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.