us_matrix

Hi,

I am thinking a ML350 but wondering how many miles/gallon you guys are running ? I live in Bay Area and 91 is about $3/gallon. How much to fill up for whole tank?

Thanks.

AutoSaurus

Here is my ratings. 90% in town driving.

Flipsonic

I live in the Bay Area too and I know what you mean about gas prices. I'm in the Walnut Creek area and premium gas out here is about $2.95/gal. My gas mileage is as follows: 20 hwy and 18 city. This is from the computer. I understand the computer may not be totally accurate. Fill up is anywhere from $60 to $65. I found that most gas stations stop at either $50 or $60. You may have to swipe your card again if neither amount will fill your tank.

AutoSaurus

My chart proves that the computer is not right. I use it after every fillup and it shows me having 18 mpg in the city when it is not. My Toyota is the same unfortunately. I've learned to not believe them. Besides how can it determine head winds, worn tires, etc.

us_matrix

I am driving a 03 CLK320 and selling it right now. This will be a huge Gas/Gallon difference if i swtich to ML350.

MB web site mentioned the tank is 25 Gallons. If drive it til the light up would be costs around $75 to fill up the whole tank for $3 today may be even more in the future. Sounds like average is around 18 miles/gallon.
Don't flame me please.............. but The Lexus GX470 w/8 cylinder's tank is only 23 Gallons and may even eat less gas than ML350.

GregW / Oregon

Head winds, tires, etc. are not a factor. All the computer does is measure the miles driven divided by the amount of fuel used. It should be straightforward. There could be a gallon or more difference between fillups if you do it manually. I'm not siputing there may be innacurracies, but it should be simple.

GregW / Oregon

The ML350 is rated at 16/20 mpg, the Lexus GX470 at 15/19. I think the ML, with its superior aerodynamics, is actually much better on the highway than that (the aero is not measured in the fuel economy tests). I got 21.5 on a recent trip loaded with AC on and a bike on the back.

The Lexus weighs about 150 lbs more with the same horsepower (but more torque). It boast an 8.1 second 0-60, vs. the 7.1 measured by C&D for the ML350. One review on the Lexus website calls the GX's handling as heavy & ponderous, which echoes my opinion.

Back to the issue of mileage, if this is your concern you should look at an all wheel drive wagon instead. No SUV is going to be great, no matter how high tech. Okay, the Highlander hybrid may get 23 or so on the highway, but the ML320CDI trounces it.

Wolfgang

Isn't it rated even better, at 20 MPG on the highway, Greg?

GregW / Oregon

You're right about that--my memory is failing! I edited my above post. Thanks.

AutoSaurus

Is this by your calculations or the onboard computer?

GregW / Oregon

Both--they cross-checked.

Kar don

lol makes me feel like im flying... cross check.

AutoSaurus

Not to beat a dead horse...but are you resetting the "after reset" function from the computer and then taking the actual miles driven divided by the gallons put in and comparing it? sounds like you are which is what I've been doing and get ~2mpg less by hand vs the computer.

deltadude388

Dudes seriously!! you are planning to drop 60K on a car and is concern about gas mileage?? Doesn't make sense to me......

rmbalisa

i get 16.4 city and thats really all i have driven. there is only 350 miles on it though after two weeks. at $2.74/gal for premium, it cost me $55.50

GregW / Oregon

Regardless of how much you can afford to spend on a car, efficiency should always be important. Not only do we only have a limited quantity of dino juice left, but the impact on the planet needs to be considered.

Efficiency is a complex combination of engine design, aerodynamics, and vehicle weight compared to the passenger/cargo volume and performance. The ML will never be a Prius, but the relative efficiency of the new 4-valve V6 along with the great drag coefficient, good passenger and cargo volume, and reasonable weight, among other attributes, attracted me. I would have considered a 4-valve V8 or CDI, if they had been available. I like performance, but I appreciate using as little fuel for the performance level achieved as possible.

Read my post on the hybrid vs. CDI mileage test.

deltadude388

True, dino juice is finite!! Someone's gotta save it cause I am gonna all the dino juice I need to gas up my LandRover!!!

I like the article on the diesel, always have been a proponent for diesel powered rigs!!

rock on!