tm4exc

At the risk of being redundant, what was the GL 450 mileage on your runs to the GL meet in LV. I hope!

Newbie_2_MB

I got 21 mpg on the trip up there and that was at speeds of...well, let's just say a bit in excess of the posted speed limit! That mileage was calculated manually, not using the trip computer. I find the trip computer to be a bit overly optimistic on the mileage.

tm4exc

Wow! That is great!
Mine is due in about 12 days so they say. Do you remember what the difference was the break-in period to now?

Newbie_2_MB

The break in period wasn't as great...highway was around 17 and city was as bad as 14. I get about 16 now in city driving.

oknish

I used the trip computer and got 21 on the way up. On the way back, I got 20.2 or so and overall was around 19.4 including the city and Red rock driving. I averaged 70 mph both ways again from the trip computer.

I am very pleasantly surprised. I also second Jen's comment on mileage improving with age. I believe that as the engine adapts/learns your style the mileage improves.

StevethePilot

Okay so it's not what you asked, but round-trip (including city driving, back highways, stop and go, and 13 miles of beautiful red rock) I got 25.18 mpg. I filled up at home and didn't fill up again 'till I got back, Scottsdale, Az.

STP

Newbie_2_MB

When we filled up the 450 leaving Vegas, I did the calculation on mileage & Allen was impressed. I said, "Yeah, but I know Steve is getting about 25 in his 320!"

oknish

So when in Vegas, I went to Mobil to fill up and sure enough the pump stopped at $ 75 like it does here in LA. I cursed as usual and did the whole routine again, like I do in LA, to make sure I have a full tank. In LA, my second pumping usually runs about 10 to 12 dollars. In Vegas, it was $ 3.

Newbie_2_MB

I was amazed at how low gas prices were in Vegas compared to L.A.!

tm4exc

nothing like a kerosene burner!
Thought I would add to my flipant remark above. I really wanted a diesel but here in CA they are not approved until the 2009 year model which will have made the wait much too long. I always thought CARB was shortsighted in that they did not look at the overall emissions per mile with the much more efficient MB bluetec engine and certainly did not look at the overall lower GH gas number. Sitting on the ARB in my county they still tend to look at the individual engine numbers rather than the overall picture. The real winner will be when we eliminate all parafin fuels (on road and off road) that are not ultra low sulpher. Enjoy the ride and especially the 25% fewer trips to the pump!

StevethePilot

What a pleasure meeting everyone, especially you guys who made it seem a lot less strange to be going to these types of gatherings because you (Jen) do it a lot!

BeanCounter

The best I have ever done was 22 miles per gallon going to California on one very early morning drive with no traffic. Typically, I get between 19 to 21 on the highway. My drive to work is part highway part city and I typically get around 16 to 17 for the mixed use. Pretty good in my opinion.

oknish

That sounds same as mine, Jeff. It was weird that I got better mileage on LA freeways (sans traffic) compared to open freeways all the way to Vegas. I am thinking the ups and down of freeway have a lot to do with mileage since most freeways in LA are flat.

Stumblefoot

Yesterday's trip home was 743 miles @ 15.1 mpg.

The average driving speed was 88mph.

At that speed, I'm pleased with the fuel economy of our 550.

Total trip time was 9 hours 56 minutes with all of our stops.

tm4exc

Holy moly!!! Were the tyres in touch with the ground? Well done!

Stumblefoot

I know, I know. I just can't get over how this thing cruises the highways. I guess it helps that there really is no traffic on the interstate between St. George and Grand Junction. Very, very fun as you can imagine.

I let my friends drive home as well, and they enjoyed themselves immensely.

StevethePilot

I can tell you it absolutely makes a big difference. Driving round trip to Flagstaff from Scottsdale, I can get mileage as low as 21 with the cruise control on and light traffic. With the same conditions coming home I routinely get better than 30. On the flats of I-10, low traffic, cruise control, not too heavily loaded I do 25+.

STP