M.P.G - Performance E220 CDI

[Omega]

Not long ago I bought my first diesel saloon (see sig) It’s a late ’07.
Most of my driving is local, but a month ago, I ran from Cornwall to Nottingham,,,, ran about town for a couple of days then filled up to come home. I used Shell Diesel Extra at 99p litre. The next 300 miles or so were Motorway driving,,,, it might have been in my head, but the car ‘seemed’ to run better, and at times was returning 48+m.p.g (at motorway speeds ?!).
I now have a few questions:
1/ Is Shell ‘Extra’ (or other brands) worth pursuing ?
2/ How accurate is the MPG readout on this model ?
3/ Does the computer know which ‘quality’ of fuel I’m using - to give different ‘readouts’?
4/ Is it worth putting Millers (or other brand) additives in an engine just turned 10K ?
5/ Before parting with my last 124, I put in fully synthetic oil. Is it worth changing this car to similar oil now,,,, or leave it awhile ?
6/ Any other mpg / performance / fuel data appreciated.


thanks for reading,,,,,.

 

[renault12ts]

I use Millers.

The best way to measure usage is to brim the tank and measure the mileage between fills. This is actual, the computer is a fair gude though.

 

[compress ignite]

fluids

The "Computer" has no idea(or interest) in what quality Diesel comes from
the Tank[no way for it to tell].

You can NEVER switch to Fully Synthetic Motor Oil too soon!

Back in the 1980s Mobil (A different kind of Synthetic than is on offer NOW)
took 2 BMW 5 series: One on Mineral oil; one on Mobil 1 ran them 200K miles
then dis-assembled the engines...the Mobil 1 engine showed almost no wear!

(They did change the oil + filters at proper intervals)

 

[G.O'Rilla]

Hi, I would have thought that the vehicle would have already had fully synthetic oil, considering the modern engine that it has. Whatever, it is essential to use oil that meets the manufacturer's spec (e.g. API SG etc.....)

Using "superfuels" may or may not be a benefit. I ran another vehicle for 3000 miles on BP ultimate and found the consumption was actually slightly worse (all my mileage and fuel is put on a spreadsheet so the results were accurate) and a waste of money, but others have found a difference. I think it works better with highly tuned/remapped engines. The engine is designed to run on standard pump fuel anyway and manufacturers spend a fortune on fuel analysis and engine testing to make sure that it all works. A cetane improver may work but you need a lot to make a real life difference

Hope that helps - enjoy the car

 

[Omega]

thanks guys for your input.

When I was writing the OP, I did think that some of the queries were a bit too stupid to ask, but I am constantly surprised by different things now, and don't take anything for granted.

I totally agree that all vehicles are set up to their optimum when leaving the factory,,,, but then as things move on,,,, improvements made (to fuel / oil / tyres / others) maybe the 'optimum' can be raised.

I don't like changing my car,,,, and I'm expecting this one to last,,,, well,,, for ever !

I'm not after better speed,,,, handling,,,, consumption etc for today,,,, I'm looking long term. If these things are a 'by product' of looking after things - then great.
If I can start by looking after the engine at this stage, I think I owe it to myself and the car to do so. I'm hoping that the adage "you only get out what you put in" proves to be so.

Even at my age, I'm still willing to learn,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[G-Force]

I want know where you get Shell extra at 99p a litre!!!!

 

[Omega]

Hiya G:
,,,,as in the OP ",,,,Nottingham,,,, ran about town for a couple of days then filled up to come home. I used Shell Diesel Extra at 99p litre."
Can't recall the actual station, but it would have been near the south west of the outskirts of nottingham (beeston area),,,, t'were a proper Shell station.

,,,, you thinkin' of drivin' down for some ?

As i'm new to diesel saloons,,,, I was a bit worried at this station, as all they had was 'extra', and I didn't want to use anything 'too hot' - especially as I had almost 400 miles in front of me - so I went in to ask the chap about suitability.


((spent some time in Scotland in the mid 60's at Glenn Douglas. Stayed at Tarbet (Arrachar) between lochs long & lomand))

cheers

 

[G-Force]

Thanks Omega,
Thats a beautifull part of the country you used to visit

I pay for all the fuel i use in my car and the company give me an "allowance" so i am always aware of the local prices and must say that i haven't seen Deisel under £1 a litre for a few weeks.

I would love another drive down to cornwall..only problem with me is i cant stay away from the scones and clotted cream!!!!!!

Your cars lovely by the way.

 

[Omega]

Thanks G-F:

I was working up there for some months. I was working on the 'factory' that builds/t missiles for the sub's. It was above ground at the time (in the 'glenn') but was built to be buried. Tis all underground now (if it's still there/used). As you say, a glorious place,,,, especially where we were lodging,,, I was a bit too young to appreciate it at the time,,,, and never got back up there.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~​

Cornwall: Another great part of the Country,,,,, just as fabulous as Scotland,,,, but for different reasons. I've been here since 1970,,,, if I like it, I might stay.

Strange, I had scones & clotted cream yesterday. Another great food, is a pasty,,,,, but it has to be a good 'un. It's no good just being 'Cornish' made !
Like all things,,,, Great ones are worth searching out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~​

Thanks for your kind words about my new baby,,,, only got it in May.
I must say tho', that I am a little surprised by the road/tyre noise inside a motor like this,,,, and even the engine noise,,,, whilst acceptable in lesser brands,,, sometimes seems a bit much. Even my 'oldies' were quieter inside (i do realise that diesels are noisier,,,,, but I didn't expect to hear it in the cabin). Maybe I was expecting a bit too much.​

Went to see the new E class the other week,,,,, but I rekkon the diamond shaped lights spoil it,,,,, & the Hockey stick 'running lights' are a joke. It looks like a boy racer took some bling off his mothers dressing table & stuck it on,,,, not even done a good job of it either.
Still,,,, by the time I can afford another car, they might have been faded out !​

all the best​

Baz​

 

[G-Force]

Cheers Baz,
Yep i agree about the new E Class, i had a Honda Accord a couple of years ago and i swear that the E's front grill is identical in size and shape!!! overall the car looks very similair to the new Jap stuff (mazda 6/Lexus) but thats just my opinion...who knows what the future brings...it wasn't that long ago that i thought the E class was for grandpa's!!!!

 

[BenzedUP]

Hi,

I have a 2004 E320 CDi i've always used BP ultimate diesel on the car but last week i've filled up the car with shell V-power diesel and I have noticed a massive improvment on the mpg figures.

Round town I use to get about 30-31mpg with bp ultimate but with shell v-power i'm now getting 34-35mpg and the car seems to run better too, very impressed!