I just came back from a long interstate trip in my 87 300e. It seemed to run best when the speedo needle and tach were both pointing almost vertical: 80mph/3500rpm, 22mpg. I drove this way for several hundred miles. I know I was breaking the speed limit, but I was still in the flow of traffic. Anyone else feel this way?
I go by the flow of traffic - as long as I'm going faster than that flow, I'm content. Usually at about 80 mph on the open highway. I only like going faster than the flow because it allows me to be less subjected to stupid drivers.
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1983 Black 500SL AMG with 5-spd manual - 44,000 miles 1982 Blue-grey 300D - 64,000 miles
I go by the flow of traffic - as long as going faster than that flow, I'm content. Usually at about 80 mph on the open highway. I only like going faster than the flow because it allows me to be less subjected to stupid drivers.
i know exactly how you feel.
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92 300E with 145k, charcoal on black interior
eibach pro kit with bilstein HDs
17" amg knock-offs powder coated flat black
35% tint
2250 rpm here, around 72 mph. Although once I read that the ideal is where the torque curve starts to climb. Think it was in Car and Driver, which is the only place I've ever seen pics of same.
[Correction] I reconfirmed on the drive in this morning. It's around 2750 at 72 and right at 2500 at 64 mph Both are very 'sweet' - one will get you to overtake most traffic, the other (for my 124 anyway) maximum mpg.
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Scott in MD/DC
94 E320 Wagon (Just getting broken in)
95 C280 (RIP)
87 190E (Sold)
"There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes"
Last edited by 94Wagenmeister : 02-12-2008 at 08:08 AM.
3500 rpm sustained will brutalize fuel economy. The lack of an overdrive gear or even a lockup torque converter really hurts fuel economy on 124s. I can't believe they built 95s without those features. Ridiculous. My 97 LeSabre beater will cruise at 75 with the tach (yeah, weird, isn't it?) reading just under 2000 rpms. Imagine how long an M103 or M104 would last if it was spinning that much lower on the highway! To me this is the biggest reason to do a manual trans conversion in my red car. Gotta do some more research though.
My experience is the same. I have a 99 ml 430 with 133k miles. When both tach and speed o meter are verticle about 80 mph is when this vehicle feels the best. Probably getting about 16-18 mpg, but I really don't remember. To be honest as stable as the vehicle feels at 80 mph the mpg's are not that important to me. Although 16-18 mpg isn't bad.
Linear Mode
