How long do you take to loosen up?

[Merco]

OK - this isn't yet another thread about published mpg versus actual mpg nor is it a complaint (at the risk of turning some people off!)

Just a query really -

Have a diesel C200 and was just wondering how long it usually takes for these cars to loosen up and Mercedes in general? I've done around 3000 miles already (since new) and the car's mpg from scratch reads at around 47.6 - almost constantly at that level. I mostly do dual carriageway and motorway driving. The old Alfa only got to those figures after around 30-35k so I'm not complaining depsite the fact that MB publish the figures for my king of driving at 55mpg, so I would be expecting around 50 by now if they are to be believed. Am still happy enough though, so no problems with it. I just wondered what these German machines are like about warming up, loosening up and generally at what point do the engines reach their 'peak' how long do they 'plateau' for and at what point do the cars typically begin their degeneration.

You do read that Mercedes engines go on forever but just wondered how true this was of the actual cars themselves with all the bits and bobs if subject to normal servicing and when are they at their finest? Any thoughts folks?

 

[kwakdonut]

I thought the general consensus was that diesel engines aren't 'run-in' until they hit 100,000 miles! Certainly German diesels anyway

I would imagine that most engines 'loosen' up within the first 10-30,000 miles but really depends on; type of engine, design, initial driving styles, servicing etc

 

[Merco]

Yep - around 30k has been my experience so far with other marques. But I was under the impression that with the 'bench running in' and more sophisticated diesels with Mercs that this might happen sooner.