W124 E280 4 Speed Auto (Estate) - Fuel Consumption?

JensH

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Hi all,

I have a '95 model with 135k on the clock. Generally good condition.

I have poor fuel consumption. Over about 1,300 miles I am getting this (mpg (UK Imperial)):
Average: 18.73
Best: 20.75
Worst: 15:55 (although that was before a full maintenance service)

The MB data in the handbook is:
Urban: 20.8 mpg
Av 56 mph: 31.7
Av 75 mph: 25.9

I do about half and half urban (London, bad) and long distance w motorway, which suggests about 23.35 as an average (MB figures), assuming motorway average at 75 mph. I am 80% of the MB average. I drive with a/c off in the cold seasons, so throughout the mileage period.

I have just had (service) all main filters changed, including fuel and air, new plugs and a full engine oil change (Castrol Magnatec).

I feel comfortable in the ethical debate driving a car that will last a lifetime (if we stopped making so many of them that'd make a difference). 18.73 mpg is disappointing, though, and makes the family's Aygo with its 50 mpg look the more sensible option. Love driving the Merc, though...

Anyone got any ideas about what might improve things? Clean the fuel system? Occasional higher octane unleaded fill (heard this was bad idea)? Or is it just a feature of old age?

The engine is silky smooth and faultless. Wouldn't surprise me it the car could still hit its original 132 mph max - with a few little rattles and squeaks, maybe.

Never saw myself as a pub fuel consumption geek, but never mind! :lol:
 
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kingdave

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I've left the forum - can still be found on others, just don't have time to read them all.
Hi JensH,

Your figures do look worse than mine on a 1996 E280 estate also with the 4speed auto. I don't have my brim to brim notebook with me here at work (stays in the car) so I can't give you definite figures.

From memory, best tankful ever is 27 mpg though most might work out closer to 22 I think. I like to use the performance of the car and I've never tried to hypermile a whole tank. I run it on lowest local priced unleaded (non-premium), we're not near any supermarkets with petrol stations so often this is shell. Tempted to put some v-power in to get a lego ferrari.

I'm afraid I don't know what might cause your lower consumption, since the cars running sweetly it doesn't sound like you have MAF issues etc.

If you get to the bottom of it, I'd be interested to learn what it was.

Cheers,

Dave
 

robparker

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It would be interesting for you to measure a brim to brim purely on the steady motorway cruise. Do not under-estimate just how bad the fuel in london would be, could be dragging your whole thing significantly down
 
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JensH

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Cheers kingdave,

Btw I should say that I have been on the "E" setting throughout, as opposed to "S", but I wonder whether, if that switch was faulty, that might a factor?

It's going in for a new rear exhaust section next week, so I will ask autodeutsche to check it out.

Jens
 
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JensH

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& cheers robparker,

Yes, you could well be right - London is terrible.

I'll be away over Christmas, so I should get a chance to run a tankful at non-urban usage.

At the moment, I use a little app on my iPhone, MPG Calc, filling to full each time I enter reserve (within 5-10 miles), not pushed reserve to the limit yet! I suppose there is always the spare can option.

Thanks,

Jens
 

grober

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several things which might be affecting your MPG which does on the face of it appear to be slightly down on what you might expect.
the first is obvious --- a heavy right foot!!
the rest not so much.
Make sure the plastic engine undertray is in place- makes a big difference to the underbody aerodynamics /drag at speed.
You might have a partially blocked catalytic converter/ exhaust making the engine work harder and thus use more fuel.
As mentioned the MAFF might be less than optimum but could also be the LAMBDA SENSOR or its heater circuit.- might be worth checking the mixture control on an engine analyser.
But the crucial period for most engines is the warm up from cold and how the injection system deals with that. You would be horrified at the MPG figures for the first couple of miles even in a correctly adjusted engine. Its possible your engine is not warming up correctly or even running slightly cool. First thing to change would be the thermostat- make sure you get one that opens at the recommended temperature for your particular model- the other thing to check is the coolant temperature sensor for the injection system is operating within its design parameters.
 
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JensH

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Cheers grober, very helpful.

I will follow up on all this with my MB specialists next week.

Re the right foot - ha ha ha! As it happens, my wife tells me that she has never known me be so laid back in a motor. It's the W124 factor, I think.

I confess to having kicked down once or twice... It's a nice treat.

Jens
 
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JensH

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Well, this may be the answer...

I knew I had wear in the rear exhaust section and it is due to be replaced next week.

20 mins ago on a short errand, yep, it dropped off!!!

Quite pleased it wasn't on the M11 at 85!

Watch this space...

Jens
 

DanF

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Hi Jens,

I run the same car in London and almost always get about 240 miles from a tank (usually add 60-62 litres) which I think is about the same as what you are getting. If I venture out of town I get more, most I got was 330 miles on the motorway in France...

I used to run a 200E which would usually give me about 300 miles in town.

I think its a consequence of sitting in traffic jams, my 5 mile journey often takes about 40 minutes...
 

kth286

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JensH

Is your mechanic a Mercedes specialist that is familiar with your generation Merc ?

If so, get him to read the fault codes from the diagnostic connector in the engine bay.

AS per grober above it will let him know if the lambda heater has gone open circuit.

It will also show other possible faults.

If he is not a Mercedes specialist, then go to one.

In addition to those items outlined by grober, do not omit to check your brake pads are not binding/sticking in the calipers and perhaps are not freeing off the disc properly.

Pads dragging against the discs can have a dramatic affect on mpg.

I can get 32 mpg on a cross country journey easily in my 3.2 litre (same engine).

My mpg was (approx.) 16% improved after I changed the lambda sensor and coolant sensor
in my early years with the car.
 
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JensH

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Update: Kwik Fit or MB?

Ok, latest.

My immediate exhaust issues is that the first silencer box has corroded clear through at is connection extension (which links to the rear section). Yesterday the rear section dropped off.

So, although booked in to autodeutsche in Camden next week, who have all the MB diagnostic gear and specialise in MB/VW/Audio, I did my own gaffer tape temp fix and "farted" my way down to Kwik Fit in Bethnal Green. autodeutsche only use genuine or authorised parts by reference to the VIN.

Here's the thing: Kwik Fit have quoted me £424.11 complete incl. VAT for both silencer box sections, so mid and rear pipe sections, with a 3-year guarantee. The very nice lads there don't know who makes the parts. They can do this tomorrow.

autodeutsche did a nice job recently on all new discs + pads and maintenance service, and identified the defects in the exhaust, BUT have estimated £750 for the exhaust job (so it will be more, probably).

Is a genuine MB part really needed for these bits of pipe? My 280, although very enjoyable (a sheer pleasure to drive), is never going to be a concourse standard survivor. It is gc to vgc example, which I am prepared to spend a couple of grand a year on. There's no investment return here, imho.

Will I genuinely get more miles from an MB exhaust?

Jens
 

grober

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Buy Erberspacher or HJS OEM to Merc at that time. Think EUROCARPARTS do them.
 

kth286

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depends if you feel the car is a keeper.The original Merc exhaust lasted 15 years on mine.

My car is on 194,000 ish miles now.

It's all about the price difference spread over the anticipated life of component.

Original will repay if you sell the car with original parts/receipts, as it inspires confidence
in the prospective Buyers.
 
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JensH

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Yep, David, I think I agree with that...

I will stick with autodeutsche and have to be satisfied with only looking at the car for a few days!

Btw Audi not Audio earlier - doh!

I'm kinda thinking I'd like to nurture this wagon through to 200k. That's a "keeper" then :)

Jens
 
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ShivaYash

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Would you recommend the garage in Camden? Are they good at fiddly bits? The trip meter on my w124 e200 has stopped working and I'd like it sorted. Good with the exhaust. I always opt for oem where possible!
My 124 is a keeper and I intend on not changing cars for as long as possible!
 
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JensH

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autodeutsche

Would you recommend the garage in Camden? Are they good at fiddly bits? The trip meter on my w124 e200 has stopped working and I'd like it sorted. Good with the exhaust. I always opt for oem where possible!
My 124 is a keeper and I intend on not changing cars for as long as possible!
So far, I have used autodeutsche only for a full maintenance service, and (on the same job) replacement of all discs and pads. They are about to do the exhaust.

They appear to be very knowledgeable and friendly and not overly pricey. The last job came in at less than the estimate. I spent a good 40 minutes talking to the owner there, who gave the car a quick appraisal for no cost, before I first booked the car in. The places is always full of different German cars, including high performance ones (e.g. Porsche), so that seems to support the reputation which was apparent to me: good no-nonsense service, with nice customer care.

I will find out more about more complex/fiddly issues when I get round to cruise control and some paintwork with them in the Spring. My impression already is that you wouldn't be sold anything unnecessary.

http://www.autodeutsche.co.uk

Chris Ionnnou is yer man there...

Jens
 

Tonypam

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E280 Fuel consumption

Jens

Re your fuel consumption query,

My 94 E280 W124 saloon gives very similar mpg I'm afraid. I drive to work and back ( an urban round trip of about 4 miles) so the car never gets really hot, I have the aircon switched off and auto box set to 'E' and I get around 60 miles from £20......20 mpg !

Sometimes a tad more - sometimes a tad less - when I take her on a run this improves to 27 or more even, depending on how judiciously I balance my right foot on the loud pedal

The trouble is I just love driving it - I have a smile on my face a soon as I get in it. 160k miles and it sounds like a sewing machine, had it for nearly 18 months and never spent a bean on it ..........

What a car for less than a grand, fully loaded, with all the leather and toys too - the price I pay is the fuel consumption I guess !!

Would I part with it ?

Not a chance !

Regards

Tony
 
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JensH

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Fuel Consumption Update

So I have my complete new rear exhaust fitted, everything from the CAT to the outlet. MB parts were £410.64 including a few fittings, £140 labour, both ex VAT. Not bad for the real thing against the KwikFit quote for non-MB parts.

Now I'll need a couple of fill-ups to see if the mileage picks up...

I'll update...

Thanks for the comments, and Tonypam... I agree! :)

Jens
 
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ShivaYash

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So I have my complete new rear exhaust fitted, everything from the CAT to the outlet. MB parts were £410.64 including a few fittings, £140 labour, both ex VAT. Not bad for the real thing against the KwikFit quote for non-MB parts.

Now I'll need a couple of fill-ups to see if the mileage picks up...

I'll update...

Thanks for the comments, and Tonypam... I agree! :)

Jens


Thanks for the update. I did ring your garage but they never called back. The search continues.
 
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JensH

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autodeutsche

Thanks for the update. I did ring your garage but they never called back. The search continues.

Ah! Yes, they are not great at returning calls or emails. BUT - the service is great once you get in there. If it's not too far away I'd drop in.

Alternatively, if you'd like to let me have your e-mail or phone details using my profile links, I will give the main man there a nudge for you..

Jens
 

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