Hey everyone,

Im buying a 1998 C280 with all records up to date (service A-B done many times) up until its current mileage which is 140 000kms!

The car is in great shape and Im getting it for a good price. I am having my MB mechanic inspecting it tonite but what should I look out for? Doing on search on the C280 and didnt find any horror stories. Just MAF and harmonic balancer....head gasket was improved in this year I was told.

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99 C43
98 S420
99 C230K
01 C240

You're right about the head gasket because the '98 has an entirely different engine, a V6 (I want to say M112, but I'm not 100%) as opposed to the inline 6 (M104). I have a '94 C280, and it does have a small leak on the head gasket which my mechanic is advising me to just live and monitor closely.

You mentioned the harmonic balancer already. The only other big problem I can remember reading about late 97-98 W202s is the transmission problem for the first year or year and a half for the 5 speed auto transmission (722.6). You might want to do some checking into this to be certain. Another area to pay attention to in general with the W202 is the lower control arm bushings, which seem to wear out prematurely. I don't believe this is specific to any model year, but I've had mine done two years ago, when the car only had 130,000 kms on it.

Jonathan

I recently bought a 2000 C280 and I love the car. From my notes, the 98 is second year for the 722 transmission so hopefully it is sorted out. The fixes seem to be well known. The 98 is the first keyless and the better antenna so that is good. Check the harmonic balancer and if it is part # A112 035 00 00 or A112 035 06 00, or looks worn (not spinning smoothly) it needs to be replaced.

glenmore
1991 300CE
1990 LS400
2000 C280

How big of a deal is this harmonic balancer? Aswell whats the BIGGEST issue to go wrong with these cars? Just like the evaporator goes on the W140s.

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99 C43
98 S420
99 C230K
01 C240

From past threads, it can be a huge deal, with lots of damage done. But at least MB will now cover the exchange and even cover past damage that you've already paid for. The 722.6 transmission, new in 97 appears to be excellent by 1999-2000. Most reports coming in indicate a solid, long lived, relatively trouble free car. Knock on wood.

glenmore
1991 300CE
2000 C280

I bought a '98 C280 about 6-7 months ago with 57K. I had to replace the conductor plate after having the transmission thrown into limp home mode several times. I think conductor plate failure is pretty common on that tranny. Other than that it has been great. Good luck.

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'98 C280

Birmingham, AL

Other than the harmonic balancer, I can't recall any other issue at all with these M112 / M113 V6 and V8 engines.

W202's and W210's appear to have almost no a/c problems to speak of.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

whats the symptoms on a bad conductor plate?

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99 C43
98 S420
99 C230K
01 C240

The best thing I can say about my C280 AC is that it is pretty much Japanese like, IOW, excellent, ice cold, little apparent drag on the motor vs. my 300CE turning into a Yugo when the AC is engaged.

glenmore
1991 300CE
2000 C280

Tell that to my friend, his W210 must be special. The po put about $1k (if I remember correctly) into the AC before he sold it. Early this year he found he had an AC leak and guess what? The evap is leaking. While his dads W140 has had almost zero AC work and is on the original evap. Go figure.

I can't think of any M112 problems off the top of my head. Check the harmonic balancer and keep the maintaince up that seems to be about it.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200