MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS ESTATE REVIEW

My car

I have had this car for just over a week so it is still running in. I was going for an E estate but it was just too large so found a good deal on a new C250 auto estate. Good points:- 1. Build quality - everything seems rugged and designed to last. 2. Performance - mid range acceleration is phenomenal 3. Self raising rear door - excellent feature 4. Zenon lights – much better than halogen and self dipping too! 5. Looks - need I say more! Not so good points:- 1. Gruff engine. I was warned and it's not overtly intrusive. At moderate speeds you can't hear it but from cold it does sound a bit 'agricultural'. I am hoping it will quieten down as the engine runs in. 2. Fuel consumption - again perhaps because it is running in or maybe that acceleration but it is averaging 35 mpg. Longer trips I have got it up to 43 mpg but nowhere near the claimed 55 + mpg. The reviewers make a lot of the foot brake but I think it is just something to get used to. It does free up the transmission tunnel but perhaps an electo-mechanical handbrake like in the Audi A6 would have been better. The new C has 'Hold' assist which means that you can stop with the auto in drive but braked without using the footbrake which helps a lot. There is also the matter of the 'single stalk does everything criticism'. This I think is largely unfounded as after all the lights are automatic as are the wipers so you don't usually have to touch the stalk other than to indicate or use the screen wash.