MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS ESTATE READER REVIEWS

My car

I've just traded down from a CLS350CDi yet, in many ways, the C350CDi Sport Plus estate is a better car. I love the intelligent lighting system and the bluetooth audio function, through which the car stereo plays music stored in my phone. The new 3L diesel engine is more efficient and more refined than the older version in the CLS. The stop/start feature seems to help with fuel consumption, but I haven't been able to work out why it doesn't kick in every time I stop the car? Although I found them fiddly at first, the audio/sat-nav controls are actually much simpler and easier to use than the older system in the CLS, although the dealer forgot to supply the map pilot I had purchased so I haven't been able to use the sat-nav. The sports suspension is very stiff, and I feel every bump at low speeds. Fortunately, it isn't really noticeable at higher speeds...and the car definitely likes higher speeds. Lools wise, it may lack the cache of the CLS, but it's actually a better looking car. Mine is palladium silver, which looks great alongside the bi-colour alloys, twin exhausts, and privacy glass. I'd recommend this car to anyone.

My car

Filtered company car shortlist to suit my needs: BMW 320/325 D Touring, Audi A4 2.0D SE Avant, or C250 Sport Est. Explored the what-car "default" option - BMW - found Car/Dealer VERY over-rated and underwhelming, the Audi was a boring base model. I loved (and ordered) the classy Merc straight away despite poor reviews. Glad I ignored as this is not the poor car described by What-Car? Mine has been excellent!

The car looks superb in white with AMG Sport Spec - it attracts compliments at petrol station, etc. It is special to own and drive in. The interior isn't as pretty as Audis but is functional and certainly not "a mess". The car feels superbly built to last -it's done 55K trouble free miles and still cleans up like new. The Merc exudes greater presence than a 3 series or Audi, which are far too ubiquitous to be "special". Dealer experience special too.

The 250 powerplant is immense - a tourque monster which catches out your 2.0TDi bunch and hot hatches alike - acceleration through 4th and 5th is astonishing. I strongly disagree with comments of clattery harshness - its no worse than my colleagues' (unreliable)BMW 3 and 5 series. It tows my 1.5 ton caravan like it wasn't there! Good predictable handling but care is required with 500Nm tourque/RWD!

Electric boot a super touch - a surprising practical car

Negatives - 40MPG realistic - not 56! Rear passenger space not great. A handful on wet/icy roads. Hard sports suspension, but not as hard as wifes Mini Clubman

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.