As an owner of a 1999 C280, the biggest issues with this V-6 are the transmission (had a rebuilt installed) and the quality of the materials used in the interior and trim. The trans failures due to the "lifetime fluid" are legendary, however the later production years (98-00) did not have the wire harness issue. The interior is finished mostly in plastic and "mouse fur" and headliner sagging is epidemic.

On the other hand, the W203 cars are total disasters, being most affected by the Chrysler merger budget cutting and QC.

A best bet would be a maintenance documented or CPO car that doesn't have the ABC suspension.