I did a bunch of research before I bought this car. I also looked at BMW 3 Series and Volvo s90. Ultimately, I chose the C230k. I drove C280's but found the Kompressor was quicker and sportier. The performance specs for both cars verifies that. My wife had a 95 c220 and this car smokes it. I like the 2000 vs the 1999 because of the tiptronic transmission...fun. I purchased from a dealer and got the Starmark. No problems other than a sub woofer was blown which you could only hear if you really turned it up (the glue on the cone came apart). Dealer fixed it.

I ALSO chose this car because of all the inventory out there. I printed up 60 cars for sale online within 10 miles of the dealer. All with around 40k-50k miles. I walked out on the fist dealer when he didn't accept $18k for a 1999 230k Sport. The second dealer had 2 cars I liked (A 99 and a 2000) white and silver respectively. I told him to give me prices for both cars. Again, I was ready to walk. He gave me what I wanted. Silver c230k with 37k on it.

You should be o.k. driving it for your height (I'm 6'1" 220lbs) Back seat is o.k. but I wouldn't plan long trips with adults.

My milesage has been around 26 highway but that's doing about 85 - 95 mph (I have a radar detector). When I'm easy on it (rarely) it get 28 mph.

That's about it - good luck