Mega-MPG Figures? What engine is it I need.

[s5tuart]

Realistically, what mpg can be achieved with a 350 cdi ? I actually do stick to 70 these days on Motorways so I'm guessing late 30's?

My 2016 CLS Shooting Brake has rarely achieved better than 40mpg. With quite a few short trips (although I always get the engine to running temp) and a few medium runs my average is around 33mpg
I've seen others quote figures in excess of that but I'm quite a light footed driver, only using the torque to get out of trouble or to put the young Corsa whippersnappers and odd A4 in their place.

 

[JBell]

You are correct - what I meant was I can bill them as a VAT registered company - then pay myself as a sole director.

Yup, that is what I do but long term contracts can come under IR35 which is not good for you or the people you invoice

If you pay yourself mileage i.e. 45ppm then you can't claim VAT back on anything car related as the 45p is to cover the costs of running the car

The company pays you 45ppm as you are the employee every month and you need to keep mileage records

 

[V6Matty]

Realistically, what mpg can be achieved with a 350 cdi ? I actually do stick to 70 these days on Motorways so I'm guessing late 30's?

Early to mid 40’s should be expected, this was my run up to Grantown on Spey last week from Newark, mixed driving but still quite a bit of motorway, but also a couple of traffic jams, last time I did the same run I got higher 40’s so don’t be put off from the 350

 

[M80]

I bet that was an exec airport taxi. I’ve taken a few from West Yorkshire to Heathrow

If it's been registered as a London taxi I would say not looking at MOT history.
twas my 1st thoughts, ex taxi, true mileage closer to 40k pa.
But for London you see earlier MOT's and each 6 months after.
Still seems like a lot of dosh for age and mileage. So it's back to the op taking a chance on reliability.

 

[JBell]

Realistically, what mpg can be achieved with a 350 cdi ? I actually do stick to 70 these days on Motorways so I'm guessing late 30's?

I get 45mpg on a run in my C350CDi Wagon, round town it's late 20's

 

[Wighty]

Life is too short to drive boring cars…

The advantage of driving a boring car though is that it makes your life (and indeed every journey ) feel longer

 

[T5R+]

Are these figures from mainly motorway driving? In comparative terms, UK imperial Gallon equals 4,546 Ltrs,,,,,so in the case of your C220/W204, its approximate consumption in Ltrs would be 13 Miles per Ltr. Thats very good mileage.

Sorry - yes mostly motorway.

Based on a week to/from work at commuting times ie cold car in the morning/afternoon, drive until reach motorway then exit (approx 75% of the 65 miles each way is motorway).

C Class returned...................62-63MPG
E Class* (E350/7G) ..............52-54MPG (the previous E250 was high 50's)

There is a technique to driving diesel cars (even modern ones).

* Before MB completed the "emissions update/NOx rectification" the E350 was always giving 53ish MPG. Post update it is mid-40s.
(Being pedantic this is nigh on close to £500/annum extra fuel per year ie 25,000miles @ £1.30/litre)

 

[s5tuart]

There is a technique to driving diesel cars (even modern ones).

My 350d with 9 gears never gets near your quoted figures.
Please share your technique.

 

[Gazwould]

One technique is to pull for a higher gear before the automatic gearbox decides to .

Only good for low rpm high torque engines .

Mine does iirc 30mph in 4th @ 1000 rpm .

 

[M80]

I can often beat the quoted figures, but not if I'm in a hurry.

The 211 beats the figures fairly easily,
the Viano can beat them by driving with slippers on.

Gentle acceleration, anticipation and so coasting using the buffer between me and the car in front. Rather than stopping whenever I try to keep it rolling .
I'm happy to set cruise at 58 GPS (60 on the clock).

I'm now considering petrol options, and that will devastate my economy. I don't go into cities often, but I'm keen to dispense with all the complexity under the bonnet of a diesel.
The options I'm considering may well cost an extra £800 p.a. so it's a tough call. And the diesel is so much better suited to larger vehicles with the low rev torque.

 

[MBDevotee]

Don't think modern petrols are "simple" there are particulate filters there too, egr's and all the same gubbins as diesels on petrols now as well - there is no such thing as a simple engine any more.

 

[M80]

Don't think modern petrols are "simple" there are particulate filters there too, egr's and all the same gubbins as diesels on petrols now as well - there is no such thing as a simple engine any more.

Diesels have evolved with EGR, DPF, Ad Blue, NOX sensors, and associated sensors.
Petrol's may have evolved to be similar, but I'm thinking that the progression would be some years behind. While I'm unaware, as I've been around diesels, I don't imagine most complexities weren't till perhaps post 2012.

 

[s5tuart]

Well, I don't know! I've been driving like a Doris for the last 2 days and only managed 40mpg indicated.
My ECO display shows 100% on all 3 bars, acceleration, coasting and constancy. I don't accelerate or brake hard and leave a good distance from the cars in front to smooth the drive. A constant 56mph on dual carriageways.
Ive always had a light touch whilst driving and am very jealous of the figures some of you get!
Admittedly the trips I do are less than 1/2 hour so maybe I'm expecting too much...

 

[M80]

the trips I do are less than 1/2 hour so maybe I'm expecting too much.

Fraid so.
Diesels don't return efficiency till up to temp and cruising. winters don't help.

If / when I'm doing local stuff my economy is sad. Round town stuff same.

For the 211.
When I drive to N Wales, 80 miles(ish) 1 3/4 hrs(ish) I'll be showing 47 / 48mpg when I get there. Rural roads and M'way.
When I drive down to Manchester (Ashton), 30 miles(ish) 1 hr+ I'll be showing less than 40mpg. Busy A roads and city.

 

[s5tuart]

Fraid so.
Diesels don't return efficiency till up to temp and cruising. winters don't help.

If / when I'm doing local stuff my economy is sad. Round town stuff same.

For the 211.
When I drive to N Wales, 80 miles(ish) 1 3/4 hrs(ish) I'll be showing 47 / 48mpg when I get there. Rural roads and M'way.
When I drive down to Manchester (Ashton), 30 miles(ish) 1 hr+ I'll be showing less than 40mpg. Busy A roads and city.

Hey ho! Could be worse! I could still be in my old Focus estate showing 50+mpg

 

[M80]

I would be

Hey ho! Could be worse! I could still be in my old Focus estate showing 50+mpg

I would be more than happy to buy a 'nice' Focus and swap it for your CLS.
A Shooting Brake as well, my dream.

 

[s5tuart]

I would be

I would be more than happy to buy a 'nice' Focus and swap it for your CLS.
A Shooting Brake as well, my dream.

Lol!! I highly recommend them!

 

[M80]

Lol!! I highly recommend them!

I would highly want one.
I was surprised to see, I think, from photo's that there is a lip at the loading area, rather than flat. Thereby requiring loads to be lifted in, rather than slid in.

 

[s5tuart]

I would highly want one.
I was surprised to see, I think, from photo's that there is a lip at the loading area, rather than flat. Thereby requiring loads to be lifted in, rather than slid in.

Yes indeed. That part is unfortunate. The load area is huge but access is limited by that lip and the sexy tailgate shape.
But, if I'd have wanted load lugging I'd have got the E Class that it's based on.
A case of form over function but with the rear seats down I can still lay out prone in the back and I'm 6ft. So, great for smaller items but a chest of drawers or a wardrobe are not possible.

 

[alexanderfoti]

My W211 E320 CDI Estate manages 40+ on a run without trying. It is a heavy lump though

also not EU6, as above, I don't think you will get anything in that budget that is EU6