94 C280 (W202) that I'm looking to buy - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

comm-tech · #1 06-29-2011, 01:20 PM

I'm looking at a 1994 C280 (W202). This is a nice car and it runs/drives great. About 148,000 on it. But it has a few issues.

First, what is a reasonable price to pay for a C280 of this vintage in nice driver condition with everything working? I don't mean NADA or the KBB but what are real world prices. I'm thinking that he's got an over inflated feeling for what these are worth without any problems.

I don't think the guy selling the car is a car guy. And it's his mothers car (she can't drive anymore) so although he has driven the car he really hasn't spent much time with it.

The issues:

1. It seems the blower motor is not running. When I push the various buttons on the HVAC control panel I can hear what sounds like the dampers moving but I can't hear the fan run on any speed. The a/c compressor DOES come on. What fuse supplies power to the fan motor and where is it. (Anyone have an outline of the fuse panel and location for this car?) I understand that fan controllers are a not uncommon failure and that blower motors do go bad. Where are each of these and what's it take to get at 'em?

2. The duct system.... The guy selling the car says that he used to be able to feel a little bit of air coming out of the center dash register. But he didn't know if the blower fan was running or not (remember, not a car guy). So I'm thinking that going down the road with the system on but the fan not running he may have been feeling air coming out but not because of the blower. However I have been reading about vacuum leaks and duct damper door actuator issues. Also have been told there are sometimes issues with the in dash button/control unit. So what's it take to get at those buggers? Also read about broken vacuum manifolds. So where is the vacuum source for this system?

Is there a cabin air/pollen filter on this model?

3. The sunroof has track issues. The little arms that lift the back of the movable panel are broken on both sides. I can see the drivers side slide moving back and forth but the passenger side is back a ways and does not move. So what's involved in fixing this mess? Any links to pics/instructions of this procedure on a W202?

And then there is the engine wiring harness issue that this vintage of Benz either had or will have. How can I tell if the harness has been replaced with the later style of non-self destructing insulation?

Thanks in advance.
Karl M.

Hirnbeiss · #2 06-30-2011, 07:46 AM

On most MBs of that vintage the blower motor is accessed by removing the lower dash cover in the passenger footwell. Check ebaymotors for parts prices as well as idea of what car is going for.

Gilly · #3 06-30-2011, 07:57 AM

1. I believe there is a large "maxifuse" for the blower motor in the fuse box or in the K40 relay, I would normally assume the fan might be stuck if it has been the car has been sitting around a lot. Fuse chart under the fusebox lid?

Yes, just a dust filter, under the passengers side dash, you'll be in the same area checking out the blower motor.

2. If you can hear flaps changing setting I don't think it's a problem and also not really a big problem with 202s. Vac source is called the PSE pump located under the back seat IIRC. PS yes you will get some "vent" air out of the center vent when moving. Would be interesting to know if the air is colder with the AC on?

3. Sunroof problems can be a beeyatch. Not too terrible on a 202 but still has a steep learning curve. The sunroof panel is removed fairly easily, then the fun begins. Sorry no link for ya.

4. I don't know if there is a way to tell if the harness was done, other than if yours isn't crumbling and the engine runs good. Just looking at the exposed wires of the harness you should be able to tell if there is a problem or not. 202's I didn't think were as affected by rotting harnesses as other MBs. 124s seemed to be the worst.

Gilly · #4 06-30-2011, 08:04 AM

OH sorry and on the price, yes check eBay "completed listings". If you want a "from the gut" price check, given the miles and existing problems I think I'd walk away at anything over $3K, $2500 would seem to be more reasonable. And this is assuming there is not a lot of maintenance to be done and the interior and exterior are in reasonably good shape. By maintenance I mean you won't need to almost immediately buy tires, brakes, belts, flush all the fluids. If it needs a carp load of stuff done just to feel confident driving it out of state, maybe only a couple grand. If the car were perfect and under 100K it might be worth 5-6K tops

Gilly · #5 06-30-2011, 08:46 AM

KBB says I was pretty close. The BEST condition I would call it is fair, with some of those problems you might even say poor:
http://www.kbb.com/mercedes-benz/c-class/1994-mercedes-benz-c-class/c280-sedan-4d/?intent=buy-used&mileage=148000&pricetype=private-party&condition=fair

comm-tech · #6 07-01-2011, 02:26 AM

I'm sure I could get the car for $2500. But given the condition (which the car is in nice condition) and the repairs needed I was thinking "fair"- also. Cosmetically it's in good driver quality condition. I'm thinking that $2000 would be more comfortable. But what do you folks that are much more familiar with this series of Benz think about what it's reasonable price might be? (It's dark green with a parchment interior)

I checked ebay closed auctions first (that is a good indication of what people are actually willing to pay for a vehicle). But there are just not allot of these either listed for sale or that have sold. Then I checked NADA and KBB. I've found that often KBB is a bit high on their retail sales price. I think that NADA is more realistic but you have to be sure and pick the right condition.

Karl

bbogner12 · #7 07-01-2011, 01:58 PM

I just pulled the blower fan on my 94 C280...It is on the passenger side like Gilly said. You just have to remove the 3 screws on the plastic trim cover and then you'll see another plastic cover that you just slide the 2 sliders out of the way and pull down on the cover. The fan is held in with 4 screws.

My fan had the same issue. All the dampers on the car worked but not the fan. I took 'lectra clean (electric motor cleaner) and sprayed the motor down really good and let it dry. Once dry, reassembled the fan and put it back in. I still have a slight whine from the motor so I need to pull it back down to see what's causing that. It sounds good outside the shroud so I'm hoping it is just hitting something.

The fuses are located under the hood. There is one on the main fuseblock and one on the relay. To get to the relay, you'll have to remove the plastic cover on the fusebox (4 screws). Replace the fuse/fuses, and you're good to go.

As for price, mine was a basket case I bought a month ago (didn't pay a whole lot for it). I brought it home not running and had to re-wire before I could hear it run. Fortunately, it seems to be heading in the right direction. Ceiling for one of these would be no more than $3200 and $2500 would be fair price assuming you wouldn't have to put anything in it for awhile. I'd offer less than that if you do. He probably won't come down much more than that since he could probably trade it in for around 1,700-2k.

Guest987 · #8 07-01-2011, 02:48 PM

Green is not a good color for a mercedes! Check with any dealer, and see what they tell ya!

comm-tech · #9 07-01-2011, 02:50 PM

So the blower motor isn't a big deal.... ok. But I've heard about the blower controller being an issue. Where is that located? I might call the guy later today and see if he'll let me spend an hour or so with the car.

He's not going to replace it so trade in isn't a factor. It's an extra vehicle that he is just selling.

Looking at ebay closed auctions again today, looks like most of the W202 mid 90s series C280s that have sold have closed under $2000. Some in better condition without any issues. Then there is an exception or 2 out there that have been over $3000.

Karl

Gilly · #10 07-01-2011, 04:41 PM

If you like the car (btw I LIKE green cars just fine) and otherwise it LOOKS good, my approach would be to flat offer him $2K without even screwing around with it, no need piddling away at it and the guy starts to think you are really "in" to his car and decides to play mind games and won't take any less than he is asking for. Then you piddled away an hour of your time and the guy wants more for the car, lose-lose for you.
If you feel comfortable talking to the guy (personable guy and so forth), just be forthwith that you have check ending prices on eBay and checked nada and kbb prices and with the few problems it has, that $2K is where you feel the price should be, if he would counter with 2200 I'd jump, or if he counters at 2500 tell him you'd split the difference, 2250.
You haven't said anything (maybe you don't know yet) about the other maintenance items on the car, tires, brakes, when the brake and coolant were last flushed, stuff like that.
These sort of things are all bargaining tools for you to use. I COULD see spending some time with the car to ascertain where the car stands on all this stuff, but I wouldn't start taking things apart to diagnose, not if the car looks nice and you really would like to have it.
The blower regulator I believe is mounted right to the fan frame itself, again it has been awhile since I fiddled with one. Just follow the 2 power wires on the fan itself and it will lead you to the regulator.

comm-tech · #11 07-02-2011, 12:57 AM

Did a little troubleshooting on the 94 C280. Fan motor is toast. Motor controller is ok. And the ducts don't change position.

Also, oil leak on pass side at front corner of head.

Karl

porkface · #12 07-02-2011, 01:49 AM

the oil leak is a REAL negoitiating point. could very well be a head gasket. lotsa NEW head gaskets leak because the replacement wasn't the new design. given the mileage, it might be the original gasket that's going south. could also be the front cover leaking, but i'm willing to bet it's the head gasket. good luck, chuck.

comm-tech · #13 07-02-2011, 03:10 AM

So if you had to replace a head gasket on the 2.8L I6 or say a 4.2L V8 what's the best to use? I'd figure FelPro. They do have one for the 2.8L. Around $110. But I REALLY don't want to buy a car knowing, going into it, that I'd have to do a head gasket on a DOHC engine. Thing is though... the car does run pretty strong and drives nice.

Couple that with the HVAC ducts don't work right...

Karl

porkface · #14 07-02-2011, 12:15 PM

mb oe or elring is only gasket set for the 104 motors. that's the update i mentioned. i can't speak for felpro, but i do know that victor rienz does NOT have the updated head gasket, and they've been making gaskets for mb cars a lot longer than felpro. btw, i sold felpro for years and love the product in lotsa applications. never tried it on a 104, not sure i ever would w/o looking at the head gasket. the elrings have a plate at the rf corner of the gasket that strengthens that area. seen other new replacements that leak within about 5-10k. tough to swallow doing that job again. and so it goes, chuck.