My 2000 C230 Kompressor returns a steady 30 MPG on the highway (speeds 65-70) and averages 25-27 in a suburban environment.

Johns observations about the recent C-class offering are spot-on, when Mercedes comes up with a new chassis its prudent to avoid the first few years and the 1998-2000 W202 chassis is very well sorted out.

The C230 Kompressor is a more than a bit unrefined but the torque and throttle response is amazing. I also love the sound of the supercharger whistle as the engine spools up.