MinnBobber

Hi,
is the new ML diesel rated at 25 mpg highway?

MB emphasizes the efficency of all new ML's but isn't the VW Touareg tdi rated at 28 mpg hwy? VW owners seem to consistently get low 30's on the hwy. VW does have 8 speed tranny but ML has revised 7 speed and new tranny fluid etc that they say improves efficiency. VW and ML weigh the same.

Why isn't ML rated for higher highway MPG?
What can one expect for real world (highway cruising at 70) mpg on ML diesel?

Currently own 05 ML 500 but considering a new rig/ diesel.

GregW / Oregon

Current diesel owners need to chime in here, but my guess the rating is conservative. Touareg TDI is rated 19/28 vs. the estimated 20/25 for the ML. However, the ML has 11% more power and 12% more torque, while getting 5% better city economy and 12% worse highway. So, the numbers seem to slightly favor the ML, unless most of your mileage is long trips.

DC-IT

My 2011 ML350BT consistently gets 24+ MPG with a mix of 50% city/50%.
On mainly highway driving it can easily get 29+ MPG at 75 MPH.

http://www.fuelly.com/car/volkswagen/touareg/2011

http://www.fuelly.com/car/mercedes-benz/ml350/2011

dla208

I have 2011 ML350BT with 1300 miles on it and in the City driving I average about 22-24, on the highway 26-30mpg depending on speed and aggressiveness

I'm very happy with MPG overall. Especially after coming out of 2009 ML350 4matic which at the best highway rate was about 21-22mpg...

GregW / Oregon

I have the same max. mpg w/ my 2006 350, 22. I'm looking forward to the better mileage with no decrease in performance. Just need to get used to a more constircted rev range.

boiler1991

My 09 Bluetec typically delivers 22mpg mixed and 27-28mpg when cruizing. The computer tends to overstate by 1-2mpg.

2012MLBlue

I got 1141 kms (709 miles) on one tank in my 08 last summer. Pretty amazing!!

DieselFamily

The 2012 BlueTEC is actually rated 27 mpg highway

GregW / Oregon

Correct. The 25 number must have been preliminary.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymanu.htm

MinnBobber

25 mpg must have been preliminary est.

27 mpg sounds better, more in line with MB info which said newer engine and tranny changes emphasized better mileage. Could somebody post what rpms the engine is turning at 60/65/70?? Thanks

I am irked at diesel prices though. At one station today here in MN, regular was $3.39 and diesel $4.09. WTF.....
What's diesel compared to regular in other states??

Here, when gas is is $3.70+, diesel was more like 40 cents above regular.

GregW / Oregon

I always compare it to premium, since that's what my current ML and BMW take. Here it's equal at best, +10-15 cents at worst. Depending on your driving, it's likely to take 4+ years to amortize the up front $1,500 difference.

listerone

When talking Mercedes you can't use Regular as a reference point when discussing fuel prices.IIRC there's not a Mercedes sold in this country that doesn't *require* (as opposed to "recommend") Premium so that has to be your reference point.Last winter Diesel was a couple of pennies more than Premium near me and last summer it was a few pennies more than Midgrade.And given that my highway rating is 37% higher than the equivalent V-6 (that requires Premium) I'd say that that was a great deal.

Gladesman1

THe MB should have a higher REAL WORLD # than the VW depending on how you drive. the City MPG is higher than the VW. I drove both back to back recently at neighboring dealers. No contest on fit, finish or the feel of power in the MB. I really wanted to like the VW more bc. it was cheaper and it is a back up car for me.

MinnBobber

Thanks. I should drive them back to back too. I want to like the VW too as the Touareg Exec TDI seems like a lot of vehicle for the money as it has all the options. The ML BlueTec gets stratospheric in price if you tick a few of the option boxes....

I really want to try/buy a diesel but today the regular was $3.23 and diesel was $4.29. Isn't diesel cheaper to refine???

Gladesman1

Well my Hemi Jeep runs on regular but if you can afford a ML and factor in the value of your time always refilling the gas, you may find Diesel cheaper at 6 bucks a gallon! It is a lot of car for the money but in my opinion and I will be the one looking over the dash for the next XX years, I like the look of the ML the best. My wife has an X5 also a looker but it is even more expensive and is not layer out as well for even moderate off roading and trailering.

listerone

As has been said earlier you must use Premium as your comparison point when talking fuel price.In my neck of the woods Diesel is about 5-10 cents a gallon more than Premium.

aksuma

In Germany the ML350BlueTEC is 31.8 - 34.6 mpg (mixed city and highway) indicated. But with start-stop automatic.

MinnBobber

Diesel vehicle would be easy choice if pricing was so close here in MN.
Premium was $3.45 and diesel was $4.29 today.
Price is much closer when gas is $3.75 ++. In fact, I believe just recently the gas dropped 40 cents/gal and diesel went up 30 cents per gal. It makes no sense except diesel pricing is really a ripoff here.

I wish diesel was consistently only 5-10 cents over premium here!!

farrbar

Don't forget to add the cost of Ad Blue when crunching numbers.

GregW / Oregon

That's pretty minimal.

farrbar

As long as people don't rely on the Stealer for it...... I have heard some dealers suggest you must use them or it voids warranty.

GregW / Oregon

Walmart carries it, along with many others: http://www.walmart.com/ip/BLUEDEF-Di...5-gal/16933407

Here is standard for DEF from the manual:

dougiebear

Why Calcite? DIAMOND IS FREE in Canada that is. 1500 extra in USA
Meaning you paid for metalic in base price

dougiebear

GREG you dont drive enough LOL (4 years)
thanks for info in all the posts

GregW / Oregon

Using the side-by-side comparison on fueleconomy.gov, I input 10,000 miles per year, 55 city/45 hwy split, and gas at $3.95 and diesel at $4.05. Net savings is calculated at only $238/year. So, that would be about 7 years for the amortization, not counting interest. Carbon footprint between the two is almost the same, 6.5T/yr for gas and 6.4 for diesel. That, together with the more limited availability of diesel, is making me rethink my choice for the diesel. If diesel fuel prices in the US were more like Canada or Europe it would be a no-brainer.