Hey,

My wife decided she wants a C280 for her next car, like a 1995/1996 year. I think that's great.

I was wondering, I do alot of the "smaller" stuff on my 87 560 SEL, oil changes, brake pads/rotors, trans filter change, fuel filter change, power steering filter change, spark plugs, etc. Is it as easy to do these tasks on a C280? I popped the hood and counldn't find the oil filter on the C280.

I'm hoping it's pretty easy to work on so I can do a lot of it myself to keep the money in my pocket. Any owners have advice on this?

Thanks much!


-Matt

PS: Also, any years to stay away from or common problems would be great to know as well. Thanks!

If you can do it
 

on your current MB's you can do it on the mid-90's ones. I would advise going ahead and spending the $ to get her a '94-95 E320. Make sure you get the records with it and that the cyl. head gasket has been changed along with the wiring harness. You will like it alot better than the C280 series. I get around 26-27 mpg with mine when I drive it.
Jim
'85 300D turbo
'95 E320
'97 Honda CRV (wifes)

I would say go for the 95/96 C280, probably because I have one. But despite the C being below the E in the line-up, in 1995 it was aways ahead of the E.
If you do go ahead and get a C, then make sure the head gasket has been changed, and check to see if the wiring harness has been replaced, if not, then check the condition of it.
As for maintaining the C, I would say it's fairly easy to do, and I couldn't think of why it would be harder then your 420SEL. I just changed the Power Steering Fluid, and i mean, JUST did it, I just got back from cleaning up! It was pretty easy. As for the oil change, easy too. The filter is in the back behind the engine block in a black plastic cover.
I hope this helps.

BTW ALL, Check out my new pix in the Open Discussion!!

Engatwork, a quick question about your mpg. Is the 26-27 in town, in the city or mixed? I get about 28-29 on the highway but about 23-24 in suburban traffic.

Thanks,

Ron
'95 E320

P.S. I would pick an E320 over a C280. Certainly more room.

The E320 does have a small amount of more room. The car itself is less than a foot longer than a C-class. But the loss of a few inches makes up in the much less dated stlying and the automatic climate control amongst others things.

the 26-27 is highway mileage.
 

I do not use it for "around town".
Jim
'85 300D
'95 E320
'97 CRV

Wow, thanks for all the great info.

What kind of milage should we expect from the C280?

There were multiple recommendations about making sure the head gasket and the wiring is replaced. Is that a problem area on this car?

I hear you on the 300E/E320 points. My wife likes the look of the C better--I originally was trying for the 300E. I think the C280 has a bit more "zip" then the 300E. She likes that....

Oh, as far as the oil filter, do you have to get under the car to change it or is it like on my 560 where it's on the top of the engine?

Thanks much!


-Matt

you do not have
 

to get under it to change the filter but you do need to get under there to remove/replace the drain plug unless you have one of those things that you use to "suck" it out from the top. In addition, I have found that you can change the oil without spilling a drop.
At least try to test drive a '94/95 E320. It's zip comes on around 3500 rpm :).
Jim
'85 300D
'95 E320
'97 CRV

Yes, like Enga said, you can change it from the top, behind the engine block.
Yes, head gaskets were a common problem on the mid 90s M104 engine (280 and 320), make sure it has been replaced, or atleast get an extended warranty. That itself is over a grand to fix. The wiring harness is about a grand, I believe. Make sure it's in good condition. Gas mileage is the same, about 26-27 on the hwy, driving 'conservatively.' And the city I get about 20 mpg when driving the same. Even when I drive it hard, with a mix of city/hwy driving, I still get ATLEAST 20 mpg, and that's with HARD driving.

There is a factory recall on the wiring harness. My dealer replaced mine at not charge on my 95 C280. So maybe call your local dealer to verify if you get serious on a c class. When the head gasket started leaking (large quanities of oil!!) at 52k miles, the dealer would not cover the pepair because it was slightly out of warranty. So I had it fixed by an independant shop at a cost of $900.00.

Michael

There is a recall? HOw didyou find this out? Think there might be one for the head gasket?

I have a 280c 95. Love it.
I get about 21 city driving consistantly. I do drive hard sometimes. Much higher (say 28) on Highway.
I just brought it in for the 60K. The mechanic noticed the head gasket was leaking, and since it was starmarked, it was replaced free of charge.
What is this about the wireing harness? How do I tell if its been replaced?????? And is it a starmark item? Another problem which happens sometimes, as mentioned in an earlier thread, was that the console light for the outside temp goes out, but comes back on later in the 'day'.
If you do get the car, get it from the dealer and have it starmarked! The cost from the dealer, if you make a good deal, will more than make up for it in the starmark warenty.

Take care.