So when you say the 104 2.8 was a sleeper, out of pure curosity, what do you mean?

I've found the the C220 to be slow, the C280 (104 or 112) to be a "gentleman's" cruiser, and the C230 to be downright fun (if a little rough around the edges). That little SOB really scoots off the line, but turns over 3,000 at 80 and over 4,000 at 100, all the time humming, or buzzing if your used to M104 smoothness, away). I looked at the axle ratios and power for each...

1996 C220 = 3.07:1 with 155 ft./lbs at 4,000
1997 C230 = 3.27:1 with 162 at 4,000
1997 C280 = 3.07:1 with 199 at 3,750

I guess my point is maybe MB would have come up with the perfect car for me if they had put the 1997 C280 104/722.6 with the 3.27 axel ratio.

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Michael

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