Mileage on Diesel S-class
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From: Netherlands
MB S320CDI 2001, VW Golf Variant 2001, BMW E36 328I cabrio 1998
Mileage on Diesel S-class
A question specific to the US forum members that drive a W220 S-class with diesel engine.
In the US there are quite low maximum speeds, this combined with long straight highways would be very suited for fuel efficient driving in my opinion.
What kind of mileage do you reach (both on the board computer and one calculated yourself)
I reach 7.5l/100km (or 13.3km/l) according the board computer and 9 l/100km (or 11.1 km/l) when I calculate distance between tankstops and tanked volume.
This is based on approx. 8000km that where about half city traffic and half highway with max speed 120km/h (75 miles/hr) Engine is 320CDI
regards
In the US there are quite low maximum speeds, this combined with long straight highways would be very suited for fuel efficient driving in my opinion.
What kind of mileage do you reach (both on the board computer and one calculated yourself)
I reach 7.5l/100km (or 13.3km/l) according the board computer and 9 l/100km (or 11.1 km/l) when I calculate distance between tankstops and tanked volume.
This is based on approx. 8000km that where about half city traffic and half highway with max speed 120km/h (75 miles/hr) Engine is 320CDI
regards
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,332
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From: Toronto
2006 E320 CDi, 2008 3/4 Ton Suburban, 2007 "rice rickshaw" Accord 5 speed
A question specific to the US forum members that drive a W220 S-class with diesel engine.
In the US there are quite low maximum speeds, this combined with long straight highways would be very suited for fuel efficient driving in my opinion.
What kind of mileage do you reach (both on the board computer and one calculated yourself)
I reach 7.5l/100km (or 13.3km/l) according the board computer and 9 l/100km (or 11.1 km/l) when I calculate distance between tankstops and tanked volume.
This is based on approx. 8000km that where about half city traffic and half highway with max speed 120km/h (75 miles/hr) Engine is 320CDI
regards
In the US there are quite low maximum speeds, this combined with long straight highways would be very suited for fuel efficient driving in my opinion.
What kind of mileage do you reach (both on the board computer and one calculated yourself)
I reach 7.5l/100km (or 13.3km/l) according the board computer and 9 l/100km (or 11.1 km/l) when I calculate distance between tankstops and tanked volume.
This is based on approx. 8000km that where about half city traffic and half highway with max speed 120km/h (75 miles/hr) Engine is 320CDI
regards
I get about 25 mpg but since my car has 9,000 km I expect the mileage to improve later. The best way to calculate mileage is still the old fashion one: fill up the tank until it clicks, zero the odometer, drive till nearly empty and refill to full again. Divide the mileage with the volume of fuel pumped and you get the result 100% accurate.
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 783
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From: Murrieta, Southern California
Late Built 2005 W-211 E-320 CDI
A More Accurate Method to Determine Fuel Mileage
If the W-211s are anything like the older W-210s, this will not be accurate.
I found that with both my '99 E-300 DT and my son-in-laws '97 E-420, it was impossible to get
the tank completely full unless you spent an additional 10 to 15 minutes slowly (very slowly)
completely filling the tank so that the fuel is standing without
foam, and is all the way up to the rim of the filler tube.
And to do this correctly, I found that it was best to always fill up at the
same pump with the car in the same exact position as the first fill.
The slightest change in the levelness of the filling spot can make a difference.
Simply allowing an automatic nozzle to "click-off" does not get you an accurate fill. Why?
Because the automatic nozzle will not always click off at the same point.
As we all know, most if not all, diesel foams like crazy as it is being pumped into your tank.
Unless you pull the filling nozzle back out of the filling tube towards the end of your fill and feed the fuel in as slowly as the nozzle valve will allow, and allow the bubbles to disappear, you do not have an accurate fill.
I had hoped that MBZ would correct this error with the newer cars, but I doubt if they have?
An even more accurate way to determine exact fuel economy is to calculate
your total gallons used over as long a mileage test as you possibly can.
Doing this will remove those slightly uneven fills if done over several fill ups.
Your new 2006 E-320 CDI should be doing better than
25 mpg unless you are only driving in city traffic?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 4
From: Toronto
2006 E320 CDi, 2008 3/4 Ton Suburban, 2007 "rice rickshaw" Accord 5 speed
I beg to differ. That method Is Not 100 % accurate!
If the W-211s are anything like the older W-210s, this will not be accurate.
I found that with both my '99 E-300 DT and my son-in-laws '97 E-420, it was impossible to get
the tank completely full unless you spent an additional 10 to 15 minutes slowly (very slowly)
completely filling the tank so that the fuel is standing without
foam, and is all the way up to the rim of the filler tube.
And to do this correctly, I found that it was best to always fill up at the
same pump with the car in the same exact position as the first fill.
The slightest change in the levelness of the filling spot can make a difference.
Simply allowing an automatic nozzle to "click-off" does not get you an accurate fill. Why?
Because the automatic nozzle will not always click off at the same point.
As we all know, most if not all, diesel foams like crazy as it is being pumped into your tank.
Unless you pull the filling nozzle back out of the filling tube towards the end of your fill and feed the fuel in as slowly as the nozzle valve will allow, and allow the bubbles to disappear, you do not have an accurate fill.
I had hoped that MBZ would correct this error with the newer cars, but I doubt if they have?
An even more accurate way to determine exact fuel economy is to calculate
your total gallons used over as long a mileage test as you possibly can.
Doing this will remove those slightly uneven fills if done over several fill ups.
Your new 2006 E-320 CDI should be doing better than
25 mpg unless you are only driving in city traffic?
If the W-211s are anything like the older W-210s, this will not be accurate.
I found that with both my '99 E-300 DT and my son-in-laws '97 E-420, it was impossible to get
the tank completely full unless you spent an additional 10 to 15 minutes slowly (very slowly)
completely filling the tank so that the fuel is standing without
foam, and is all the way up to the rim of the filler tube.
And to do this correctly, I found that it was best to always fill up at the
same pump with the car in the same exact position as the first fill.
The slightest change in the levelness of the filling spot can make a difference.
Simply allowing an automatic nozzle to "click-off" does not get you an accurate fill. Why?
Because the automatic nozzle will not always click off at the same point.
As we all know, most if not all, diesel foams like crazy as it is being pumped into your tank.
Unless you pull the filling nozzle back out of the filling tube towards the end of your fill and feed the fuel in as slowly as the nozzle valve will allow, and allow the bubbles to disappear, you do not have an accurate fill.
I had hoped that MBZ would correct this error with the newer cars, but I doubt if they have?
An even more accurate way to determine exact fuel economy is to calculate
your total gallons used over as long a mileage test as you possibly can.
Doing this will remove those slightly uneven fills if done over several fill ups.
Your new 2006 E-320 CDI should be doing better than
25 mpg unless you are only driving in city traffic?
You are always so precise. Yes. I agree with your comments on working out mileage economy.
You remember VW had a tiny black plastic knob at the filler that you can press, enabling another extra liter of diesel to go into the tank? MB does not have it though in their diesel cars.
Yes. I have been doing city driving for the last 6 weeks. I love to go to Niagara Falls or somewhere to test it out.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 783
Likes: 1
From: Murrieta, Southern California
Late Built 2005 W-211 E-320 CDI
Various . . .
Mr Green:
You are always so precise.
Yes. I agree with your comments on working out mileage economy.
You remember VW had a tiny black plastic knob at the filler that you can press, enabling another extra liter of diesel to go into the tank?
MB does not have it though in their diesel cars.
Yes. I have been doing city driving for the last 6 weeks. I love to go to Niagara Falls or somewhere to test it out.
You are always so precise.
Yes. I agree with your comments on working out mileage economy.
You remember VW had a tiny black plastic knob at the filler that you can press, enabling another extra liter of diesel to go into the tank?
MB does not have it though in their diesel cars.
Yes. I have been doing city driving for the last 6 weeks. I love to go to Niagara Falls or somewhere to test it out.
My 2002 Jetta only had one for a very short time.
That plastic knob disappeared soon after my first fill up!
Known over on Freds' as a Ventecomy, it is the only way to fly.
See: http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?p=274521
Wish there was such a similar modification for the MBZs.
Are you using the "comfort" setting on your transmission?
Do you ease off slowly from rest in second gear and allow
your transmission to upshift as early as possible?
Perhaps if you try that, you will see even better fuel economy in town?
And mind you, 25 mpg is not too bad now, is it?
It is still rather cold up North, N'est pas?
Wait until you have a few thousand kilometers on the odometer and summer grade fuel!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 4
From: Toronto
2006 E320 CDi, 2008 3/4 Ton Suburban, 2007 "rice rickshaw" Accord 5 speed
rambling
Thanks. Eye tries!
My 2002 Jetta only had one for a very short time.
That plastic knob disappeared soon after my first fill up!
Known over on Freds' as a Ventecomy, it is the only way to fly.
See: http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?p=274521
Wish there was such a similar modification for the MBZs.
Are you using the "comfort" setting on your transmission?
Do you ease off slowly from rest in second gear and allow
your transmission to upshift as early as possible?
Perhaps if you try that, you will see even better fuel economy in town?
And mind you, 25 mpg is not too bad now, is it?
It is still rather cold up North, N'est pas?
Wait until you have a few thousand kilometers on the odometer and summer grade fuel!
My 2002 Jetta only had one for a very short time.
That plastic knob disappeared soon after my first fill up!
Known over on Freds' as a Ventecomy, it is the only way to fly.
See: http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?p=274521
Wish there was such a similar modification for the MBZs.
Are you using the "comfort" setting on your transmission?
Do you ease off slowly from rest in second gear and allow
your transmission to upshift as early as possible?
Perhaps if you try that, you will see even better fuel economy in town?
And mind you, 25 mpg is not too bad now, is it?
It is still rather cold up North, N'est pas?
Wait until you have a few thousand kilometers on the odometer and summer grade fuel!
I try to use "Ultra" (Shell) or "Gold" (Sunoco) diesel but both contain Kerosene or some anti-freeze and is less powerful than summer fuel. There was a fire at a big Esso refinery in Ontario with an ensuing fuel shortage and price hike so I switched to ordinary, common gardener diesel. The last 2 months were brutally cold but the car is holding up well (parked outside, poor thing). The car came with a block heater installed but I have to buy a $100.00 cable and pay to get it hooked up. Typical MB - most items are sold as extras and costs over $100.00 each.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5
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From: Houston, TX
'83 300 SD
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 4
From: Toronto
2006 E320 CDi, 2008 3/4 Ton Suburban, 2007 "rice rickshaw" Accord 5 speed
Texas is warmer than Toronto
What size is your tank? 80 liters is a little over 20 US Gallons.
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Newbie
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
'83 300 SD
My 975 mile run used right at 16 gallons. It was a low-speed (60mph) all highway run. The car averaged 58mpg over 45k miles, so everything was "just right" plus I drove for economy.
Wish I still had it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,332
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From: Toronto
2006 E320 CDi, 2008 3/4 Ton Suburban, 2007 "rice rickshaw" Accord 5 speed
Using the vent trick (ie filling the expansion chamber) i think you can cram about 17.5 gallons in.
My 975 mile run used right at 16 gallons. It was a low-speed (60mph) all highway run. The car averaged 58mpg over 45k miles, so everything was "just right" plus I drove for economy.
Wish I still had it.
My 975 mile run used right at 16 gallons. It was a low-speed (60mph) all highway run. The car averaged 58mpg over 45k miles, so everything was "just right" plus I drove for economy.
Wish I still had it.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 783
Likes: 1
From: Murrieta, Southern California
Late Built 2005 W-211 E-320 CDI
Mixup
It's not. Tim is speaking about his '03 TDI.
From post number 7 here on this topic:
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 4
From: Toronto
2006 E320 CDi, 2008 3/4 Ton Suburban, 2007 "rice rickshaw" Accord 5 speed
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
'83 300 SD
Yes, I was talking about my VW.The best my 300SD has ever returned is 32.4mpg. My average is 31...but I have to drive like an 80 year old lady to get it...which I don't really mind. It is a game to me.
Just so long as I can stay out of folk's way, everything is cool.
Tim
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,332
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From: Toronto
2006 E320 CDi, 2008 3/4 Ton Suburban, 2007 "rice rickshaw" Accord 5 speed
need no stinking $8,999 battery!
Diesel! Diesel! Diesel!
