Well, my car is in having some bits sorted and they gave me this:
to use for the duration, which should be until Wednesday.
C220 CDI Auto Elegance.
Feel: I must first say, everything the reviewers say about the way it drives is spot on - this car has the connected feeling you get when driving a 3 series. However I'm a little concerned that the ride quality isn't as good as the 3, with more pitch and bump felt on the motorway, though as my daily driver is a W211 I maybe expect too much. Steering is spot on, right speed and weight. Control weights - brakes are tooo light (even compared with SBC!). It's an auto so can't comment on clutch. Everything you touch in operation has a feeling of quality and solidity.
Comfort: No complaints at all, even coming down from the E class. I'd not want to sit in the back behind someone my height though but more room than an S60. The car is very much benchmarked to the 3 series as it's amazingly similar in space. Seats (leather) are spot on. Very low mechanical noise at all speeds and low road noise too, but wind noise is much higher than I expected (but no worse than the W203) at motorway speeds.
Performance: The 170 bhp 220CDi engine is free revving and lively and easily a match for the 320d. Tipfunction changes seem quicker than they were in the W203 (and are in my W211).
Economy: Brilliant. Well into the 40s on the motorway, and 30+ in town. Tomorrow will tell more...
Toys: Bluetooth handsfree paired easy with my Sony Ericsson W880i, and the dial control for the radio and phone is a doddle to use. Dual zone climate has a "mono" button that links both sides together (nice touch). Three settings on the heated seats. On board computer steering wheel controls actually make sense and the reset for the trip is finally on the wheel where you can see it, not hidden on the instrument panel. Aux in and power socket for MP3 player in the glovebox (with an adustable vent). This one has the auto dimming mirrors / auto wipers / auto lights as well.
Style: Will take a pic of the interior tomorrow but take my word on this - don't order the savannah/cashmere interior. I normally like beige interiors but the dashboard top seems to remind me of newborn baby nappies rather than anything pleasant. I described it as "poo brown" to the service manager and he didn't disagree. Details on the exterior look great in the Carneol red metallic though the paint finish is typical modern orange peel water based yuck. Something that seems odd as the new E, CLS, and CL in the showroom have a perfect flat finish. Everyone who has seen it today thinks it's well balanced as a design, I love it, and can't wait to see the next E class as it'll be stunning, and ride better!
Conclusion: If you're thinking of a 3 series, try this first before making your mind up. If you're thinking of an A4 don't waste your time at the Audi dealer. If you're in the bit of the market where C class crosses with Passat/Mondeo/Vectra on the budget, and the C is big enough for your needs then no contest, forget the bulk packs and get this. If you're thinking 9-3 or S60 then you'll get more power for the money with the Swedes, especially the S60D5 (which is still a favourite of mine) but neither of them is close in terms of drive enjoyment. Does it beat the 3 series??? Maybe. Would like to drive a sport and find out - but certainly I'd say it's an equal.
Love: The colour display and the radio dial controls
Hate: The interior colour.
to use for the duration, which should be until Wednesday.
C220 CDI Auto Elegance.
Feel: I must first say, everything the reviewers say about the way it drives is spot on - this car has the connected feeling you get when driving a 3 series. However I'm a little concerned that the ride quality isn't as good as the 3, with more pitch and bump felt on the motorway, though as my daily driver is a W211 I maybe expect too much. Steering is spot on, right speed and weight. Control weights - brakes are tooo light (even compared with SBC!). It's an auto so can't comment on clutch. Everything you touch in operation has a feeling of quality and solidity.
Comfort: No complaints at all, even coming down from the E class. I'd not want to sit in the back behind someone my height though but more room than an S60. The car is very much benchmarked to the 3 series as it's amazingly similar in space. Seats (leather) are spot on. Very low mechanical noise at all speeds and low road noise too, but wind noise is much higher than I expected (but no worse than the W203) at motorway speeds.
Performance: The 170 bhp 220CDi engine is free revving and lively and easily a match for the 320d. Tipfunction changes seem quicker than they were in the W203 (and are in my W211).
Economy: Brilliant. Well into the 40s on the motorway, and 30+ in town. Tomorrow will tell more...
Toys: Bluetooth handsfree paired easy with my Sony Ericsson W880i, and the dial control for the radio and phone is a doddle to use. Dual zone climate has a "mono" button that links both sides together (nice touch). Three settings on the heated seats. On board computer steering wheel controls actually make sense and the reset for the trip is finally on the wheel where you can see it, not hidden on the instrument panel. Aux in and power socket for MP3 player in the glovebox (with an adustable vent). This one has the auto dimming mirrors / auto wipers / auto lights as well.
Style: Will take a pic of the interior tomorrow but take my word on this - don't order the savannah/cashmere interior. I normally like beige interiors but the dashboard top seems to remind me of newborn baby nappies rather than anything pleasant. I described it as "poo brown" to the service manager and he didn't disagree. Details on the exterior look great in the Carneol red metallic though the paint finish is typical modern orange peel water based yuck. Something that seems odd as the new E, CLS, and CL in the showroom have a perfect flat finish. Everyone who has seen it today thinks it's well balanced as a design, I love it, and can't wait to see the next E class as it'll be stunning, and ride better!
Conclusion: If you're thinking of a 3 series, try this first before making your mind up. If you're thinking of an A4 don't waste your time at the Audi dealer. If you're in the bit of the market where C class crosses with Passat/Mondeo/Vectra on the budget, and the C is big enough for your needs then no contest, forget the bulk packs and get this. If you're thinking 9-3 or S60 then you'll get more power for the money with the Swedes, especially the S60D5 (which is still a favourite of mine) but neither of them is close in terms of drive enjoyment. Does it beat the 3 series??? Maybe. Would like to drive a sport and find out - but certainly I'd say it's an equal.
Love: The colour display and the radio dial controls
Hate: The interior colour.
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Lets just hope they have the same reliability.
