New member and cars

[gazbiker]

Seems I am a one marque owner, I get drawn to Mercedes because of mainly the reliability but recently because of the style.

I have a E350 (W212) for work, a Vito 115 for work and just purchased a SL350 (R230) for pleasure.

Would love to have a 280Se (W108) but the prices are just too high now.

Planning a trip to the south of France in the SL350 with the missus, anyone know what fuel consumption I can expect, driving carefully of course!

Gaz

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome

I’d take a stab at low 30’s

 

[gazbiker]

Hello and welcome

I’d take a stab at low 30’s

Gulp!

 

[Blobcat]

Gulp!

That’s the word

You could get 35 or 36 but I’d doubt you’d get more. Set cruise between 50 and 60 if you want the best and don’t brake for anything. You might get high 30’s then.

 

[A.J.]

Hi Gaz, welcome to the forum

 

[McDonald]

Welcome Gaz, Your name seems appropriate since your first question refers to fuel consumption. My 500 gives me 25mpg. But every mile's a pleasure. Only the petrol stations make me wince.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Welcome Gaz, yup early 30’s maybe mid if you drive like a nun...

 

[gazbiker]

Welcome Gaz, yup early 30’s maybe mid if you drive like a nun...

I'll have to get into the habit....get it!

 

[gazbiker]

If i get mid 30's i'll be happy, the enjoyment of the roof down driving through the back roads of france will be worth it. Cheers guys

 

[Blobcat]

I'll have to get into the habit....get it!

Tumbleweed smiley...

 

[Srdl]

Hi Gaz and welcome to the forum

 

[LostKiwi]

The fuel consumption will depend massively on your route.
If you follow toll roads then most of the time you'll be sat at 80mph (assuming you don't want to speed).
If you eschew the toll roads you'll be going much slower so may well see better figures (50mph limit).
We regularly go to an hour north of Bordeaux - our E240 estate sees consistent 30-32 mpg.
Our r129 SL500 sees 22-25.mpg.
Our r230 SL500 saw 25-26mpg.
Those were all using toll roads.
Using the Smart to run down to Narbonne saw 42mpg on toll roads but 48mpg off toll roads, but it took a lot longer.
Tolls will account for a substantial amount of your costs.

 

[gazbiker]

The fuel consumption will depend massively on your route.
If you follow toll roads then most of the time you'll be sat at 80mph (assuming you don't want to speed).
If you eschew the toll roads you'll be going much slower so may well see better figures (50mph limit).
We regularly go to an hour north of Bordeaux - our E240 estate sees consistent 30-32 mpg.
Our r129 SL500 sees 22-25.mpg.
Our r230 SL500 saw 25-26mpg.
Those were all using toll roads.
Using the Smart to run down to Narbonne saw 42mpg on toll roads but 48mpg off toll roads, but it took a lot longer.
Tolls will account for a substantial amount of your costs.

So is it 80kph on all route national?

 

[Blobcat]

So is it 80kph on all route national?

130kmh (81mph) unless it’s raining on motorways (unless signed different...)

110kmh (68mph) when raining

 

[LostKiwi]

130kmh (81mph) unless it’s raining on motorways (unless signed different...)

110kmh (68mph) when raining

And off motorways it's 80kmh (50mph) unless signed.
One other thing to be aware of - the sign at the start of a town or village bordered in red is the start of a 50kmh (30mph) zone and the sign with the diagonal line is the end of the 50kmh zone.
If you're using toll roads it's worth getting a toll tag. Costs €11 to get plus €1.70 per month you use it plus normal tolls (that's a calendar month - If you don't use it in any month it costs nothing). You get billed from your bank account them following when you used it. APRR do this deal - cheapest I found.