220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Elegance 4dr Saloon

Solid comfortable car witha touch of class

I traded in an 2006 Audi A4 TDI Sportline for this car. Never owned a Merc before but a mate of mine had an E-Class and he really rated it and HJ recommended it over a Volvo S60, Audi A5 Sportback and Alfa Guiletta (I was thinking of downsizing). I had a few extras fitted including metallic paint, folding rear seats, heated seats, cruise control, a 6-CD player and speed sensitive power steering. The car drives very differently from the Audi. For one, I think the engine is much quieter - it has a pleasant roar when moving from stationary and there is a bit of a diesel rumble when accelerating on the motorway but generally it's a very quiet cruiser, certainly quieter than the Audi. One person here thinks the engine is noisy, that individual should drive an A4. Unlike the Audi 6th gear feels like an overdrive and it doesn't hold the road on curving A-roads as well as the Audi did. The ride though is so much more compliant. Even my partner likes it! I have had the engine management light on twice now although it goes off again after 3 days. It's due to have a new sensor fitted. So far the mpg is a bit disappointing - according to the car computer (notoriously optimistic) I'm getting 47.6 mpg over about 3,500 miles. If I'm careful I can get it to give over 50 mpg - again according to the car computer. I'm sure it'll get better. Mine is a manual rather than an auto (I thought a 5 speed auto would be too expensive to run and the revamped version now has a 7-speeder). My car has the man made leather in light grey so it looks pretty good. The inside is pretty solid - no rattles or squeaks. Nice having 16 inch wheels instead of 17s. I'm getting more used to it now - the footbrake is a nuisance especially on a hill if you have a manual gearbox. Like others on here I can't understand why the lights and windscreen wipers are on the same side of the steering wheel. The cruise control is the best I've ever used. I look forward to it becoming like a comfy old slipper - although it can really move if one presses hard with the right foot. Thanks HJ for recommending this car - it was a retirement present bought by me for me! I suspect HJ is correct - this car will last for ages. Finally a word of thanks for Paul Kearns and the team at Bridgend Mercedes Benz - the service was excellent. Nothing was too much trouble and the service department has also been very good. I've taken HJ's advice and bought 4 steel wheels for the winter.

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