W124 Fuel Consumption & Performance

[julesg007]

Good evening all,

Still trying to get all the information together to make the final decision about wether to go for the petrol or diesel engine when I go and buy my first W124 estate.

I would be grateful for some information about fuel consumption for the various engines that were available for the later versions. I will probably be looking at a L, M, N, or P regestered car. At this stage the offical MB quoted figures will suffice as I am just trying to guage what returns I will get from each tank full.

I must admit that I am leaning towards the oil burner as I think it has the best fuel ecomony and doesn't suffer with the HT wiring loom problem (although that is not my first concern). Also I am not the boy racer that I once was, so traffic light grand prix doesn't interest me and quite happy to plod along at about the legal limit on the M way's when there not snarled up that is!!!! I don't really do just town or motorway driving it usually is a mixture of everything.

I was also wondering about the E200 and E220 versions, are they going to be a bit under powered for the weight of the car? - my mate has a G reg 230TE and that does seem to have plenty of get up and go and with the use of the "Sports" mode and kick down is doesn't hang around!!!

Thanks again for all the help and advice
Regards
Jules

 

[lakeside]

My thoughts on the three 124's I have owned:
If you're happy with the performance of the multivalve diesel, then that's probably the best bet, especially if you're doing mixed driving. They're quite sedate around town, but come into their own on A-roads and motorways, where they'll steam on at high speed all day, giving around 34-36 mpg overall. The engine is a gem, smooth, fairly simple and easy to work on.
The 16-valve 2-litre has similar performance to the later 300 diesel and the old 230 petrol, and can return up to 30 mpg, unless loaded up. It's not actually underpowered, but the engine has to work hard, and it's not the most refined 4-pot. The handling is a little tidier due to less weight up front.
The E280 has a wonderful engine, smooth with loads of torque, and is very rapid, especially in the 50mph - 100 mph region. Rapid enough for me, anyway. I get 28mpg at best, and considerably less in town. The loom is a one-off issue, once replaced, it's sorted. Apart from that, it's an immensely strong engine, and a joy to drive.
I don't have any experience of the 220 or the 320.

 

[Juddian]

We've had 2 E320 petrols, a coupe still owned and an estate, both would return about 23 to 25 normal running if you take it fairly easy, maybe more on a long steady cruise, but in town or especially if you make use of the considerable acceleration expect 17 to 20mpg.

Also ran a 95 300 diesel auto for 4 or 5 years, it could be persuaded to go quite well, but made enough protest noisewise that you felt quite uncomfortable doing so.
Expect about 33/35mpg most of the time.
Up to about 50mph a later diesel 124 will see off most cars as its initial take off is so rapid having no turbo to wait for, at least mine was.
A very comfortable and relaxing car to drive too.

The diesel does have little known wiring problems too, i have been referred to various forum links about this issue, but havent got a clue where to find them now.
Not a widespread problem like the E280 and 320 petrols though.

Do be aware that keeping the aircon running on cars with climate controls etc can be very expensive, we deliberately avoided that on our coupe.
Had the complete service files for the estate that had every option and the bills for keeping that and other stuff going over the years were staggering.

Take a tip, keep the car you choose on proper 15" tyres, but buy good quality ones.

 

[Stu_CDX]

The E280 W124 we have just gave 320 miles to a full tank.

The engine is fantastic.

My Dad had a W124 300TE24 Sportline which gave almost identical fuel economy.

The 4cylinder engines I think are a little pointless and do need to work quite hard to move the heavy car around.

260, 280 and 320 is a good idea for petrol, and a 300 Turbo Diesel will disappoint performance wise, but put a smile on your face when you look at the fuel bill

 

[simon_wall69]

This wikipedia page has all the official fuel consumptions on it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W124

 

[roofless]

had a few 124's & find the 2ltr m111 16v not bad esp on fuel even when mixed driving & on the m-way it's very good .the 3ltr is a smoother car but when pushed it's sore on fuel but when i buy my next one i will still buy the best car i can get for my cash 2ltr or 320 even a diesel

 

[Bolide]

E200 - no idea but probably less than an E220
E220 - 22-36 mpg
E280 - 18-32 mpg
E320 - 16-32 mpg
E300 Diesel - 32 mpg

Fuel consumption for the E280 and E320 is directly related to your right foot. They won't be nearly as good as a 220 or 300 Diesel sitting in traffic with the aircon on. But, then again, in most E220s and E300 Diesels you have no aircon and on a hot day you'll wish you bought a 280

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[Ade W124]

I'd look for a 5 speed box if you are looking for a petrol car. I get up to 30mpg on motorways and down to 16mpg on short journeys around the city (cold start ) I find that AC makes little difference to Motorway consumption.

From personal experience, the cost difference of the fuel savings offered by a smaller engine/diesel will be relatively insignificant compared with other running/maintenance costs unless you are doing lots of miles. I can wholeheartedly recommend the 6 cylinder petrol engines.

Ade

 

[bigyin1]

I get 34-35mpg out of my '96 diesel multivalve...

 

[cross]

I own a 93 220 TE petrol and get around 29mpg (rural driving) and around 30-32 on motorway depending how you drive it

 

[maxypriest]

I Got 125mph out of my E300D once. Flat out.

Bizzarly i get 36-38mpg - dunno if there is a bit of speedo error going on there?!

Max

 

[simon_wall69]

Speedo will be overreading by about 10%, I get about 35-38mpg from my e300 d, about 500 miles between fill ups.

 

[julesg007]

Hi all,

Thanks for all the information, again very useful and I hope to be putting it to very good use very soon, however, it seems I better be putting my lead boots away especially if I go for the E320 or I better go buy some shares in Shell!!!!

So I suppose I ain't got no more excuses now, it seems I have all info I need to get out and start looking seriously......

So where is that '96 P reg car with 25K on the clock, FMBSH, fully loaded and sorted and only£1500!?!?!?

Have a good evening and safe driving

Jules