The W202 cars have almost as much legroom up front as the W124's. The C280 through 1997 will have the same M104 as your 300E 3.2, so they can have the same head gasket oil leak issues.

The 1998-2000 C280's have the V6.

As you've read, the C230's get better gas mileage, but the engines have less power and less refinement.

__________________
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".

Hey Paul , Long time no "see". What about reliability comparison on the 230's vs the 280's overall and engine / wise ?

I did see that in '97 MB may have stopped using the older wiring harness that my '93 came with.

...

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

Bump for any suggestions on reliability overall comparing models.


...

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

I think the C280's got the new engine wiring harness in 1996.

If it were my money, I'd get a late C230 Kompressor or a 1998-2000 C280. I don't think I'd like to go through the head gasket replacement again.

My opinion is that the W202 cars are among the most trouble free Mercedes ever built.

__________________
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".