Mercedes-Benz C 250 Estate 2015: Long-Term Test Finale

As the annoyingly apt catch-cry goes, all good things come to an end… And my salary can't quite service my mortgage and a car of this calibre so it's time to wave goodbye to the C-Class wagon.

But I digress…

Because you, dear reader, are no-doubt wanting to know what I think of this vehicle, after Bruce, Matt, Rod, Ken, Nadine and Adam all had their say. To cut a long story short, I really like this vehicle, as did the others. It's got one of the most gorgeous interiors you'll find – not just in its class but anywhere – excellent ergonomics and plenty of room for the whole family.

From pairing a Bluetooth device (which we all do several times a week) to plugging in directions for the satellite navigation, and even just cruising down to the supermarket, the C-Class is a real pleasure to use.

The load space, though somewhat narrow, is easily accessible, offers plenty of functionality and flexibility via the 40:20:40 split folding rear perfect, which I found perfect for longer loads while my daughter's child seat was still in place. Moving that thing is the bane of my existence. I need an (ISO) fix.

For the most part I agree with what my colleagues thought of the car, although unlike Bruce Newton (http://www.motoring.com.au/reviews/2015/medium-passenger/mercedes-benz/c250/mercedes-benz-c-250-estate-2015-review-49101) I quite liked the assertiveness of the active lane-departure system, particularly testing its limits. Autonomous cars are so close you can almost smell them!

Matt Brogan said the car oozes quality, and he's not wrong. From the (optional) smooth red leather upholstery to the fit and finish of the dashboard and the premium feel of the buttons and dials, it's an exquisite automobile to spend time in. Personal highlights include the touch pad infotainment input, intuitive seat controls and excellent voice recognition.

It was the same point Adam Davis noted during his time in the Benz: Everything felt lush, from the way the doors open and close softly, to the audio quality from the premium Burmester stereo.

It's a great urban cruiser, its seven-speed automatic transmission smoothly keeping the engine operating optimally, the idle stop-start system designed to reduce fuel consumption and a bevy of sensors and cameras make parking a pushover. I agree with Rod Chapman that the C 250 Estate is fun to drive too. He called it "engaging" and "enjoyable" to drive and it's exactly that, particularly with the fitment of the $2685 AMG pack.

On snaking, sinuous roads it's good fun and although the steering cannot match the feel of its brilliant British rival, the Jaguar XE, it feels less like a family hauler and more like a German sports car.

The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is a big contributor too, its 6000rpm redline and very healthy 155kW/350Nm output giving it an excellent turn of speed when push comes to shove. That said – and I have to concur with Ken Gratton on this one –lumpy bitumen and the firmer AMG suspension does not mix well. For me, I'd prefer the regular suspension which offers better ride comfort.

Quibbles? There's a few. The infotainment screen appears a tacked on (although it's perfectly located just below eye level for quick glances) – the gear shifter is located on the steering wheel column and has been mistaken for an indicator, resulting in neutral gear selections on the freeway. I also thought the air vents feel too delicate and I wonder how they'll fare over three years, not just three months?

Another issue I noticed towards the end of this long term test were squeaks from the rear of the cargo area, which occurred when the car's body flexed. These only occurred when the car was driven over driveways at home and work, which both involve a 90-degree turn into an incline, but it came as somewhat of a shock and wasn't evident three months ago when the car had only 2000km on the clock.

Price might be a sticking point too. This test car was pegged at $84,458, not including on-road costs, but without the COMAND ($2300), Seat Comfort ($992), AMG Line ($2685), and Vision packages ($3454) not to mention metallic paint ($1531), it comes in at less puckering $71,400. The sedan is even more affordable again.

Fuel efficiency wasn't bad, the car most impressive when cruising on the highway. My fuel consumption average of 8.8L/100km wasn't bad but was nowhere near the claimed 6.2.

After nearly 8000km in three months however, it's fair to say the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate met, and in most cases exceeded expectation. It's not perfect, and in these long term tests it's easier to knit-pick – that's the idea – but such an extended assessment further endorses our decision to name the C-Class as Carsales' inaugural car of the year in 2014.

Simply put, the medium luxury segment has never seen a car as lavish, practical and well-executed as this.