C250 CDi Blue Efficiency - MPG?

[wemorgan]

Originally Posted by rothbury

IIf everyone on here is so concerned with mpg rather than speed why get a powerful fast car like this in the first place.

It's not so un reasonable to expect mpg figures broadly inline with tested figures.

If the bhp was 50% less than tested figures I'm sure there would be similar complaints.

[mon2s]

Originally Posted by rothbury

I don't think they advertise 64 mpg at all even in the manual version!
I also have a Mini Cooper which is averaging 38.5mpg over the last 3 years. Nothing like the advertised figures ( they say 50+)but then in the real world it never is unless you drive around like a snail.
If everyone on here is so concerned with mpg rather than speed why get
a powerful fast car like this in the first place. I think you'll find that as a combination of pace and frugality it is hard to beat. Try it in sport mode - it really flies and still returns good figures. And remember that until it's done at least 5000 miles it won't be as economical nor indeed in this cold weather
-

MB do actually (and laughably) quote 62.4mpg for the AUTO C250 on the extra urban cycle. (Combined 48.7 and Urban 34.9 FYI) The economy is a factor in choosing the car and indeed it is what steered me away from BMW to choosing this model which seems to have a desirable mix of economy and performance.

Economy is not the be all and end all, my issue is the the disparity between the advertised figures and the real world returns. As I've stated before, it is perfectly feasible to get close to the published figures as I have done in previous VW, BMW and even Vauxhall diesels I have owned. All without 'trying' too hard either.

[mon2s]

MB DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS - In summary, no change!

The car was originally to have a lengthy spell having fuel line pressures tested etc but this changed to them reloading the most recent software (which my car already had) just in case of any problems with the installed version. They did a 5 mile test drive and the car showed 38mpg so they told me that on a better run this would improve.

I left hopeful but wasn't convinced by the journey home when the mpg dropped off to 36mpg. This morning I've done a 70 mile round trip which started with the car warm as I'd already made a short trip early on. The trip was zero'd. My journey was 'A' road and 50mph dual carriage way with very minimal 30mph sections. A perfect run to easily beat the 'combined' mpg and get on toward the 'extra urban' figure.

Sadly I have achieved just 38.5mpg. Although my best yet, it would indicate that if I can bearly beat the advertised 'urban' consumption on a run like this, then it would be impossible to achieve it the combined figure, never mind the 64.2 extra urban without as has been suggested, taking the off the cliff route!

I've now filled the tank again and the latest tankful returned just 32.3mpg. Bitterly disappointing. This has really taken the shine off my enjoyment of the car and woudl definitely stop me buying from MB again.

SIMON

[wemorgan]

Originally Posted by mon2s

The car was originally to have a lengthy spell having fuel line pressures tested etc but this changed to them reloading the most recent software (which my car already had) just in case of any problems with the installed version. They did a 5 mile test drive and the car showed 38mpg so they told me that on a better run this would improve.

It doesn't sound as if they've spent much time in trying to resolve your problem.

If they were so confident the mpg would improve on a better run why didn't they do one to prove the point?

On various cars I've also regularly being able to achieve the combined figures whilst on a run and then nudged towards the extra-urban figures if driving like a nun. If you, I'd be expecting the same from my MB.

[John Cooper]

Originally Posted by mon2s

MB do actually (and laughably) quote 62.4mpg for the AUTO C250 on the extra urban cycle. (Combined 48.7 and Urban 34.9 FYI) The economy is a factor in choosing the car and indeed it is what steered me away from BMW to choosing this model which seems to have a desirable mix of economy and performance.

Economy is not the be all and end all, my issue is the the disparity between the advertised figures and the real world returns. As I've stated before, it is perfectly feasible to get close to the published figures as I have done in previous VW, BMW and even Vauxhall diesels I have owned. All without 'trying' too hard either.

My point exactly. Believe it or not, those figures are printed in the MB C-Class brochure which I read and digested before taking the decision to purchase. Taking into account their disclaimer about the results not necessarily being reproducable with any particular car under any particular conditions, the Sale of Goods Act nevertheless applies. A reasonable expectation is what would be upheld in law, and I'm sure it's reasonable to expect to reach (say) 90% of the published figures under real world conditions.

My car is currently achieving about 70% of the published combined and extra-urban figures, which is not acceptable.

I'll keep the forum abreast of how my complaint develops; meanwhile any other useful feedback would be gratefully accepted!

Cheers

JC

[fuzzer]

Originally Posted by mon2s

MB do actually (and laughably) quote 62.4mpg for the AUTO C250 on the extra urban cycle. (Combined 48.7 and Urban 34.9 FYI) The economy is a factor in choosing the car and indeed it is what steered me away from BMW to choosing this model which seems to have a desirable mix of economy and performance.

My 3 month old 320d Auto M Sport Touring can do those figures with a full boot and tank with 2 up with 4000 on the clock.

Take it back and get them to show you do the MPG figures quoted.

Does the brochure say that you have to have done X miles before? The run in period in the handbook says 1500km's . After this the engine is run in End of story!

Become a proper PITA to them and force them to do something about it

think about the conversations youre going to have with them and a few different ways its going to go and have an answer for them all.

TBH , my C220 CDI non BE gets damm near the listed MPG figures easilly and its done 8.5k miles now.

[mon2s]

Thanks for all the comments and feedback. (Even the one rubbing it in about the fuel economy of your BMW fuzzer!!) I think I will write direct to MB UK and express my thoughts and expectations rather than waste time going back and forth to the local dealer.

Hopefully they will be responsive. I'm sure that they would not welcome negative press on such a hot topic as the fuel consumtion of the BE range on top of the injector issues.

[wemorgan]

A letter to Honest John in the Telegraph might get you the kind of publicity that you need.

[w124coupe]

If MB say the car is running fine then the "real world" for you is that the 250BE returns less than the "non BE" V6.

I drove from Midlands to Bracknell and back today. Cold start, lots of traffic before motorway, whole motorway at indicated 85 except where clogged up, then usual issues with A404 and 5 miles crawling at the end into Bracknell etc. Allowed myself an "italian" up the Chiltern gap to remove the cobwebs as well.

214 miles, average 58MPH and 39.4MPG - that's an E280CDI Estate auto in "S" mode on normal wide tyres plus 2 passengers....I have checked a number of times and brim-to-brim correlates almost exactly.


Of course, if the BE is a company car, it will still save you tax based on its "official" CO2 rating and therefore BIK......the CO2 rating must also be a load of bull as the fuel burned turns into (mostly) CO2 and water plus a tiny amount of CO and hydrocarbons.

[mon2s]

Initially I have sent an email to MBUK. I don't want to kick up a storm unneccessarily so will gladly give them the opportunity to offer a solution. Obviously there are various options to escalate things if we get to that stage. The fact that there are a few of us with similar MPG returns bodes well. Strength in numbers if we need it.

W124coupe - The MPG on your V6 demonstrates the madness of the situation perfectly!

[John Cooper]

Originally Posted by w124coupe

If MB say the car is running fine then the "real world" for you is that the 250BE returns less than the "non BE" V6.

I drove from Midlands to Bracknell and back today. Cold start, lots of traffic before motorway, whole motorway at indicated 85 except where clogged up, then usual issues with A404 and 5 miles crawling at the end into Bracknell etc. Allowed myself an "italian" up the Chiltern gap to remove the cobwebs as well.

214 miles, average 58MPH and 39.4MPG - that's an E280CDI Estate auto in "S" mode on normal wide tyres plus 2 passengers....I have checked a number of times and brim-to-brim correlates almost exactly.

Reading your account of that trip, and from my experience of the 250cdi Sport BE, I would guess at low 30s for that trip in my vehicle. Far cry from the 48.7 official combined claims!!

[John Cooper]

Originally Posted by mon2s

Initially I have sent an email to MBUK. I don't want to kick up a storm unneccessarily so will gladly give them the opportunity to offer a solution. Obviously there are various options to escalate things if we get to that stage. The fact that there are a few of us with similar MPG returns bodes well. Strength in numbers if we need it.

W124coupe - The MPG on your V6 demonstrates the madness of the situation perfectly!

Can you let me have the email address you used please Simon?

Cheers

JC

[st13phil]

Originally Posted by fuzzer

TBH , my C220 CDI non BE gets damm near the listed MPG figures easilly and its done 8.5k miles now.

I too have a C220 CDI Auto non BE, for which the official consumption figures are 31.0 / 55.4 / 42.8 (Urban / Extra-urban / Combined). My real fuel consumption over almost 27k miles is 41.7mpg average, with a tank worst of 34.7mpg and a tank best of 44.6mpg. Very little of my driving is of an "urban" style and I can regular see single journey mpg of 48-50 on the trip computer, but only during the summer months (btw, the trip computer is ~2% optimistic over the 27k miles). These numbers should be easily bettered by the BE cars.

[mon2s]

Originally Posted by John Cooper

Can you let me have the email address you used please Simon?

Yes John - I've just emailed the main MB UK customer service address from the web site;
customerservice.uk@cac.mercedes-benz.com

[pierpp]

Originally Posted by mon2s

Hi all, I've been running a C250 CDi (auto) for a couple of weeks now. Bought it as an ex MB management car with 3k on the clock.

When I picked it up I noted the trip computer showed fuel consumption of 29.1mpg for the 3000 miles on the clock. I was worried that the previous driver had thrashed my new motor.

However having now driven it myself (gently) for around 600 miles, the best I've managed is 34mpg with an average of 31mpg. No rush hour traffic or major jams, just gentle average speeds some A road and motorway and some urban. As the Blue Efficiency blurb gives mpg figs for the auto at 35 urban, 55 extra urban and 47 combined I'm thinking there is either something wrong with my car or the promotional material is wildly exaggerated. I figure if I drove the car hard or was in lots of traffic, I'd be looking at 25mpg at best!! Anyone else got any 'real life' MPG figures for the diesel 250?

Love the car but horrified at the current MPG figures. Could this be to do with the injectors I've just read so much about? Aaargh !

Hi I have a 2009 250 cdi blue efficiency and have averaged 37.5 mpg over the 6500 miles i have done from new. I have just had a Brabus chip fitted yesterday and on a few small runs I was getting up to 50mpg!