Poor fuel consumption on 203 C 220 CDi

[turbopete]

my dad has a manual c220cdi and it has always averaged around 55 - 60 mpg. in fact the worst ive seen is 47mpg with it and that was driving QUICK! and i do mean QUICK!!!!! strangely thogh, the only time it ever noticably fluctuated in fuel consumption (and dad claims slight loss of power as well) is when its been to the dealers for some reason and they have had it on the STAR! it then loses about 10 mpg for a few weeks before creeping back to normal! thats why i service it, not them! the price of fuel nowadays.......

 

[paulrobertson]

My C220 CDI coupe (manual) always achieves 50 to 55 mpg (measured - the indicator is 58 to 63 mpg). Slightly more economy in winter - 1 or 2 mpg - since I changed the thermostat - mine too was getting no higher than 60 deg -now around 85. I don't drive slowly but I do have an eye on economy as I do over 30000 miles a year.

50-55 for a manual. How much do you lose with an auto?

 

[*Thumper]

Mines improving all the time ......... registered 31/3 this year .....and having covered 18500 miles, I'm getting 45+ on a run down the motorway, best being 55mpg ............ the car overall has achieved 40.1 so far ........... and tonight, funnily enough ......... I leathered the beast for the 1st time, along the full length of the M69 ........ and I do mean leathered !.......... (New sentance) . My car has the capability of doing over 120 mph, so I've been told .................. and still got 38mpg

 

[Nuclear Bob]

Interesting comments - seems like if you need good mpg in a Mercedes then
a) Buy a diesel
b) Manual transmission
c) Don't buy new (mine has remained at 50 to 55 mpg for many years now, 181000 miles)
d) Ensure thermostat opens at 85deg

Other obvious are tyre pressures, good quality oil (CF or CH 0/30 synthetic), minimum weight on board,etc.

I have never bought Michelin Energy 225/45 x17 - do they exist? - and does anyone know of the fuel savings?