200Cdi Classic estate auto

Puzzling

Let me say from the start that after 30 years of Mercedes I am wondering if this time I have made a mistake. But then I have only owned the car one week, so this is very much a knee-jerk review after having had a T202 for the last 12 years.

The car is, compared to the old one, complicated, with the Becker GPS booklet running to 56 pages on its own. The Tempomat/Speedtronic I am still at odds with since I can't seem to have one without the other, despite reading the booklet and turning the little light off. I don't like that it tries to tell me what in what mode I should drive, resetting to Eco gearbox mode and stop/start every time I take the key out. Driving in Eco mode is a pain, with kickdown just like the Winter mode in the old T202 - that is to say slow, cumbersome and causes delay, which is why I want to leave it in Sport (or Summer) mode - but "das ist verboten", as they say in German.

I am surprised to find that the mirrors don't fold and even more so that the radio system doesn't accept an iPod or USB key. My other half's little Jazz has all of that, and it is from 2006.

As far as driving is concerned, the engine is a bit gruff but like any Mercedes I've owned I expect it to go on without complaining for at least 150,000 miles - but will it? Somehow the quality doesn't seem to be there as in the past. It seems a tad flimsy. It cruises well and in S mode kicks down and accelerates as well as I need from my everyday transport. The aircon isn't as easy as the old car and while the suspension and turn in are better, I prefer a full-size spare in case I get into trouble - which on the last occasion no sealant can could have fixed at the roadside.

The seats are more comfortable and forgiving than before - thank goodness - and a trip of 600 miles didn't faze me at all. I wonder why I need to be told it's raining and that it is getting dark since for me that is another two things to go wrong and I would have preferred folding mirrors etc.

Perhaps I seem to be a Luddite, but I assure you I am not. I see these 7-speed boxes as just another way of meeting Euro consumption and emission targets and nothing to do with driving pleasure and actual real-time economy, despite what they say. I preferred the W124 in many ways, let alone all the rest I've owned.

So, the jury is out. If I don't like it after another month or so it'll go and I'll try the new 3 Series, but then their reputation for long-term reliability isn't that hot anyway. VW group products are out due to belt cam drive, and the more I look at it I am stuck with this Merc, since apart from I believe the Honda Accord Estate is my only other option. I really can't find anything that will last me a minimum of 10 years without serious trouble. Anyway, the old T202 is still here to rely on.

Report as offensive