CLK320 and CLK500: Average miles per tank?

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Apr 30, 2012 | 11:01 PM
  #1  
Hey guys, I was looking to buy a CLK320/430 a couple years back, but ended up buying a 530i instead. Now I'm driving an A4 1.8T, but I've got the itch to get the Benz again.

Thing is, I'm having a real difficult time deciding between the 320 and 500. One of the main issues with my car is the lack of HP, so I have a feeling I'm going to feel the same way with the 320. I'm just a wee bit concerned with fuel economy of the 500, considering gas is over $1.40/L these days.

So, what do you guys average per tank?
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Apr 30, 2012 | 11:25 PM
  #2  
I own a clk 500 and let me tell you that the lack of mpg is deff worth the HP gain. Its always a joy driving that car. Just flooring that car can put a smile on your face no matter how rough it was lol. MPG wise if I drive "normal" lol, I get on average 20mpg. 22mpg if I'm really gas savvy, like for example slowing down rather than fully stopping at red lights, use cruise control, etc... the 320 gets about 8-10mpg more. So it depends on what your looking for.
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May 1, 2012 | 01:49 AM
  #3  
Well, I'm looking to see how many miles I can expect from a tank of gas in either car to compare to what I'm paying now for gas... if it isn't too much more, then the 500 is definitely the car I'll get... I love HP, and I'm sure I'd love the car more than the 320.

My A4 gives me 280 miles (450kms) in the city, 375 miles (600kms) on the highway, which isn't all that great, especially for a 4 cyl.

The more I think of it, the 500 is the way to go. It has the AMG bumpers, updated climate controls, and more than enough power to satisfy my dark side. I'm sure I'll be spending a bit more $ on gas compared to my A4, but I think the difference is negligible considering how much happier I'll be with this ride.

Shame I can't change my username... lol
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May 1, 2012 | 07:16 AM
  #4  
CLKskr, I think you're wise to look at miles-per-tank instead of MPG. I drive a 350 and I can talk all day about 23-24 mpg, but rarely get over 300 miles on a tank. 1005749's (how's THAT for a username,lol) talk of 20 mpg is credible but I'd like his tank figure too. When I bought my 350, I could have had a 500 or a convertible (or a 500 convertible) for about the same $. I'm 50+, and I knew I could get in enough trouble with the 6's 0-60 in 5.8 seconds, and I do, seeing 16-17 mpg in traffic all the time. My car is plenty fast for me but the 500/550 is a rocket. Hopefully some of our other members will respond with their tank distances, as I'd be interested as well; I reset trip meter every tank! Of course, check that Audi's capacity vs. CLK's (14-15 gal?). Oh, and you can always re-register with a new name (can't see ur post count on my phone but I assume ur new) but I think ur username is fine. Just get a nasty W209 and rock a slick profile pic!
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May 1, 2012 | 08:22 AM
  #5  
06 350 with 16 gallon tank = 440 miles per tank.

Mixed driving was about 26-27 mpg.

Most of my driving was highway where I could easily average 29-30 mpg.

The 350 has plenty of power for most. At 50+ I was more than happy with it.

I have post several cluster shots of miles per tank and fuel mileages. Was a very economical Benz.
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May 1, 2012 | 09:13 AM
  #6  
are you going to dd? do you drive far each day?

driving conservatively i get ~16 mpg lurking about locally and high 24s- low 25 on the freeway.
driving more aggressively i get ~13 local and 23 highway.
I only get like 10-11 mpg on my 5 minute commute to/from school though, as it's the period in which my car is cold. can't push it during then or anything either.

in any case, have you looked into the newer 350(?) engines? those v6s put out almost the same hp the m113 put out a decade ago with the efficiency of a v6. granted it'll probably cost more and it won't have the ferocious bellow of our 5.0l behemoth nor the torque
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May 1, 2012 | 09:30 AM
  #7  
Quote: So, what do you guys average per tank?
Quote: I rarely get over 300 miles on a tank
Quote: 06 350 with 16 gallon tank = 440 miles per tank.
Holy crap, Mike, that's impressive!!

As for MPG, I care about that mostly when I have one gallon of fuel (i.e. not much). Miles per tank is more useful when judging your overall economy, and dollars per mile is even more useful than a static snapshot of MPG. 10 mpg is really only significant if it leads to 160 miles per tank, as is 25mpg highway if it leads to 400 miles per tank (which I'd love to know who, other than Mike, gets.)

edit: MPG is important over a long range of miles, like such:



In a couple of years of driving a little more than an hour a day, I average 19.6 MPG. Still, I've never seen a 400 mile tank (62 liters/16.35 gal).
Reply 0
May 1, 2012 | 12:37 PM
  #8  
Dug this back up.

https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...-out-hand.html
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May 1, 2012 | 01:02 PM
  #9  
Quote: Dug this back up.

https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...-out-hand.html
That thread was a great idea at the time, but it sure devolved into a badblack banned/my country's gas is more than your gas discussion. I think your opening post and pics says it all (both about tank range and how I miss $3.61 premium, lol). You really must drive like a grown-up Mike, and I suspect KC cooperates with good flat roads and light traffic. Though he didn't specify a per-tank figure, Wes is closer to my Boston-area experience with his NJ mileage.

OT Mike, but have you joined a Caddy forum yet?
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May 1, 2012 | 01:19 PM
  #10  
Quote: That thread was a great idea at the time, but it sure devolved into a badblack banned/my country's gas is more than your gas discussion. I think your opening post and pics says it all (both about tank range and how I miss $3.61 premium, lol). You really must drive like a grown-up Mike, and I suspect KC cooperates with good flat roads and light traffic. Though he didn't specify a per-tank figure, Wes is closer to my Boston-area experience with his NJ mileage.

OT Mike, but have you joined a Caddy forum yet?
You're right, that thread went sideways quick once badblack got involved.

The KC roads are not bad to travel. Not a lot of stop and go highway situations like those I have seen and be witness to in the Boston area. I can only assume Jersey is the same.

I have joined the Caddy group. Not much activity or fun so far. I have posted like 8-10 times since joining and have a higher post count than some that have been members 3-5 years. What's that tell you?
Reply 0
May 1, 2012 | 01:29 PM
  #11  
Quote: What's that tell you?
this forum is not just the best, it's the one and only. I also loved the W203 and W202 forums while I drove those cars, but they're not as lively in the years since, as if my fellow members all graduated on to other models as well (I remember a W202 friend, GDawgC220, that stuck around long after switching to an Audi A4 cause this is where the community is).

Another great aspect of that old thread you linked is the global reach of this W209 Forum. I'm the kind of MB driver that turns my head to look at nearly every other MB on the road, as if we're related, and it nearly always disappoints me that the other drivers aren't looking back. I need the global reach to find other enthusatics like myself. I assume that Caddy drivers would tend toward the aloof. Caddie mods? I'd guess you're pretty lonely in that world!
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May 1, 2012 | 03:38 PM
  #12  
<p>My Audi has a bigger tank than the CLK, at 66L. I usually fill it with 55L.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>there's gotta be more people who know what they avg per tank.. I don't keep notes or anything, but after a year of driving this car, I've been able to determine what I avg per tank.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Oh, and id love to get the 350, but it's still out of my price range.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>I think maybe I'll take the 320 out for a spin when I have some free time and see if I'd be content with its performance.</p>
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May 1, 2012 | 03:49 PM
  #13  
Quote: My Audi has a bigger tank than the CLK, at 66L. I usually fill it with 55L.
That Audi really $uck$ then, for an I-4; drive like Mka77 and you'll beat that in a CLK320!
Quote: there's gotta be more people who know what they avg per tank.. I don't keep notes or anything, but after a year of driving this car, I've been able to determine what I avg per tank.
I too hope more folks chime in with avg per tank numbers, but you don't need to keep notes: the trip meter in the MB Multi-display shows "since start" and "since reset." I make a point to not reset so I get a good long-term measure of miles/hours driven, avg speed and avg MPG.
Reply 0
May 1, 2012 | 03:50 PM
  #14  
My 2007 A4 2.0T is my commuter vehicle and its mostly stop and go traffic. I manage overall 29.4 mpg, with a APR tune! There'ss a reason my A4 is a commuter car and not any of my Benz's...gonna get a C250 soon though!
Reply 0
May 1, 2012 | 03:51 PM
  #15  
Quote: this forum is not just the best, it's the one and only. I also loved the W203 and W202 forums while I drove those cars, but they're not as lively in the years since, as if my fellow members all graduated on to other models as well (I remember a W202 friend, GDawgC220, that stuck around long after switching to an Audi A4 cause this is where the community is).

Another great aspect of that old thread you linked is the global reach of this W209 Forum. I'm the kind of MB driver that turns my head to look at nearly every other MB on the road, as if we're related, and it nearly always disappoints me that the other drivers aren't looking back. I need the global reach to find other enthusatics like myself. I assume that Caddy drivers would tend toward the aloof. Caddie mods? I'd guess you're pretty lonely in that world!
This is a great group. I can't see myself just up and quitting because I have switched brands. I truly love MB's.

When I feel like I have nothing left to constructively contribute when it comes to the W209, then I may. But until then.....
Reply 0
May 1, 2012 | 03:53 PM
  #16  
I miss my C230 Kompressor "hatchback" for fuel economy and a few other things, but I still never hit 400 on a tank with the supercharged 2.3l I-4!
Reply 0
May 1, 2012 | 04:40 PM
  #17  
interesting thread... !
I own a 2005 CLK500 - and use it for a daily commute - of around 80km (50 miles)
my average fuel consumption for the past 6 months - equates to 10.862 L/100 km - ( computer indicated 10.723 ) - in UK MPG ( 4.5liter / gal ) the fuel consumption figures are 25.732 MPG - and using the US base of 3.8 liters per Gallon - 21.732 MPG

in general - our highway speeds in South Africa - are 70MPH - so on occasion we push the limits towards 80 MPH -

the CLK is a phenomenal vehicle - and returns good fuel economy if driven well.
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May 1, 2012 | 04:45 PM
  #18  
Quote: interesting thread... !
I own a 2005 CLK500 - and use it for a daily commute - of around 80km (50 miles)
my average fuel consumption for the past 6 months - equates to 10.862 L/100 km - ( computer indicated 10.723 ) - in UK MPG ( 4.5liter / gal ) the fuel consumption figures are 25.732 MPG - and using the US base of 3.8 liters per Gallon - 21.732 MPG
in general - our highway speeds in South Africa - are 70MPH - so on occasion we push the limits towards 80 MPH
That's a lot of math, but what about PER TANK??
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May 1, 2012 | 05:45 PM
  #19  
Quote: That's a lot of math, but what about PER TANK??
Eddie you are ate up! HA!
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May 1, 2012 | 05:50 PM
  #20  
I averaged 286 miles per tank - (459 km ) and then average - 49.27 litres ( 10.95 UK Gal / 12.97 US gal )

regards
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May 1, 2012 | 05:55 PM
  #21  
There you go Eddie...
Reply 0
May 1, 2012 | 06:24 PM
  #22  
maybe I should just get a Caddy and mellow out Mike, but the name of the thread is "Average miles per tank." I'm not up for the calculations, but it would seem to me that a 286 mile tankful might have a few random moments of 21.732 or 25.732 MPG. 286 is about what I get after stomping on it for an entire tankful. That's 17.5 MPG if I run it dry!
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May 1, 2012 | 06:57 PM
  #23  
Those are numbers I can live with! They're really not that far off from what I'm getting right now... sure it costs me $80 to fill the tank, but I don't drive that much. I guess that might change depending on where I find work....

All I know is I get poor mileage from my car because it's underpowered so I gotta push it to get it to go.. I'd prefer to have a car that accelerates effortlessly, and without all the drama (lots of noise and vibration from the 1.8T - it's not a quiet motor).

I'm sure I'd get better mileage from my car if I drove like everyone else on the road (asleep), but I'm a car enthusiast, I'm in my car because I love to drive. I rarely drive slower than 80mph (130km) on the highway.
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May 1, 2012 | 07:57 PM
  #24  
First post on this site: Owned my 09 coupe with a 272 engine (350) for one month. Filled twice at 14 gallons both times. First tank all in town I got 21.4 MPG or 300 miles/tank. 2nd tank all highway at 70 miles/hour 26.9 MPG or 385 miles/tank. These are actual values - not the display. On the highway the display shows 30+ mpg.
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May 1, 2012 | 09:45 PM
  #25  
Quote: First post on this site: Owned my 09 coupe with a 272 engine (350) for one month. Filled twice at 14 gallons both times. First tank all in town I got 21.4 MPG or 300 miles/tank. 2nd tank all highway at 70 miles/hour 26.9 MPG or 385 miles/tank. These are actual values - not the display. On the highway the display shows 30+ mpg.
Quality 1st post Bville.

Great info you have shared. Welcome to the W209 insanity.
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