Thanks as always Christian for a great review, and also for some great photos!

A couple of quick queries if I may, out of interest.

Having driven both a C200 Kompressor, and the C220 CDI, which did you feel offered the better driving experience from a powertrain/engine point of view - assuming they were both autos?

Also given the different suspension tune between the Classic/Elegance and the Avantgarde models, which did you feel offered the better balance between comfort and sport?

That is to say whilst the Classic/Elegance setup is softer and more comfy than the Avantgarde, do you feel it gave away too much sporty feel in doing so?

Conversly, whilst giving a more sporty feel, was the ride in the Avantgarde a little too, well, hard, or bouncy/lively for the gains in sportiness over the Classic/Avantgarde.

Basically I want sportiness, but I dont want to achieve it at the cost of long term, long distance touring comfort over indifferent roads - I want a car that has a better ride than a 3 series Bimmer for example.

Re your comments about sound levels, it is interesting with the Edmunds reviews, that they do actually measure with a SPL meter, and the top 3 Germans and Lexus are all competitive re the A4, 3 series, C Class & IS250/350 Lexus. OK, there a few Db difference, but basically of small degrees rather than large differences - usually in favour of the Lexus.

Have you driven an IS250/350? I'd be interested to read of a review of yours of one of those vehicles to see what you thought of it, given your ability to put into words some incisive and insightful thoughts re motor vehicles, and in a fair and relatively unbiased manner.

I'd love to see Merc cover the engine in plastic shrouding as does Lexus. Not as appealing from an mechanical point of view, but a helluva lot easier to keep clean!

Kudos for a great review, and thanks so much for sharing...

Best Regards

John...