I am looking for a daily driver. I think that the C280 fits my needs best. What confuses me is the specs between the 1997/earlier and the 1998/later C280---

From one year to the next (Inline 6 to V-6); the brakes get worse (30 ft.), the power falls off, it loses 70 lbs., the mileage improves slightly.

what happened? the merger?

edit: it also lost 4 cu ft of luggage space, and front seating width?!