Please offer opinions on a 1996 C280

[haasman]

I have an opportunity to buy a 1996 C280 with 105k miles. It is owned by a second owner, it has all books and records, maintained by dealership.

Any opinions on this car?

I am used to 124 series and I am not famailiar with this series at all, other than possibly the engine.

Haasman

[suginami]

I look at W202's as 7/8th W124's.

I like them a lot.

1996 C280's have a 2.8 liter version of the M104 engine. I suppose I'd look for head gasket leaks.

[Ali Al-Chalabi]

It is a very mechanically sound car. M104 engine is a great engine with the exception of the potential headgasket leaks. 722.4 tranny is a very long-lived tranny. If it is in good condition and has all the records, you should consider it.

[suginami]

Yeah, that's right. It has the same transmission as Haasman and my 124.032.

In 1997 they went to the 5 speed transmission, which was very problematic, and wasn't completely updated until the latter half of 1999.

[sixto]

Is 96 post the disintegrating engine wiring harness era?

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

[haasman]

Thanks for the comments

Haasman

[blackmercedes]

Originally Posted by sixto

Is 96 post the disintegrating engine wiring harness era?

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Nope. Best reason to pick the 96 over the 95.