Car has now been owned for a year and although it's not mine, I do sometimes get to go out for a play

Performance

Various engines are available and this one is the baby of the range, a 200 kompressor. A meagre 175 bhp from a 1.7 supercharged engine. It has 3 big brothers, a 280, a 350 and a rip snorting 5.5 V8

It goes OK considering its small power output, 0-60 just over 7 seconds and a top whack of over 140. No real kick unlike a turbojust seamless power.

Gear change is nice and light and very positive

Handling

Car is on 16s and has sport suspension. Handling is very nice and stable, understeer or oversteer on demend. On the whole it is very balanced and can be very playfull if you want.

It has ESP. This is a double edged sword really. In everyday driving it keeps you safe but if the car starts to oversteer the car will automatically correct itself - sounds good until you realise that you have already started correcting before it has and it over corrects. I did a lovely fishtail down the road before twigging what it had done :( Having spoken to the skid instructor at Lincs police, he says this is a common thing for Mercs and BMWs as he'd found out with one of their BMW patrol cars

Ride is pretty good and it covers big distances rather well.

Interior

Nice and comfy. Controls are well laid out and are logical. One nice feature is the speed limit function. Set a speed and it won't let you past it unless you engage kickdown (even though this is a manual, it still has the kickdown "switch" in the throttle travel). Very good, applies brakes if you are going down a hill. This last bit happens when you have cruise control set as well ie it keeps you at that speed and doesn't let it drift up.

The seats are comfy and adjust just as you'd hope although I must say I prefer a rotary dial for backrest setting rather than a lever with predefined settings. Headroom is a bit of an issue for me, but then I have a long body and short legs. I am only 6'4" and there isn't room for me to wear a helmet in it. Others who are taller than me don't have this problem.

Storage space is good and everything is well screwed together.

The dealer experience

The salesman was **** with a shiny suit and a very bad haircut

We did the factory collection. This is a no cost option. Rather than collect from the dealer you get business class flights to the factory, collection from the airport and dinner B&B. You get taken to the factory in the morning, have a tour of the factory and a handover from a factory technician. You then get 7 days to drive it home and have a channel crossing of your choice paid for. All on German plates You then take it to the dealer for taxing, preperation and a quick valet.

Dealer seems helpful but the car hasn't been serviced yet as it hasn't needed it.

Fuel consumption isn't bad - long runs are about 38-40, over all average is 32. Car is used mainly for a 9 mile commute i traffic. When I get to play it drops down to about 16

Nice report Jon.

Will it eat a 2lt Fabia though....

you're "only" 6'4"? lol

I did a lovely fishtail down the road before twigging what it had done :(

Amateur :P:rofl:

Chris

I've driven the 280 version of this, and I liked it

you're "only" 6'4"? lol

OI! What's wrong with being short? :grumpy:

Chris, if it can catch out an instructing traffic copper, I ain't that worried

Dave, not as nice as the 55

That factory collection option is a damn good idea. Shame more manufacturers don't do that.

Porsche do, but charge you