Mercedes Fuel Economy?

[GradyService]

I want to start by saying that I love my 560SEL. I just don't love the 15 mpg. I have done everything in my power to bring up the MPG. It has came up a little, from 12 when I bought her, to 15 now that I have replaced Plugs (w. Bosch Platinum 2), Wires (Bosch), Air Filter, Smog Pump Filter, and cleaned the cap and rotor. I am keeping the car, on that there is no question. I was wondering, though, what do you think of something like a
190E, or 300E for a running around car. Not a especially late model piece, something from the 80's or early 90's. What kind of mileage should I expect? And are they pretty reliable?
Thanks, God Bless,
Dave.

[davestlouis]

My 420SEL only gets about 16-17 MPG but I figure that's just the price of admission. I might suggest a GM car with the 3800 engine...they tend to be really fuel efficient. I don't have a smaller MB at the moment, but the 93 300E I had never got more than 19-20 MPG anyway. I even had a 98 Cadillac Deville with the 275HP Northstar and it got 21 MPG average, and would do 27 or better on highway trips, so don't limit yourself to small cars.

Originally Posted by davestlouis

I even had a 98 Cadillac Deville with the 275HP Northstar and it got 21 MPG average, and would do 27 or better on highway trips, so don't limit yourself to small cars.

I have a '97 Eldorado with the 275 HP Northstar, and it also gets 27mpg on highway trips and around 19 to 20mpg around town. Parts are pretty reasonable, even though I only use dealer parts. How about a MAF sensor for $130.00?, and a water pump for less than $50.00?.
I have to admit, I was pretty skeptical about buying a fwd car, but Cadillac has been doing it since the late '60s.

For a everyday driver, the Cadillac is great. Don't forget though, that it is a big boat, and it drives like one. With all the traffic congestion on the roads, it's a nice ride.

[hk20000]

I have a 1995 W202 C220 and I'm managing about 9L/100km

don't know what's that in silly imperial units. But I'm happy at the pump

I manage to drive a tri-star motor and be happy at the gas station - I win at life.

[Strife]

It kills me that the MB's of this era had no lock-up converter and no overdrive. Those two things would definitely have been worth a few MPG's particularly on the highway. American cars of the 80's costing 1/3 as much had both of those features.

[anthonyb]

re: the 560, it's a big 5.6 L V8 that was designed before fuel economy was a major selling point. 15 mpg is probably close to the best it will give.

300E's should give somewhere in the range of 15-18mpg in the city, and around 18-22 mpg on the highway. Some examples may do better on the highway, I used to get 24, and I think some 5-speed owners have gotten up to 27 or so. Not spectacular, but also not terrible for when they were designed. I've been looking at newer model vehicles lately, and the bump in gas mileage is on average only a 2-4 mpg, despite 25 more years of technology. (although, that does sort of come out to something if you look at it on an annual basis.)

These cars are somewhat reliable - they will last for a long time and there aren't too many things that will leave you catastrophically stranded someplace. But, given their age there will be a lot of things to repair on a regular basis. They are definitely not maintenance-free vehicles.

Anthony

[GradyService]

Well, the 94 Caddy that i've got (with northstar) gets about 20 around town and 25-26 on the highway, a little worse with the Lincoln. I was just looking for something smaller, just to have a somewhat easier to manuver car, not to replace anything that I have got. I don't expect any MB to be maintenence free, but just to be a reasonably well built automobile. My dad had a '86 300E, and I rode in it and drove it often. Seemed to be a fine car. The 190 was a option that I was considering because I guess I just wanted a little runabout type Mercedes. In regards to the GM 3.8, I've had 2, good engine, although the later models with the plastic intake make hydrolock a possibility if they ever break (been there, done that ). But good engines, all and all. Really, I like my Mercedes so much that I would rather drive it than either of my other cars, even considering the fact they get better mileage and are newer cars. So, thats why I wanted another MB.
Thanks, and God Bless,
Dave.

[suginami]

My 1993 300E consistently averaged 21.0 mpg when I owned it, and it got as good as 25-26 mpg in all freeway driving going to Las Vegas on more than one ocassion.

[just-n-time]

Originally Posted by GradyService

Well, the 94 Caddy that i've got (with northstar) gets about 20 around town and 25-26 on the highway, a little worse with the Lincoln. I was just looking for something smaller, just to have a somewhat easier to manuver car, not to replace anything that I have got. I don't expect any MB to be maintenence free, but just to be a reasonably well built automobile. My dad had a '86 300E, and I rode in it and drove it often. Seemed to be a fine car. The 190 was a option that I was considering because I guess I just wanted a little runabout type Mercedes. In regards to the GM 3.8, I've had 2, good engine, although the later models with the plastic intake make hydrolock a possibility if they ever break (been there, done that ). But good engines, all and all. Really, I like my Mercedes so much that I would rather drive it than either of my other cars, even considering the fact they get better mileage and are newer cars. So, thats why I wanted another MB.
Thanks, and God Bless,
Dave.

Hi I am just-n-time, wished to put my two cents in. My wife owns a 420sel and I have spent a great deal of time repairing the mess ups from some time mechanics,but on to the fuel thing,not knowing the type of driver some one is makes fuel economies a hard thing to evaluate,that is the reason for the disclaimer on those window stickers.Miss Debbie just can not start or slow with light pressure so she is around a 15 miler and I am a 19 miler in the same auto. I have just finished the 420 and have had time to run some two hundred and eighty miles and the unit is at the half way mark on the gauge,I realize that the gauge will be slightly off so I cant claim a projected fuel economy of 26mpg but I am pretty sure we will fall into the 20 mpg. but you must also remember that 4.2L takes less fuel than 5.6L it must use more just the nature of the beast though I think you might get more from this unit maybe 17. are you giving local or long distance mileage?
Miss Debbie and I are looking into a 4 cylinder slk and keep our 420 for those long rides.

[Since66]

Luxury car......5.6 liter engine......complaint about mpg......


[scratches head]

[Hatterasguy]

Originally Posted by Since66

Luxury car......5.6 liter engine......complaint about mpg......


[scratches head]

Yeah thats what I am thinking.

[GradyService]

Well, I am not per se complaining about the mileage. I just wanted to know if that was what is expected , (and have been informed as to the fact that it is)., and now that I know that, its fine. I still am thinking about a smaller MB for some kind of running around car. I like the looks of the 300E, but from what info is available, a 4 cylinder 190 or early C-Class, probably have the best fuel economy available in a gas MB.
Thanks, and God Bless,
Dave.

[t walgamuth]

i would say that is about the right mpg for your driving conditions and car.

tom w

[ProV1]

Originally Posted by GradyService

Well, I am not per se complaining about the mileage. I just wanted to know if that was what is expected , (and have been informed as to the fact that it is)., and now that I know that, its fine. I still am thinking about a smaller MB for some kind of running around car. I like the looks of the 300E, but from what info is available, a 4 cylinder 190 or early C-Class, probably have the best fuel economy available in a gas MB.
Thanks, and God Bless,
Dave.

um.. so you want to buy another car (for thousands of $$) with slightly better fuel economy to save a few bucks on every fill-up?

[GradyService]

Well, I have wanted a smaller MB for a while, but not just for the fuel economy. I'll probably be selling one of my other cars (caddy or lincoln) soon, so I'll want to still have 3 cars. (As old as my cars are, you need 3 just so you can be sure one will start ). And, I love driving an MB, and so this looks like a good time to have 2.
Thanks, and God Bless,
Dave.