Now that I have done it - wish me luck
 

I just bought a car from eBay against all my religion. It is a '96 C280 Sport with 95K on the clock to replace my aging '87 300E with 300K. It will be my daily driver and work car. I probably won't see it for at least a week or so as it has to be shipped. Hope it is as nice as they advertised it. But hey, for $8K what can I expect?

Any one has experience with the C280?

Have not decided what to do with the 300E yet. I don't think I can sell it with that many miles. Idea, anybody?

Wow, congrats! I just bought a C43 on eBay and was really quite nervous about what the actual condition was going to be. I didn't want to ship it so I flew down to West Palm Beach to pick it up and I was relieved to find out that it was just about what I expected. The tires had less tread than advertised, one of the air bladders in the passenger seat didn't work, and there was a small tear in the drivers side arm rest (which they nicely patched up) but otherwise, it was clean. The things we do to save money. I hope your's turns out well.

It goes against my common sense to say this to you of all people but good luck..................

I bet that you can sell the 300E on this forum, miles or not. If it is in decent shape and the price is right, it will go. If you weren't in MD, I know a couple of folks in TX that might want it.

Bought the car from a non-MB dealer. They said they already have the car checked out and everything is there, supposedly.

I am more concerned damages to the car enroute to my house.

Elau,

Congrats !! I too just bought a new car to replace my 90 300E with 300K on it!!! I bought a 97 E320 with 146,000 fully documented miles.

Do you have a link to your new C280?

P.S. I have my 300E tentatively sold for $2,500... I figured whatever I get is a bonus since it has more than paid for itself. I'm almost sad to see it go...I'll see it again though since I sold it to a high school kid I know.

I know the feeling of anticipation. When I bought my 83 300D I had the transport truck come to work (Industrial area) It was up on the top deck - it was very cool to see the new exhaust and front end parts.

we have one of those.....very nimble and quick. it does pretty well on fuel. it's a cheap benz but still has some nice amenities. i'd check the rest of the board for some things to look out for. if this car is in good shape, you'll enjoy it. when you get it, post pics please.

good luck to you

I bought my TE off ePray back in '00 aside from the rear axle bearings, the engine and evaporator being shot it was a fine car, thank god I had Lemon Busters do the PPI.

But I paid $7500 for it and after all the rebuild was finished I was up to the normal market value of the car so it wasn't to much of a loss. If I catch up to the beatch fanica that covered up the problems I will end my I'll never hit a women creed.

Congats. The W202 is a great chasis. Have fun with it. It's a perfect aroud town car for the Maryland/DC area (Odenten is near BWI, right?). It piles on the miles effortlessly and cheaply, but is still very much a Mercedes. As you look at its various systems in detail, it will very much be like your W124, but it will handle so much better.... well not so much "better" but ten years of engineering improvement to help things along. Now it's no W211 or whatever the new C class is, handling wise, but it's very nice day to day compared to a W124. I think you're really going to like the M104. If you can deal with keeping up with a W124 and an R129, the W202 will be easy for you.

My advice is sell the C280 QUICKLY, and just keep the 300E....It's a MUCH better car. I am not a fan of the C class at all....Looks like a Honda, but won't last half as long! :eek:

Sorry to put a downer on your new purchase......but I have to be honest. :)

Mike

Isn't that the model that is prone to oil leaks or some other kind of engine problems?

I feel pretty fortunate. I bought my E-320 over the internet from our own engatwork down in Georgia. One of the best decisions I've ever made. Great car!! :)

The 1996 C280 is about as bullet proof a car that Mercedes has ever made. If that thing is not rock solid, then something is not right. While there is potential for trouble in two areas, leaking head gasket and self destructing engine wiring ala later model W124s, the problems are well understood and easily remedied. If yours has the newer, "fixed" stuff, great. If not, it's an easy fix. The one area I would pay attention to is the "sport" wheels. The standard 1996 C220 and C280 came with 15 inch wheels, 6.5 inch wide riding on 195/65 rubber. I think the sport, and later year W202s, came with bigger, wider wheels and rubber. I've heard many folks with the bigger set up report the need for early front suspension work, especially the lower ball joints. The W202 chassis, paired with the M104 and 722.4 transmission, is arguably the most robust package that Mercedes has made in the last ten years. It should last quite some time. The W202 combines the good stuff from W124 solidity but builds on chassis personality inherited from the W140. In short, it's a great blend of old world craftsmanship and solidity combined with modern era handling performance and driving comfort. Good luck with it and ENJOY!!!

What do you want for the 300E? What sort of condition is it in?

Jake,
The car has 264K on the clock. There is a leak on the timing chain gasket and a leak on the O ring on the transmission. There are couple small cracks on the dash. Sunroof stop working last Fall. When I put a new battery in the car, I never went to the dealer to re-activate the radio. The car has new floor mats from MB. No rips on any seats except the driver's. It has 4 brand new tires with less than 1,000 miles on them. No cracks on any of the wood trims. I just put new front brakes on as well.

I use it as my work car so all the mileage are highway miles. I purchased the car from a Regional Sales Manager for Citizen watches, and he used the car to cover his sales terrirtories in VA as well. So again, all highway miles. I have service documentations date back to 1997. The car can run upward of 90 mph all day, which I have been doing the last two weeks going back and forth between my home office and Yorktown, VA. on I-95.

Paint is a little tired, can use a good buff. If you are a DIY, most of the things I mentioned can be fixed. It would also a great parts car for anyone who has a 124. If you want it, make me an offer. I don't think I will refuse but I just don't want to have an asking price knowing the car has such high mileage.

I had a 99 C280 that was good to us. One year and 25000 miles later it got totaled and we lost about $2K from the time we purchased it. Can't complain. I think we go our money's worth. If you need a spare set of 15 in wheels, I'm selling.

Post pics when you get it...........and let us know if its what you expected......I got lucky with mine.

aklim,
Thanks and I will keep that in mind. The car comes with AMG wheels, and it's gonna be the longest two weeks for me. Can't wait to see my new ride :o

My 15 inchers were the winter wheels with snow tires on them. I used the sport 16 inchers for the regular driving.

The 202 is a great car, I think you'll fully enjoy it. I've been driving my dad's since I've been back from school and it really has a positive feel to it that my 203 is definitely lacking. The interior IMO is an excellent blend of modern and classic Mercedes style that is a bit unique. Anyway good luck with the car, it should be good reliable and fun transportation!

Mine Was till I got it totaled. It saved my life. The side airbag deployed and nothing else deployed. My seat was about half the size of my butt when I saw the accident later.

This is killing me, it has been almost a week and no word for my new car yet. Hope the phone will ring soon!!

My mother had a '95 C220.

While underpowered, it was a quiet highway cruiser.

It is every bit as solid as a W124. You can clearly see the W124 genes in the W202. The way the doors thunk, the ride quality, the steering feel, the accelerator pedal heaviness.

In fact, in just about every way, I would state that the W202 is a 7/8th version the W124, with the exception that the W202 has modern HVAC controls, which I desperately wish my W124 had.

I agree about the 124 and I would have gotten another one. But since I am now single, I don't need that much room for hauling just me I and myself :D

Elau, I sent you a PM. I might be interested in the 300E.

Bob,
I replied your PM. Did you not get it?

Are there any standard transmission C280 out there?

Well, my car arrived tonight and I was thrilled. With the exception of a few rock chips in the front, the body is in perfect condition. Interior is perfect, not a stain or tear and the seats are in near new condition.

Everything looks good under the hood as well, but I will do more inspection when the sun comes out.

The remote key does not work, I think the battery is dead. Can I just change the battery myself or do I have to let the dealer handles it?

Took the car out for a long ride, it seems to be running fine. No hesitation, no strange noise - except a slight rattler from the rear view mirror. Car responses as it should. The brakes are a little sensitive, compare to my other cars.

Cannot figure out how to load CD into the magazine. I cannot get the little trays to come out. There are a bunch of white knobs but they don't seem to do anything. Anybody know how to work it? My changer in the SL is much simpler, you just pull the tab and the little trays will come out. Put the CD in the tray and slide them one by one back into the magazine and there you have it.

Stay tune as I continue to play with the new toy.

elau-

Congrats on the purchase!!!! I will also agree with may comments on this thread- the W202 C280 is a perfect blend of old and new. I also agree- it has alot of w124 genes in the build, fit and finish, and feel, but is more nimble, and slightly more frugal on the gas and checkbook when it comes to maintenance. In my opinion, the W202 was the last "real" mercedes built, retaining all of the older models qualities- fit and finish, quality, and durability.

We have had our 96 C280 Sport since it was new. Special oredered it with Euro-spec "elegance" trimlevel features, in Beryl Blue metallic with the sport suspension, and picked it up in Germany. It was my moms daily driver for about 5 years, and then used as a leisure car for the past couple of years. In that time it has racked up 184K miles, relatively problem free, sans for the head gasket issue and premature front end suspension wear. It also required a new tranny about 4K miles ago- but then again, considering the higher mileage it has combined with SF stop and go traffic and HILLS, not a big surprise... Recently we have thought about selling it, but have been COMPLETELY turned off by the newer Mercedes-benzes in comparison to our W202, and have found that if we do get a new car, the only real option to our liking would be a 2005 Volvo S40 T5. HOWEVER, that car still pales in comparison to the W202- its simply perfect. So I think this car will be with us for quite a while more. I plan on upgrading the stock exhaust system to a sport system from Eisenmann soon. Cant wait for that!

These cars provide a perfectly balanced mode of transportation- compact enough to manuever easily, an interior large enough for 4 adults to ride comfortable, an ample trunkspace, and a nice amount of features- power heated seats, modern climate control units with the rest mode (which is extremely nice to utilize in the winter), glass moonroof, rear headrests that are adjustable fore and aft, folding rear seat, etc etc etc..... alll wrapped into a nice, modern little solid package that has plenty of power and a nice touch of sport. Just be sure you have the head gasket inspected- if u still have the old one, have it replaced with the revised one and you wont have to worry bout the headgasket leaking later on.

Happy motoring, look forward to hearing more about your new car.