I also owned a brompton 2006 bike at the same time as the merc (mentioned in the post ).
I have test ridden several bromptons over the years, and ridden on other people bikes. I have tried most of the handlebar set ups and so on.
I am a folding bike ethuisat that has owned 20 folders and ridden many more.
The merc is practically identical to the brommie anyway and the quality was comparable.