Discussion
I’m about to move to a job where I’ll have a weekly commute of 240miles, apart from that the car won’t be used too much.
The car that I have in my sights is a Mercedes E500, so I’d like an idea of mpg. If it is capable of 30mpg on the motorway, which is where it will spend most of its time, then I’ll consider it. Has anyone LPG’d one (maybe that’s a consideration), although I’d to keep it standard if possible..
Also, is there anything that I should look out for when viewing these?
thanks
The car that I have in my sights is a Mercedes E500, so I’d like an idea of mpg. If it is capable of 30mpg on the motorway, which is where it will spend most of its time, then I’ll consider it. Has anyone LPG’d one (maybe that’s a consideration), although I’d to keep it standard if possible..
Also, is there anything that I should look out for when viewing these?
thanks
I suspect you may be hoping for a bit of man maths to justify this one!
30mpg may be possible..... at a push on a constant cruise, but I bet by the time you've worked out your average over a few months I suspect it wouldn't be anywhere near that figure. Most likely around 19-23mpg?
Given that Lpg conversions do less mpg wise (and you always lose power despite what people may tell you), you may get the equivelant cost of 30 mpg on petrol but not a lot more in a car thats not significantly quicker (if at all) than the diesel equivelant....
I've only driven a new E-class 500 and a W164 ML500 and both were so quiet you couldn't really tell what was under the bonnet which does kind of beg the question, why bother! and if you're conscious about costs, you'd probably be better off with the CDi anyway.
Having said that, if it were an E63 you were talking about, I'd twist the man maths round and say go for it!
30mpg may be possible..... at a push on a constant cruise, but I bet by the time you've worked out your average over a few months I suspect it wouldn't be anywhere near that figure. Most likely around 19-23mpg?
Given that Lpg conversions do less mpg wise (and you always lose power despite what people may tell you), you may get the equivelant cost of 30 mpg on petrol but not a lot more in a car thats not significantly quicker (if at all) than the diesel equivelant....
I've only driven a new E-class 500 and a W164 ML500 and both were so quiet you couldn't really tell what was under the bonnet which does kind of beg the question, why bother! and if you're conscious about costs, you'd probably be better off with the CDi anyway.
Having said that, if it were an E63 you were talking about, I'd twist the man maths round and say go for it!
ha ha man maths 
I want a super sheep and so like the idea of the E500 as its exhausts are hidden, and I'd have it de-badged as well.
I don't really want a diesel as I'd see it as transport only - whereas a nice V8 under the bonnet, well it's a bit special isn't it.
thanks for your input anyway
I want a super sheep and so like the idea of the E500 as its exhausts are hidden, and I'd have it de-badged as well.
I don't really want a diesel as I'd see it as transport only - whereas a nice V8 under the bonnet, well it's a bit special isn't it.
thanks for your input anyway
Reading your posts, and interpreting what you want from your car, a good E500 sounds like a viable option. It is unlikely you will see 30mpg in the real world unless you have a flat road, following wind and are prepared to anger every other motorway driver who crosses your path by refusing to speed up or slow down!!! A steady cruise at 65-70 should see mid-high 20's MPG on the motorway, dropping to mid-high teens around town. I assume you are looking at the 306 bhp model rather than the later 388 Bhp 5.5 litre. They are plenty quick enough in the real world. Bear in mind the V8's all have Airmatic suspension as standard, so check it's all working properly, and check the SBC braking system has had the upgrade. If it is a later model with the 7g box check that is working correctly as the early ones had some issues. I ran a CLS 500 for a year, and was more than happy until I drove an AMG, then there was no going back. Avoid the Elegance models as they usually are naff colours, rubbish wheels and garish interiors IMHO.
vilus said:
slippery said:
It won't take you long to spend the money you saved on fuel and consumables though. 
Maybe, but for a few hundred quid you will have one hell of a smile on your face.... The 470hp does sound rather appealing - also what would your thoughts be on debadging an AMG? EarlOfHazard said:
vilus said:
slippery said:
It won't take you long to spend the money you saved on fuel and consumables though.
Maybe, but for a few hundred quid you will have one hell of a smile on your face.... The 470hp does sound rather appealing - also what would your thoughts be on debadging an AMG? 
. Those that don't, won't care. Just to add, s 5.0 E500 won't really appear much faster to other people on the road than a well driven E320 CDi, particularly if it has been re-mapped, so your street sleeper idea may not be a sound one. The 5.5 litre E500 is a noticeable step up and the AMG is in the Supercar league. As Slippery said, de-badging and AMG would be pretty pointless as the bodykit, quad exhaust, and stance of the car stand out a mile from a normal E class. Performance wise the E500 will beat the diesel away from the lights, but once on the open road a well driven E320CDi will keep up with the petrol 306 bhp V8. The E55 Kompressor is a different story, and you can find yourself travelling at three figure speeds in seconds once you plant your right foot down.The Airmatic suspension is basically the same on an E500 as E55K. It can have problems, leaking struts and failing compressor. Search any Mercedes forum and you'll be concerned for sure. The costs of running an E500 or an E55K will be marginal. Both have same Airmatic suspension, SBC braking, 16 spark plugs, and are heavy on brake components. The AMG has 8 pot Brembo at the front with eight pads. Just make sure you buy one with full history, and be prepared for the odd £1000+ bill. The service for my car this year cost me £1300 including new front pads and disks. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that will be it until next spring!
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