When we had one of those snow flurries a few weeks back, it was the first time I was truly grateful for picking a manual gearbox over the automatic that Mercedes drivers usually go for.

A late afternoon dumping of the white stuff caught everyone, including the gritters, unaware, and my normal 20-minute journey turned into a four-hour endurance test as the roads turned into an ice rink. The eight-mile run was completed using only second gear and virtually no throttle, and although a big, rear-wheel drive car was far from the ideal choice in the conditions, the E-class just about made it to within walking distance of my flat before being defeated by a steep hill. Much better than some I passed, and at least the gridlock tedium gave me plenty of time to get acquainted with the Merc’s many in-car features.

Mercedes E250 CDI Avantgarde
Mileage 3103
Claimed combined
consumption
53.3mpg
Our average consumption 36.4mpg
P11D price £32,545
Model price range £27,570-£73,855
C02 (tax) 142g/km (19%)
BIK?@?20/40% per month £103/£206
Why we’re running it To see if E-class can
take on Jag and BMW
Positive Long-range ability
and comfort
Negative Hope that economy
improves with miles

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