?

#8 07-30-2003, 10:06 AM

I bought a new E300d in April '96. At the time I was traveling several states quite heavily. The range of the car was incredible and much longer range than my bladder.

It was very common in those days for me to get in it and drive 300 or 400 miles without getting out for any reason. Sometimes even further.

If my memory serves me correctly, mine had even a larger tank than stated above, but I don't remember for sure.

Have a great day,

gsxr · #9 07-30-2003, 11:51 AM

1- The cruise control problem is probably the amplifier, which is a common problem. A rebuilt amp is about $175, easy to change, located above the driver's feet behind the trim panels.

2- 35mpg is good for this car and with a light foot might do even better!

And Larry, the W124 E300D does indeed have a 90L (23.8gal) tank, no larger. The only other W124 to have a 90L tank is the 500E, all others have 70L (18.5gal).

3- Tim, the E300D is fast compared to any other diesel except the 98/99 turbos. It has 134hp, normally aspirated, and goes 0-60 in roughly 12 seconds. There are zero performance mods possible with this engine however, so you better like it "as-is" and don't expect to get more. NONE have manual transmissions!! Period! No W124 or W210 ever came to the USA with a diesel engine and a stick shift (in 86/87 you could special order a 30E gasser with a 5-speed but those are very, very rare.)

4- Chris, how do you like the 500E? I've been dreaming about one for a long time, but all the "nice" examples are either the wrong color, too expensive ($25k+), or both! What kind of MPG do you get on yours?

Regards,

Chris W. · #10 07-30-2003, 01:05 PM

Dave - I've learned a lot reading your posts. You venture where some of us DIY'ers won't dare to go... I'm about to do all the rear links on the E300D.

Well, what's NOT to like on a 500E? It's the gold standard, so to speak. And quite a contrast to the E300D, which I've only had for a couple weeks or so. I think the 500E is the ultimate sleeper. The "public" doesn't register this car as anything special, so you don't own one for the wow factor. But it goes like a bat outta hell, and is as solid as a bank vault.

These days there are many cars, especially MB cars, with better statistics - more power, better handling, more gizmos, but they cost a fortune and to me they don't have the agressive look of the 500E, or the cachet of the Porsche connection and limited, "hand built" production.

Most 500E's seem to be pearl black - mine is, but there are other colors out there. A red one is really neat looking. C'mon - for 25K you can get an Accord or a Camry, or a very nice 500E! They are out there, you just have to keep an eye out.

Oh yeah, on a recent road trip of about 1200 miles, I averaged about 23 mpg on the 500E. Lots of high speed cruising, but some slow stuff too.

Best,
Chris W.

#11 07-30-2003, 01:59 PM

gsxr,

The manual transmissioned, US equipped 124 cars were sold in the '86 and '88 model year, '87 was skipped. There were about 700 sold in the US in '86 and a little over 300 sold in '88.

I can't imagine ever giving up my manual transmission '88. Since it is getting older and more tired, the idea of finding a low mileage, clean 124 car and transplanting my stick into it has crossed my mind. Maybe if my economic situation improves, this is something I will do.

My '96 E300d was a 210 car and as I said, I don't remember the fuel tank size. I do know that the fuel range far exceeded my bladder range.

Have a great day,

gsxr · #12 07-30-2003, 02:32 PM

Chris, you're right - most of them ARE black! I'm just not a big fan of black paint. My dream combo would be Garnet Red Metallic (Almandine Red), with either parchment (creme) or black interior. Teal, Wineberry, or silver would be OK also but all of those seem rare. Grrrr. 23mpg on the freeway is better than I expected, wow, that's pretty good! I agree it's the ultimate sleeper and one reason why I'd like one. Sure wish I could find one to test drive around here, probably just as well that I can't - might end up buying it!

Larry, thanks for correcting me on the W124 5-speeds. I'll try to remember that for next time.

Oh, and I have no idea what the W210 diesel fuel tank size is... I'm thinking 80L, but I'm 99% sure it is smaller than the 1995's 90L. Guess I could peek at the EPC, that usually states tank size.

Regards,

virtualdoc07 · #13 09-07-2003, 08:19 AM

My 95 once got 41 MPG on trip from Florida; did 55 MPH most of the way to see what it could really do. It was raining most of the way, maybe I was getting a "water injection" effect. My Mileage is 28-32 MPG normally. Great car but I have Turbo and 5 speed envy. I would kill to have those two mods on this car. Oh a a leg bag catheter helps too; 500-600 miles non stop really strains the bladder!

84300DT · #14 09-07-2003, 08:27 AM

"And if I ran it almost dry, I could conceivably get over 800 miles per tank! Nifty! "

congrats on your purchase and the mileage. just a friendly word of advice though, with any diesel, do Not run the tank dry or near to. you will be sorry. it churns up all sorts of nasty stuff in the bottom of the tank , clogging fuel filters etc.

if you can try to fill when it reaches less than 1/4 tank especially in cold weather.
good luck ! sounds like a great ride

P.E.Haiges · #15 09-07-2003, 10:12 AM

MB is finally getting back to the mileage I used to get on my 190D, circa 1964. I would get 35 MPG average driving and 40 MPG on an interstate trip.

Of course now they do it with bigger cars and much more poweful engines. That 190D was only 60 HP. I had a race with a turtle once and I lost. But it sure got a lot of MPG.

P E H