I'm not to worried about
Autocar's comment on the C-Class sporting characteristics compared to the BMW 3-Series. At the end of the day, these cars do what their target market expects them to do and those are two completely different philosophies from one another.
I am pretty sure that the handling and sporting qualities of the W204 have been upgraded and improved big time over the old W203, but MB also tries to create a balance with comfort and sport, and in my experience, this has been pretty well achieved on the facelifted W203 C-Class, C219 CLS, facelifted W211 E-Class and W221 S-Class.
Remember when the W203 C-Class got its facelift? Almost every magazine commented on the improved handling abilities of the car saying that it was now a more serious sports sedan. It still wasn't quite up to the BMW 3-Series, but I think that MB doesn't even want to really attack the BMW 3-Series. The BMW 3-Series will sell because it is a 3-Series (the reputation) and the C-Class will sell because of its characteristics and reputation (more comfort, less sport). Without a doubt, this new C-Class is sportier to attract potentially new buyers while at the same time still keeping true to Mercedes values.
For most people, the dynamic abilities of the C-Class etc. will be more than adequate. In everyday driving, I am pretty certain that the Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, Mercedes C-Class, Lexus IS etc. are all pretty evenly matched with the BMW 3er perhaps having the advantage over all of them if driven extremely hard. Now, how many of us do that on a daily basis?
Overall, the review was pretty positive. The 3.0 V6 CDI is a great engine. Incredibly refined and quiet for a diesel - moreso than the old inline-6 CDI that powered the older E320 CDI's etc.
