Bit of an update/summary as we approach two years of ownership and just over 20k miles covered. The car has just had its second service (B) and its been fine. No issues at all.
Pros.
Its a comfy mile muncher. When you first sit in the seat it feels awkward (always has) but after a few minutes you get comfy. I've always found this a little odd, but feeling fresh after a four hour drive tells it's own story.
Economy has been good. Averaging late 40's with our mix of use which is what we had expected. It's never reached the acclaimed figures, but we never thought they were achievable in (our) real life.
Looks. Personal, but I think the Sport with 7 spoke alloys is still the best looking C Class Saloon.
Command. Just works. Very very impressive piece of kit. Always thought they were too expensive, but now I've had one I'd prefer to not be without in my next car. Fortunately it was a 'free upgrade' this time (125 edition) or I wouldn't have found out just how good it is and how much it adds to the driving experience.
7 Speed Auto box. It can sometimes feel to be hunting for a second when in 'E' mode in certain conditions (I didn't initially notice this), but overall its been impressive. In 'S' its good fun and kickdown gives it a reasonable turn of pace. I've nerver felt the need to use the manual paddle shift and if I've tried I've got bored quickly. Overall so far I've been impressed with the auto box.
Auto lights / Xenons. Even driving around narrower backroads in the Peaks I've never once reached for the 'light stalk'. They work very well and auto high beam on/off use is pretty much flawless.
Parktronic. Brilliant, simple system. Far superior to the annoying BMW intrusive beeping system.
No warranty issues. I've just driven it and had it serviced. Which is nice.
Cons.
With luggage - too small for a family of four. I've tried to work around it but this is a biggie and the reason I won't be keeping the car past 3 years or having another C Class saloon.
Trips to the airport for family holidays with two suitcases and assorted small luggage is a nightmare. As are jaunts over to relatives in Ireland. Took my mother with us a couple of months ago - so five people with luggage for a week (one suitcase and hand luggage) and it was an experience I'll never repeat.
We made the mistake of testing the boot for large suitcase and crew bag (my wife is cabin crew) before we bought. It seemed fine, but got found out as soon as I tried to get two large suitcases in (after we bought!
). The boot is not very deep and has an area that drops down (under rear parcel shelf) that limits the depth further. I just managed to get two suitcases in but at the expense of most hand luggage/bags which were stacked ontop/around the kids in the back.
18" wheels and low profiles are a kerb/pothole delight. Despite parking inches from any kerb to avoid issues, wheels end up kerbed just by driving through (unavoidable) pot holes in the road. Won't be having this combination again regardless of marque.
Should have specced electronic memory seats. Have never seen the need, but the Merc drivers seat (as mentioned in first pro comment ^^) needs to be set up just right. My wife is smaller than I am so if she drives it I spend 10 mins trying to get it back to the perfect position. Minor gripe, but it's the first car I've found this to be an issue with.
Rear Wheel Drive in the Peaks. We have another car so can leave the Merc parked up in winter snow. I bought the Merc with my eyes wide open (my father has an older C Class Estate which is equally useless in snow/ice) but even so it has surprised me. With traction control on or off the car cannot get off the drive (very slight incline only) if it snows.
Auto Wipers. Other marques are similarly as bad. I leave switched off and use as required manually. Otherwise the auto setting just seems to get confused and either overcompensate in light rain (smeared screen) or undercompensate in heavy rain.
Cornering lights. Not a criticism of the car, but these are a nuisance because of other road users who see a light come on and assume you have just flashed them or put main beam on. It's not often, but I occasionally get drivers coming towards me flashing lights and going mad with gesticulations all because there is a bend in the road and the 'cornering light' has come on.
Conclusion.
I still love the car. I look forward to driving it and think the balance of performance and comfort is perfect for what I want. It's been a really positive ownership experience so far, but the achilles heal is that the boot is too small for our needs. Its fine in normal use, but when we travel as a family of four it's too small. Shame and annoying as with hindsight we should have checked this out more thoroughly before buying.
Would I get a C Class again?
No.
Reason: Saloon is too small and I don't like the estate variant.
Would I get a Mercedes again?
Unlikely.
Reason: Mercedes Dealerships (worst dealerships I've ever had the misfortune of dealing with so thanks to Mercedes Stockport for that), 12 month/15k service schedule (I prefer BMW's system) and central telephone number for arranging services to try and eliminate price competition between dealerships.
) as much trouble as you like!
