Vehicle: 1993 MERCEDES BENZ 300SE, 3.2 LITER A REAL BEAST (sold) 1994 MERCEDES BENZ S420 SNOW FLAKE BEAUTY
Location: BOSTON, USA
Posts: 218
Quote:
Originally Posted by W140FTW
In mainly city driving, I average 17.5 mpg in the S320. The lowest I've ever seen...in city in the middle of winter, was around 15mpg. Needless to say, it's awesome for a 4500 lb car. My 3600lb deVille would hardly ever get better than 15.5 in city. On the highway, I've seen 23-25 mpg mainly.
you said 4500 lbs car?? that might be a mistake in the door tag of your benz brother cause my 93 300SE was 5690 lbs. you're not talking for w124 E320 are you ??
Just the laws of physics dictate that the W140 will not get the mileage of a lighter car, but what is so interesting is the fact that, for its weight,it is so efficient in highway driving.
Every Sunday paper has reviews of new vehicles in the automotive section; I am continually amazed that so many of these new mid or small Audis, Nissan sports models, Lexus, Volvos,even Chev Malibus, have really not that much better mileage on the highway, when one considers the difference in the mass of the car. They might get, say 16 city/28 highway.
So you go and pay 30K+ for one of these new cars, and really only get maybe at MOST 5mpg better mileage.
For driving much less car than the W140, taking a much greater depreciation hit, having so much more money tied up in the car ( or even car payments).
Probably the best solution for W140 owners to handle the price of gas today is to drive the W on highway trips,maybe weekend drives, and get something small for the city stop and go driving.For city driving a hybrid would make lots of sense, or even an electric car,but I don't want to spend the money!
My solution for city driving: My 1979 manual 240D-simply the best, and solidly built. Much more fun than a Prius and cheaper!
Seeing as the density of gasoline is approximately 0.784 g/cm3, a full tank (100 liters) should weigh 78,400 grams, which is 172.8 lbs. So, having a full tank is equivalent to having an extra passenger (weight of a full grown man) in your car. I realized this a few weeks ago, and immediately started filling up only a bit past the halfway point. A full tank used to get me 350 miles every time, and now I am getting about 220 for just half of the tank. You do the math.
Change your thermostat if you have not so recently(several years). I got 60 to 80 miles more out of the tank. The car got to get to temperature as fast as it can. My thermostat was leaking and slow to open and close.
Go from 35 PSI tires to 45 PSI tires. Clean the Mass Airflow sensor and put a new air filter.
I get about 650miles on one tank for(average 65mph) highway miles. City miles are about 450 to 500.
I too ride on balloons for tires. I'm driving everywhere on the recommended air pressure for high speed driving. I've noticed no difference in performance and handling, but the gas mileage is mucho better. Last fill up was 18 mpg mixed driving. On a recent 200 mile highway trip I averaged 24 mpg. Extremely acceptable numbers for an 11 year old 2-3 ton car. A friends' Yukon averages 10 mph with the similar weight.
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1997 S500 with 37,000 miles
Last edited by gold benz : 07-05-2008 at 05:45 PM.
I have a 1996 s320 w140. Yes its a big car and very heavy. But I get a lot of plesure driving it. It cruises at a ton, no problem. It has great accleiration for its age and size. I find that the MPG, is much worst in the winter. Mainly because I tend to do short runs and it doesn'y really reach full temperture. In the winter, I only get around 14 MPG around town. But this climbs to an exceptable 17 MPG in the summer. On the motorway, I set the cruise control to around 75 MPH. At this speed, I can get a steady 30 MPG. These cars were never good on fuel! Just to big and much to heavy!! But I love my old Mercedes. It is so smooth and comfortable, and it has a real air of quailty. I have been very luckly! My car has never let me down. Servicing and general repair cost around £ 700.00 a year. Last year I purchased a new set of W220 wheels and tyres via ebay. The wheels were fitted with new, continental sport 2 tyres. These, 4 brand new wheels and tyres were a real bargin, they cost me just, £ 400.00. They were my biggest exspence since I bought the car! 'But what a difference!!! Much less tyre noise and really improved handling. My old Merc, has now covered 145.000 miles. Its interior is still like new! The bodywork cleams, and there is only slight rust on the o/s/r wheel arch. It uses no oil! It starts first time ' everytime! I hear all the moans and complaints about this model on the forum. But, One must expect to spend some money on a 13 year old car. At least I have not had to fork out thousands on a new car!! Yes it is pretty thirsty! But I am quite happy to tollerate its drinking habits. Because in real terms ' I have had 9 years of wonderful relaxed and comfortable motoring. " I still loved the shape of this car! I think that it is a real classic.
might be a mistake in the door tag of your benz brother cause my 93 300SE was 5690 lbs. you're not talking for w124 E320 are you ??
1994 S420 V white/black. a real beauty 
many mods to be done to it
Take in the beautiful day and slow your life down a bit!
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