C200CDi

Solid but uninspiring

I reviewed the car a month after purchase and on reflection this was a knee-jerk reflex review. Let me be clear in that I don't like the car as much as the old one; I find it extremely wide - 400mm wider than my last C-class - passengers in the rear complain of hard suspension, and somehow it is so über-German as to be characterless in the extreme. The fuel consumption, even with the 7-speed box, is nothing to write home about unless cruising at around 50mph, something that happened from Norwich to Derby when a staggering 72mpg was showing on the readout. Not true of course, since the computer flatters to deceive. Otherwise, unless the journey is long and all motorway, there isn't a great deal of difference between the 202 and 204. I wonder why, as a serial Mercedes owner, they took the decision to reverse the indicator and cruise control stalks. Since time immemorial the latter was above the former, but no longer. I also wonder what persuaded them to place the rear wash-wipe controls in a place that requires mild contortion of the left wrist.

Naturally nothing has gone wrong with the car, although with a tow bar one has to be extremely careful about the tow ball cover; slightly on one side it can set off the parking radar when in reverse, a thing the dealer kindly explained to me. As regards the Becker GPS, I certainly wouldn't pay the money for it. I've tried several computers and on not one can I update the system. I carry a map and verify the route before setting off now; it doesn't know the Dartford Crossing exists, always wanting to go via the Blackwall. At Portsmouth docks awaiting the ferry, I had to go via Dover no matter what I tried. It is far worse than a Garmin or Tom Tom frankly. Internal storage space isn't great either; the glove box smaller than before and as for the central compartment, well. Yes, the ipod and USB slots are right in the bottom, just where you wouldn't expect. The boot space is of course much narrower now, this I guess due to NCAP and the need for a 5* rating. Golf clubs will no longer go in sideways.

But I suppose it'll soldier on ad infinitum, and it'll do I suppose since I don't often change and this is the 3rd Mercedes in 23 years now. But don't expect me to love it like the 202 and 124 estates.

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