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Old 10-28-2009, 03:53 AM   #34 (permalink)
cfg83
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Southern California
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1999 Saturn SW2 - '99 Saturn SW2 Wagon
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dwtaylorpdx -

Quote:
Originally Posted by dwtaylorpdx View Post
...

And the 55 magic number is pulled out of thin air. There is nothing magic about 55.
My BMW gets peak mileage at 65 not 55. (34MPG to 36 MPG depending on the terrain.)
Drops to a consistent 30 to 32 mpg at 55. I still get 30 MPG at 75, My state the limit is 65 and I don't save significant time by going to 75 for a < 300 Mile trip so 65 it is...

...
This is the picture I always cite when it comes to higher speeds and MPG :

Fuel Consumption at Higher Speeds - May 2006
Green Car Congress: Fuel Consumption at Higher Speeds


I don't doubt your experience, but I think it falls outside the norm. Your BMW is probably like the Mercedes C 180 K.

I think that getting "better" MPG at higher speeds can sometimes mean "getting almost the same" MPG at higher speeds. It's like a rising fastball, it doesn't actually rise, it just looks like it rises in comparison to other fastballs.

CarloSW2
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