I have posted this info on my car before but the numbers are real life numbers so have some value. Over the time that I have owned my 1990 745 16 valve 4sp+od (315k km -> 380k km) I averaged 9.8 l/100km (24.0) mpgUS. There are some long drives in there but mostly it is the 12 km trip to work and back so it hardly gets fully warmed up. The best 10 tank average was 8.4 l/100 km (28 mpg) and the best 5 tank average was 7.86 l/100km (29.9 mpgUS) - summer, long easy drive. Currently, with winter in Southern Ontario, I am getting about 10.0 l/100km (23.5 mpgUS) with mostly around town / back road commute. The manual tranny, 10:1 compression, and relaxed (but not slow) driving probably helps significantly. I use regular octane. Oversized tires (205R60 15") at 32psi at the moment but most of the driving was at 36 psi. Until recently I used synthetic oil. I have not noticed a drop in mileage because of the switch.

So I say 23 to 30 mpgUS. On the red block engines, the word on this forum seems to be that it runs most efficiently at about 2500 rpm.

Bill

Reasonable money wise, I would look at a 95-97 850 non Turbo with a manual transmission if you can find one. Benefits of the car is the .32 Cd and light weight. Plus it isn't so old you can't find one with less than 100K miles.

I have heard 22-24 city and 32-34 mpg highway is doable with a light foot.

On the highway, non-turbo 740 and 940 cars seem to do pretty well. The automatic versions of these cars have overdrive and locking torque converters. The M-46 equipped manuals tranny versions do well too. Reports of these cars getting 28 - 30 mpg on the highway are common. Of course, OD & locking TC don't come into play at all around town. That being said, none of these cars seem to do much better than 20 around town.

Check out www.fueleconomy.gov

Jeff Pierce

You are a Volvo mechanic, you'll be getting a great deal if you buy a 98-00 Non turbo wagon, they pop all over for 5,000 or less these days (just be aware of the ETM issue). It will get you 28 mpg highway and 20-22 in mixed driving, I had one for some time.
Now I only have 2 turbo wagons (97 and 98) and also a 220 as Walrus pointed (good mpg when it runs, I need to spend some time on it)... The turbo will not get you past 25 mpg highway, and 18 mixed driving.
--
1966 122S Wagon- so far, 1800ES Rear Axle and Front Discs, Overload Springs, Wilwood Double Res MC, upcoming-rebuilt engine, DCOE's or Mikunis, electric fan

How about a late-model 221 (single-carb 122 wagon)?
A 445 or 210 would also give very good mileage.
--
George Downs Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!

Hello John,
86-245 DL-M46
Ken
--
69-145-S ; 71-145-S ; 72-145-E ; 72-1800-ES ; 87-245-DL