Fuel Economy - Should I drive in 'E' or 'S'?

[Badshot1uk]

Hi All

My 1989 230te used to get me 300 ish miles to a tank '72ltrs' in 'E' not great I know I think it works out to about 24mpg.
I recently switched the box over to S but still light on the throtle I'm getting nearer 270 ish.
I never thought that switching over would make this much difference or is it my imagination!!
I'm allways light on the throtle but you have to push the pedel further down to get on in 'E' not so with 'S'!
Anybody got any thoughts on this as I'm very keen to get the best mpg I can out of this old motor!

 

[MarkSL]

Fuel Economy

I use S in my SL - but then I dont drive it every day, I only switch to E on a run, mainly because it gets off the line and overtakes so much easier in sport mode. The extra fuel it uses is just part of the price I have to pay for having an SL

My wife uses the car has her daily driver and she goes everywhere in E because "she doesnt want to race everyone!"  The difference in my car is about 40-50 miles per tank.

HTH

Mark

 

[Andy]

Fuel Economy

Hi all,

Before I start. Switching from E TO S does NOT change any ratio's in the box. E stops the gear box changing normally.

It is my suspicion when people put the vehicle into E they drive as if the right foot is being suspended with a helium balloon.

Before you start tapping on those key boards. I have enough customers who will swear blind that it makes a difference. So with my phychriatrist hat on. If it works then carry on.  

(We have a box in pieces at the moment. I can definately say there is nothing there to make any signicant changes). But thats me.

What I will quote is a little story. Some of you know I run a 320ce. When I first got it I tried a fuel consumption test. 280 or so to the tank. The wife drove it and got 192 to half a tank!!!!!!!! Whats that tell you.

If you want a independant view, get the missus to drive your motor. But if thats a fate worse than death, and even if you were stuck in the Heberdies with two broken legs and one broken arm. You wouldn't let er in doors behind the wheel. Then put up with the fuel consumption.

That is once you have had it checked by a specialist or stealership with the correct equipment.

Regards

Andy @ www.mercedesservicing.com

 

[simon]

Fuel Economy

Helium balloons Andy-my wife drives without shoes & the fuel gauge still drops like a stone.
regards
Ernest Sidesman

 

[Matt Crooke]

Fuel Economy

Whats the e/s switch actually attached to then...just out of interest? as im sure it dosent make any difference to my gear changes...but thats just me id imagine.!!!

 

[DougE280]

Fuel Economy

It disables the part throttle kickdown and forces the 'box to change up earlier. Full throttle kickdown, however is always available (for emergencies?) regardless of switch position.
I drive in "S" (standard - not sport!) all the time now as I find the driving experience a bit "flat" in "E".
Driven with moderation, I find little difference in MPG between switch settings - and anyway, we don't run Mercedes Benz's for economy - do we!!!!

 

[imported_dieselman]

Fuel Economy

badshot
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but 300 miles to 72 litres is only 19mpg.
My very quick and torquey 300 turbodiesel has averaged 33 mpg over the last two years.
Now why am I a dieselman?

 

[Badshot1uk]

Fuel Economy

****** h*ll
Dieselman your right!!!!!
I'd love a diesel but I love my 230. I couldnt bear to part with it and end up buying a duffer!!!!
Thanks, but on a better note I did manage 33 mpg on a run!!!!!!! nearly a diesel!!! lol

 

[Richard Moakes]

Fuel Economy

I'm with Andy on this, the E setting just makes it change up earlier, no change to ratios.

It's all psychological, you just drive with a lighter foot in E mode.

I am getting about 340 to a tank in E with mixed urban and motorway, and can stretch it to 430 on a long motorway run.

Richard
1989 300E

 

[altreed]

Fuel Economy

I have found that driving style is all that makes a difference.  My c36 will return 24mpg in general town and country driving, ranging from bimble to hooligan.  

I drove through France and spain 4up and 1/2 a tonne of handbag contents averaging 60-90 on good roads and returned 33mpg.

I dread to flick the switch on the gearbox, sticking to the old 'if it aint broke don't fix it' attitude!  (already had one major gearbox repair!)

 

[Jim_C180]

Fuel Economy

I used to be a diesel addict. But I am now quite happy with my C180 that returns an average of 32-35mpg never any less than 30mpg even when driven hard.

I nearly bought a C250TD but couldnt justify the extra cost to buy it and petrol is cheaper than diesel at the moment.

 

[Jim_C180]

Fuel Economy

I used to be a diesel addict. But I am now quite happy with my C180 that returns an average of 32-35mpg never any less than 30mpg even when driven hard.

I nearly bought a C250TD but couldnt justify the extra cost to buy it and petrol is cheaper than diesel at the moment.

 

[imported_dieselman]

Fuel Economy

Shame about the noisy engine and gutless performance.

 

[Jim_C180]

Fuel Economy

Noisy engine and gutless performance?

That's a shame dieselman, I thought the C250TD was not too bad for an oil burner. Is the 300 turbodiesel not very good then?

 

[fuzzer]

Fuel Economy

did anyone call a Taxi ....

 

[imported_dieselman]

Fuel Economy

Jimmyc

I meant the 180 petrol as they have no torque and are breathless.

 

[Jim_C180]

Fuel Economy

Er....right. Not noticed that myself.

But you said noisy! Do you honestly think that a diesel, even a Merc diesel is quiet compared to a C180 petrol.

And what about the narrow power band of a turbo diesel, having to wait until 1800ish rpm before anything happens and then it all stops at about 3500 rpm?

Breathless? I don't know where you read that, but the C180 is not really as bad as people make out. It's true I would have preferred a bigger engine but this is the first MB I could afford and I am very pleased with it, good fuel economy and cheap insurance.

 

[Dave B]

Fuel Economy

Now come on guys, don't be putting the old turbo-diesels out to grass just yet.

For starters.... the C250TD engine is a 2.5ltr 5 cylinder 20 valve lump which puts out a "modest" 150bhp but backs it up with a huge 206lbs of torque.   It may not be a drag racer (given that it takes 10.5 seconds to 62mph) but once it's moving it'll go 30-50mph in 3.5 seconds, 50-70mph in 5.6 seconds, and go onto to 128mph.   Breathless?   Get real.  

It may not be as smooth as a petrol but given it's performance it returns excellent economy.  As for noise, well it growls under hard accelleration but once it's in 5th and cruising its pretty smooth.

ME:  steps down off my soap box

EDIT:  Oh yes....for those in doubt....the future is DIESEL.  Don't believe me - look here:

http://mbspy.bacosys.be/w203c30.htm




(Edited by Dave B at 9:52 pm on Oct. 5, 2002)

 

[imported_dieselman]

Fuel Economy

jimmy.

The C180 / 200  is definately noisy compared to a 300 Td!  I have driven them when loaned by the dealer.  Admittedly off the line performance is quick due to the very low ratio first gear, but mid-range is poor.
Don't be fooled that any diesels let alone MB run out of puff at 3500 rpm.  Mine will happily spin to the red line if I ask it to.
Diesel is inherently more efficient and produces loads more torque, it just hasn't been exploited until recently.

Dave B
I have already seen the AMC CDI and think I need to save up.  Thanks anyway.

 

[Dave B]

Fuel Economy

Dieselman:  you and me both matey :sad:    That's one awsome motor.   I was almost tempted by W203 270CDI estate a couple of months back, but I can't get used to the new shape (not chunky enough etc).

Jimmy:  my post is just a bit of fun.  Don't worry about whether it's petrol or diesel.  It's a Merc and that what matters - besides we've got enough to worry about considering the W202s own little bag of gremlins.