97SL320 - Thank you so much for your input - I appreciate the information. I am not at all familiar with gasoline-powered Mercedes, and the fact you shared about electronics is concerning to me - one thing I actually prefer about my '84 190D, is the absence of electronic parts in it - because it's easier to troubleshoot a problem without having to consider electronics in the equation. The C280 isn't 'broken' - it runs great - I was thinking that the idiot lights appearing intermittently would be a short or grounding problem - but being unfamiliar with the C280, I could be way off base. But a Buick? Nah. Just because I'm older doesn't mean I gotta act like a retired person, cause I surely don't - retaining a bit of the child within you keeps you enthusiastic and the inclination to remember to have fun in life. Establishing a mindset of "I'm retired and I should act like it" is the quickest route to feeling old rather than not. My primary interest in Mercedes is the construction, and the safety factor if involved in an accident. I think I'll hold out for an older diesel, but I thank you for your suggestion.

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Baby Benz Sandra

"We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." ... Benjamin Franklin

1984 190D 2.2 W201 Baby Benz:
290,000 miles and still going strong; my daily driver
Motorcars of the past:
1973 Mercedes-Benz 220D
1973 Porsche 914 2.0
1969 Volkswagen Bug (Bought it brand new in '69 - the list price back then: a mere $1799!!)