I've got a 2.2 auto and in mixed driving it averages 34-35 mpg. Worst I ever got on a tank was 33 mpg. Highway pushes up near 40 if you keep the speed down around 65 mph but drops off to 36-37 driving 70-75. I could easily see mid 40's with an OD 5th gear and 52 would be pretty amazing.

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You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometime you just might find you get what you need.

It is a Michigan rust car = best guess at least 200 pounds lighter.
FYI: That MPG is verified with GPS.

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I believe you...just saying 28 year old technology delivering mpg's in the same range as the new TDI diesels is pretty amazing.

As for your slugish statement, I only find that to be the case when the auto selects too high of a gear. In 1st gear its pretty quick off the line. The auto doesn't usually down shift at the optimum points when you've been cruising along and have to slow for some reason and then want to speed back up. The manual would be the better choice if he's shopping.

__________________
You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometime you just might find you get what you need.

Admittedly, a TDI can be about a mile away by the time a 190d 2.2 has moved 500 feet. So its not really a fair comparison. My TDI is not even broken in yet and averages about 37 city, 48 hwy. Highest I have done is 54 on a long drive at 60ish mph.

I have a *special* 190d, being that it is a 1984 2.2 OM601 motor + a 1993 auto trans from a M102, + the differential is a 2.85, amazingly, it drives quite well, 0-60 is about 17 seconds if you rev the life out of it. (which I don't).

MPG in my setup is about 28-30 city, and I have seen as high as 36-37 on the highway. The absolute fastest I have ever got it to go was on a slight down hill stretch, pedal to the ground, about 96mph. On flat ground it can brush with 90 after a loooong wait.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Is a 1989 still a W201 body ? They made it up to 1993, right ?

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1982 240D 4spd 232k (deceased)

Correct. I have one of the last ones. A late '93.

Newest 190d 2.2 in existence, I'm pretty sure.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

One of these days I'm going to have to try this whole "65mph" thing... if the semi trucks don't run me off the road. I've heard great things about it.

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words

Must not be any state highways in your area with a 55 mph speed limit as that's where we run 65.

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You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometime you just might find you get what you need.

CHP doesn't have the money for real speed enforcement anymore, only local LEOs do that to any large extent on local roads. You practically have to run someone off the road or do triple digit speeds for CHP to take notice. There's only a few high enforcement zones left like bay area bridges and construction zones.

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words