1995 Civic or 1984 Mercedes 190 Diesel ?? - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Hip001 · 04-09-2009, 08:40 AM

Ecomodder gurus please help!!!
I'm a newbe here so please go easy on me. I commute 50 miles round trip to work and my girlfriend lives 40miles away too. So something with awesome MPG will really help. (my current motor pool: 1981 BMW R100RT motorcycle but not a daily rider, 1997 Ford F150 V6 14mpg, 1999 Caddy Deville 25mpg, & 1986 Mercedes 300SDL aprox 30mpg the cherry garage kept car cover queen)
Reading this site has sparked an interest in getting something to "Ecomod"(unless you think one of the ones I own already would be a better choice?).
I have come across two interesting but very different cars.
1995 Honda Civic DX is a base model 2 door coupe 5speed 150k miles
1984 Mercedes 190D 160k miles somewhat rare diesel 4 door 5speed.
I can get both for almost the same $$. I have a mechanic friend so the labor rate to repair/maintain either is same (No expensive Steeler....eeeerrrrrr I mean Dealer repair cost). Mercedes may be more maintenance intensive I'm not sure.

My question is subjective to some extent but wondering:
1) Which has the best potential for high mpg?? Both cars starting pretty even at 35ish mpg.
2) Also what mods would you recommend to get more mpg?
3) niether. maybe buy a 1979 Punch moped. install a hydrogen booster and enjoy 150mpg at 35mph with a tailwind going down hill!

Thank you for taking the time to reply and offering any advice to a newbe like me is always appreciated!!!!
Hip

Hip001 · 04-09-2009, 10:57 AM

No help or opinions from any of ya? is it too early in the day?
Does this question belong in a different topic?

Silveredwings · 04-09-2009, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hip001

No help or opinions from any of ya? is it too early in the day?
Does this question belong in a different topic?

Well you did say to go easy on you...

Wow, a benz with a stick, now that is rare.

If they both get the same mileage then you'd need to know a) the total cost of ownership and you've got a start on that already, b) how much of a gain in mpg each one could get (and at what cost), and c) cost of the different fuels.

My gut feeling is slightly favoring the Civic, but the benz is probably bigger if that matters to you.

Hip001 · 04-09-2009, 02:16 PM

Good point Silveredwings.
1) cost of ownership: Benz gonna cost more to maintain would be my guess but the insurance may be cheaper due to it's age.
2) how much gain?? Hope someone here can help me answer this.
3) aprox 10 cents more a gallon down here. but I just found out the benz should get 40's mpg so think this could offset the fuel cost difference.

I think the civic has a slight edge as far as appeal and being 11 years newer. The Benz kinda still appeals to me because of it being rare, a lil bigger, and has a sunroof.

TestDrive · 04-09-2009, 03:52 PM

Ask your mechanic friend about how willing he is to work on a diesel engine.

Hip001 · 04-09-2009, 06:07 PM

Test Drive,
Are you implying that the Diesel will need more work?

He already works on my other diesel (Mercedes 300SDL). He don't mind either way but does seem to cus more working on the Benz!

Drive Stick · 04-09-2009, 06:08 PM

thos mecedes diesels are known to run half a million miles. I almost bought one with 360,000 miles it started, and ran like it was brand new.

Some a hole tried to steal my car while I was looking at it, so naturally I handled business and had to leave town before I got to pay the guy.

you can run them on SVO with very little work, saving you from burning gasoline at all. (straight vegetable oil.)

just something to think about

Hip001 · 04-09-2009, 06:16 PM

you can run them on SVO with very little work, saving you from burning gasoline at all. (straight vegetable oil.)

The SVO is a consideration too. This was the original reason I bought the SDL. but decided to keep it original. I will surely look into SVO if the 190d is selected keeping in mind that there are some cars better suited for SVO. A good friend has been running his F250 for 1yr now on SVO.

TestDrive · 04-09-2009, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hip001

Test Drive,
Are you implying that the Diesel will need more work?

Not at all, I think MB has a good reputation for reliability.
It's just that some mechanics will refuse to work on a diesel motor - especially anything tuneup related. If your mechanic works on them its not much of an issue.

Drive Stick · 04-10-2009, 08:14 AM

i found a video you might find interesting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEX1YFXYTdI