So, how reliable are these cars?

Later models, 1998 to 2000, are the last of the chassis line and tend to have the last of the engineering updates, including the better wire harnesses. The sealed transmissions that don't get serviced by owners can be issues. A lot of the body and interior pieces are plastic and can be brittle or start to get unglued.

Well then they shall remain crap to me then

If you’re looking for an inexpensive winter car it should do just fine.

Early models have wiring harness problems to watch out for and the M104 is susceptible to head gasket leaks as usual. The 1998 and up C280 has the M112 engine as well as the new 5-speed auto. I've heard that they are fairly solid cars and the later models tend to be fairly trouble free. I think I would take a well sorted late W202 over an early W203 car.

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1989 300CE

I have had pretty good experience with my 2000 C280. Solid car. A big up tick from the W124 series ( I have 1991 300CE). I think of it as a Japanified Mercedes. It has the smooth shifting electronic tranny. P/S very light. AC is very much Japanese, very light, ice cold, electronic. Car feels light and quick as opposed to a W124.

So far very happy with it. Just bought another 1999 C280 for the one kid and also a 2000 C230K for the other kid. I figure I'd learn how to fix just one chassis.

Not to bore everyone, but here are my maintenance records for major items.


mileage date cost/parts/diy cost/indie repair

6 11/24/99 new car
22,757 11/23/02 120 B service, oil change, front pads, 22757 miles first
set, interior filter
32,416 5/11/04 330 A service, oil change, brake fluid flush, coolant flush
33,022 10/21/04 smog test
34,199 1/27/05 185 front pads, sensors, 11,442 miles last set
35,637 5/24/05 smog test




35,691 6/4/05 13900 purchased car

6/11/05 350.53 costco Bridgestone 205/60/15 RE950

6/12/05 25 drain and replace 2.5 ltr MBZ trans fluid

44,290 7/8/06 90 tranny fluid 4.0 ltrs, gasket, filter, 0w40, Bosch filter

44,436 7/16/06 86 bank 2, sensor 2, driver rear o2 sensor P0156

45,250 8/14/06 78 camshaft position sensor, old one OK

8/25/06 17 fuel pump relay, old one OK

45,550 9/8/06 80 crankshaft position sensor

50,170 3/17/07 180 Balo front rotors, Pagid pads, sensors

2 gear shift bushing

59,850 4/20/08 52 change plugs, all have sticky varnish on threads,
driver side fouled

62,550 6/30/08 check plugs 1&2, dry but oily threads, bit of carbon
change wires #1&2

62,641 7/4/08 133 change rest of wires

63,254 7/18/08 79 o2 sensor bank 2, sensor 1, driver front 79, code
P0150

7/24/08 clear codes P0170, P0173 fuel trim bank 1&2 ==MAF

63,422 7/31/08 182 MAF insert 139+8, fuel filter 35

69,361 4/7/09 17 brake light switch

70,684 5/24/09 72 tran mount 19, filter 17, 4 liters ATF 36

73,975 8/16/09 35 0w40,0w30,bosch, note ATF gasket leaking

74,690 9/12/09 96 o2 sensor, bank 2 sensor 1, driver left front,
53 splice contaminated with ATF, AFT change

75,060 10/4/09 90 front brakes mintex 40, last set 24,900, sensors, rear pagid pads 47
original pads, flush brake fluid,rotate tires

4/9/2010 404 costco bridgestone potenza RE960 205/60R15

4/29/2011 20 antenna rubber

87577 5/5/2011 75 alignment

87875 5/21/2011 18 drivers side plugs 1-4 changed, 1 & 2 fouled

88517 6/18/2011 15 idler pulley

90147 7/16/2011 110 corteco engine mounts

Our '95 has been the best car we've ever owned. I had to put an engine harness on it when we bought it 7 years ago. Since then it's been regular maintenance; oil and trans fluid changes, brakes, belts, alternator brushes etc. Great car.

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1983 380SL
1995 C280
1995 S500 coupe
1990 Mazda Miata
2004 Suzuki Hayabusa