- Car brand: Mercedes-Benz
- Convertible roof type: Fabric
- Mercedes C200 Cabriolet
- Mercedes C300 Cabriolet
- Mercedes C220 d Cabriolet
- Mercedes C220 d 4MATIC Cabriolet
- Mercedes C250 d Cabriolet
Mercedes-Benz finally have a mid-sized convertible again to challenge the BMW 4-Series and Audi A5. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet does a great job with handsome looks, smart interiors and a good range of engines.
The design lanuage runs through the full range of Mercedes convertibles making them hard to distinguish from eachother at first glance. The C-Class doesn’t look quite as elegant as its larger siblings but in other regards it is very impressive. The interiors are particularly well finished. Some might object to the not uncommon stuck-on tablet style display but drivers will find everything well laid out and comfortable. The same can’t be said for rear seat passengers unless they are child-sized.
The C-Class inherits the Aircap wind deflector system from the E-Class which does a good job of keeping drafts away from front seat passengers. It does look rather strange though and adds a little wind noise when in use.
There are engines to suit most requirements although no hybrid or electric options so far. The C300 petrol engine strikes a fine balance between economy and performance and is our pick of the range. It is the same 2-litre petrol engine used in the C200 but with considerably more turbo assistance.
This is my third convertible BMW 3 series, Audi A5. First the good stuff, this includes being able to put the roof up and down at speeds up to 30mph, handy when it rains or the sun pops out. I’ve just discovered that you can put the roof up and down remotely by holding the key fob open button down till it completes the operation.
Bad stuff, the pop up windscreen and back seat wind deflectors do NOTHING to stop masses of wind coming in to the back seats and then through to freeze the front passenger and driver. The wind comes under the seat and freezes your ankles (I’ve stuck a cushion under the seat to stop this draught). My right arm freezes as the wind blows thru from the rear seat (I’ve stuck a draft excluder between the seat and the door). I’m Still working on stopping the gale that comes thru between the seats. Incredibly, Mercedes has decided not to provide the two small holes non either side of the back seat that’s required to allow the fitting of a full backseat mess wind deflector that’s available on almost every other convertible Including previous Merc’s.
The airscarf is not as good as my previous Audi A5s.
Entertainment system sounds good but I’ve had to go all old school and go out and buy cds again (charity shops now rule) as I don’t have an Apple play thingy, and the car doesn’t have a USB port or a free sad slot, sat nav uses the only free slot.
Driving
It feels smaller and more nimble than the A5. Makes a strangle exhaust rattling sound on some concrete roads (still trying to work out where the noise is coming from.