Nice. But I think I’ll stick to the 2004 Saab 9-5 Aero I just bought for… £1150.

car share with 2 of guys, 1 had a diesel estate. my word was it a seriously comfortable place to be, and well mannered on an A or B road. The case for a SUV / CUV looks decidedly ropey with such an accomplished all rounder. Good choice

Extremely detailed review Matt. I bet most owners would not have a clue on most of that stuff. Nice to hear that a modern car, on low profile tyres, actually rides well.

At 18:17 I thought i was on a salvage rebuilds video, Rob and Chris test cars on that same road, i recognize the roundabout and the bridge :) Thus, an honest review and it was a nice time watching !

It's a gorgeous car, shame it's not much cop to drive. At least it's a nice place to spend time, and it'll encourage you to get out in your classics more on the weekend!

such a great review of your own car matt it’s a lovely looking car and well specced as well i can see evolution from the s204/w204 i remember when i worked for mercedes’ that the manual gearbox models were far outsold by the automatic manual tended to be low spec models as you said and increasingly now they are not offered at all. it’s good to see the gearbox reset is helping

It's so strange seeing this, as last time it was a full Furiousdriving review on an S205, it was the C200 my mother owns. The lack of spare wheel came to bite me in March last year when I had a puncture, and the inflation kit didn't help at all, so I had to be recovered on a flat bed to the tyre bay... Very comfortable to drive, got surprisingly good economy on a few long runs recently. Was interesting parking them both side by side last month! That stereo in yours does look very impressive.

The cabin does look very nice and it's good to see so many physical buttons remain. I'm surprised that Mercedes have made the car lighter as that's a very rare thing with the changing in generations of a car. I was keen to see if you were warming to the car with the issues you mentioned pretty much from the point of collection. I suppose the fact that you still have the car is a good sign.

I like the various levers to flip the rear seats down for loading, smart touch. There are definitely a number of comfort and refinement elements to it all. I hope you can come to peace with the gearbox at some point!

A very well specified car. Would be interesting to know what its initial "list" price was when new.

Great review. The rear ventilation console reminds me of Zippy from Rainbows face 😁

I really like this generation of MB C class (as well as the 204). The bonnet on the 205 looks much longer than the one on the 204 (in picture at least). While this makes it looks very elegant, I'll be worried when pulling out from a blind junction. Over all, a very nice car and very likely a future classic. Hope you enjoy it for years to come.

I've spent 14 happy years with my S204, covering 73k miles. My original intention was to trade it in when the S205 was announced, then it changed to trade in when the S205 facelift was released and then when the S206 came about. None of these have happened and now I am leaving the MB stable. This has come about because the UK importers haven't allowed me the choice of configuring the model I require with the engine spec. Perhaps I will enjoy the next car as much as the Merc, only time will tell. At least it conforms to the spec I required.

Very nice interesting indeed as I have a very late 2014 S204 250 AMG Premium Line and have been wondering what to replace with (apart from a 340i Touring) and now I've no doubt the S205 maybe in C300 or C43 spec would be perfect, so thank you.

We got a new 2022 Toyota Camry SE earlier in the year, great car but seems so much smaller than previous generations especially the cabin space.

Great honest review Matt, I really like the look of the Merc and looks a nice place to be in for eating up the miles, I would have thought the infotainment system might have been more integrated into the dash for a Mercedes, but aside from that its a nice car to be in.

When you look at those dials and that wheel, do you see Roland Rat too?

Does this one have the 7G or the 9G gearbox? My aunt has the E350CDI with the 7G and the engine is really strong, but the gearbox is definitely sluggish from a stand still. I've heard you can get this mapped out in the software as it is a fuel saving/emissions reducing effort.

I think you have hit the point, where the technology is so good that as an enthusiast, you don't enjoy it. My Dad has a modern Passat. It's a fantastic car but I've always found it boring. It's too smooth and well insulated. I can't ever remember driving it! 😴 your head says it's got a beautiful interior and it's comfortable over distance but your heart wants fun and a engaging drive. Guess you will have to see how you get on. If you accept it for what it is. You'll probably learn to enjoy it more. 🙂

It will be interesting to see whether this model is as reliable as the previous version long term, there are some articles that suggest it isn’t.

I prefer the interior and exterior of the W204. Mercs always look better with straight, muscular lines to me. I've had both models and I genuinely think the W204 was better built too. Also, I really don't think the window and seat controls are metal. They will be aluminium coated plastic. Still a nice car though.

I sense you are still to truly fall in love with this car. At least you have a working VI again to satisfy your need for a good back road blast

Great video Matt, just bought myself an s204 350 cdi which I’m loving, first MB and first automatic.

These are very hard to get the unicorn spec in if you are picky, I love heated seats but my 204 doesn't have them but has full electric memory seats go figure.

The digital display really lets down what is a lovely interior, just looks a complete after thought. Wouldn't be so bad if they designed it to slide away but it's just there all the time.

You could get a space saver type wheel just depends on how “savvy” the guy is your asking 🤔🤔

Very classy car, especially the interior. Normally I don't like dark interiors, but this one is perfect. Front end really has presence, only downside in my opinion: no more classic Mercedes grille with the star on the bonnet. Hope you enjoy it for many years, even though you don't like the slush box. Great review Matt!

I have this car and its brilliant. I think tbh why it doesnt feel so nimble to you is that you got winter tyres on as well as 4matic. The way I dive into the apex sometimes suprises many including myself. Get ps4 on low fuel tank in sport+ it goes man. Diesels have that intial torque as well. Its a lot of a car for the money is what I always say about my wagon.

Manual 205 c classes are horrible I work in a main dealer and you don't see many of them and for good reason!

I find I hate the way manufacturers just take a screen and just "bung" it on to the dash, rather than integrate it. They look cheap and home made. They can make them fold into the dash, like on the Lucid EV.

Excellent review as always.

Best review of w205 wagon I have seen

Looks like a very practical everyday car then. Nice.

I have a 2016 c220d with the horrible plastic. Looking to see if I can swap it out for the wood effect. I didn't like that l the car at first but it's a grower:)

Hi Matt, have you considered reaching out to the previous owner to see if they still has the load cover lying in their barn or double garagel?

Now does it have the automated hands free parking option that sometimes works fairly well and other times makes a right pigs breakfast of it?

If you want tea shelfery the 2015-2018 Toyota corolla has a great tea shelf

I assume your village isn't on the Isle of Sheppey then? I don't think they have 'harsh' winters.... nor does much of Kent to be honest!

Thanks

I have virtually all of those controls and different settings in my 2018 Seat Alhambra Xcellence!!!

Thank goodness it doesn't have that written across the boot! Reminiscent of the 80's Fords where most of the boot lids were taken up with letters!

If I was to to order one itl be superseded, by the time I got my words out with my stammer 🤣🤣🤣🤣

I have the same c class estate. Trust me after a while you just leave the car in comfort mode !

Good thorough review of a very nice desirable Merc c class estate which I’m interested in too….although most popular are c220d…is it worth the extra for the c250d?? Liked & subbed👀😎👍🏼

Wow that OTT stalk and switch fest would do my head in!

I had the preface lift C300h w205 estate. Same spec as yours except I see they deleted the leather stitched dash and door tops as standard. But mines didn't have the clock, and frustratingly because it was the hybrid, didn't have the outside temperature. I had to convince a Mercedes tech that it could be coded.

Hate the Fake.. had a 2010 c 350 .. quality had dropped but then..cheep plastic flex around the instrument cluster.. still was a lovely car. Hellish thirsty

Pretty certain those buttons for the mirrors are made of plastic

I bet you're very happy that you bought the MB with air conditioning!

Nice test. You in Kent??! Looks like i seen that bridge in the Salvage Rebuilds UK lol. Regarding the gliding function, unless the engine goes off disconnecting the the transmission is like coasting in neutral and will not save fuel as the engine needs fuel to turn instead of using the power of the wheels for that, but you already know that hahH

What are you doing going onto Sheppey? Was watching thinking I recognised the roads 😂😂 I think I feel the same way about my V90 as you do about this. Nice, comfortable and modern, but the 94 960 I have is so much more comfortable and nicer to drive so I actually like it more as a car...Despite the fact that there's always something broken on it 😂

Why is it still wearing winter tyres in July?!

Hope you're coping with the tropical weather, Matt. Solarphobes of the world, unite!!.😎

Now I'm wondering what you were up to on 'the island' as we North Kent people say :-)

good luck with your vinyl Artico fake leather .... it cracked on the driver's seat of my R Class which seems to be a common problem

Tavarish changed the steering wheel on his AMG saloon, because of "the clown": The chrome rings around the dials are the clown's eyes, the horn is the clown's nose, and the chrome spokes on the bottom of the steering wheel make up the clown's open mouth. Once you see it you can't unsee it. ;)

Far too many gadgets and gizmos for my liking, a car is just a means to get from A to B in comfort or to take part in motorsport. Who wants or needs a flappy paddle gearbox in a road car? I think you may have to acquire a normal road wheel and fit it with a non directional tyre for a spare and keep in the back if will not fit beneath the boot floor. A ring around some breakers may be cheaper than the Mercedes dealers.

Why can't Mercedes-Benz integrate those screens properly into the dash, it just looks odd, Otherwise the interior looks good.

Old one looked better. There's just something wrong with the dimensions of this car. Interior is nice.

Most of the switches, certainly the window and centre console piano key are plastic but the metal effect is very very convincing. The steering wheel from the 2018+ model is a big upgrade. The cruise control lever is removed and the controls go to the left hand side of the wheel. each side also has a little thumb pad also. The centre console controls are of course on the wrong side for RHD models. The driving mode should be nearest the driver.

Great review. 👍👍

Oh the irony, a mini tea shelf where the gear stick should be....

I’ve not been on Sheppey for many years .

No spare wheel, but you do get a £3 plastic crate… how generous 🤣

congratulations :)

I don't know modern cars, what would be the non-premium equivalent car these days?

Lovely car 🚘🚙🚗👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

Wow here in Australia Mercedes is considered a luxury brand & as such we don't get a manual option at all. In fact we haven't had a manual Mercedes for at least 25 years in Australia. All of what is your car is standard equipment for us. We pay extra for Nappa leather and different wood trim But a C250 4Matic is top line & comes with All the bells & whistles as Standard.

Handsome car I like it.

A proper station wagon (estate car) has all the toys lots of metal and wood in the interior but no spare tyre my toyota hilux has a full size spare wheel what a luxury item that is a lot of tech but 40mpg very good our Suzuki Beleno gets an average of 42mpg from 1.5 litre petrol engine but at least it has a space savour spare wheel

When I had my 2016 Ford CMax 2.0TDCI Titanium parked in the car park with my Dad's Focus beside mine this guy parked his Mercedes C class on the road ,well the C class took itself down the road&just missed crashing into our car's.

Suddenly the gearbox is ok?

37 mpg is a bit low for 2.0 diesel :)

Did you find a apple car play android auto upgrade?

A Twin Turbo Diesel will give you stump pulling torque and flexibility with very good economy that a petrol powered equivalent can only dream of. The petrol may be able to keep up easily enough but the range will be a third less, at best. Above All, It's a Mercedes Benz.

Isn't it a AMG line Premium plus?

I'm slightly surprised by the fuel economy figures. I have the very smallest C180 petrol engine in a moderately well specced post 2018 car. I had previously owned diesels but diesel is as good as dead in the Swiss market and has been for at least 5 years now. I had been warned the performance wasn't great but TBH a family car that does 0-60 in 8.4 seconds is perfectly OK with me and I know it'll top 200kph on the autobahns which is about as fast as I want to go (the official figures say 140mph/225kph tops). If you say you are getting 49MPG on a run, that's surprising poor in my book - I'd expect mid 50s with the transmission and aerodynamics. At motorway speeds here the petrol engine gets about 46-47MPG. So barely any difference and basic science says there should be. The secret of course is the 9 speed auto which is perfectly matched to the motor - it does a fair bit of swapping around of the top 3 ratios while cruising depending on terrain and the load that puts on the motor. I remember reading at the time these were first introduced Mercedes claimed it was worth up to 16% better economy which no engine tweak is likely to deliver. Of course around town economy dips to middle 30s and even below 30 for short journeys but as a distance car the gap to diesel is much smaller than I would have expected. I absolutely love my 205 C wagon and the best bit is the transmission!

Lol, an Alan Partridge moment with the "nice action" comment about the door switches. Watching that made me realise that cars have changed somewhat since I made my last automotive purchase, a Skoda Fabia with 16K on the clock in 2008 (still driving it with 182K on the clock). Basically I am your alter ego, a bloke who has a monogamous attitude to car ownership. Yes, I know I belong in the fifties but that doesn't mean I'm not up to speed with modern tech, I am a computer geek, I love it. However in the world of cars the tech is still ridiculously non standard, with short term obsolescence purposely designed into every motor so it is no longer supported 5 minutes after it leaves the factory. So I'm curious, with so many buttons and stalks in a car like that how long does it take with the owners manual before it feels intuitive and you know what every button, stalk and dial does? Got to be at least one long evening? Or is it 5 minutes cos you have grown "organically" with the tech over the years?

Its really odd seeing you drive on local (to me) roads

Am I wrong, or is the 4-matic 'option' really about M-B doing the same as BMW (with their X-drive) and secretly moving over to front-wheel-drive architecture, but then having to admit that FWD doesn't provide the expected dynamics, hence strapping on a traditional RWD addition? 4WD in the UK is a complete vanity red herring anyway unless you live in the remote wilderness, although I entirely agree that RWD is hopeless on icy / slushy roads in winter. I have to drive over at least one hill on my daily commute and I sometimes wonder how embarrassed are the BMW/M-B drivers stuck pointing uphill (and holding up traffic) because they can't get traction on slippery days. You pays your money, you gets what you deserves, hehe.... I'll live with my FWD peasantmobile.

Nice car but I don't get it why would anyone destroy good winter tyres in such weatcher :/

It’s called a swab lol

You could move in. 😁🤸😀

I have to say, as a Mercedes owner this shows all which is good about them, but sadly what is lacking. I guess you expect something special for the cost, and the badge. This is just not any more ‘special’ to me than what the likes of KIA are brining out at less cost. Mercedes over did it with the chrome effect, but it keeps it a more stylish proposition for the US and Chinese markets. The screen looks awful, massive bezel, lacks really anything special [no Apple Car Play for example]. This was no cheap car to buy used either, I’m selling mine and going to Volvo which has come on leaps and bounds in quality and status.

Please make your intro long enough to fast skip with one tap … and not to miss the intro..

Yipee I'm 826th.

I think it's a fabulous car and would be very happy to waft about in it, however, you're never going to be happy with it because it's an auto. Despite all the things that are great about it you always return to the same "Grrr it's a dam auto Grrrr" Get rid of it!!!

Nice 👍 but it's an auto 😂🤓👍

Sorry but "fugly". Too much tech to go wrong when it's a few years old. Try a five to ten year old Volvo V70

V nineeeeeeeee ✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️💞💞💞

The current A-Class and all it's incarnations of offsprings are absolutely awful things, I can't stand them.

God modern cars are BOOORING. Sorry! I class myself as an long time car enthusiast but todays modern car just turn me completely off. They just don't interest me in the slightest, they don't even look particulary appealing. Much to over complicated, stupid money, often iffy reliability, cost an arm to service and maintain. Narr. I would like to go in the other direct please. A good condition 40 year old plus everyday use classic is going to be the next vehicle for me. Sorry furious driving.

😴 zzzzzzzzzzzz

the size of the callipers precludes a spare wheel?? bullshit. my car has far larger callipers and has a spare.