It seems I'm always running across nice looking, low mileage C280's around here for cheap. So what is so undesirable about them? Anyone?

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83 M-B 300D- daily driver
83 240D gray market
2002 VW Jetta TDI- beater

Not much undesireable. A great, solid well-built car.

Just look for harmonic balancer issues on the M112 V6 and head gasket leaks on the M104 straight 6. Both are not major items in the scope of things.

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Ali Al-Chalabi

2001 CLK55
1999 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel
2002 Harley-Davidson Fatboy
Merlin Extralight w/ Campy Record

when my W124 was totaled, i replaced it with a W202.

i was aprehensive about the smaller car, but my fears were unfounded. i hardly ever ride 4, and only 1 at 85% of the time. i find the size to be about perfect for me now. very stable and smooth on the hwy, and sane speeds net approx 25-MPG. i have squeezed 28-MPG at lower speeds.

the only thing that i will add to ali's comments is the engine wiring harness. plently of ones running around with suspect "brittle" harnesses. some were replaced under warranty, most were not. a harness replacement at the dealer is upwards of $1k. i dont like the "looks" of mine at almost 100k, but it hasnt produced any ill effects since ive had it for 18 months. mine had a head gasket at the dealer before warranty expired, so the harness was tugged on during that. my position now is, if if aint broke ...

i opted for the M-104 straight 6, as ive had many inlines and like them.

PS- lots of C-230-komps coming off leases now also.