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W124 300D Non-Turbo - Euro Spec - OM603 Auto

7.9K views 9 replies 7 participants last post by  sbaert  
#1 ·
Just wondering if anyone knows what real world MPG to expect out of these cars? How many do you think made their way over to the states?

Seems like they would be pretty reliable, although probably fairly sluggish.
 
#2 ·
Fuel economy is generally determined by driving style, more than motor and transmission combination. Although certain combos are generally more efficient than others.

Many diesel owners here have reported highway efficiency in the 30s.

On my car, a 95 E320 gasoline model, 4 speed automatic, my lifetime average is 25mpg. This is on a vehicle who EPA sticker indicates I should expect 22mpg freeway.

I do a lot of freeway driving and employ hypermiling techniques. I also do a lot of long distance drives. LA to Phoenix usually once a month.
 
#4 ·
I've seen wild MPG claims but I'm averaging 30/33 city/highway with the E300D. Once in a wind, downhill, if my math was right, I got 38. ..but that was on country roads mostly doing 55.

E320 gets 22/24 with regular unleaded - been averaging that for the last 75K.

Weight's a Big factor too and dropping a few pounds will improve your mpg. About a mile per gallon per 100 lbs. You can start by shedding your trash and anything unnecessary in the trunk. Hypermilers might want to dump the spare tire, sound batting and insulation, or even swap the hood, trunk, and fenders with low weight alternatives.
 
#10 · (Edited)
Run it on used vegetable/cooking oil (I get all mine for free) and then the fuel economy is not an issue ;)
While the junk fuel source may be free, the repair costs when (not if) your fuel systems (injectors & pump issues) will make you regret you ever pumped that stuff into your car.

I'm seeing too many W124 diesels get parked permanently because of this. Remembers, there no such thing as a free lunch or free fuel for that matter.

Pump biodiesel is OK to use, WVO (waste veggie oil) is not. I run mine on a 50/50 blend of standard pump diesel & JetA/JP8 jet fuel BUT still have to add a additive (Lubro MOLY SDA or Red Line DFC) with each fillup. The benefit is that my fuel system stays squeeky clean and I never have to worry about my fuel gelling in cold climates. And the jet fuel only costs me $1/gallon, negating the effort for making my own fuel.
 
#7 ·
Unless the NA 300D was super cheap or in extremely good condition, there are better alternatives available on the market. The only NA diesel engine I would personally drive is the DOHC '95 E300D. I don't think the SOHC engines breath enough without a turbo. My favorite is the '90 - '93 300D 2.5t, which is a nice daily driver combination of power, robust engineering and economy.
 
#8 ·
+1 on that. Grey market cars is not very desirable in the US these days. Parts availibility is usually an issue, due to radically different systems (example: HVAC) and usually Euro cars tend to be stripped down (no A/C, sunroof, electric windows, steel rims w/ plastic hub caps, etc, etc, etc.)

As stated, without a turbo I'd pass on the OM603.