280 CDI Sport Auto Estate

I love this car but not unconditionally

I needed a large estate car, they don't get much bigger than this and in the Sport trim with 18" alloys and lowered suspension, this is one of the most beautiful estate cars money can buy, far prettier than the W212. For visual appeal only the new 2016 Volvo V90 estate comes close.

Until I saw this car I had not really considered a Mercedes, but high depreciation compared to a comparable Audi or BMW makes them great value. This is the facelift with many of the manifest faults of the early cars ironed out.

The sports suspension is a great compromise between ride and handling. This is far smoother and feels more planted than my old 330i SE. The car corners flat and the long wheel base irons out bumps with phenomenal grip on acceleration from the big Michelin Pilot 3’s. The interior comfort is second to none, quiet, refined and completely rattle free, the seats are superb. The V6 diesel provides a wall of torque and it sounds great too with its twin sports exhaust. The car averages 27 on short journeys and about 40 on a long run. I have found it runs far better on Shell V Power, more torque means it tends to hold onto higher gears and in my opinion is quicker.

That was the good bit - during the first year of ownership the rear parking sensors were replaced by the dealer. Just over a year later - a manifold linkage failure and shortly after that an inlet port shut off failure. I was very, very close to getting shot of it. I took out an aftermarket warranty which soon covered a broken alternator. No bills for more than two years was a bonus. The glow plugs have just been replaced and a new glow plug relay fitted(a very common fault)luckily cheap by Merc standards!

This was a £40,000 car bought at a 75% discount, you either pay for depreciation or repairs! When you buy used, you nearly always get some problems thrown in as well. I always set aside £1000 a year for unexpected repairs especially if it's big and german and I have a great mechanic who helps keeps costs down, meaning I’m well under budget. I love this car, but not when it goes wrong.

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