We review the Mercedes C250d from price to economy and all its features

THE other day I was talking to a neighbour and offering to move my car if it was in his way.

I'm nice like that.

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I said: "Let me know if you need me to move the Beamer."

He looked at me like I was the biggest t*t on the planet. The car was a Mercedes.

While I admit that it was partly me being dozy, it was also a Freudian slip.

You see, the luxury saloon market is possibly the most fiercely contested of them all.

First you've got the Germans — Audi, BMW and Mercedes.

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Beamer will sell you a 3 Series, a workhorse of a car, superb build quality, room for three in the back, plenty of driveway kudos.

But there is also a 4 Series, which does pretty much all the same things.

It's the same story with Audi. The A5 is just a slicker, sexier-looking A4.

So big is the demand for quality all-rounders, that brands are doubling up and getting away with it.

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Then you've got Jaguar, Volvo and Lexus having a pop, plus newish kid on the block DS (luxury Citroen).

Choosing where to spend your 30-odd grand can be daunting. The battlefield is baffling and it's hard to choose between them — thus my inadvertent driveway rebrand of the Merc.

If I was choosing where to put my 30-odd grand, I would land on the Mercedes C250d

But I felt guilty because after a lot (literally years) of deliberation, I've finally come to the conclusion that if I was choosing where to put my 30-odd grand, I would land on the Mercedes C250d.

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Like its German rivals, Mercedes knows there is huge demand for sharper-looking versions of its stalwart saloons, so you can buy a two-door coupe version.

But it's less practical — and for my £33,000 I want four doors.

If you're flush you can opt for the fire-breathing C63 AMG, possibly one of the most impressive cars I have ever driven.

Mercedes even does an estate version of the 4-litre, twin turbo V8 monster, which has to be the coolest way to lug around the family and chocolate Labrador, but you'll need to fork out around 60 grand for one of those.

The C250d is the most well-rounded in the C-Class line-up, a benchmark for affordable quality cars.

The one I drove came in AMG line trim. It takes the cost up to £37,000 but it looks the business.

With 18in alloys, upgraded brakes and other styling enhancements, it's no wonder four out of ten C-Class buyers choose the AMG version.

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On the road the C-Class drives as good as it looks. The twin turbo, 2.0-litre 250d offers a bit more pep than the popular C220d model, giving it heaps of torque which helps it  box off 0-62 in under seven seconds.

It's agile and purposeful in corners, which on my model was in part due to the Airmatic suspension kit.

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It automatically adjusts to road conditions, each individual wheel damping to compensate for bumps and camber changes, giving the C-Class a silkys-mooth ride and lowering road noise.

Talking of noise, the engine is far from the quietest in its class, but not overwhelmingly clattery and still impressive for a diesel.

Mercedes hasn't cut a single corner

Inside, Mercedes hasn't cut a single corner, using the best materials to trim the tech-packed cabin.

Optional extras include adaptive cruise control — which matches the speed of the car in front — and a selfparking function.

As standard the C-Class comes with DAB radio, Bluetooth and cruise control. The AMG line adds LED lights and heated seats.

All of the above spells a pretty familiar story, especially among the German brands. It's hard to argue for one more than the other — they are all superb products.

But for me, Mercedes has edged ahead of its rivals. Just don't tell them I called it a BMW.

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