I wish you luck in improving your mileage in your 300D, the 22-23 you're getting seems a bit low. However, please keep in mind how much it's costing to get the thing running in the 24-25 mpg range. For a 25 mile commute one-way, you're looking at a 1.4 gallon difference per week if you get from 22 -> 25 mpg assuming 250 miles driven per week.

As for considering a 240D as an option for better fuel economy, I don't think you could realistically expect much more than 27-29 mpg from a 240D with a manual transmission. Better than what you're getting with your 300D right now, but not the 32 mpg you were expecting. If you're looking for more extreme mileage from a diesel sedan, I would agree with you that a VW TDI (like one of the older jetta's or passat's) would be a better target. Or even an old late 1980's jetta.

In any case, good luck and let us know how it turns out.

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Corey

'83 240D, 190kmi

My 85 Fed TD gets consistantly 21 MPG. Mostly city. Say 10% freeway. Never better. No smoke. Love the torquey low end in town. I NEVER
have tried to better the MPG. I drive for fun. Doing that in my Sunday car
results in about 10 MPG, so I'm happy with 21 MPG in the TD. Looks
as though someone tweaked the ALDA as the plastic cover is scraped
over the screw. I personally don't sweat a couple miles per gallon if the car feels fine.

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85 300TD FED-Daily
84 300SD-Wife's
86 XJS-Sunday
66 GMC-Work- Given to my stepson
83 BMW Airhead- Given to my stepson

Got the car aligned on Saturday. Drives great! The mechanic said the toe was WAY out. Now it feels great driving it!

I do not know what is up with my car. Filled up this last time(right before the alignment) and only got 19.3mpg . Mostly highway & interstate cruising at 70mph.
What the heck?

Lupin, I will look into the injector rebuild. Thanks!

I really enjoy driving the 300d and surprised how good it handles!
Corey you are correct in your assesment of what I'm actually gaining or saving per week but I drive double what you guessed(currently I drive right around 500 miles per week. Why can't I find a girlfriend that lives in town??). At that rate the difference is aprox $10/week or $520/yr. Heck $520 may cover the maint cost per year .

Please don't misunderstand I Love this lil car! I do not mean to sound like a winey lil beeeaaaacchhhh but the reason I bought this car was for a durable economical commuter.
Thanks again for your help and ideas!!

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2006 Jetta TDI DSG 320k miles
1997 Ford F150 325k miles 4.2L V6 "Work Truck"
2008 Tundra 225k miles 5.7L
1982 240D.....sold
1984 300D...Totaled OUCH!
1985 300D Turbo 222k miles "Dos" sold to 79Mercy
1986 300SDL 98K miles "The Beater"....sold
1987 190E 2.3 16v Euro spec 115K miles....sold

My "other" car is a '96 Chevy 1500 pickup with a 350 V8. I can't tell you how happy I am to have my 300D and to average 25mpg with it. Recently on a trip between WI and St Louis I got 29.8 on the down leg. Thats the best I've ever managed.

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'83 300D (220000 miles and counting)

I just noticed that the tire shop set my pressures to 28psi, but the sidewall spec is 44psi cold. I increased my cold pressure to maximum and drove an entire tank of fuel through the car, keeping the engine rpm's consistently under 3000rpm.

The result??? 450 miles on 15.5 gallons (29 mpg) more than this car has ever recorded. If driving slower and keeping rpm under 3000 affords a 4mpg increase, I think a rear axle change would be worthwhile...Robert

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Did you just pass my 740 at 200 kmh in a 300SD?????

1978 300SD 'Phil' - 1,315,853 Miles And Counting - 1, 317,885 as of 12/27/2012 - 1,333,000 as of 05/10/2013, 1,337,850 as of July 15, 2013, 1,339,000 as of August 13, 2013



100,000 miles since June 2005 Overhaul - Sold January 25th, 2014 After 1,344,246 Miles & 20 Years of Ownership