E320CDi Estate (W210, W reg) Consumption

[Kallisti]

So, I read a lot on these forums of people getting mid to late 40s consumption on runs. Is this the norm? I am personally getting low to mid 30s for day to day use, and on a run might tip 40-41mpg.

If this isn't normal, what could be at fault? It's still 9k from it's next A service - and it's likely to change it's mind on that when it gets closer anyway?

 

[Blobcat]

What are your tyre pressures like and how do you drive the car? Both of these make a big difference to the fuel consumption figures. I also only use Shell and in my W210 (Saloon) had 49.6mpg showing on one particular run. About average for my W210 is the picture in my signature.

 

[maddog]

I rarely reset my computer so for on average over the 1000's of miles i've had my car i have got 34.5mpg , prior to it being chipped it gave 33.5mpg

It goes down slightly during the winter and up during the summer.

On a decent run i get 38-39mpg at a decent motorway speed, if i take it easy i may get just over the 40's

I have had as high as 48mpg on the computer and that was set with all the electric stuff off , the air con off and the cruise set to 50mph , i had almost no fuel left and was looking for a petrol station

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

So, I read a lot on these forums of people getting mid to late 40s consumption on runs. Is this the norm? I am personally getting low to mid 30s for day to day use, and on a run might tip 40-41mpg.

Mid to low 30s is exactly what I'm getting. Do bear in mind that the computer readout may not be exact, brim to brim is the only sure way. Wouldn't bother in this weather though, wait till the weather warms up or you will disappointed.

Bearing in mind we are talking about a large heavy car and my average is about 33mpg over the last 10K miles of mixed driving, so I'm quite pleased with that.

 

[Kallisti]

For what it's worth, my driving style is very gentle - I'm coming from a Landcruiser Amazon which I drove gently gently and never got out of the habit.

I guess I'm possibly seeing W210 owners with saloons, they presumably get higher MPG. Looks like the median for estates is lower.

I do obsess about this a bit - some day I'm going to gently drive up to the exact point where it drops a gear and drive a few hundred miles at that speed - just to get a high number on that clock

maddog - what chip have you got?

 

[Daeths]

Drive 30 miles into London each day and get 32-34mpg average (stroking the accelerator) on my T210 E320CDi.

Today did a run to Bristol stuck it on 70mph cruise and got 43.1mpg - best ever !!!!! I was happy. I've never even dreamt of high 40's though.

 

[ribby]

About town I get no better than 35, on a reasonable run get nearer 40 - or over if I take it easy (no more than 75!)

Did get 48 or so one day - all elec off, a manually cruised at 50 ish - nearly died due to the boredom!

Best I ever had was a late night trip to a hotel - 200+ miles, Average of 80MPH at 40 MPG!

 

[ChrisBillson]

25 mpg!

I drive approx 15 miles a day VERY gently. Normal run is 3 miles then park it, then do a couple of appointments a few hours later, [arl it, then a couple more appointments, then another 3 miles home. Average for last 600 miles is 25mpg.

Wrong time of year, big car, big engine, not getting fully up to temperature, heat booster on - should I expect anything else!?!?

CB

 

[jberks]

I drive approx 15 miles a day VERY gently. Normal run is 3 miles then park it, then do a couple of appointments a few hours later, [arl it, then a couple more appointments, then another 3 miles home. Average for last 600 miles is 25mpg.

Wrong time of year, big car, big engine, not getting fully up to temperature, heat booster on - should I expect anything else!?!?

CB

nope. My E270 averages around 26 but it rarely gets a run these days. (It's done mid 40s regularly but needs a run to achieve it) Just 6 miles in heavy traffic, park up, cool down then another 6 miles of queueing back.
It was reading 22 last night - quite depressing for a diesel and about the worst I've seen.

What is the heat booster anyway? I know there was an auxiliary heater option on some cars but I don't have that. Is there an additional diesel powered heater under the bonnet that I don't know about? It would explain my 22mpg!

 

[maddog]

For what it's worth, my driving style is very gentle - I'm coming from a Landcruiser Amazon which I drove gently gently and never got out of the habit.

I guess I'm possibly seeing W210 owners with saloons, they presumably get higher MPG. Looks like the median for estates is lower.

I do obsess about this a bit - some day I'm going to gently drive up to the exact point where it drops a gear and drive a few hundred miles at that speed - just to get a high number on that clock

maddog - what chip have you got?

I have a Van Aaken tuning box had it fitted for the last 30k , i'm very happy with it.

I will admit to being fairly heavy footed especially in the summer

 

[Blobcat]

What is the heat booster anyway? I know there was an auxiliary heater option on some cars but I don't have that. Is there an additional diesel powered heater under the bonnet that I don't know about? It would explain my 22mpg!

My W210 had the diesel heater with a switch by the ash tray to switch it off. My W211 also has a diesel heater however it is purely automatic with no option to switch it off. I do note that my car heats up very fast so it is obviously working. I haven't checked the Russian site as it isn't up to date enough for my car. Not sure on the 270 engine, is it listed in the owners manual at all?

 

[mattsurf]

On Monday I drove from Birmingham to Heathrow leaving at 9pm. With cruise set at 75mph all the way I managed 40.6mpg (it was -4 outside)

Last night on the return I left Heathrow at 10pm, set cruise a 75mph and managed 38.0mpg (it was +3 degrees outside)

I can't really explain the difference, however, this is typical MPG

On my last set of tyres (cheap brands) I regularly got 43mpg, however the Avon ZZ3's now fitted certainly reduce fuel consumption by 5-10%

Over 12k miles since buying the car - I am getting 35.5mpg

 

[Parrot of Doom]

I bet if you drop 5mph you'll get a fair bit more than that.

 

[Wezzel]

What exactly is the optimum speed for the best fuel economy?

I'm not sure if it's still the case but manufacturers always used to quote figures for 56mph. Do manufacturers all design cars with this speed in mind?

Just interested in doing a long run at the optimum speed to see if I can improve on my already impressive 50mpg (220 Cdi).

 

[Blobcat]

What exactly is the optimum speed for the best fuel economy?

I'm not sure if it's still the case but manufacturers always used to quote figures for 56mph. Do manufacturers all design cars with this speed in mind?

Just interested in doing a long run at the optimum speed to see if I can improve on my already impressive 50mpg (220 Cdi).

I've seen it a few times that you use 25% more fuel at 80 than you do at 60. As the best economy figures for cars always used to quoted at a constant 56mph perhaps we should all sit behind the lorries...:razz:

 

[Parrot of Doom]

56mph is just a benchmark. In reality the best speed for a vehicle is a combination of factors including aerodynamics, engine output, gearing, and tyres.

 

[mattsurf]

I know that this is a bit sad. However, I had to go to Heathrow again yesterday, so set cruise a 70mph all the way (rather than 75 that I tried on Monday). The fuel consumption was 41.2 (40.1 at 75) on the way down and 39.4 (38.0 at 75) on the way back

I was surprised that the difference was not greater. Also clearly due to the curvature of the earth, it must be Uphill from London to Birmingham which explains the worse fuel consumption on the return journey (traffic was pretty much the same), head-lights on both directions - the only difference was the temparature - it was more economical in freezing conditions both times. To be honest I cannot understand why the car is more economical one way

Matt

 

[Mike J]

Matt
Its probably a soft Southern car
which doesnt want to go back to the North.
Mike

 

[mattsurf]

That's what I thought too - Its just too cold and wet up north

 

[rf065]

I know that this is a bit sad. However, I had to go to Heathrow again yesterday, so set cruise a 70mph all the way (rather than 75 that I tried on Monday). The fuel consumption was 41.2 (40.1 at 75) on the way down and 39.4 (38.0 at 75) on the way back

I was surprised that the difference was not greater. Also clearly due to the curvature of the earth, it must be Uphill from London to Birmingham which explains the worse fuel consumption on the return journey (traffic was pretty much the same), head-lights on both directions - the only difference was the temparature - it was more economical in freezing conditions both times. To be honest I cannot understand why the car is more economical one way

Matt

If you tried the the same in a petrol engine, I'm sure the difference would have been greater. For some reason diesels give pretty steady figures despite the changes in speed. Maybe a torque/power band related thing?

Russ