This is my mother's car, a 2017 Mercedes-Benz C200 Sport Automatic Estate. We picked her up last June from Maidstone, where we had managed to find an excellent deal through www.carwow.co.uk. This rare petrol model in Cavansite Blue (not caravan site blue, as my mother keeps joking) has a beautiful light grey interior and a ridiculous level of specification.
The 2.0 turbocharged engine produces around 185 bhp (same power as my mother's previous BMW) and propels this luxury liner rapidly down the motorway, as I found out on the way back from the dealership. Despite being the basic engine available in the C-Class in this country, it is plenty fast enough, and certainly wanted to do more than 70 mph on the M20. For higher mileage drivers, there are plenty of diesel options available, and for performance drivers, there is a choice of AMG variants with six or eight cylinder petrol engines for those who need to go insanely fast...
Standard features on this level of limousine-like luxury include keyless entry, traffic sign recognition, autonomous emergency braking (which can be quite annoying, but is doubtless very safe), satellite navigation, Bluetooth, voice activation, electric tailgate, leather upholstery, nine speed automatic gearbox, radar guided cruise control, electric memory seats, three level heated seats, electric steering wheel adjustment, a reversing camera and front and rear parking sensors. It has to be said that if one needs some of these features on a car, then one questions one's ability to drive, but they are definitely nice to have!
The twin panoramic sunroofs with electric blinds also are lovely for letting lots of light into the cabin, and there is plenty of room both front and rear. The main system for controlling the car's functions has a huge central screen with numerous buttons, rotary dials, touchpads and other things around, which can be quite confusing. In addition to this, Mercedes puts the electric handbrake switch where the bonnet release should be, and then festoons the left side of the steering wheel with three stalks, one for the lights and wipers (very confusing), one for the cruise control and one for the electric steering adjustment. The gear lever is on the right hand side of the steering wheel, where the wiper stalk normally lives. It all takes quite some getting used to, and a BMW is generally easier to understand.
The C-Class also has a feature where the steering and engine power can be adjusted into different modes, depending on one's mood, which is fun, although my mother and I left these all in 'Economy' or normal mode. The handling, despite being rear wheel drive, is no match for a BMW 3-series, and the average fuel economy so far seems a bit disappointing, but if you need 60 mpg, then you can always buy the diesel version.
Overall, the C-Class is a surprisingly good car. Spec for spec, after discounts, it worked out £2,000 cheaper than the equivalent BMW 3-series, has much more equipment, and has a more comfortable ride, albeit much more body roll in corners. The high standard specification means that some features feel unnecessary, and the control layout could be much, much better, but for wafting along a motorway, it is hard to beat. The steep servicing costs can be a bit of a concern, as can the ability to turn off all the infotainment system functions without realising it due to poor button placement, but it is a vehicle of exiquisite quality. Just make sure if you buy one that they program the satellite navigation to accept live traffic information before you leave the dealership!
