M.P.G / Performance etc E220 CDI

[Omega]

Not long ago I bought my first diesel salon (see sig) It’s a late ’07.
Most of my driving is local, but a month ago, I ran from Cornwall to Nottingham,,,, ran about town for a couple of days then filled up to come home. I used Shell Diesel Extra at 99p litre. The next 300 miles or so were Motorway driving,,,, it might have been in my head, but the car ‘seemed’ to run better, and at times was returning 48+m.p.g (at motorway speeds ?!).
I now have a few questions:
1/ Is Shell ‘Extra’ (or other brands) worth pursuing ?
2/ How accurate is the MPG readout on this model ?
3/ Does the computer know which ‘quality’ of fuel I’m using - to give different ‘readouts’?
4/ Is it worth putting Millers (or other brand) additives in an engine just turned 10K ?
5/ Before parting with my last 124, I put in fully synthetic oil. Is it worth changing this car to similar oil now,,,, or leave it awhile ?
6/ Any other mpg/performance data appreciated.

thanks for reading,,,

 

[turbopete]

ok so is it worth using premium rather than ordinary diesel? no not really. ive never been able to tell the difference.
MPG readout accurate? theyre usually not too far away but id check it just to see how near yours is, in the usual brim to brim manner.
does it know what fuel quality you use? to an extent where it enables itself to run at its optimum given the fuel going through the system (diedel, waste veg oil etc)
synthetic oil? id leave till service is due personally.
additive usage is down to personal preference. at 10k miles it shouldnt really need it, but many people use them periodically to prevent any carbon build up etc occurring.
mpg/performance. only figures i have are for dads c220 cdi manual which states 0-62mph 9.9seconds and his fuel consumption varies on the computer from around 46-73mpg. depending on how he drives it, where, when etc. he lives 50miles away so im sorry i cant get the book and give you more exact figures

 

[carabind]

at 10K, the car is barely run in, your performance and mpg will get better as time goes on. I also have a E220 CDI of a smilar and have seen <60mpg on motorway runs, and its getting better as the miles go on (26k so far)

 

[Omega]

thanks guys for your input.

When I was writing the OP, I did think that some of the queries were a bit too stupid to ask, but I am constantly surprised by different things now, and don't take anything for granted.

I realise that all vehicles are set up to their optimum when leaving the factory,,,, but then as things move on,,,, improvements made (to fuel / oil / tyres / others) then maybe the 'optimum' can be raised.

I don't like changing my car,,,, and I'm expecting this one to last,,,, well,,, for ever !

I'm not after better speed,,,, handling,,,, consumption etc for today,,,, I'm looking long term. If these things are a 'by product' of looking after things - then great.

If I can start by looking after the engine at this stage, I think I owe it to myself and the car to do so. I'm hoping that the adage "you only get out what you put in" proves to be so.



Even at my age, I'm still willing to learn,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,:neutral:

 

[clive-cls]

Get it remapped !

More power & more mpg = more fun! & more money



Clive

 

[Baldrick123]

Personally I would treat the mpg readout with a pinch of salt. I have the same car and although the readout frequently reads anything up to 63mpg, the best I have got is 46mpg and that was driving like a Nun! Do the brim to brim test, you might be surprised at the variance.

 

[jberks]

MPG readout is ok but depending on driving conditions I tend to find mine a bit optimistic. Then again, we tend to remember the good and bad numbers and forget the odd pop to the shops and that time last tuesday when we spent 1 hour in a jam, then feel cheated when we do a brim to brim comparison.
So, whilst I'm sure my 270 is returning the 41 shown on the computer, at times on my way into work, a few trips to the shops, popping out to pick up the kids and the odd 80+ blast means that my real brim to brim average is closer to 35.

Regarding additive - a shot now and then does no harm and keeps things in tiptop condition. You'll see no benefit directly as there is nothing on a 10k engine to clean off, but a shot, say, every 4 tankfulls should help to keep it as it is.
The 'super' fuels made no difference to me, other than costing a lot more anyway.
As for fully synthetic oil, I'd expect it has it in at the moment. Not sure what the new service intervals are but on mine it allows you another 3,000 miles between services so worth it, if only for that. In terms of longer engine life it must be worth doing.

 

[Blobcat]

MPG readout is ok but depending on driving conditions I tend to find mine a bit optimistic. Then again, we tend to remember the good and bad numbers and forget the odd pop to the shops and that time last tuesday when we spent 1 hour in a jam, then feel cheated when we do a brim to brim comparison.
So, whilst I'm sure my 270 is returning the 41 shown on the computer, at times on my way into work, a few trips to the shops, popping out to pick up the kids and the odd 80+ blast means that my real brim to brim average is closer to 35.

Regarding additive - a shot now and then does no harm and keeps things in tiptop condition. You'll see no benefit directly as there is nothing on a 10k engine to clean off, but a shot, say, every 4 tankfulls should help to keep it as it is.
The 'super' fuels made no difference to me, other than costing a lot more anyway.
As for fully synthetic oil, I'd expect it has it in at the moment. Not sure what the new service intervals are but on mine it allows you another 3,000 miles between services so worth it, if only for that. In terms of longer engine life it must be worth doing.

As per above, I find my trip computer under reads on the average but over reads on the daily fuel economy. My average is 36.5 yet the trip says 35.8 but the daily has been into the mid 40's but never over 42.02 mpg on actual usage (That was over 509 miles)

 

[Omega]

cheers folks,

Clive: Where do I learn more about re mapping ?

Others: I've started a chart in Excel to work out my own M.P.G. I work it out with whatever I put in the tank (usually £45) then average out the averages.
Only had 2 re-fills yet, staying with Sport mode.

Then Am going to try 2 fill-ups in 'Comfy' mode to compare.

Talking of comfy mode etc, what are the biggest differences between the two modes ?

My last E220 (124) had Economy & Sport mode. Didn't seem to be a lot of difference in either economy or driving. Constantly turned out just under 30 mpg on day-to-day/shorts.

A last one for today: Additives (Oil & Fuel):
Which brand and sort of additives seem to be the Merc Mans choice ?

 

[jberks]

Comfy mode is really for bad weather. Starts off in 2nd and the torque converter is more slushy. Designed for slippery conditions to avoid wheel spin. I tend to find economy is better in that mode but don't like the slushy feel.
It does have 2 other advantages though.
Firstly, really good for traffic jams as trundling along in 2nd means you don't need the throttle as much..
Secondly (thanks for this snippet Malcolm) it engages the 'sprag cluch' which means it won't roll back in D, no matter how steep the hill is.

 

[Blobcat]

cheers folks,

Clive: Where do I learn more about re mapping ?

Others: I've started a chart in Excel to work out my own M.P.G. I work it out with whatever I put in the tank (usually £45) then average out the averages.
Only had 2 re-fills yet, staying with Sport mode.

Then Am going to try 2 fill-ups in 'Comfy' mode to compare.

Talking of comfy mode etc, what are the biggest differences between the two modes ?

My last E220 (124) had Economy & Sport mode. Didn't seem to be a lot of difference in either economy or driving. Constantly turned out just under 30 mpg on day-to-day/shorts.

A last one for today: Additives (Oil & Fuel):
Which brand and sort of additives seem to be the Merc Mans choice ?

C starts in 2nd cog and changes up soonerm S starts in 1st and holds gears longer. Having said that if you boot it in C it will go into 1st and it will hang onto the gears. I tend to drive in C but haven't seen a fuel difference with either. I tend to use S when I'm in a frame of mind to go like .... so don't really expect the fuel economy then.
On a regular run I used through mid wales I used to see 42mpg on the trip computer, I managed with careful application of foot to get it to 25mpg on one occasion.

 

[Omega]

RE-MAPPING:
,,,,, of course,,,, re chipping. I did buy a chip for my 124, but didn't have the nerve to fit it,,,,,,
I might dig it out & sell it,,,,,,,

not sure that I can afford this at the mo', but will certainly bear it in mind.

thanks again

(next post re Insurance,,,,)

 

[survey]

I have an '08 C220cdi estate. With 12K on the clock. Checking tank to tank (the only way to properly check mpg) I am averaging 42.13mpg, mainly using Shell diesel. I drive reasonably conservatively with the car in C mode. The computer on my car varies between 4 and 8% optimistic (I have checked against each tank to tank fill up and resetting the computer). I hope the consumption will improve as more miles go on the clock. I have seen 60mpg on the computer but the tank to tank test is the only realistic one. My son has a new BMW 525d and his computer seems much more accurate - he gets (on a 5K mile engine) 48mpg tank/tank; much better consuption!

 

[clive-cls]

Hi Omega ,

Try a google search or have a look at GCL Tuning's web site thay have done many forum members vehicles

There site is www.gcltuning.co.uk

There may be a local company that could help you out . I would talk to gcl to see what thay can do for you as thay offer warranty and approved software unlike many others.


My 320 MPG has gone up 9 MPG on average supported by a tank to tank test


Hope this helps
Clive

 

[turbopete]

thats a big jump in mpg Clive! result! is your car mainly used out of town? im still hankering after more power and mpg. dont think id get results like that though on an old 300td! not that finances allow a chip at the moment anyhow!

 

[clive-cls]

She mainly dose country roads around 10-30 miles per day GCL Have 20% off ! Bargin allthough im annoyed i should have left it a few months and cashed in !


Clive

 

[HERBIEMERCMAN]

Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: PRESTON, LANCS.
Car: 97. E300.TD. 7 SEAT.ELEGANCE. EST.TOYOTA SUPRA MK4.VECTRA EST. CAR.
Posts: 306



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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: PRESTON, LANCS.
Car: 97. E300.TD. 7 SEAT.ELEGANCE. EST.TOYOTA SUPRA MK4.VECTRA EST. CAR.
Posts: 305

Chipping or not chipping.

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i feel this issue is more about people than the engineering, like the "vegioil" burner boys the "chipping" boys are free to do what they consider to be good for them.
providing they inform the next owner and price the vehicle accordingly, then this is ethical.
we used to operate a large team with company cars, after three years some of the cars were thrashed out and others were as new, it's about people.
when i buy a car the previous owner's charachteristics will tell you in most casses how the car has been treated.
i agree there are good chipping people out there but no one could convince me that the manufacturers longevity would be maintained. also as a general rule there are a lot of things in life which fit the expression of "short term gain long term pain". it's just choice.
if i wanted my car to have enhanced performance i would employ somone like gcl tuning as they are tuv approved etc.
the performance of merc cars is superb and their best known feature is their longevity, this means that if you go outside the optimum performance blend set by the OEM,s then somthing must suffer. i would not buy a car which had been chipped / remapped. at the company i worked at if one of our tech reps had his car chipped he would be fired. also remember that insurance companies are always looking for "get outs" on claims over £5K, so this is another pitfall to consider.
if i was a women and i wanted my boobs made bigger i would go to harley street. it's about people and i am happy with what i have got.
with reference to fully synth oil, it is essential for cars with a turbo as the bearing gets very hot, you are looking at 12,000 miles between oil changes with the fully synth under all driving conditions, also remember the filter is more important than the new oil, use the OEM (original equipment manufacturers) filters only. herbiemercman.

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Last edited by HERBIEMERCMAN; 13-02-2009 at 09:29 AM.

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Last edited by HERBIEMERCMAN; Today at 03:40 PM.

 

[GCLTuning]

This is so True,

Unlike ourselfs there are many "cowboys" within our line of work and many with insufficant insurances.

Even if your looking into Remapping you need to deal with the correct people and ask the right questions , As for warranty 70% of tuners offer warranty but this ONLY covers the software and ECU hardware Unlike our Full Warranty that covers the entire (see Terms) vehicle in the unlikley event that somthing could be damaged.

Please remember if you need any advice feel free to contact us (even if the work is being carried out by another company)

We are here to help the best we can ...


Many Thanks

Claire @ GCL Tuning