simonrip
Senior Member
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2009
- Messages
- 65
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- Location
- Bucks / Oxon border
- Your Mercedes
- 2014 E300 Hybrid
For anyone thinking of buying an E300 hybrid, I would think that the real-world mpg might be the deciding factor.
The official figures are 65mpg+, but obviously that is not going to be achievable with normal driving. I do a lot of miles on hilly B roads, interspersed with a few longer motorway runs, and my E300 average mpg so far is 45. I would think more typical drivers would expect to get 50mpg. The hybrid does really encourage you to drive economically though, with an eye on maximising 'free' coasting. If you drove it just like a normal car without changing your driving style at all, then you would be disappointed at the pumps.
Setting the cruise at 70mph on a flat stretch of the M40, gave me an average of 50mpg, and at 65mph I was getting 55mpg. Not bad, but of course the hybrid doesn't help at all on the flat, you can only conserve fuel on the downhill stretches and in traffic by coasting for short distances.
So, you may think I would be a little disappointed, but far from it. Apart from a breakdown at the start which soured our relationship, this is the most enjoyable car I have owned and I would recommend it to anyone. I love it, and my wife loves it. It changes the way you drive, and for a petrol-head it is an eye-opener to find that I enjoy trying to maximise the time spent driving on electric power. Research by Nissan has found that hybrid or electric car owners are more relaxed behind the wheel, and that has certainly been my experience.
If you really want to maximise your mpg then buy a small, diesel A class. Or an E220, as the real world economy will be almost the same, and it is much cheaper than the E300. However, if you want to really enjoy every drive, and in fact change how you view driving, then the E300 starts to make sense.
Simon
The official figures are 65mpg+, but obviously that is not going to be achievable with normal driving. I do a lot of miles on hilly B roads, interspersed with a few longer motorway runs, and my E300 average mpg so far is 45. I would think more typical drivers would expect to get 50mpg. The hybrid does really encourage you to drive economically though, with an eye on maximising 'free' coasting. If you drove it just like a normal car without changing your driving style at all, then you would be disappointed at the pumps.
Setting the cruise at 70mph on a flat stretch of the M40, gave me an average of 50mpg, and at 65mph I was getting 55mpg. Not bad, but of course the hybrid doesn't help at all on the flat, you can only conserve fuel on the downhill stretches and in traffic by coasting for short distances.
So, you may think I would be a little disappointed, but far from it. Apart from a breakdown at the start which soured our relationship, this is the most enjoyable car I have owned and I would recommend it to anyone. I love it, and my wife loves it. It changes the way you drive, and for a petrol-head it is an eye-opener to find that I enjoy trying to maximise the time spent driving on electric power. Research by Nissan has found that hybrid or electric car owners are more relaxed behind the wheel, and that has certainly been my experience.
If you really want to maximise your mpg then buy a small, diesel A class. Or an E220, as the real world economy will be almost the same, and it is much cheaper than the E300. However, if you want to really enjoy every drive, and in fact change how you view driving, then the E300 starts to make sense.
Simon