NB this isn't as detailed as our last resident road tester, jamie

No surprise here for the car I've been loaned while the E300 has some paintwork carried out. As my car is an automatic I've been loaned a bright red Corsa automatic. This one is 1.2, 05 plate, twinport? Corsas seem to be a favourite for any bodywork specialists

My Merc is the 3rd auto I've driven over any distance. The others were a 2004 Corolla and a 2008 Auris. Both were from Bayswater Car Hire, William Street, Sydney. I'm giving 'no birds' hire cars a plug because you won't get better in Sydney. Mind you, the choice of cars for hire is wonderful, if the only car you want is a Corolla/Auris. They have up to 1,000 cars on hire at any one time.

So back to the Corsa, don't have a fried breakfast just before you drive it. The gear changes, its a 5 speeder too, are anything but smooth. The gearbox is a little too eager to change down, especially at times when I don't really feel it's necessary. The engine noise is well subdued at any speed. The cacophany of road noise is extremely intrusive on any surface and only marginally better on smooth asphalt. Wind noise adds to the discomfort. Quite frankly, the engine would have to be loud to be heard at all!

BTW I had no grpes with the Corolla/Auris gear change

Plus points - resonably nippy, nimble, good visibility, very easy to park, simple to use and good radio sound.

Another negative or two - headlight beam strength isn't wonderful, interior is full of hard plastics.

It won't go back until Thursday so have time to add to the review