280SE nice cruise

[s class]

Today I drove/sprinted the 280SE from home (near Johannesburg) to Durban to attend a funeral.  550km, effortless cruising.  The handling was totally stable and confident.  Engine performance was great, wanting to run at 140 plus.  No problems, I have a big grin on my face, no cramps in my ass, and I'm quite relaxed after the trip.  Can't wait for the return run on Thursday. 

[Mforcer]

I would love the opportunity for a drive like that (though perhaps not for a funeral).

Enjoy the drive back. I'll be smiling thinking of your drive too

[Big_Richard]

Nice work.

Do you do that entire journey on one tank? What kind of fuel economy do you get?

[s class]

yes and no MT.  At these driving conditions I would normally get 650km on a tank.  I left home with only 2/3 of a tank though, partly deliberate, because the altitude at home is about 1700m, and the highest octane fuel we have there in LRP is 93.  At the half-way point in the trip I was able to fill up with 95 octane, which is more suitable for the sea-level destination. 

[Big_Richard]

what differences do you see with the various altitudes?

Living in perth there arent really any significant changes in altitude no matter which direction you drive 

[s class]

At higher altitude, the air is thinner and there is less tendency for pinging, and any given engine needs less octane than it does at lower altitudes.

The difference is enough that if I drive down to a coastal region with my low-octane up-country fuel, one needs a gentle touch on the throttle to avoid pinging. 

Oh, and there is a 15% or so difference in power due to the difference in air density.  So its a treat for me to get the full capability of the car when I'm down at the coast. 

[pompy]

What a nice drive, s class - I'm jealous!
My mother drove back to Durban yesterday from where I stay and its a 420 km drive on the same road as you did.
Upon arriving home, the 70 l fuel tank of the 300 E showed 1mm above the half-way mark on the fuel guage - that's well over 10km/l. Amazing.

[TJ 450]

Nothing beats a good cruise in a 116 for a boost in enthusiasm. They were meant to be driven out on the open road.

Tim

[s class]

I drove back today, with the route being generally uphill (1700m change in elevation over 570km).  I did the 570km and tank still shows about 1/4 full.  I will fill up the tank tomorrow morning to see what the consumption was.  This return triip was a bit slower than the down trip earlier in the week.  Today I pretty much stuck between 120 and 130. 

[s class]

I averaged about 14 litres/100km over the 1500km approx total distance covered.