Hi

Has anyone experience with the 940GL as regards fuel economy. I get an average 22mpg (english gallons which I think equates to 18mpg US) from my carburettor '80 4speed manual.

Is an auto 940 likely to be better or worse?

thanks

Alan

Fuel economy is highly dependent on the type of driving you do. The 940 is heavier and with the automatic will be thirstier than the 240 in stop&go use. On the highway one would expect them to be similar, as the 940 is a bit more aerodynamic, but is geared fairly low (4:10 axle ratio in non-turbo cars). A potential factor is that the 940 has a fairly sophisticated EFI system compared to your carburetted 1980, so the engine is more efficient overall. But with the vehicle weight and the automatic, it's doing more work in the city. We have a non-turbo 940 and two manual/OD 240's in the family. All will deliver about 30MPG (36 Imperial)on the highway at 65MPH. In mixed city/highway this goes down by about 5-7 MPG, with the 940 a bit worse than the 240's.

Sounds like your 1980 needs a tune-up, as 22mi per (Imperial) gallon is rather poor unless it's all city, stop&go use.
--
Bob (81-244GL B21F, 83-244DL B23F, 94-940Sedan B230F)

"I get an average 22mpg (english gallons which I think equates to 18mpg US) from my carburettor '80 4speed manual."

If you are only getting 18 or even 22 mpg with a standard, you should look into why so low. An m46 with overdrive improves mileage. What kind of carb?

Hi

It's a 2.1 motor with a SU Carb. The bore in the carb is worn a bit, but I've not found anyone interested in re-building it. It runs well, starts well and idles smoothly since I did a head job at Christmas. But they suggested I need to stop spending money and maybe upgrade. Its got 320,000 km and is almost 23 years old, and as a carb model with 4 speed, my mechanic suggested I'd be better off replacing it - hence looking about for a replacement, rather than spending money on O/D gearbox, rust repairs, new windscreen, upholstery repairs, carb o/haul etc. The best I've ever got is 26mpg imperial on gentle 60mph running, but most of my driving is town running. I've got 4000km old plugs and points, and set timing on about 12 degrees. I'll have a go at tuning it again tonight.

thanks

Alan

Like you, I have an '80 with SU. It's a wagon. Gets 10 to 11 km per liter. I do mainly suburban driving with a lot of coasting (I don't gear down too often). Slow but steady with little sitting in traffic.

"The bore in the carb is worn a bit, "
The nice thing about the SU is that you can easily lower/raise the jet to compensate for bore wear. Have you considered going through a scrap yard to find a spare SU?

"rather than spending money on O/D gearbox, rust repairs, new windscreen, upholstery repairs, carb o/haul etc. "
Chances are I wouldn't still have my '80 245 if it hadn't been for some stranger in a pickup truck, who stayed on my tail for a few miles. Followed me into a parking lot. He approached me and asked me if I'd be interested in buying his old Volvo, for the same price he'd get from the wreckers. Plus the tow (blown engine). That's how I acquired my first parts car and I haven't regretted it.

Consider doing the same. Or get a similar Volvo and use the present for parts. Personally, I like carb models for their simplicity and wagons for their practicality.

"I've got 4000km old plugs and points, and set timing on about 12 degrees"
Have you tried platinum? Though some people on this board don't like them, I found I got smoother running so I could lean out the mix more. (No emissions test required).

I'd say better. The US EPA ratings (US Miles per US Gallons) are:

Year   Model      Engine Transmission City  Highway

---------------------------------------------------

1993   244        B230F  automatic    20mpg 25mpg

1993   244        B230F  manual       21mpg 28mpg

1993   944        B230F  automatic    19mpg 27mpg

1993   944 turbo  B230FT automatic    19mpg 23mpg

1990   744        B230F  manual       21mpg 28mpg

1990   744 turbo  B230FT manual       20mpg 25mpg

1985   244 turbo  B21FT  manual       17mpg 23mpg

1985   244 turbo  B21FT  automatic    17mpg 21mpg

My wife averages 26MPG in her 940, a mix of city and highway. The 940's mileage is very consistent - I have never seen better than 27MPG, never worse than 24MPG.
--
Speed Racer, '83 240 R, '74 164 E, '93 940 OL1 (Manchester, CT)

I have a '93 240 and a '93 940, both with the B230F and the AW71. However, the 940 has a slightly different rear end (seems zippy-er!). The 940 is about 150 heavier.

The 240 tends to average 20 - 22 mpg city driving and around 24-25 highway.
The 940 tends to average 22 - 23 mpg city driving and around 24-25 highway. The 940 gets driven hard. She's my trusty steed commuting car and has to compete for her position on the highway. A typically day will be about 40 miles of back road driving around 45 - 60 mph. Then its 40 miles of highway at 60 - 80 mph, with an occassional panic stop and "Green Flag" restart. I'm on track for 30K miles this year.

YMMV

Tom