Have had the C220 a couple of weeks now and so have had time to get familiar with the car. Initial impression was very good and this has continued. I really like the look of the car. This was important to me as it’s the first 4 door saloon I’ve ever bought as I have always associated them with past company cars where there wasn't much choice.
Spec.
Having decided on the Sport 125 (Auto) model with Command the standard spec is very good so there was not much we wanted to add. Kept it simple and went for the obsidian black metallic, black leather, heated seats and chose the 7 spoke (18”) alloys.
Drive.
Very impressed. The auto box works really well. It’s been in ‘eco’ mode mostly as I’ve got used to the start/stop system. The ‘HOLD’ feature is very good and negates the requirement for using the silly handbrake other than when parked up.
Have also used manual shift with the gearstick and the paddle shift and both are easy to use, but unless I’m playing about I’ll leave the auto box to it. There is no significant lag when setting off and no hunting for gears which I’m pleased about as I’ve suffered with both of those in previous autos I’ve driven regularly. One being the (W203?) C220 Avantgarde Estate.
Ride is a good compromise of comfort, but with an edge you would expect with a ‘Sport’ model. It feels well planted and gives confidence when pushing on. The steering feels light at first, but firms up with speed and it’s a system I’ve liked more as I’ve driven the car.
Parking is made easy with the parktronic. Being used to the BMW system (f&r sensors) I like the Merc system better. The visible lights and warning beep on red is a good system. The BMW system is just a beep which gets louder and can sometimes be as distracting as it is helpful.
Cabin.
Nice place to be. The leather feels quality and the command adds to that. Steering wheel is a nice size and the seat adjustment is very good – affording easy adjustment to my ideal position, which is handy as my wife will also occasionally drive the car.
The command system and linguatronics work well and are straightforward to set up. Pairing my iphone took seconds and the fact Mercedes supplied leads in the car so phones can be plugged in and used as a media centre (and charged from the car) is a big plus. I haven't been able to connect the iphone up for command online (internet) but I believe thats a common problem due to the bluetooth spec and something Merc are hoping to resolve next year. I'm not bothered as I really don't see any benefit of stopping the car to use a slower browser than the iphone has over 3G anyway.
The sat nav is upto date and dynamic mode with TMC warns you of traffic jams and gives you the option to route around them. The split screen with map/road position when approaching route changes is helpful.
The heated seats do as they should and also automatically reduce temp from full (8 mins) to medium (10 mins) to low (20 mins) which again is a plus over BMW which rely on manual adjustment which you tend to forget until you feel like you have had a vindaloo!
Have set the lights to auto with main beam on auto and then tested the system on main roads and back roads and it works well. Takes a little getting used to as you have to ignore the temptation to put main beam on and let the car do it which seems to happen a fraction later than you would do manually but it works.
Other features like cruise, folding mirrors, total closure etc. all work as they should. I’ve set the alarm to beep when locked/unlocked but thats a personal preference. I’ve also got the car recognising speed limit signs and advising which seems a bit gimmicky but may prove handy.
Economy.
Business and personal life this month have meant I’ve not been able to do anything like the mileage I expected so far. Its had one run (app. 250 miles) which showed 47mpg average. This was motorways and a/b roads. The rest of the mileage has been local start/stop a few miles at a time which has been late 20’s early 30’s. I’m really not too bothered about economy so just want a yardstick from the first couple of tanks but I’ve seen enough to know it will be fine.
The older silver C220 which is parked behind mine in the pics and next up for a clean is my Dads. He has owned it from new and will not replace it. He loves the car so I help him keep on top of the cleaning side and a local indi maintains it. The following pic was taken earlier in the year but the car cleans up the same every time. It always looks pristine:
Spec.
Having decided on the Sport 125 (Auto) model with Command the standard spec is very good so there was not much we wanted to add. Kept it simple and went for the obsidian black metallic, black leather, heated seats and chose the 7 spoke (18”) alloys.
Drive.
Very impressed. The auto box works really well. It’s been in ‘eco’ mode mostly as I’ve got used to the start/stop system. The ‘HOLD’ feature is very good and negates the requirement for using the silly handbrake other than when parked up.
Have also used manual shift with the gearstick and the paddle shift and both are easy to use, but unless I’m playing about I’ll leave the auto box to it. There is no significant lag when setting off and no hunting for gears which I’m pleased about as I’ve suffered with both of those in previous autos I’ve driven regularly. One being the (W203?) C220 Avantgarde Estate.
Ride is a good compromise of comfort, but with an edge you would expect with a ‘Sport’ model. It feels well planted and gives confidence when pushing on. The steering feels light at first, but firms up with speed and it’s a system I’ve liked more as I’ve driven the car.
Parking is made easy with the parktronic. Being used to the BMW system (f&r sensors) I like the Merc system better. The visible lights and warning beep on red is a good system. The BMW system is just a beep which gets louder and can sometimes be as distracting as it is helpful.
Cabin.
Nice place to be. The leather feels quality and the command adds to that. Steering wheel is a nice size and the seat adjustment is very good – affording easy adjustment to my ideal position, which is handy as my wife will also occasionally drive the car.
The command system and linguatronics work well and are straightforward to set up. Pairing my iphone took seconds and the fact Mercedes supplied leads in the car so phones can be plugged in and used as a media centre (and charged from the car) is a big plus. I haven't been able to connect the iphone up for command online (internet) but I believe thats a common problem due to the bluetooth spec and something Merc are hoping to resolve next year. I'm not bothered as I really don't see any benefit of stopping the car to use a slower browser than the iphone has over 3G anyway.
The sat nav is upto date and dynamic mode with TMC warns you of traffic jams and gives you the option to route around them. The split screen with map/road position when approaching route changes is helpful.
The heated seats do as they should and also automatically reduce temp from full (8 mins) to medium (10 mins) to low (20 mins) which again is a plus over BMW which rely on manual adjustment which you tend to forget until you feel like you have had a vindaloo!
Have set the lights to auto with main beam on auto and then tested the system on main roads and back roads and it works well. Takes a little getting used to as you have to ignore the temptation to put main beam on and let the car do it which seems to happen a fraction later than you would do manually but it works.
Other features like cruise, folding mirrors, total closure etc. all work as they should. I’ve set the alarm to beep when locked/unlocked but thats a personal preference. I’ve also got the car recognising speed limit signs and advising which seems a bit gimmicky but may prove handy.
Economy.
Business and personal life this month have meant I’ve not been able to do anything like the mileage I expected so far. Its had one run (app. 250 miles) which showed 47mpg average. This was motorways and a/b roads. The rest of the mileage has been local start/stop a few miles at a time which has been late 20’s early 30’s. I’m really not too bothered about economy so just want a yardstick from the first couple of tanks but I’ve seen enough to know it will be fine.
The older silver C220 which is parked behind mine in the pics and next up for a clean is my Dads. He has owned it from new and will not replace it. He loves the car so I help him keep on top of the cleaning side and a local indi maintains it. The following pic was taken earlier in the year but the car cleans up the same every time. It always looks pristine:
)
