In another post I stated that the gas mileage of my 1996 E320 dropped from 21 mpg (which was already not the best) down to 17 mpg in mixed driving 35% city 65% freeway.

According to many tips from the forum I have replaced thermostat, air filter, spark plugs, ignition coils including ignition cables, O2 sensors, MAF (after cleaning the old one did not help) with no success.

Last week I did the following jobs:

- Fixed the auxiliary fan so that now both fans work fine instead of one.
- Changed the airfilter, although it still looked very clean with just 5000K.
- Tightened the air intake temp (AIT) sensor, which was a bit loose because a clamp was broken.
- Changed the oil with 5W-30 synthetic (instead of 0-40W).

The good news: suddenly I got again 21mpg like at the beginning of my possession. The bad news is I am at a loss as to which of the fixes above is the main contributor or the sum of them all?

My suspect is the AIT sensor, your guess?

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1996 E320 since 1/16/08, 171K miles as of Feb 2011

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1989 300CE - R.I.P. Dec 29 2007
Other MBs (sold): 1992 300E-24 - 1979 350SLC - 1984 230E - 1990 300CE

Hello.

I have a 300ce/1989 which has the m103 engine.

The manufactures [Mercedes] actual mileage when new was quoted as 15 to 21 mpg in city and 18 to 26 mpg highway.

If you get 21mpg then I think you are looking good!

Gavinbr

Hi Gavin,

the best I got was 21 mpg mixed and 26 highway. I was not unhappy with it until I read that many members have incredible mpg ranging 28-36 mpg on the same model, what I need to forget about .

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1996 E320 since 1/16/08, 171K miles as of Feb 2011

---------------------------------------------------------
1989 300CE - R.I.P. Dec 29 2007
Other MBs (sold): 1992 300E-24 - 1979 350SLC - 1984 230E - 1990 300CE

>

Those are the same guys who tell you their driveway is longer than yours..........

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A Dalton

I can get 36 mpg on my 300E if I'm towing it!

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

I know one that got 35, but he always checked it coming home from work.. He worked on Mt Washington.

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A Dalton

Yes.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

i loved the mt. vernon reply....

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Timothy Evans
TimEvans35@gmail.com
CELL 310 990 6780


1985 380 SL
2010 CL 6.3 AMG
*2009 CL 550 Sport 4matic
New addition-1984 380 SE
Newest Edition 1986 300E AMG