Have a look at the Reviews section on this site (button at the top of the page). You'll find good and bad here.

One comment to watch particularly: "Serious issues with piezo injectors of 220CDIs cracking in later 2009. Many cars off the road for extended periods. Supply problems of replacement injectors, apparently made in Malaysia."

As one who has a Skoda having considered a C-class estate, I'd seriously question what you are getting for all that extra money apart from a badge. It's well worth trying the new CR 2.0 diesel in the Octavia or Superb - go for the 170 bhp version which is available in my Octavia vRS and all model trims of the Superb. You could have a new Superb manual estate (with a nicer gearchange) for less than a nearly-new Mercedes.

Edited by Avant on 14/08/2010 at 19:19

I drove a 220 CDI auto for about a week last year - it was probably the best C class I've driven in years.

However, that was a hire car with 7 miles on the clock when I picked it up, and frankly I would tend to agree with the others on here. It's a premium car with premium running costs, and by all accounts comes with no absolute guarantee of reliability.

Having owned several MB's privately, I can also vouch for there being no guarantee of descent residuals when you come to sell on, despite what the sharp suited 'retail sales facilitation executive' might infer!

Yes, the dealerships are lovely and inviting places... but I can't recall ever spending less than £800 on a 'service'.

Edited by WellKnownSid on 14/08/2010 at 21:35