What to look for in a 98 C280

[jasonnewyork]

I'm looking into buying a 98 C280. From what I've seen on this forum, 98+ seems the best choice because of the v-6 and 5-speed trans. Are there any known weaknesses/problems? Can the car be maintained by a D-I-Y mechanic? I read somewhere the trans fluid can only be checked/changed by the dealer. Are there any other non-D-I-Y repair items. Thanks for your advice.

[Ali Al-Chalabi]

All the scheduled maintenance is fairly easy to do. The trans fluid is not a maintenance item, it is a lifetime fill. The only way to check the fluid is to buy the special tool dipstick and check level according to trans temp.

I think the 98 was a good year for the C class, and the V6 seems to have no common problems at all.

[mark cummins]

Jason, please have a pre purchase done on th c class take it to a mb dealer and request a mb net or print out on the service history and warranty repairs done to the car in question it WILL help you! good luck on the car

mark

[MBenzNL]

I don't know anything about the 280 engine, but the 202 body is GOOD.
I have a prehistorical 1993 C250D with (currently) 420k km and I am still adding 2000-2500km per week. The car never needed serious repairs yet (besides one diesel-injection-pump) and the body still looks like new.
The later models have a complete different electrical set-up (changed in 1995 for the first time and in 1997 for the second time), but most parts are changed for the better.

I definitely support the W202...greetingz,