Mercedes Benz C Class 220 CDi Avantgarde Sport

A Mr. Clarkson once stated on TV that when buying a car you should be able to look at the car every morning, and think to yourself "I love that car".

I do! Style. Qualty. Dealer service. Performance and economy.

I bought this car ten months ago as a retirement present to myself. It was 28000 miles old and just had its first MoT . Perhaps not the typical owner, I certainly don't regret the choice.

As a compromise, and after viewing several examples this one came with among most of the available extras the Sport pack. This includes 17" wheels and 45% profile tyres. The original Michelin Sport tyre was uncomfortable, bumpy, and broke away, albeit progressively, in the wet. A recent change to four new Goodyear Eagles has transformed the car. Now almost a limousine ride and superb adhesion in all weather. Still doesn't help the dead steering.

The tiptronic gearbox is a joy to use, occasionally a bit slow on the uptake, I have never known another diesel so fast in the mid range - drop a gear at 65 or so and the ton comes up so fast its going to get me in trouble some day.

Despite reasonably spirited use I still average better fuel consumption than the Manufacturers suggest. On a run 48MPG is normal, and my average is about 42.

Build quality is OK, not special, my previous Mercedes experience was an S Class in the Seventies which was a wonderful car and a Boring noisy 220D in the eighties which gave trouble free motoring to and from Spain and 240,000 before selling to a lady who drove it to India!

Before making the decision to buy I anticipated never buying another car for the rest of my life - at the moment my feeling is that the choice was right and this will be my last modern car.

The Mercedes Benz C Class 220 CDi Avantgarde Sport is an excellent car, though a pity the prices do not match those in US (take a look @ edmunds.com & you'll see what I mean...)

Great handling - matching the beamers 3er in any way you may think

Cool design - looks like a 'reduced scale' S-class with a CL front looks; classy.

Black or silver are the best colour choices.

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.