W212, w204, 250 or 350 CDI efficiency?

[philnewmerc]

Hello all. I'm now seriously looking for a C or E 250/350. But sods law would have it that the ones in budget in nice specs (ie not boring black leather but also must have heated seats) near me at the moment are 2010 models - which leads me to the question: The Blue Efficiency models (eg C350 CDI) jumped from about 230 bhp to 260 bhp and 41 mpg to 47 mpg. Is the mpg increase 'real' or was this as a result of different measurements standard and therefore in the real world there's no difference? If there is then i have to stick to 2011 models onwards. Cheers!

Ps i now do about 25k miles a year so yes 6 mpg will make a difference

 

[Jukie]

I’ve got an E350 CDi, w212 on an 11 plate. It’s the uprated 265hp engine. I have a 55 mile round trip commute, mostly A road and M6. I’m averaging 47 mpg according to the on board computer. That’s all miles over a good few years.

I cannot speak about the older engine as I have never driven one but I will say mine is as sweet as a nut even with 124k on the clock. Smooth and refined for an oil burner with plenty of oomph when you want or need it.

My heated seats are in grey as is the headlining. Makes for a bright and airy cabin.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Hello all. I'm now seriously looking for a C or E 250/350. But sods law would have it that the ones in budget in nice specs (ie not boring black leather but also must have heated seats) near me at the moment are 2010 models - which leads me to the question: The Blue Efficiency models (eg C350 CDI) jumped from about 230 bhp to 260 bhp and 41 mpg to 47 mpg. Is the mpg increase 'real' or was this as a result of different measurements standard and therefore in the real world there's no difference? If there is then i have to stick to 2011 models onwards. Cheers!

Ps i now do about 25k miles a year so yes 6 mpg will make a difference

I'd get a 220 or 250 if doing 25k a year , if mpg is a requirement. The extra 30 bhp on the newer v6 0m642 engines ,comes from having a sports exhaust. Data card option m014, enhanced engine performance

 

[amgv12power]

E250 would be my choice

 

[Gazwould]

 

[MrGreedy]

I've got a 2011 265bhp E350 CDI.

For a while, I was trapped with 5 mile commutes, which was around 37mpg. A short aberration thankfully.

I'm back to occasional commutes of 130 miles each way. Over these long commutes, I get:

Taking it super easy, 50-56 mph (to stick in lane 1 with the trucks) 70mpg.

60-65mph gives 58mpg.

70mph gives about 55mpg.

Long term average at the moment is 49mpg (supermarket runs, kids clubs etc kills it).

I posted on here about a recent return trip from France, which was 6 hours at 85mpg. This was mid 40s mpg I believe.

If you want to constantly use the 265bhp on tap, which is great fun, it can drink fuel. But if you are careful at driving, astonishing mpgs can be had. I haven't had a chance for a perfect hyper miling decent run yet, but I'm sure 80mpg is possible (I've seen low 80s mpg on a decent run, but then hit stop start traffic, and ended the journey low 70s - also posted on here).

Yes, yes, that's on the computer and not a 1200 mile brim to brim calc. But I bet it's not a lot off from my experience.

Maybe the E250 can best these, but I've no experience.
I'd simply surmise that if you are doing either runs shorter than 20 mins, or drive at max permissible speed in lane 3 and accelerate as hard as possible everywhere, then the 250 will give noticeably better economy. If you enjoy occasional 265bhp fun, but otherwise cruise, I could guess there's no difference.

 

[ChrisHGTV]

I've got a 2011 265bhp E350 CDI.

For a while, I was trapped with 5 mile commutes, which was around 37mpg. A short aberration thankfully.

I'm back to occasional commutes of 130 miles each way. Over these long commutes, I get:

Taking it super easy, 50-56 mph (to stick in lane 1 with the trucks) 70mpg.

60-65mph gives 58mpg.

70mph gives about 55mpg.

Long term average at the moment is 49mpg (supermarket runs, kids clubs etc kills it).

I posted on here about a recent return trip from France, which was 6 hours at 85mpg. This was mid 40s mpg I believe.

If you want to constantly use the 265bhp on tap, which is great fun, it can drink fuel. But if you are careful at driving, astonishing mpgs can be had. I haven't had a chance for a perfect hyper miling decent run yet, but I'm sure 80mpg is possible (I've seen low 80s mpg on a decent run, but then hit stop start traffic, and ended the journey low 70s - also posted on here).

Yes, yes, that's on the computer and not a 1200 mile brim to brim calc. But I bet it's not a lot off from my experience.

Maybe the E250 can best these, but I've no experience.
I'd simply surmise that if you are doing either runs shorter than 20 mins, or drive at max permissible speed in lane 3 and accelerate as hard as possible everywhere, then the 250 will give noticeably better economy. If you enjoy occasional 265bhp fun, but otherwise cruise, I could guess there's no difference.

Wow those figures are astonishing! My E250 doesn’t do more than about 55mpg on a long (European) run at 85mph. Around town and on average i get 42mpg - from the computer so I’m not sure how accurate this it.

OP it’s worth noting that any car that had the software update after the diesel scandal will likely achieve lower mpg than the stated figs. Mine dropped a few mpg on average.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Wow those figures are astonishing! My E250 doesn’t do more than about 55mpg on a long (European) run at 85mph. Around town and on average i get 42mpg - from the computer so I’m not sure how accurate this it.

OP it’s worth noting that any car that had the software update after the diesel scandal will likely achieve lower mpg than the stated figs. Mine dropped a few mpg on average.

Think the 85mph has a bearing on your mpg results TBF. I once drove to hull in my 17 reg e350 at 56mph as a test ,I was touching 55 mpg by the time 100 miles has passed by. On the return I sat at around 70mph and returned 42 mpg ISH. My glc 350 is averaging 32mpg over a 6 mile commute to work . Best I've had was 48 mpg on a run out to the Seahouses around 70 miles.

 

[markjay]

Regarding journey costs, I am assuming that you ate not planning on regularly driving through any town or city that has (or planning to have) CAZ/ULEZ etc?

 

[Gazwould]

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Mb do a mpg section on the ME app. It lists your mpg and drivers in the UK who own the same vehicle.

 

[philnewmerc]

I’ve got an E350 CDi, w212 on an 11 plate. It’s the uprated 265hp engine. I have a 55 mile round trip commute, mostly A road and M6. I’m averaging 47 mpg according to the on board computer. That’s all miles over a good few years.

I cannot speak about the older engine as I have never driven one but I will say mine is as sweet as a nut even with 124k on the clock. Smooth and refined for an oil burner with plenty of oomph when you want or need it.

My heated seats are in grey as is the headlining. Makes for a bright and airy cabin.

Thanks. I test drove a E250 and tbh I found the dissonance between lovely interior and canal boat noise not impressive so though I won't discount the 250 (because I'm tight and besides if it's in a nice spec I'd get used to it) I'd prefer a 350. 47 OBC sounds like low 40s in reality, which is probably fair enough.

 

[philnewmerc]

View attachment 163895View attachment 163896

Thanks, but trouble with these is firstly they're a mix of pre- and post-efficiency improved engines and my question was about how much difference there is in reality (i.e. between pre-2010 and post-2010 diesels) or if there was just a change in measurement method and there's none in reality... ? However, the difference between 250 and 350 is helpful and seems to be about 4 mpg so though that's not to be sniffed at over a lot of miles, I think it's probs worth it!

 

[philnewmerc]

Wow those figures are astonishing! My E250 doesn’t do more than about 55mpg on a long (European) run at 85mph. Around town and on average i get 42mpg - from the computer so I’m not sure how accurate this it.

OP it’s worth noting that any car that had the software update after the diesel scandal will likely achieve lower mpg than the stated figs. Mine dropped a few mpg on average.

Hmm good point, maybe independent serviced cars are a better bet.... That mpg sounds realistic to me

 

[philnewmerc]

I've got a 2011 265bhp E350 CDI.

For a while, I was trapped with 5 mile commutes, which was around 37mpg. A short aberration thankfully.

I'm back to occasional commutes of 130 miles each way. Over these long commutes, I get:

Taking it super easy, 50-56 mph (to stick in lane 1 with the trucks) 70mpg.

60-65mph gives 58mpg.

70mph gives about 55mpg.

Long term average at the moment is 49mpg (supermarket runs, kids clubs etc kills it).

I posted on here about a recent return trip from France, which was 6 hours at 85mpg. This was mid 40s mpg I believe.

If you want to constantly use the 265bhp on tap, which is great fun, it can drink fuel. But if you are careful at driving, astonishing mpgs can be had. I haven't had a chance for a perfect hyper miling decent run yet, but I'm sure 80mpg is possible (I've seen low 80s mpg on a decent run, but then hit stop start traffic, and ended the journey low 70s - also posted on here).

Yes, yes, that's on the computer and not a 1200 mile brim to brim calc. But I bet it's not a lot off from my experience.

Maybe the E250 can best these, but I've no experience.
I'd simply surmise that if you are doing either runs shorter than 20 mins, or drive at max permissible speed in lane 3 and accelerate as hard as possible everywhere, then the 250 will give noticeably better economy. If you enjoy occasional 265bhp fun, but otherwise cruise, I could guess there's no difference.

Might be worthwhile doing one brim to brim check to confirm... but maybe not if you like the idea of doing 70 mpg in a 3 litre turbo Sounds good if accurate though

 

[philnewmerc]

Regarding journey costs, I am assuming that you ate not planning on regularly driving through any town or city that has (or planning to have) CAZ/ULEZ etc?

Probs every other week. Not a big cost compared to fuel. Imho there's no point paying a 1000s premium for euro 6 car in order to save 2 or 300 quid a year (plus I'd rather not have add blue after reading stories on here... maybe unwarranted fear?)

 

[philnewmerc]

If anyone has a 2010 or earlier 250/350 I'd be interested to hear your mpgs...

Cheers all, much appreciated

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Might be worthwhile doing one brim to brim check to confirm... but maybe not if you like the idea of doing 70 mpg in a 3 litre turbo Sounds good if accurate though

Must admit , it made me chuckle.

 

[W1ghty]

Probs every other week. Not a big cost compared to fuel. Imho there's no point paying a 1000s premium for euro 6 car in order to save 2 or 300 quid a year (plus I'd rather not have add blue after reading stories on here... maybe unwarranted fear?)

I would say the consensus would be to avoid adblue .

 

[markjay]

Probs every other week. Not a big cost compared to fuel. Imho there's no point paying a 1000s premium for euro 6 car in order to save 2 or 300 quid a year (plus I'd rather not have add blue after reading stories on here... maybe unwarranted fear?)

I wouldn’t recommend an EU6 MB anyway, because of the potential pitfalls of the AdBlue system.

If the CAZ/ULEZ charge was a consideration (which, as stated, it isn't) then I would suggest a frugal 1.6L petrol engine (e.g. W204 2012 onwards with the M274). Just in case anyone else reading this find themselves asking the same questions.