Good luck and enjoy. I echo your feeling for the W202 generally and the C230 particularly. The 1997 C230 was my first Mercedes. I was in love at first, but, over time, the unexpected, expensive problems took their toll on our relationship. Ours sits on the street looking nice, waiting for the next electrical issue to surface. I can't quite bring myself to sell her.

Funny story about the wiper. I had the same trouble, although not until about 160,000 miles, that everyone else has with the gears getting gummed up. I spent a lot of time and effort properly resuscitating the system, but the problem, always at the least opportune time, would always come back. So a year ago in a pouring storm an hour from home, the wiper stars slowing down. Thinking f it what do I have to loose, I sprayed an entire large can of PAM olive oil cooking spray down in there. Ironically, the wiper is one of the systems that's worked perfectly since that day. I have a backup can in the glove box.

Take care,

__________________
Michael

1988 300 SL (5 Speed)
1994 E320 Wagon
1997 C230