Re: [MBZ] Diesel vs. gasoline
I did the PHX to LA last week in the '77 300D. Going over, loaded to the gills, buckin' a wicked headwind, going 75-80mph on I-10, I got 21mpg. Coming back with the wind, empty, 75-80mph on I-10 I got 21mpg. Go figure Bob Rentfro '77 300D 165K '87 Acura Legend 180K Litchfield Park, AZ - Original Message - From: "BillR" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Mercedes Discussion List" Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2007 6:11 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] Diesel vs. gasoline I just got back from an 800 mile roundtrip to Atlanta in my '81 SD - 26+ mpg with the winterized diesel, 75 MPH most of the time except for 100 miles of construction [700 miles on the interstate] plus 100 miles running around town. BillR Jacksonville FL 1981 300SD 283k miles -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Mitch Haley Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2007 6:59 PM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] Diesel vs. gasoline Tom Hargrave wrote: The other is a friend who claims he's getting 28 MPG in his 300SD. I've owned too many, I've rode with him and I know better. I'd bet just about anything that he's getting around 24 MPG. 28mpg is about right for mine (W116 small cam) going 600 miles a day in warm weather at 70-80mph. Mitch. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Diesel vs. gasoline
I just got back from an 800 mile roundtrip to Atlanta in my '81 SD - 26+ mpg with the winterized diesel, 75 MPH most of the time except for 100 miles of construction [700 miles on the interstate] plus 100 miles running around town. BillR Jacksonville FL 1981 300SD 283k miles -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Mitch Haley Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2007 6:59 PM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] Diesel vs. gasoline Tom Hargrave wrote: > The other is a friend who claims he's getting 28 MPG in his 300SD. I've > owned too many, I've rode with him and I know better. I'd bet just about > anything that he's getting around 24 MPG. 28mpg is about right for mine (W116 small cam) going 600 miles a day in warm weather at 70-80mph. Mitch. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Diesel vs. gasoline
Tom Hargrave wrote: > The other is a friend who claims he's getting 28 MPG in his 300SD. I've > owned too many, I've rode with him and I know better. I'd bet just about > anything that he's getting around 24 MPG. 28mpg is about right for mine (W116 small cam) going 600 miles a day in warm weather at 70-80mph. Mitch.
Re: [MBZ] Diesel vs. gasoline
John - Yes, there are always exceptions to any general statement, but I have not met anyone who, in what would be considered "normal" driving, did not get at least 25 mpg in a M-B Diesel car. Usually, the claim is for much higher numbers. I keep pretty detailed records of fuel consumption for all my vehicles, and over a period of years, my '90D 2.5 has averaged between 30 and 31 mpg; and the '83SD has done between 27 and 29 mpg. That includes Interstate and local driving, even some infrequent MBCA track time (which lowers the average, but when you look at years, is just a ripple). Anyone who has ever been with me will attest that I have a "heavy" foot, too. If I were to see a sudden drop to 25 mpg or less, I would certainly start to look for the reason! Werner - Original Message - From: "John Robbins" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Mercedes Discussion List" Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2007 12:57 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] Diesel vs. gasoline Werner Fehlauer wrote: If any M-B Diesel car gets less than 25 mpg, there is probably something wrong with the engine. Of course, it could be driving in 1st gear in the city and idling a lot, but in normal use, I would do some serious looking at the engine! I do not think you can make that blanket of a statement since driving habits have a SIGNIFICANT effect on mileage. Diesels produce horsepower with a direct relationship to injected fuel. So the more HP you use the more fuel you use. A point in case. I drive a 79 300SD, which is about ~4000lbs. I live about 4 miles from campus. I also have a part time job, which is about 3 miles from home and 2.5 miles from campus. The vehicle doesn't reach operating temperature until near the end of the trip, which also affects fuel economy. There are at least two traffic lights involved in any of the trips. I leave a traffic light or stop sign at full throttle >90% of the time. I continue at full throttle (barring pedestrians, traffic, etc) till about 10mph over (either 55mph or 40mph on the roads around here, I try to stay below 25mph on campus). Throw in the occasional trip to Wal-mart, which has a few 0-75mph in there. Basically, every mile do a 0-60 run in your car. For an entire tank. Personally, I think it is simply amazing that I get 20-21 mpg doing this. Could you imagine what my mileage would be with a 3L gasser? My driving habits may sound on the aggressive side (and they are), but a milder version of this is entirely plausible for people living in large cities (in Phoenix most people do 50-60mph on city streets and traffic lights are ~1 mile apart). I think saying that all Mercedes diesels should be able to *achieve* 25mpg is a very valid statement. Saying that something is mechanically wrong if they aren't getting 25mpg isn't as much. Not trying to beat you over or anything... just trying to very thoroughly make my point (I'm an engineer, can't help it!!). :-)
Re: [MBZ] Diesel vs. gasoline
Of the disels I've owned only the 72 and 75 models got over 25 mpg and this was on the highway. Every other one got mileage that matched or was close to the published Federal mileage standards (23 to 25 highway mpg) for the car. -Original Message- From: "Werner Fehlauer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Mercedes Discussion List" Sent: 1/9/07 10:40 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] Diesel vs. gasoline If any M-B Diesel car gets less than 25 mpg, there is probably something wrong with the engine. Of course, it could be driving in 1st gear in the city and idling a lot, but in normal use, I would do some serious looking at the engine! And as for repair costs, F.I. components in gasoline engines are very expensive - BTDT! On the other hand, both my '83SD and '90D (both with more than 220k miles) are still on their original glow plugs, injectors, starters, etc - and still start in less than 3 revolutions - but then they do have the correct synthetic oil, changing now at 10k mile intervals after oil analysis (thanks, LarryT) proved that the oil was still well within limits at that point. Werner - Original Message - From: "Jim Cathey" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Mercedes Discussion List" Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2007 11:26 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] Diesel vs. gasoline > Our SDL turns in an extremely reliable 27 MPG. Sometimes a bit > less, but sometimes a bit more. Peak was 31, I think. That was > slower back roads. > > -- Jim ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Diesel vs. gasoline
Werner Fehlauer wrote: If any M-B Diesel car gets less than 25 mpg, there is probably something wrong with the engine. Of course, it could be driving in 1st gear in the city and idling a lot, but in normal use, I would do some serious looking at the engine! I do not think you can make that blanket of a statement since driving habits have a SIGNIFICANT effect on mileage. Diesels produce horsepower with a direct relationship to injected fuel. So the more HP you use the more fuel you use. A point in case. I drive a 79 300SD, which is about ~4000lbs. I live about 4 miles from campus. I also have a part time job, which is about 3 miles from home and 2.5 miles from campus. The vehicle doesn't reach operating temperature until near the end of the trip, which also affects fuel economy. There are at least two traffic lights involved in any of the trips. I leave a traffic light or stop sign at full throttle >90% of the time. I continue at full throttle (barring pedestrians, traffic, etc) till about 10mph over (either 55mph or 40mph on the roads around here, I try to stay below 25mph on campus). Throw in the occasional trip to Wal-mart, which has a few 0-75mph in there. Basically, every mile do a 0-60 run in your car. For an entire tank. Personally, I think it is simply amazing that I get 20-21 mpg doing this. Could you imagine what my mileage would be with a 3L gasser? My driving habits may sound on the aggressive side (and they are), but a milder version of this is entirely plausible for people living in large cities (in Phoenix most people do 50-60mph on city streets and traffic lights are ~1 mile apart). I think saying that all Mercedes diesels should be able to *achieve* 25mpg is a very valid statement. Saying that something is mechanically wrong if they aren't getting 25mpg isn't as much. Not trying to beat you over or anything... just trying to very thoroughly make my point (I'm an engineer, can't help it!!). :-)
Re: [MBZ] Diesel vs. gasoline
If any M-B Diesel car gets less than 25 mpg, there is probably something wrong with the engine. Of course, it could be driving in 1st gear in the city and idling a lot, but in normal use, I would do some serious looking at the engine! And as for repair costs, F.I. components in gasoline engines are very expensive - BTDT! On the other hand, both my '83SD and '90D (both with more than 220k miles) are still on their original glow plugs, injectors, starters, etc - and still start in less than 3 revolutions - but then they do have the correct synthetic oil, changing now at 10k mile intervals after oil analysis (thanks, LarryT) proved that the oil was still well within limits at that point. Werner - Original Message - From: "Jim Cathey" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Mercedes Discussion List" Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2007 11:26 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] Diesel vs. gasoline Our SDL turns in an extremely reliable 27 MPG. Sometimes a bit less, but sometimes a bit more. Peak was 31, I think. That was slower back roads. -- Jim
Re: [MBZ] Diesel vs. gasoline
Our SDL turns in an extremely reliable 27 MPG. Sometimes a bit less, but sometimes a bit more. Peak was 31, I think. That was slower back roads. -- Jim
Re: [MBZ] Diesel vs. gasoline
John, I know your car and 28 MPG sounds about right for 60 MPH. Also, 23 - 24 MPG sounds about right for what I'd consider "normal highway speeds". I usually run about 80 MPH myself. I'd go faster but the stops & discussions with the "local establishment" get too expensive. ;) Thanks, Tom Hargrave www.kegkits.com 256-656-1924 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of John Robbins Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2007 8:36 AM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] Diesel vs. gasoline kevin kraly wrote: > 30mpg hauling a** down the highway at 75MPH. > Another reason for the low mileage is that some people consider 75mph slow... ;) I've gotten 28mpg *once* when I went 55/60mph the entire tank. I normally get 19-21 in town and 23-24 on the highway. I normally do about 15 over... I also think my W116 has a different differential so I'm at higher RPMs than other SDs. John ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Diesel vs. gasoline
kevin kraly wrote: 30mpg hauling a** down the highway at 75MPH. Another reason for the low mileage is that some people consider 75mph slow... ;) I've gotten 28mpg *once* when I went 55/60mph the entire tank. I normally get 19-21 in town and 23-24 on the highway. I normally do about 15 over... I also think my W116 has a different differential so I'm at higher RPMs than other SDs. John
Re: [MBZ] Diesel vs. gasoline
Kevin, My 300SDL mileage has been a very consistent 25 - 26 MPG and it's actually higher than what's reported by the Federal Government for that model & year. They rate the car at 24 MPG / highway. I don't know your driving habits but two Mercedes owners I know are getting (or claiming) mileage much greater than the Federal standards. One is my oldest Son who is an ultra conservative driver. He drives so conservatively that you'd swear that you are accelerating in a 123 body 240D with the AC on. The other is a friend who claims he's getting 28 MPG in his 300SD. I've owned too many, I've rode with him and I know better. I'd bet just about anything that he's getting around 24 MPG. You can bump your mileage up a little by swapping out the differential but you loose some performance. Thanks, Tom Hargrave www.kegkits.com 256-656-1924 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of kevin kraly Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2007 2:50 AM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] Diesel vs. gasoline As for the SDL getting that low mileage, I would suggest looking into that as my SD gets 29 on the highway, my SD with the less efficient 617.951 engine also gets around 29 MPG highway. Maybe it has something to do with the head gasket problem? A friend of mine on another list has a 1986 300SDL that will reliably get 30mpg hauling a** down the highway at 75MPH. Kevin in Hillsboro, OR 1983 300SD 265K miles, Ursula ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Diesel vs. gasoline
As for the SDL getting that low mileage, I would suggest looking into that as my SD gets 29 on the highway, my SD with the less efficient 617.951 engine also gets around 29 MPG highway. Maybe it has something to do with the head gasket problem? A friend of mine on another list has a 1986 300SDL that will reliably get 30mpg hauling a** down the highway at 75MPH. Kevin in Hillsboro, OR 1983 300SD 265K miles, Ursula
