There are two EPA ratings for older cars - original & revised. If the links don't work, see the thumbnail below, and the one in my earlier post.

Of course, the question arises as to why the EPA has differing results for the 1998 & 1999, which to the best of my knowledge are mechanically identical in regards to anything pertaining to fuel economy. That's our gooberment at work...

1998: Compare Old and New MPG Estimates

1999: Compare Old and New MPG Estimates

And Joe, I'd be curious to know how you're doing with the CDI - but I don't want to thread-jack this away from the w210 focus...

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
Current rolling stock:
2001 E55 183,000+ Newest member of the fleet.
2002 E320 83,000 - The "cream-puff"!
1992 500E 217,000+
1995 E300D 412,000+
1998 E300D 155,000+
2001 E320 227,000+
2001 E320 Wagon, 177,000+

Prior MBZ’s:
1952 220 Cab A
1966 300SE
1971 280SE
1973 350SLC (euro)
1980 450SLC
1980 450SLC (#2)
1978 450SLC 5.0
1984 300D ~243,000 & fondly remembered
1993 500E - sorely missed.
1975 VW Scirocco w/ slightly de-tuned Super-Vee engine - Sold after 30+ years.

I'm looking @ my old 99 E300TD's window sticker. 26 City / 36 Highway. The '98 E300TD was an identical engine car. It wasn't "31," on a 98, since the 96/97 E300's non-turbo window sticker was; 25 City 35 Highway.

Driving back from Dallas Love Field last night with only 8 miles of Interstate 60 mph and 15 miles of city 40 mph stop n go; 23 mpg. Unless you keep this CDI car @ HWY speeds, it doesn't get any measurable better mpg than the '99. The window sticker on the 06 CDI was 27 / 37 IIRC. My window sticker is around here somewhere I can put my hands on it if necessary.

Back when I first owned the '99, I asked the MB dealer ppl why it didn't get anywhere near 36 HWY. They said it was because the HWY figure was achieved on a roller bar treadmill @ a steady 50 mph, with Germany sourced diesel fuel in the test car, at the test facility near Washington, D.C.

Not necessarily all of them. For example, the original number provided for our Corolla -- 40 highway -- is consistent with 60 MPH highway driving. OTOH, the revised 36 is a number that I can get at even 75 MPH, making it definitely too low given the claimed test conditions.

The numbers for a 1990 Geo Prizm are all too low, based on what we got in our old one. The 24 highway MPG for a 1984 300SD is also loony.

Their revised numbers for the Buick seem about right. Their 23 HWY for our Sienna is again too low.

I guess my point is that I take EPA numbers with a large chunk of salt and would research enthusiast sites to get a general sense of what sane people are reporting for mileage and buy assuming that.

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"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

Who drives 60mph on the highway? You're likely to get run off the road by a semi if you're going that slowly.

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words

Hey tjts1, I'm sure that you've seen (on the 405 when it actually moves) those clueless hyper-mileing IDIOTS in priuses (priussi?). 60mph on a good day.

When they're not plugging up the left lanes, you can find them with a semi truck parked on their bumper, ready to roll right over them. They are either completely unaware, or just have no consideration for how their behavior adversely affects everyone around them.

__________________
Current rolling stock:
2001 E55 183,000+ Newest member of the fleet.
2002 E320 83,000 - The "cream-puff"!
1992 500E 217,000+
1995 E300D 412,000+
1998 E300D 155,000+
2001 E320 227,000+
2001 E320 Wagon, 177,000+

Prior MBZ’s:
1952 220 Cab A
1966 300SE
1971 280SE
1973 350SLC (euro)
1980 450SLC
1980 450SLC (#2)
1978 450SLC 5.0
1984 300D ~243,000 & fondly remembered
1993 500E - sorely missed.
1975 VW Scirocco w/ slightly de-tuned Super-Vee engine - Sold after 30+ years.

whenever I see a prius derping along, saving the planet, I often give in to temptation & floor it for a nice cloud of soot.

__________________
1991 300D

I am a bad person

__________________
1991 300D

No, you're not a bad person. I am. You *think* about it, I actually do it. And I make sure to get right in front of them first.

I must say however that it was a much more effective maneuver when I still had my w123...

__________________
Current rolling stock:
2001 E55 183,000+ Newest member of the fleet.
2002 E320 83,000 - The "cream-puff"!
1992 500E 217,000+
1995 E300D 412,000+
1998 E300D 155,000+
2001 E320 227,000+
2001 E320 Wagon, 177,000+

Prior MBZ’s:
1952 220 Cab A
1966 300SE
1971 280SE
1973 350SLC (euro)
1980 450SLC
1980 450SLC (#2)
1978 450SLC 5.0
1984 300D ~243,000 & fondly remembered
1993 500E - sorely missed.
1975 VW Scirocco w/ slightly de-tuned Super-Vee engine - Sold after 30+ years.

Southern California brings out the best in me.

I need to get the hell away from here....

__________________
Current rolling stock:
2001 E55 183,000+ Newest member of the fleet.
2002 E320 83,000 - The "cream-puff"!
1992 500E 217,000+
1995 E300D 412,000+
1998 E300D 155,000+
2001 E320 227,000+
2001 E320 Wagon, 177,000+

Prior MBZ’s:
1952 220 Cab A
1966 300SE
1971 280SE
1973 350SLC (euro)
1980 450SLC
1980 450SLC (#2)
1978 450SLC 5.0
1984 300D ~243,000 & fondly remembered
1993 500E - sorely missed.
1975 VW Scirocco w/ slightly de-tuned Super-Vee engine - Sold after 30+ years.

Anyone following the 60mph speed limit.

There's so few mph signs in So. Cal. on the Interstates, I guess you can drive as fast as you want to - until the CHP catches you.

I got more satisfaction out of doing it in the E300 because they would rapidly get really small in the rear view mirror.

dang I miss that car.

there was a saying I read once somewhere...

everyone should live in California for awhile before life makes you too hard...
and leave California before it makes you too soft...

__________________
1991 300D

That's a cool saying.......

I wish I could remember the quote exactly & who said it.

I had the good fortune to take a cross country road trip 20 years ago that took me from my home in Boston out to Seattle, down to LA and back across. I feel very lucky to have seen some of the most beautiful parts of america, so different from what I call home. I hope to see all that and more from behind the wheel again before I die.

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1991 300D