[SmittyNC]

I just found this site and had to join. My winter car is a 1991 BMW 318i with approximately 192,000 miles on the clock. Brick-shaped RWD cars don't provide the best foundations for FE-conscious driving, but I'm bound and determined to post a decent average! BMW's famous vacuum-based MPG gauge has been a great help.

The EPA's combined rating for this car (19 mpg) seems realistic if it's driven with serious aplomb. My first few tanks back in February of this year averaged in the range of 23 mpg and were driven without regard for FE. I have since applied a good number of hypermiling tips and recently enjoyed my personal best tank (35.7 mpg) in mixed city/highway commuting.

Yesterday, I swapped the car's stock 4.10 open differential for a 3.25 LSD. Highway RPM has dropped into the 2,000 - 2,250 range and my MPG gauge is easier-than-ever to peg. I'm looking forward to participating in this community!