Mercedes E 250 CDI Avantgarde: 1000km Long Term Review

So, I have moved from the Sumo to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Quite an upgrade I'd say! Sure, I can't go over broken, potholed roads with the right foot planted anymore. And I also can't carry a coffee table in it. But, the serenity, the poise, and the luxury I am transporting myself in these days is something I could get used to very easily.

Our long term E-Class is the top of the line E250 CDI Avantgarde. So, unlike the launch edition E you have seen on ZigWheels before, this one gets similar sized tyres front and back; it gets regular, perforated leather seats, and a non-lacquered wood trim. But, otherwise, equipment and safety wise, it is right up there. I love the visibility, especially when driving in bumper to bumper traffic; I love the light steering, it is a boon in the city; and I love the cabin insulation, it's impressively quiet in here.

Other positives - comfortable seats with the front ones coming with multiple adjustment options, the COMAND system and the fact that I have the option to access music and Bluetooth telephony via either the instrumentation or the central screen. Parking sensors are a plus too and there's a separate climate zone for the rear passengers complete with temperature and fan speed adjustment. What would I have liked different? Door pockets with bottle holders upfront and the central storage to have cooling function. A rear parking camera won't go amiss either.

So far we have clocked a little over 1,000km having driven the car mainly inside the city and surprisingly have averaged a little under 30kmph, which by Mumbai standards is phenomenal. Fuel efficiency isn't bad either. The E250 CDI has returned 11.6kmpl in our first proper tankful to tankful run. Now, we are looking forward to some highway runs, and a quick dash up and down a twisty road. Stay tuned for updates on how the E 250 CDI behaves on the highway, and more.

Date Acquired: April 2014

Total km till date: 1034km

Fuel consumed: 89.2 litres

Efficiency: 11.6kmpl (As tested)

Cheers: Seats, visibility, ease of driving

Sneers: No bottle holders

Price as tested: Rs 45.8 lakh, ex-showroom, Mumbai.