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2004 W211 E55 AMG >>gone but not forgotten > W123 280E > W124 E280 > W126 380SE
Cross country cruising
Driving these cars is what it's all about and I found a picture which will give you guys from the U.S an idea of the distance I drove (5500km) when I first picked up the beast and again just recently when I drove back back almost the same distance.
On this map I would have picked the car up in Florida then drove to LA for a quick nap (lost the hotel after visiting friends and drove around till daylight before I found it) then continuing to Washington. Recently did the return trip but only went as far as Louisiana.
Last edited by TheTherapist; Oct 29, 2014 at 08:09 AM.
E-ZGO 53hp., 1999 E 430 sport, 2004 E 55, 2008 Tahoe LTZ on 24"s
I did about a 6K mi trip last Sept. I learned one thing, my SC is off line @ 61 mph. but at @62 mph SC is on line and get 22.1 mpg....and 14 mpg in Mexico
2004 W211 E55 AMG >>gone but not forgotten > W123 280E > W124 E280 > W126 380SE
Originally Posted by Yacht Master
I did about a 6K mi trip last Sept. I learned one thing, my SC is off line @ 61 mph. but at @62 mph SC is on line and get 22.1 mpg....and 14 mpg in Mexico
I think the trick is to use the Cruise Control if looking for better economy. The last 2800km of my trip I left it set between 111 and 118 kph (69 - 74m mph) the entire distance and averaged 11.9 L/100km which according to my trusty converter equals 23.73 mpg.
I was a little surprised at that sort of economy compared to my lead foot around town although I shouldn't have been as Mercedes always exceed their quoted specs. Coincidentally I was only reading in the paper yesterday about the Australian motoring association coming down hard on manufacturers for exaggerating their quoted economy with inflated figures. My hobby is audio and interestingly I see the same tactics employed here; the less expensive brands sold by mainstream electronics stores grossly exaggerate or misquote specifications whereas the quality audiophile grade equipment manufacturers do the opposite and are honest in their bench-marking generally understating figures and allowing the actual performance of their product to do the talking.
At any rate here's a pic from my journey, as can be seen I am cruising with 1000 km behind me and 1100 km in front without a turn in the road over a mostly baron desert...
Last edited by TheTherapist; Oct 29, 2014 at 09:10 AM.
E-ZGO 53hp., 1999 E 430 sport, 2004 E 55, 2008 Tahoe LTZ on 24"s
Your trusty converter is different than mine
Convert Liters Per 100 Kilometers to Miles Per Gallon (US)
liters per gallon (US) = 3.785411784
kilometers per mile = 1.609344
result = 19.765931372549016 miles per gallon (US)
I think the trick is to use the Cruise Control if looking for better economy. The last 2800km of my trip I left it set between 111 and 118 kph (69 - 74m mph) the entire distance and averaged 11.9 L/100km which according to my trusty converter equals 23.73 mpg.
I was a little surprised at that sort of economy compared to my lead foot around town although I shouldn't have been as Mercedes always exceed their quoted specs. Coincidentally I was only reading in the paper yesterday about the Australian motoring association coming down hard on manufacturers for exaggerating their quoted economy with inflated figures. My hobby is audio and interestingly I see the same tactics employed here; the less expensive brands sold by mainstream electronics stores grossly exaggerate or misquote specifications whereas the quality audiophile grade equipment manufacturers do the opposite and are honest in their bench-marking generally understating figures and allowing the actual performance of their product to do the talking.
At any rate here's a pic from my journey, as can be seen I am cruising with 1000 km behind me and 1100 km in front without a turn in the road over a mostly baron desert...
I was getting the same 23.9mpg avg on all highway trips here in CA. I have distronic cruise control so I just set it and kick back, the car even beeps and brakes for itself! I was considering driving the route of the 'cannon ball run' (LA to NY), which those guys in the CL55 set a new record, just for kicks. Oh and get that SRS light fixed! PM me if you need parts.
Last edited by biggking; Oct 29, 2014 at 12:04 PM.
2004 W211 E55 AMG >>gone but not forgotten > W123 280E > W124 E280 > W126 380SE
Originally Posted by biggking
I was getting the same 23.9mpg avg on all highway trips here in CA. I have distronic cruise control so I just set it and kick back, the car even beeps and brakes for itself! I was considering driving the route of the 'cannon ball run' (LA to NY), which those guys in the CL55 set a new record, just for kicks. Oh and get that SRS light fixed! PM me if you need parts.
Distronic is definitely an option I would look for next time, especially the most recent version where it follows other cars paths and even pulls up for you. As for that LA to NY cruise I'd have already done it if I had the opportunity! Love those long cruises just soaking in the scenery, taking in the ambiance, enjoying the atmosphere and energy of the world around you. Even the contrast of those long stretches of solitude culminating in the lights and action of the big city; and you get the biggest and best as your destination! Grab a mate, a wallet full of cash, arrange a fortnight off work and just do it!
Last edited by TheTherapist; Oct 29, 2014 at 01:49 PM.
OMG, your mileage is astonishing. I've had mine (stock except for 19" rims) since near-new and it's NEVER been capable of getting more than 21 MPG even on cruise control.
I did 750 miles back from Vegas after I bought mine and managed 21 mpg at 75mph with a hand calculated 23 mpg. The highway mileage is very good, the problem is when you get in the city it drops about 8 mpg. :-)
You guys are making me regret not driving mine down to AZ. Sedona area has some serious long open roads here...I only have summer tires and can't risk getting caught in snow back to CO. The wife's elantra was our only option...sigh
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