Cruising speed rpm?
 

I just purchased a 1997 E300 diesel....my first diesel ever. I had heard that in general diesel engine run at lower rpm than gas engines.
I just took the car out on the highway and it runs well, but at a cruising speed of 70mph, the engine rpm is about 3k. this seems high to me.
The dashboard indicates that the automatic transmission in "D", so I know I'm not in a lower gear.
Any thoughts?

Exactly where it should be.

thanks, good to know

I am not much help here no experience with the '97 W210 non-turbo. My dad has the '99 W210 turbo but can't remember the revs now. My W212 with the 7G I checked yesterday is about 1800-1850 at 70mph.

Amazing that 7G, I thought my 1999 300TD at 80 and about 2900 rpm was great!!

At 80, I'm at about 2050-2100 on a 211 Bluetec with the 7G.

Thanks, but I'm not sure if we can compare rpms across different engine and body models....

My '97 is an E300D 3.0 liter 6 cylinder. I don't think it is turbo charged.
Also, the transmission makes a difference. Mine is a 5 speed automatic.

The RPM is too high, you're not going into 5th gear.