220 cdi Bluetec SE Estate

Perfect all rounder, but not as well built as earlier benzes

Due to the local ULEZ introduced Ihad to get rid of my perfectly good 2006 280 CDi, so would only consider a later model which had to be post 2015. I looked at a few 350cdis but all had the black horrible interior which seem the default norm. I happened upon a nice silver 220 estate with cream trim with metal inlays which is a nice combo.
Firstly having had a W123 , 2 W124s and a W211 i can say they are nowhere as well built. The door doesnt close with the nice clunk you had on the previous generations, and the trim doesnt have the solidity of my wifes 2007 CLK convertible, but is still superior to many of its contemporaries, so recon old Benz owners have been spoilt in the past.
The tech is easy to master in the usual mans reluctance to RTFM and im sure if i took time out to read it, there would be many new features to enjoy. I partcularly like the ability to stick in a 32 or 64mb SD card and listen to more music you can shake a pointy thing at or of course mate up my android and listen to spotify. The phone mates easily to the car far quicker and easier than more modern tackle ive driven. The i driveesque infotainment and Nav is very intuative and easy to use.Condsidering its now at 140K and 7 years old the leather is unmarked and the interior has worn well. The rear sets fold flush very quickly at the flick of a switch and with the space could become an undertaker, entry of which is helped with an electric tailgate and automated parcel shelf. The downside is you become Pickfords everytime your offspring move out from one place to another.One disadvantage of the bluetec is the vast adblue tank where storage and sparewheel used to be on the W211. They should have but this in the rear wing which is empty once trim is removed. At 180bhp and 2.2 diesel its almost as quick as the 211 but without the V6 diesel growl so reasonably happy there. On a run down to Cornwall at weekends it ll return 55mpg all day at 75 ti 80ish...ive only had it just over a year and have had no issues (apart from someone reversing into it) I use a good independent and would avoid Merc dealers like the clap, so will probably replace it in 5 or so years time and then keep it to avoid the electric debacle and see my years out in it, unless i can sum up funds to buy a 1970 280ce coupe

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