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By Glen Waddington
29 July 2008 14:13
What’s the point of the Mercedes-Benz C350 Estate Sport? Sure, it looks great and it’s got loads of power, but no way can a small estate (even a small Mercedes estate) be useful too. Surely you’d just buy an E-class if you wanted space. Wouldn’t you?
Well, as it turns out, no - though I wouldn’t recommend a camping holiday for four in the C350 Estate. First, it’s thirsty (you’d rather have a C320 CDI if you’re heading for the south of France) and no, it’s not the most capacious estate around. But it’s still pretty useful.
I packed four fully-grown blokes and luggage for a long weekend into it. No complaints about legroom, plenty of boot space for the bags, coats and travelling paraphernalia (thrown over the back seat - we’d have struggled in the saloon). My passengers all appreciated the general level of finish, the air of refinement, seat comfort, and the ride. And there was plenty of entertainment for the driver too.
Click 'Next' below to read more of our Mercedes C350 Estate Sport first drive
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andrewmorten says
RE: Mercedes-Benz C350 Estate Sport CAR review
The reason some of us by wagons with a flash badge is that they go well and have properly engineered motors, (hopefully) they last, they coset when needed. Importantly they are often really nice places to sit. Leather heated seats, 13 speakers, sun roof and serious heating/cooling. Remember the old M5 wagon. I bet most have have lusted after one. And if you have been in a BMW shop lately its the M5 wagon that impresses so very much more than the tanks that can also be found. In reality if BMW sold the 335d wagon with a manual it would probably be the very best all round car in the world. Shame its so damn ugly and the dash is no longer driver focused... Otherwise reprogram a 330d manual and it also gains 50hp to take it to around 285. And slabs of torque. Who with half a brain would possibly want a rolly polly SUV.
01 August 2008 17:33
a t o m i c says
...and whose "lifestyle involves the need for a... premium badge"? Well, who worth talking to, anyway?
01 August 2008 10:38
I don't get it. Why is this car so much more expensive than the Subaru Legacy Spec B Tourer? It's uglier, too.
01 August 2008 10:34
Brand0 says
I agre tht the front and back don't seem to gel, but then most estates are like that in my opinion. As for the market thing, the equivalent SUV's tend to have fairly tall, but short boots (as in from back seat to boot door) compared with estates due to the need for a short rear overhang. Also, only the tallest of dogs would be able to see out of an SUV's windows. In fact, the boot of a mid-size SUV is comparable in real world terms to that of a family-sized hatch like a Vectra or Mondeo.
30 July 2008 16:54
Talbot5667 says
Have Merc done their market research? Anyone with 40k to spend on a fast family wagon will go for the next size up, or a premium SUV. Hands up anyone who would actually buy one of these.
29 July 2008 23:36
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