Well. Your reading this either because you own a Mercedes Benz C Class 220 CDi Avantgarde Sport or are thinking of owning one at some point.

The Mercedes C class is a car that has loads of prestige. Like other German cars, it comes with little or no extras, unless you purchase them seperately.

With the Avantgarde Sport pack- you get all the lovely chrome trimmings, Chrome pedals, Special brake disks with holes in them, and very flash looking alloys.

The suspension is also lower, although with the UK's roads, that can be a disadvantage. Especially if you live in London - an area littered with those dreaded speed bumps.

The C class is a nice family car (if you have a small sized family). If you're single, go for a BMW 3 series that has an aggressive drive and is a perfect drivers car. Makes you look younger too.

Here is something odd though - The car we purchased (from Hanger Lane dealership), came with these rare Sport tyres - 245/75/R17. Dont get me wrong, they look excellent on this car, but these tyres are usually found on the AMG versions!

The car is very smooth, absorbing all the pot holes of North London with ease - so you don't have to worry about the shuddering of your spine when you drive above 30 mph. Acceleration is fantastic for a Diesel Auto and the in car computer systems are fun for the gadgety type explorer.

But, without the navigation pack, the car can become quite dull - With the fine leather and single slot CD player making the drive bareable.

It does suffer from poor build quality though. Bits vibrating, creaking seats and glue panels getting loose.

Oh and the turning circle is very poor. I think its the sporty tyres. But its adequate in most situations.

So if you plan on driving a Mercedes and it's your first time, then yes you will enjoy the experience.

If you can, look out for the extras - Leather, Nav pack, CD changer etc. Or else, this car will feel like a company car or fleet pruchase.

If you have driven a Mercedes before, well I would say buy this if you are enthusiastic and want a smooth family car at a reasonable price and good value for money.

Else stay clear and go for the 2005 model (with all its imporvements to the radio and shoddy build quality) or better yet treat yourself to the E-class.