400E that gets 30MPG ???
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 625
Likes: 6
400E that gets 30MPG ???
Hey, here is a guy on Ebay selling his 400E and declares he gets 30MPG..."This car has been garage kept and used for highway trips. it is smooth quiet and powerful! it has a 4.2 lit v8 that is good on fuel. it gets around 30 mpg on the highway" Wish I knew how he does it...I'm lucky if I get 20MPG.!....but I guess that is around 30MPG
Don't you just love Ebay....people can say just about anything. And they don't care if it is a lie or the truth. Just aweful.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...m=270189686537
Don't you just love Ebay....people can say just about anything. And they don't care if it is a lie or the truth. Just aweful.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...m=270189686537
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 717
Likes: 1
From: Manassas, VA, USA
2011 VW cc, 2004 ML350
My '93 400E has 110,000 miles and it's my daily commute vehicle. I drive 600 miles a week, 50% interstate hwy at 75-80mph, 40% state hwy 55-65mph. I average 23mpg. The best I ever got was 26. That was pure interstate avg 70mph, without A/C. When my commute was 75% city and two lane, I got 18 or 19 on avg.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 717
Likes: 1
From: Manassas, VA, USA
2011 VW cc, 2004 ML350
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 0
im not going to say hes lying.
but some things to think about.
*we dont know what kind of driving this cat is doing. if you drive aggressively you get worse fuel consumption. drive like grandma and get good numbers
*we dont know if hes gone up a size or two on tires. a bigger tire rolls a longer distance when it turns once.
*we dont know what fluids he has in his drivetrain. they might not make a huge difference but they make a difference.
aside case in point. this last week, i was in phoenix for thanksgiving. i went from costco in fontana, california where i topped off the tank before picking my aunt, to anthem, arizona at my moms house, and i had over a 1/4 tank still left.
since the tank is ~17 gallons, give or take, and there was a little still over the 1/4 mark, i calculated the distance (359 miles) and the fuel use (i gauged about 12 gallons. my light comes on when i can pour 15 gallons. the most ive ever filled was just over 17 (when the light had been on for 3 days!!) i was pretty sure the car was going, not on fumes, but on the memory of fumes. so im basing my calculations on 3/4 of 16 gallons which is 12) and got a figure of 29.91 mpg.
it seems unrealistic as my previous best was ~25 coming from denver but i was maintaining 75mph even over the many mountain passes on that one. on this one, not only did i not exceed 80 at any given point, but i was careful to stay as close to the left side of the economy gauge as possible. i tried to keep it at a steady 75 but allowed it to drop and pick up speed as the gradients allowed. of course i took my foot off the gas as much as possible on downgrades.
unrealistic. unbelievable. and im still trying to think if i filled up somewhere along the line. like at blythe or something. i know i did coming back, but on the way there we didnt (IIRC) stop anywhere.
why the aside. mine is a 2.6 liter. but has the 3.27 rear end ratio where the 400Es have a 2.24 i think. i also have slightly bigger tires 205/65-15 and i made sure to fill em with nitrogen to 35psi before i left.
but some things to think about.
*we dont know what kind of driving this cat is doing. if you drive aggressively you get worse fuel consumption. drive like grandma and get good numbers
*we dont know if hes gone up a size or two on tires. a bigger tire rolls a longer distance when it turns once.
*we dont know what fluids he has in his drivetrain. they might not make a huge difference but they make a difference.
aside case in point. this last week, i was in phoenix for thanksgiving. i went from costco in fontana, california where i topped off the tank before picking my aunt, to anthem, arizona at my moms house, and i had over a 1/4 tank still left.
since the tank is ~17 gallons, give or take, and there was a little still over the 1/4 mark, i calculated the distance (359 miles) and the fuel use (i gauged about 12 gallons. my light comes on when i can pour 15 gallons. the most ive ever filled was just over 17 (when the light had been on for 3 days!!) i was pretty sure the car was going, not on fumes, but on the memory of fumes. so im basing my calculations on 3/4 of 16 gallons which is 12) and got a figure of 29.91 mpg.
it seems unrealistic as my previous best was ~25 coming from denver but i was maintaining 75mph even over the many mountain passes on that one. on this one, not only did i not exceed 80 at any given point, but i was careful to stay as close to the left side of the economy gauge as possible. i tried to keep it at a steady 75 but allowed it to drop and pick up speed as the gradients allowed. of course i took my foot off the gas as much as possible on downgrades.
unrealistic. unbelievable. and im still trying to think if i filled up somewhere along the line. like at blythe or something. i know i did coming back, but on the way there we didnt (IIRC) stop anywhere.
why the aside. mine is a 2.6 liter. but has the 3.27 rear end ratio where the 400Es have a 2.24 i think. i also have slightly bigger tires 205/65-15 and i made sure to fill em with nitrogen to 35psi before i left.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 314
Likes: 1
From: Bryson City NC
93 300SE Rauch "Smoke"
Paul! I am with you! I took a trip to southern Ga and on the freeway holding right around 70 mph I got very close to 27 ! and I did a full tank to full tank check! My average is around 21 to 22 mpg ! Why would I want to drive some econo box !! BTW that is done on unleaded regular fuel. Been running it in Bigblue from the first day I got it 3yrs ago!
Smokie
Smokie
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
2001 BMW M3 vert
Maybe he was drafting behind a big truck and 100% highway.
My Audi usually gets 30ish on the highway but when I moved from Canada to Texas I got on average 42 mpg and I wasn't following the moving truck that closeley.
My Audi usually gets 30ish on the highway but when I moved from Canada to Texas I got on average 42 mpg and I wasn't following the moving truck that closeley.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,816
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, CA
W124's
I only get average about 16-17MPG on my E420 but then again I don't really drive gas friendly. 
But when I think about it my car does much better on gas than my 300E ever did.
But when I think about it my car does much better on gas than my 300E ever did.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production
Verdad Gallardo
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look
Verdad Gallardo
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 117
Likes: 1
300CE 24V Sportline 1991
V8 124 Fuel Consumption
I think a modern (mid 1990s) all aluminiium V8 has a good chance of 30 mpg. My 1986 500SL got around 25 and I was very heavy-footed.
The old 300ce-24 gets around 30 if driven carefully on a long trip and I think that has an iron block which isn't so economical as an aluminium one.
Just my 2 cents (Euro) worth.
RayH
The old 300ce-24 gets around 30 if driven carefully on a long trip and I think that has an iron block which isn't so economical as an aluminium one.
Just my 2 cents (Euro) worth.
RayH
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
1990 300ce 24v I6
Thats like 5$ here. Not a bad ammount of insight.
I get about 19-22 around town (drive a bit like an ***) and not sure on high-way trips. I can see 30 if the car is VERY well maintained.
I get about 19-22 around town (drive a bit like an ***) and not sure on high-way trips. I can see 30 if the car is VERY well maintained.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 842
Likes: 2
2001 c320 - 2002 ml55 - 2011 c300 - 2014 slk350 - 2015 cla45
i got 30mpg the other day..
dont know how acturate this is...
filled the tank before i left... tank is 18.5 per owners manual.
drove 140 miles with cruise set at 70mph the entire way.
when i got home my fuel gauge was at the 3/4 line or the first line before full.
140 miles /4.63 gallons = 30.2
since ive put on 115 city miles and now have a little under 1/2 a tank
1/2 TANK = 9.25
so ill use 9.4
255/ 9.4 = 27.13
-carino
filled the tank before i left... tank is 18.5 per owners manual.
drove 140 miles with cruise set at 70mph the entire way.
when i got home my fuel gauge was at the 3/4 line or the first line before full.
140 miles /4.63 gallons = 30.2
since ive put on 115 city miles and now have a little under 1/2 a tank
1/2 TANK = 9.25
so ill use 9.4
255/ 9.4 = 27.13
-carino
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 0
charles
the markings dont actually correspond to the actual amount of fuel left in the tank. you should have filled up the tank and recorded the amount of fuel used.
its common to set the halfway mark at about 1/3 in order to make it seem like the car is getting good fuel economy. quite a few people fill up when it gets to halfway, so they think theyve only used half the tank but in reality theyve used 2/3.
from 1/2 to 1/4 it usually drops real quick. try it in any car, any make any model.
i drove a ford truck this last weekend and it went only 60 miles between half and 1/4. thats from a 30 gallon tank. in my W124 (on long drives) it will sit at about 1/2 for quite a long time, then suddenly its at 1/4.
the markings dont actually correspond to the actual amount of fuel left in the tank. you should have filled up the tank and recorded the amount of fuel used.
its common to set the halfway mark at about 1/3 in order to make it seem like the car is getting good fuel economy. quite a few people fill up when it gets to halfway, so they think theyve only used half the tank but in reality theyve used 2/3.
from 1/2 to 1/4 it usually drops real quick. try it in any car, any make any model.
i drove a ford truck this last weekend and it went only 60 miles between half and 1/4. thats from a 30 gallon tank. in my W124 (on long drives) it will sit at about 1/2 for quite a long time, then suddenly its at 1/4.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,642
Likes: 13
From: Caribbean/Florida/Colorado
E-ZGO 53hp., 1999 E 430 sport, 2004 E 55, 2008 Tahoe LTZ on 24"s
99 E430 27mpg @ 72 MPH W/AC
I could fill my tires to 50 psi and draft a truck, with no AC @ 60 mph and get mid 30s
I could fill my tires to 50 psi and draft a truck, with no AC @ 60 mph and get mid 30s
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 870
Likes: 0
From: marlboro, nj
Mercedes benz 1991 300ce(RIP), now an 89 300ce
my fuel gauge has been out of commission since late summer...but i only have a 3 liter and at most ive gotten 25 all highway driving...granted my cruise control aint working either 
Newbie
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I Own a 1992 400E
I have had my 400E for 4 years now. I actually bought it on ebay. I have driven it form orlando, fl to los angelas, CA i calculated my gas milage at about 22 MPG i was also averaging about 85 mph which shouldn't make any difference because the car was designed to perform at its best at those speeds. Regardless I love the car and wouldn't trade it for the world. My favorite Benz ever. I only wish my fenders were a little wider so i could put wider tires on it. I have gained a couple more MPG by putting K&N Air filter and synthetic Oil in my car. Just a thought.
Last edited by Bonchida05; Dec 6, 2007 at 04:20 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, CANADA
1993 400E
First long trip I did I wanted to know exactly what the fuel consumption was so I took my computer along and recorded each fill. 3700 miles gave me a good idea.
I get 30.5 cruising at 65 - 70 MPH and the best was crossing Nevada on the I80 where I got just over 31 mpg cruising at 85MPH. I am chuffed that the faster I go the less gas I use!!
P.S. The reason I had to take my computer along was because the odometers in Canada are in Kilometres and, oh yeah, you guys down there use those fully little gallons just so you can brag about how much gas your tank holds!! lol
I get 30.5 cruising at 65 - 70 MPH and the best was crossing Nevada on the I80 where I got just over 31 mpg cruising at 85MPH. I am chuffed that the faster I go the less gas I use!!
P.S. The reason I had to take my computer along was because the odometers in Canada are in Kilometres and, oh yeah, you guys down there use those fully little gallons just so you can brag about how much gas your tank holds!! lol
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, CANADA
1993 400E
Brian, where are you from. We are just pulling your leg guy!
In most of the World a pint is 20 oz and a Gal is 180 oz. Yooz Guys (for some reason I am not aware of) have a 16 oz pint and a 128 oz gal It is called a US Gallon for us guys who are in the middle (Canada). In the US it helps if you specify Imperial (Imp) Gal and in the rest of the world it REALLY helps if you specify US Gal if that is what you mean.
So multiply by 4 fifths and 30mpg is 24 mpUSg!!!
Gets really messy when people like Poulan Husvhana sell chain saws with a 3.2 oz bottle of oil for a 40:1 oil mix, We see the 3.2 oz bottle all the time because that makes a 50:1 mix for the Imp Gal. Trouble is these folks do not specify and it can sure mess up your trip to the woods!!! REALLY wish people would be MORE SPECIFIC when they are selling into Canada. (I will get off my soap box now)
P.S. See why I needed my computerhttps://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/nixweiss.gif
P.P.S. Donèt know what happened to that smiley!! Maybe same thing that messes up my punctuationÉÉÉ (Qu mark)
In most of the World a pint is 20 oz and a Gal is 180 oz. Yooz Guys (for some reason I am not aware of) have a 16 oz pint and a 128 oz gal It is called a US Gallon for us guys who are in the middle (Canada). In the US it helps if you specify Imperial (Imp) Gal and in the rest of the world it REALLY helps if you specify US Gal if that is what you mean.
So multiply by 4 fifths and 30mpg is 24 mpUSg!!!
Gets really messy when people like Poulan Husvhana sell chain saws with a 3.2 oz bottle of oil for a 40:1 oil mix, We see the 3.2 oz bottle all the time because that makes a 50:1 mix for the Imp Gal. Trouble is these folks do not specify and it can sure mess up your trip to the woods!!! REALLY wish people would be MORE SPECIFIC when they are selling into Canada. (I will get off my soap box now)
P.S. See why I needed my computerhttps://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/nixweiss.gif
P.P.S. Donèt know what happened to that smiley!! Maybe same thing that messes up my punctuationÉÉÉ (Qu mark)
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, CANADA
1993 400E
Only for you young bucks who are not in construction or in farming!
Hard to believe they cannot standardize their terms! 30cm is OKAY but often they just say 300 and you have to figure out whether it means 1ft or 10 ft!! (or sometimes they even mean 300mm!!) Kinda like we either work in inches or ft and inches - but it makes NO SENSE in metric!!
And we still build with 2 x 4s and 4 x 8 sheets so it just makes everything more complicated. Even some guys that learnt metric in school are switching because it is hard to work in 2 different systems.
The farmers are confused too because we switched in 1977 and the roads are still 2 miles apart!! A Section is still the same but they now own 1000 hectares not 2500 acres so they have been cheated, right
Hard to believe they cannot standardize their terms! 30cm is OKAY but often they just say 300 and you have to figure out whether it means 1ft or 10 ft!! (or sometimes they even mean 300mm!!) Kinda like we either work in inches or ft and inches - but it makes NO SENSE in metric!!
And we still build with 2 x 4s and 4 x 8 sheets so it just makes everything more complicated. Even some guys that learnt metric in school are switching because it is hard to work in 2 different systems.
The farmers are confused too because we switched in 1977 and the roads are still 2 miles apart!! A Section is still the same but they now own 1000 hectares not 2500 acres so they have been cheated, right
