Mercedes hybrid - anyone got one?

[LooneyTunes]

...if so, what do you reckon to it?

In particular, are there any problems/issues with the electric side of thing or massive increases in servicing cost/complexity?

Thanks in advance.

[marky1]

Out of interest what cars do they do in Hybrid? We have only 2% import duty on Hybrid cars where I am.

[LooneyTunes]

E class is now in production - first I knew it was out was when I saw one in a dealer at the weekend. Seem to recall there might be an S too?

E300 hybrid is a diesel with an inline electric motor before the auto 'box. >65mpg in both urban and extra-urban cycles, along with a 0-60 in the 7's.

No road tax or congestion charge either.

[r129sl]

S400 Hybrid is available in the Fatherland: V6 petrol with inline lecky motor.

NB, the E300 Hybrid is an inline 4 diesel.

[LooneyTunes]

Interesting - hadn't realised the S hybrid had been out for a couple of years over there. Hopefully that means the battery tech isn't completely new to them by now.

Been watching a couple of videos on youtube: must be strange seeing the rev counter drop to zero whilst "sailing" on the motorway under electric power.

[GTIR]

r129sl said:

S400 Hybrid is available in the Fatherland: V6 petrol with inline lecky motor.

NB, the E300 Hybrid is an inline 4 diesel.

It's the E250 2.1 engine.

I doubt it will reach anywhere near it's claimed MPG.

[LooneyTunes]

GTIR said:

I doubt it will reach anywhere near it's claimed MPG.

I'm a little sceptical too.

Book figures (for the estate) are:
Urban 62.8 (40% higher than E250 CDI)
Extra-urban 61.4 (same as E250 CDI)
Combined 62.8 (18% higher than E250 CDI)

There's only one way to find out though.

Notice you've ordered an E250 - fancy reporting back long term mpg (just off the computer to keep it simple) after say first 5k and I'll try to remember to do the same with the hybrid?

[GTIR]

Oh, you've got one!

I did look at one but due to the very mileage I cover and the relatively new technology (As in new model often equals niggles.) and the extra cost I couldn't justify it. Also, the cruise function (On motorways electric motor is only being used.) I doubt it would work with three adults and lots of luggage!

I'll do 5k in a month.

Pick mine up Sat (2nd), you?

[LooneyTunes]

Figured nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Was initially a bit concerned about the technology but figured that hybrids have been running around for a decade+ now and Mercedes could do without the negative press if theirs start falling over... so expecting a hefty dollop of goodwill if we have any issues with the hybrid elements of the vehicle.

Price difference turned out to be negligible after we'd ascertained that they REALLY wanted to sell us a car.

Going to be a couple of weeks before it arrives... will take a little longer to cover 5k though as it's going to be MrsLT's car, but that means it'll spend a good bit of time doing the inefficient parts of the cycle.

[GTIR]

Cool.

Is yours the facelift version?
They were doing some stonking deals on the old/new shape.

[LooneyTunes]

GTIR said:

Is yours the facelift version?

I have to admit, I'm not 100% certain: we're expecting it to be one of the last of the pre-facelift vehicles, but there was some uncertainty earlier in the week about whether it had actually been built yet...

Don't really mind either way (I think I prefer the front end of the current version, but wouldn't object to the improved residuals on the facelift if they surprise us with one of those!).

[GTIR]

LooneyTunes said:

GTIR said:

Is yours the facelift version?

I have to admit, I'm not 100% certain: we're expecting it to be one of the last of the pre-facelift vehicles, but there was some uncertainty earlier in the week about whether it had actually been built yet...

Don't really mind either way (I think I prefer the front end of the current version, but wouldn't object to the improved residuals on the facelift if they surprise us with one of those!).

I'd imagine that if you got a really good deal (As I did) it'll be the old new shape which is better IMO. The new one looks like a C class.

The facelift does have a lot of gizmos but I think they're all options.
Iirc the new ones are only SE and AMG spec, no Avantgarde?

[LooneyTunes]

Not sure on the range moving forward - with the hybrid there is only one spec level at present (basically an Avantgarde but without bi-xenons).

Confirmed now, it's arriving in the UK next week (hence will be the pre-facelift).

[GTIR]

I'm getting average of 48mpg after 1000 miles.
That's about 70% motorway.

About the same as my E220.

[T1CHS]

Currently running an S212 E250cdi Sport, average to date in mixed driving over 60 miles of A,B and dual carriageway 38.7mpg.
S212 E350cdi Sport over same journey 27.9 mpg!!! and not appreciably quicker.

I will be ordering an S212 E300 hybrid Sport for delivery in Dec'13 mainly due to the Tax saving of £154 per month. (Car is leased and run as a company car).

[GTIR]

Do you mean W212?

[T1CHS]

No S212 i.e. Estate

[GTIR]

Well I never knew that, but it's quite obvious really!

I've noticed on these new Mercs the MPG readout isn't as instant as my old W211 and the lowest MPG I got whilst bimbling around and stationary was 25 but on this I get 11.

[T1CHS]

Having a graphic on the dashboard that only goes upto a maximum of 40mpg, when claiming in excess of 60mpg under certain conditions was probably not the best thoughtout! Up there with headrests that explode to prevent whiplash but leave you feeling like you have been hit with a piece of 6" x 4" round the back of the head.

[LooneyTunes]

2500 miles in, so time for an update for anyone who is interested - first couple of hundred miles having a bit of a play with the hybrid tech, then just getting on with driving the thing.

Long term average ~45mpg (mainly A/B roads)
Typical motorway ~55mpg
Round town, on the commuter crawl sections, seeing up to 60mpg over a mile or so (and obviously not burning fuel when stopped).

Here's a real world example I scribbled down a couple of weeks ago:
From cold, 2 adults, 2 small children (+ associated junk)
15 miles
52 minutes
Avg 18mph
44.8mpg

Good points:

1. Hybrid system makes the stop/start function much less intrusive than the regular diesel.
2. Hybrid gives a nice extra push if pressing on (feels more supercharger-esque as there's less lag than with turbo alone).
3. Seems to be a fuel economy benefit even when driven normally but, unsurprisingly, yet to hit the claimed mpg figures.

Bad points:

1. The adverts online lie: seen the video of the chap silently leaving his drive early in the morning? Can't do that! The hybrid system needs the engine to be warm before it will operate.
2. A polite way of asking pedestrians to move out of the way so that you can move off would be handy... had a couple of car park incidents now where, with the engine being off, people haven't realised that we're trying to move.
3. Range on battery is limited - partly due to size, partly by the fact that it won't fully discharge (yet to see less than 28% charge). If you're expecting to hit town and then cruise in on battery, forget it.
4. Need a very gentle touch to avoid engine cutting back in when accelerating.
5. May be better on saloon but, on estate, anything more than a very gentle incline will see the engine cut back in.

Overall verdict:
An improvement on the regular CDI, would benefit from a slightly meatier electric motor on estate at least, and an extended battery option might not go amiss.