I appreciate the feedback. Since my post was getting so little feedback, I was beginning to think nobody owned a late model C-class.....at least nobody that visits this MB site. I had no idea that MB would use leatherette on their products. Does that explain some of the differences in the prices of this model Benz? You also mentioned a lack of long distance driving comfort. For me, that is important because I consider the Benz to be a "road" car. 500+ mile trips, while are not common for me, are the most fun. I find our E to be less than forgiving on such a trip. So while I enjoy a responsive car, I also don't want to crawl out of the cockpit at the end of a journey and be "down-in-the-back", so to speak. Is that asking too much from the Benz marque? Do I have to buy an S-class (which incidently, I can't afford now, or will ever likely be able to) to have a great marque?