Howdy Folks..got a question for everyone. I am looking at a 1995 C280 with 130k on it. I think I can get it for a good price. Do you know anything about this particular model? I do know that I haven't seen too many around...

I am also looking at a 95 e320...what is the difference in the 320e and the c280?

What is the difference between a E model and a C model?

Thanks for your help!!
rob

The E is simply a bigger car-C's the smallest sedans, Es are the mid-sizes, and S-class cars are the big ones. The 280 denotes a 2.8 litre six cylinder gas engine, and the 320 sports a 3.2 litre six.

The '95 E320 was the last of the W124 cars-great cars IMHO, and I have 3 different varieties. I cannot offer you any opinion on the C car; I'vew not ever driven one other than an AMG version, which was a C36. Now that was indeed a very nice car, but quite different from the car you're considering.

Good luck!

Ditto
 

E320 is bigger and probably comes with leather as stock.
E320 has gotten great reviews for ride etc.
C280 is a fun car. I like it.
Make sure you have the wire harness checked.
There are other common issues, like head gasket and front
oil seal drips.
Do a search on the topic.
Have fun!

E320 is slightly bigger than the C280, but not by much. They are basically the same speed, acceleration-wise. But the C280 is more agile; it's a smaller car, and weighs 500 +/- pounds less.
You can expect to get slightly better gas mileage with the C280, but nothing big.
And I have never ever seen a C280 without leather, but maybe that's just because of where I live.
But the things I like better about the C class (though it was the small MB sedan) is that it has newer features inside. The instrument cluster has digital odometer, trip odometer, clock and ext. temp gauge. The climate control is newer and updated, and you can get all of the read-out values out of it. And the air-condition in the C 202 is one of the best MB ever made, very trouble-free.
Both cars are great though, and it all is a matter of personal preference. I chose the C-class because it was a little less outdated (not that the E320 124 is that outdated), and the newer features attracted me. Plus I like the styling of the C more. But again, both cars are great and it's a personal choice.

David,
Thanks for the helpful information. What kind of mpg do you get on your c280? Do you always run Premium gas? Does it hurt the car to run lesser than premium?
Thanks

I always run Premium. I wouldn't put anything else in it. There are topics on this; if you want to do a search, there will be tons of info.
Also, I ALWAYS drive my car hard. And I have never gotten below 19 mpg, no matter what. One time I drove it very conservatively, and I got 23 mpg, and that is a mix of city and highway. That seems about right because manufacturer's Data says the car should get 20 city and 26 hwy (and as much as 23 city and 30 hwy, in rare instances varied by weather, conditions, driver, location, etc.)
Also, I drove a 2 hour drive from Palm Springs at an avg of 100 mph and I got 22 mpg, and that's with some wind.

BTW, I LOVE the car!

The model to buy depends on the way you want to use the car...If you have something that is known as family you will find that the E320 will have more legroom in the rear as the C280.
Personally I like the "newer" C class styling; although the W124 is changed a little in 1994 (model update), the W124 model was introduced in 1985, which makes it 16 years old.

If you have a set of long legs and some kids to travel around, you might want to go for the rear space in the E320.

greetingz,