The last few cars I've driven for extended periods returned fuel mileage in the EPA rating range for the mostly in-town driving I do:

1991 300SE rated at 16/20 yielded 18 mpg

1995 S420 rated at 15/20 yielded 16 mpg

1999 Camry 4cyl rated at 23/30 yielded 26 mpg

1993 300SD 3.0 rated at 20/23 yielded 23 mpg

1987 300D rated at 20/25 yields 23 mpg

I find the 300D small for my likes so I'm thinking of another W140. It goes like a rocket and everything I've checked is in spec so I don't understand why it isn't more efficient than a 93 SD.

Oddly, www.edmunds.com rates the 92-93 300SE at 15/19 mpg and the 94-99 S320 at 17/24 mpg. That's a deal breaker because I don't want a car that uses premium gasoline and can't break 20 mpg. I'd sooner do another rod-ectomy.

Two questions:

1) Can I assume that the 15/19 mpg rating is wrong? Did HFM change dramatically between 93 and 94? How can a 300SE not do as well as an S420?

2) I read about folks who can coax 30 mpg out of an S320. I don't think I'll ever join your ranks. Would anyone who consistently gets 20 mpg or less out of an S320 please describe your driving style?

Thanks,
Sixto
87 300D