does anyone get less than 20 mpg in an S320?

[sixto]

The last few cars I've driven for extended periods returned fuel mileage in the EPA rating range for the mostly in-town driving I do:

1991 300SE rated at 16/20 yielded 18 mpg

1995 S420 rated at 15/20 yielded 16 mpg

1999 Camry 4cyl rated at 23/30 yielded 26 mpg

1993 300SD 3.0 rated at 20/23 yielded 23 mpg

1987 300D rated at 20/25 yields 23 mpg

I find the 300D small for my likes so I'm thinking of another W140. It goes like a rocket and everything I've checked is in spec so I don't understand why it isn't more efficient than a 93 SD.

Oddly, www.edmunds.com rates the 92-93 300SE at 15/19 mpg and the 94-99 S320 at 17/24 mpg. That's a deal breaker because I don't want a car that uses premium gasoline and can't break 20 mpg. I'd sooner do another rod-ectomy.

Two questions:

1) Can I assume that the 15/19 mpg rating is wrong? Did HFM change dramatically between 93 and 94? How can a 300SE not do as well as an S420?

2) I read about folks who can coax 30 mpg out of an S320. I don't think I'll ever join your ranks. Would anyone who consistently gets 20 mpg or less out of an S320 please describe your driving style?

Thanks,
Sixto
87 300D

[amosfella]

Acording to my fuel consumption converter, I get about 25 mpg average. That is doing 120 km/h (75 mph). At about 113 km/h (70 mph) I have gotten as high as 26.5 mpg. If I don't romp on the gas at stop lights, etc. Having fun and driving fast (120 mph) I have only managed to pull the fuel economy down to 21 mpg. I will admit for that though, I did drive like a normal human being for the first part of the fill. So, if you split the difference down, it was probably at 16-18. Ironically, the best fuel economy I have gotten is 27.25 driving aobut 75 mph with the gas cap off the tank. go figure. Maybe my tank needs a new vent.

[obwielnls]

My 99 S320 gets about 19, mostly city driving. I drive pretty fast though.

[deanyel]

Originally Posted by sixto

Oddly, www.edmunds.com rates the 92-93 300SE at 15/19 mpg and the 94-99 S320 at 17/24 mpg. That's a deal breaker because I don't want a car that uses premium gasoline and can't break 20 mpg. I'd sooner do another rod-ectomy.

Two questions:

1) Can I assume that the 15/19 mpg rating is wrong? Did HFM change dramatically between 93 and 94? How can a 300SE not do as well as an S420?

1994 was the first year of HFM in the 140 body, 104.994 motor. 92-93 was 3.2 liter but was 104.990 KE, i.e. distributor caps and rotors, single coil, etc., more like a 103 motor but with 4 valves per cylinder. They were also geared very short, 3.69 I think, for better acceleration. The 420s were taller at 2.82.

[wbrian63]

Don't hope for much more than 15-17 in town if you see traffic. The 6's don't do much better than the 8's because they have to work far harder to move the car.

You can get 18+ in town if you don't mind allowing the rest of the world to pass you by each time the light changes or the traffic moves forward on the freeway. Here in Houston, if you don't keep up you get run over.

I've seen 23 or so on the highway - extended run at 75 with the cruise on. Load it it up with passengers and lose 3 or 4 mpg - again, the 6 can't take the extra load without sacrificing mpg.

Keep the car under 80 and they do OK. On my '92, the VVT kicks in at 3,000rpm, which is just over 80mph in 5th gear. Once you hit that mark, mpg drops into the crapper.

One of the biggest killers of mpg around town is the forced 2'nd gear start. Takes far more pedal to get the car moving, consequently a higher shift point to 3rd - I routinely see 3000+rpm before the shift to 3rd. If I start it in first, with a fraction of the pedal required for 2nd gear start, I get the same acceleration, and a 2-3 shift at about 22-2500. I'm almost dead positive that would result in better fuel economy - but there doesn't seem to be any way to get this car to start in 1st without manually shifting to 2nd at each stop. Every avenue I've travelled to get FGS has been a dead-end street.

As crass is it sounds - if you're looking for MPG, don't go shopping for an S-Class - especially a W140.

[sixto]

Thanks for the feedback.

I'm not going for a W140 for economy but I would like to maximize economy in a W140. When someone asks the forum about a 300SD/S350 invariably someone says the 300SE/S320 is just as economical. I don't see how that can be. I can't imagine wringing 23 mpg out of an S320 with the in-twon puttering I do. If 17-19 mpg is more likely given my situation, a cheaper S420 is mighty inviting.

wbrian, do you have a 722.5 or 722.6? Second gear start was barely tolerable in the S420. Intollerable in the 91 300SE.

Sixto
87 300D

[RConrad]

SIXTO:

I have a 96 S-320, use 10w30 mobile-1, REGULAR gas since new and get OVER 26mpg at 75mph , loaded for wintering in Fla. These cars are fantastic traveling vehicles with average problems. They will need head gaskets around 50-60K miles. I'am currently at 97,000 miles and hope to go to 150,000 before selling.

Good luck on your decision.

Ron

[Hatterasguy]

My friend got 24mpg with his 1997 going down to FL last year, and he drives fast a lot of that was probably at 90+.

Figure high teens around town.

[amosfella]

I wonder if there are sweet spots in speeds where the car gets the best economy?? Any idea what they are??

[WANT '71 280SEL]

I'm looking at a '94 S320. What sort of range do you guys get out of your tanks? I hate putting gas in cars, so big tanks are a plus for me.

Thanks
David

[wbrian63]

My car has the 722.5 transmission. It's not really all that bad, but would probably be better with 1st gear start. Of course, Houston is basically flat as a board - SF is not (insert gross understatement here). The car will neatly downshift to 1st when required, without having to floor it, so I wouldn't worry too much about the hills - just don't get in a hurry.

As for range - that's the best part about the car. When it's running right and I'm not too abusive, I get about 400 miles before the low-fuel light comes on - thats for in-town mixed driving. On the highway, around 500 per tank.

I'm still trying to figure out how to convert the car to 1st gear start - not having much luck there. Every lead I get is a dead-end street. I don't want something permanent, just in case I find it too annoying. With a 3:69 rear gear, plus a 3.5+ first gear, I might find the quick shift to 2nd bothersome.

[Victor300E]

I bought 1996 e320 with inline 6 and 4 speed auto tranny. It starts in 1st all the time. I don't know how it's made but it is very annoying because with normal driving once you speed up in 1st it shifts into 2nd and in less than a second it shifts into 3rd. If you drive very slow it will shift through all gears OK. Maybe something is wrong with my tranny like kickdown switch is engaged all the time or something. I have a buyer for that car already so I don't really want to bother fixing it.
Just something to think about before making the car to start in 1st all the time.
Good luck.

PS. gas mileage is around 16-17 combined. Car has 17" AMG rims with 245/45/17 on it.

[Hatterasguy]

Originally Posted by WANT '71 280SEL

I'm looking at a '94 S320. What sort of range do you guys get out of your tanks? I hate putting gas in cars, so big tanks are a plus for me.

Thanks
David

My friend is selling his 97, I'd buy it if I had the money. You can probably get it for $11,500, AMG wheels and all.

[WANT '71 280SEL]

I'm getting mine for a lot cheaper than that, but thanks anyways.

David

[DslBnz]

I'm sorry, I've never driven an S320 for extended periods.

However I HAVE driven a '94 E320, which has the same drive-train with about 1,000 lbs less heft to cart around. I drove like a jerk around town with that car, WOT many times, always saw 6400 rpm from a stop. I LOVED hearing that screaming six.

I averaged 22 mpg on premium gas. I was a little upset since under the same driving conditions, my SDL's would get 28 mpg. Some cars do better than others. Gassers REALLY suffer from urban driving.