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Realistic MPG expectations thread

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Johnny Christensen
Posts: 1370

Realistic MPG expectations thread

Post#1 » Mon May 25, 2015 10:57 pm

Along the years we have seen a lot of diesel conversions, many done to improve the fuel consumption of a G that came out of the Graz factory as a gasoline powered vehicle.

Prompted by this thread on the Southafrican forum about the consumption of the G300 prof.
http://www.mb4x4.co.za/forum/showthread ... -G300-Prof.

I thought we might assemble the real-life MPG of a diesel G, so there is a base reference of what you can expect. There is benefits to diesel power - but there is also limits to what they can achieve.

Please list the relevant data of your vehicle.
LWB or SWB
Engine type and displacement.
Gearbox style, auto or manual with overdrive or straight 1:1
Average consumption on the open road.

Please state if the measurement is US gallon, UK gallon or metric. I’ll be happy to convert the measurements so we all speak the same language.
Last edited by Johnny Christensen on Fri May 29, 2015 10:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Johnny Christensen
Posts: 1370

Re: Realistic MPG expectations thread

Post#2 » Mon May 25, 2015 10:57 pm

Diesel powered G's
----
Type: LWB part-time 4x4
Engine: OM662LA 2.9L turbo
Gearbox: Manual with overdrive
Open road: 10.1 to 10.6 L / 100km. 22-23MPG US. 27-28 MPG UK.

Type: SWB part-time 4x4
Engine: OM617A (turbo)
Gearbox: manual stock 4-sp, 33" tires
Open road: 13-14L / 100km. 17-18MPG US. 20-21.5 MPG UK.

Type: SWB part-time 4x4
Engine: OM617A (turbo)
Gearbox: manual 4 sp, 35" tires
Open road: 13L /100km. 18 MPG US. 21.5 MPG UK

Type: LWB part-time 4x4
Engine: OM617
Gearbox: manual 4 sp
Open road: 12.5L /100km. 18.9 MPG US. 22.7 MPG UK.

Type: LWB permanent 4x4.
Engine: OM606TD
Gearbox: automatic with overdrive
Open road: 12.3L /100m. 19 MPG US. 23 MPG UK
Please note, this is factory set-up. Currently giving 20 MPG US

Type: SWB cabrio, part-time 4x4
Engine: OM603
Gearbox: Manual with overdrive
Open road: 11.4L / 100km. 20.6 MPG US. 24.8 MPG UK.

Type: SWB cabrio, part-time 4x4
Engine: OM606TD
Gearbox: Manual with overdrive
Open road: 13.6L / 100km. 17.3 MPG US. 20.8 MPG UK.

Type:SWB, part-time 4x4
Engine: OM606TD
Gearbox: Automatic with overdrive
Open road: 13.2L / 100 km. 17.8 MPG US. 21.4 MPG UK.
Please note, still undergoing adjustments of the injection pump.


Gasoline powered G's
----

Type: LWB cabrio part-time 4x4
Engine: M110
Gearbox: automatic 4 sp with 37" tires. low geared axles.
Open road: 15.7L / 100km. 15 MPG US. 18 MPG UK.

Type: LWB permanent 4x4
Engine: M113
Gearbox: Automatic with overdrive. 35" tires.
Open road: 16L / 100km. 14.7 MPG US. 16.6 MPG UK

Type: SWB part-time 4x4
Engine: M110
Gearbox: manual 4 sp.
Open road: 21L /100 km. 11 MPG US. 13 MPG UK.
Last edited by Johnny Christensen on Mon Jun 08, 2015 10:37 pm, edited 6 times in total.

VolvoC303
Posts: 1512

Re: Realistic MPG expectations thread

Post#3 » Tue May 26, 2015 3:10 am

300GD SWB with a 617A (turbo) stock 4-sp, 33" tires

Around 17-18mpg, and this is about what I've seen on two others. I've seen claims of much more but I don't think they are accurate unless maybe you only drive 40mph.

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Chris
Posts: 4549

Re: Realistic MPG expectations thread

Post#4 » Tue May 26, 2015 6:55 am

1980 280GE LWB 2 door cabriolet (4700 lbs empty weight) automatic, 37" tires, 6.17:1 axle ratio.
15mpg (US) highway
12mpg (US) city
image.jpg



2000 G500 LWB, 35" tires, completely stock otherwise.
14.7 mpg (US) highway
10.8 mpg (US) city
(Odometer values corrected for larger tires)
image.jpg
IG: #traildustrestoration

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vadimivanovich
Posts: 8643

Re: Realistic MPG expectations thread

Post#5 » Tue May 26, 2015 7:01 am

1984 280GE SWB
31" tires
4.87:1 axles
no body accessories
original 4-speed manual trans
M110
11 MPG mixed driving

Same 1984 280GE swapped to OM617a
35" (as-measured) MT tires
Safari rack
1985 300GD 4-speed manual trans
14.5 MPG when heavily loaded at 70-75 on the freeway, nearly 100% throttle all day
18 MPG mixed driving, not loaded, nothing on the rack
"The way you think is the way you live"

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motoxo
Posts: 206

Re: Realistic MPG expectations thread

Post#6 » Tue May 26, 2015 7:58 am

1985 300gd lwb
used/rebuilt (eventually) stock everything.
18.9 mpg (mixed)

Image
-|o
1985 lwb 300gd (mac the turtle)

G Nome
Posts: 7766

Re: Realistic MPG expectations thread

Post#7 » Tue May 26, 2015 9:19 am

I drove a friends 2002 G500 back from Southern California to Oregon. Was curious so checked each tank. Got 14mpg pretty easy all day long and many fills using cruise control. Not bad. Pretty stockish tires.
Kent
If you need help...I usually have extra zip ties and duct tape.

Johnny Christensen
Posts: 1370

Re: Realistic MPG expectations thread

Post#8 » Thu May 28, 2015 10:48 am

It looks like this thread has run a bit out of steam. It would be really interesting if someone with well dialed-in 605 and 606 conversions could contribute.

I have the 662LA and it does really well for a traveling vehicle. But I think many people will want raw power and the multivalve engines will deliver that.
There must be a few out there running their 605 and 606 engines for some time now and can give a realistic indication of fuel efficiency.
603 engines would be really nice to hear from.

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GermanStar
Posts: 415

Re: Realistic MPG expectations thread

Post#9 » Thu May 28, 2015 11:56 am

OM603 300D
Image
Image



OM606 300TD (it lies 13.3%, shows more)
Image
Image


Bouth are 460 cabrios.

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AlanMcR
Posts: 7729

Re: Realistic MPG expectations thread

Post#10 » Thu May 28, 2015 12:37 pm

Factory OM606 turbo setup:
Image
That is old data, I've been averaging just a little over 20 mpg (US).
...Alan

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