SL/R129: Let's talk about fuel for the SL.
12-27-2005, 09:35 AM
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Let's talk about fuel for the SL.
Bought a 95 SL500 for the wife. The car is Great! 
But she likes to put 89-90 octain fuel in it. Which is not a problem given the way she drives the car. She drives it very easy. Never floors it or anything.
The problem is that when I get behind the wheel.
I like to clear the thing out for her. And I get detonation at medium to low RPM. It clears out at higher RPM. 
Yesterday we spoke a bit about fuel and what happens when you run too low of a grade in a higher compression motor. We talked about timing curves and such. And then I saw the glossy look in her eyes.
So I ended up wrapping the discussion with telling her to run 93 from now on.
Am I right? If she drives the car so slow it doesn't know then is medium grade fuel ok?
But she likes to put 89-90 octain fuel in it. Which is not a problem given the way she drives the car. She drives it very easy. Never floors it or anything.The problem is that when I get behind the wheel.
I like to clear the thing out for her. And I get detonation at medium to low RPM. It clears out at higher RPM. Yesterday we spoke a bit about fuel and what happens when you run too low of a grade in a higher compression motor. We talked about timing curves and such. And then I saw the glossy look in her eyes.
So I ended up wrapping the discussion with telling her to run 93 from now on.Am I right? If she drives the car so slow it doesn't know then is medium grade fuel ok?
12-27-2005, 06:24 PM
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2 SL with every Brabus mods available & Class A competition sound system
No matter running slow or fast you must I repeat YOU MUST put in 91 or higher octain fuel ........... 
12-28-2005, 12:34 AM
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SL500 2001 Formula 1 Edition;
Using low octane fuel is abuse to the R129! If your wife cannot be convinced to use 91 or higher, you must either get rid of the wife or the car.
I am divorced twice. I think you can guess what I would do.
I am divorced twice. I think you can guess what I would do.
12-28-2005, 12:39 AM
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2 SL with every Brabus mods available & Class A competition sound system
Originally Posted by mebeJOE
Using low octane fuel is abuse to the R129! If your wife cannot be convinced to use 91 or higher, you must either get rid of the wife or the car.
I am divorced twice. I think you can guess what I would do.
I am divorced twice. I think you can guess what I would do.
......you are so........ :v ........
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12-29-2005, 09:48 AM
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Mercedes: 1998 SL500, 1997 S500, 1998 SLK230 K
Using less than 91 octane fuel on a 129 is to say the least ABUSIVE. I agree with mebejoe get rid of the wife. Later, JOE
12-29-2005, 02:00 PM
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SL500 2001 Formula 1 Edition;
Harsh? That depends on whose viewpoint you are looking at. We just put a very high value on not abusing these wonderful cars.
You wouldn't wine and dine a super model on Andre champagne and a hamburger from AM/PM mini-mart would you?
If your wife didn't provide proper food for your children, and someone called it out, would that be harsh?
Well, the R129 is the best thing in life next to children, friends, and beautiful women. Well, maybe the order is:
1. My children;
2. Tie: Friends and R129;
3. Beautiful women (unless they happen to be friends, then they move up to #2).
Although I understand that a wife can be a friend to some people, that hasn't been my experiance, so I had to leave them off the list.
But at any rate . . . a beautiful R129 needs and deserves to be taken care of.
So, please: High Octane Fuel; Hand Car Wash; Park in the Garage, etc.
Thank you for your support.
You wouldn't wine and dine a super model on Andre champagne and a hamburger from AM/PM mini-mart would you?
If your wife didn't provide proper food for your children, and someone called it out, would that be harsh?
Well, the R129 is the best thing in life next to children, friends, and beautiful women. Well, maybe the order is:
1. My children;
2. Tie: Friends and R129;
3. Beautiful women (unless they happen to be friends, then they move up to #2).
Although I understand that a wife can be a friend to some people, that hasn't been my experiance, so I had to leave them off the list.
But at any rate . . . a beautiful R129 needs and deserves to be taken care of.
So, please: High Octane Fuel; Hand Car Wash; Park in the Garage, etc.
Thank you for your support.
12-29-2005, 03:40 PM
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Originally Posted by mebeJOE
Harsh? That depends on whose viewpoint you are looking at. We just put a very high value on not abusing these wonderful cars.
You wouldn't wine and dine a super model on Andre champagne and a hamburger from AM/PM mini-mart would you?
If your wife didn't provide proper food for your children, and someone called it out, would that be harsh?
Well, the R129 is the best thing in life next to children, friends, and beautiful women. Well, maybe the order is:
1. My children;
2. Tie: Friends and R129;
3. Beautiful women (unless they happen to be friends, then they move up to #2).
Although I understand that a wife can be a friend to some people, that hasn't been my experiance, so I had to leave them off the list.
But at any rate . . . a beautiful R129 needs and deserves to be taken care of.
So, please: High Octane Fuel; Hand Car Wash; Park in the Garage, etc.
Thank you for your support.
You wouldn't wine and dine a super model on Andre champagne and a hamburger from AM/PM mini-mart would you?
If your wife didn't provide proper food for your children, and someone called it out, would that be harsh?
Well, the R129 is the best thing in life next to children, friends, and beautiful women. Well, maybe the order is:
1. My children;
2. Tie: Friends and R129;
3. Beautiful women (unless they happen to be friends, then they move up to #2).
Although I understand that a wife can be a friend to some people, that hasn't been my experiance, so I had to leave them off the list.
But at any rate . . . a beautiful R129 needs and deserves to be taken care of.
So, please: High Octane Fuel; Hand Car Wash; Park in the Garage, etc.
Thank you for your support.
You left out dogs, Makers Mark and boating.
12-29-2005, 04:05 PM
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Duh? We're car enthusiasts. Forget octane booster and racegas for a moment -- when the sticker and the manual say, "Do not use fuel with an octane rating of lower than 91 or serious damage could occur to your engine" -- well, that kinda says it all, doesn't it?!!!!!!!!!! 
12-30-2005, 01:47 PM
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Originally Posted by ClayJ
Duh? We're car enthusiasts. Forget octane booster and racegas for a moment -- when the sticker and the manual say, "Do not use fuel with an octane rating of lower than 91 or serious damage could occur to your engine" -- well, that kinda says it all, doesn't it?!!!!!!!!!!
12-31-2005, 01:14 AM
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[QUOTE=ClayJ]Duh? when the sticker and the manual say, "Do not use fuel with an octane rating of lower than 91 or serious damage could occur to your engine" QUOTE]
Exactly.
I would not dream of putting lesser octane fuel in my R129. "Serious Damage ... to the engine" sounds bad to me.
As far as higher octane fuels go ... I get a kick when I fill up with "Mohawk" 93 Octane. Is ther really a noticible difference? May be just imagined.
Exactly.
I would not dream of putting lesser octane fuel in my R129. "Serious Damage ... to the engine" sounds bad to me.
As far as higher octane fuels go ... I get a kick when I fill up with "Mohawk" 93 Octane. Is ther really a noticible difference? May be just imagined.
12-31-2005, 01:55 AM
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Originally Posted by LeaUK
You guys over the pond crack me up - you can't even buy less than 95Ron in Europe!
Although we do have 98 as an option but that's around 1GBP per litre!!!!!!!!
Although we do have 98 as an option but that's around 1GBP per litre!!!!!!!!
The fuel called "Normal" fuel is rated 91 octane in Germany.
12-31-2005, 02:20 AM
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2014 C250 sport
The "premium unleaded fuel only" warnings on the gas guage and fuel door aren't there for nothing :p Even if she drive's slow, high load/low rpm situations are prime for pinging. Convince her to use premium, the difference between a fillup of midgrade and premium is about 1.50.
