[Tracy Hinton]

I've been hearing some great stuff about the MB so am looking into purchasing one.
I've heard the 1995 - 2007 are very easy to work on. So I'm looking in that range.
Gas mileage and reliability are major factors. What MBs get the best gas mileage?
Not sure if Diesel is our best option so would like to hear about both.
Thanks for your help:grin

 

[Noodles]

The inline 6 CDI diesels are going to get the best MPG and are not that hard to work on. The Blue Tec V-6 diesels get more difficult to work on and some the early ones are started to come with issue like oil cooler seal leaks and/or oil cooler leaks. That is a major repair.

That narrows it down to the W210 or W211 chassis if you are looking at a car and not an SUV.

 

[Tracy Hinton]

looking for a 4 door car.
Since Diesel is more expensive is it still more economical than a gas car that may not get quite as good of gas mileage?

 

[Kajtek1]

Diesel is the cheapest fuel at CA pumps today.
On some stations it is 20 cents cheaper than regular, or 50 cents cheaper than Premium.
Fuel-wise I keep my eye on GLK with 2.2 (?) cdi engine.
Those routinely make 40+ mpg, while offering AWD what never hurts.
MB USA never imported those 60-70 mpg cars here, so we have limited choices.
Some imported diesel Smarts from Canada, but registration is an issue in some states.

 

[rocky raccoon]

We have two diesels

of widely separated eras.

My daily driver is a 1983 that gets 28mpg, 30mpg on a highway trip.
My wife drives a 2008 Bluetec V6 diesel. She gets a solid 34mpg. I think these are remarkable numbers for such big, heavy luxurious cars. Combine that with the simplicity (at least my 1983) of the engine and I would drive nothing else.

Logically, diesel fuel should be less expensive than gasoline. It comes off the cracking tower a lot lower. Supply and demand and taxes in our area price it perhaps a few cents cheaper than premium gasoline but a lot more than regular.

By the way, we bought the 2008 new and so far have had no mechanical repairs required. She will not let me maintain her car and takes it to our fine dealership for all of her preventive servicing. We are blessed with a good and apparently honest dealership that never presses us to do anything not required. McGeorge MB in Richmond, VA.

 

[Michael Pillay]

of widely separated eras.

My daily driver is a 1983 that gets 28mpg, 30mpg on a highway trip.
My wife drives a 2008 Bluetec V6 diesel. She gets a solid 34mpg. I think these are remarkable numbers for such big, heavy luxurious cars. Combine that with the simplicity (at least my 1983) of the engine and I would drive nothing else.

Logically, diesel fuel should be less expensive than gasoline. It comes off the cracking tower a lot lower. Supply and demand and taxes in our area price it perhaps a few cents cheaper than premium gasoline but a lot more than regular.

By the way, we bought the 2008 new and so far have had no mechanical repairs required. She will not let me maintain her car and takes it to our fine dealership for all of her preventive servicing. We are blessed with a good and apparently honest dealership that never presses us to do anything not required. McGeorge MB in Richmond, VA.

I am curious as to what your mileage is on your 2008.

 

[rocky raccoon]

34mpg. I have seen 39mpg on a long non-stop trip. Mileage shown by on-board computer.

 

[Michael Pillay]

I meant total miles on the vehicle. Impressive mpg though.

 

[rocky raccoon]

about 53200. Low miles I know but 7 yo. I almost never drive it. My wife's ride. I just don't like the car. It is beautiful, lightning quick and a great place to sit but far too gadgety for me. I shudder to think what will happen when all that electronic wizardry starts to fail.

I love my 32 yo W123. It is dead nuts reliable and a deaf, dumb and blind kid can maintain it.

 

[flyboyike]

I've heard the 1995 - 2007 are very easy to work on.

I don't know that I would agree with that, except as regards to 1995 W124s, which are not especially numerous and still not "very" easy to work on.

 

[Kajtek1]

Each car has some gizmos that can give you headaches.
I met few W123 on junkyard, that while in perfect mechanical condition, they look like somebody forgot to reconnect oil pressure gauge.
Those had oil pipe going directly to the gauge inside the cabin.