Going out to look at some 1998-2000 C230s. Wife drove a 1995 C220 and that seem sluggish to her. From the boards I gather a sorted out 2000 C230 would be nice. Is the C280 essentially the same car save for the 6 cylinder engine? The both seem to be similarly priced.

Thanks,

glenmore
1991 300CE
1990 LS400

Haven't followed C280 threads here, so I don't know what is typical. However, we bought ours new, after driving the C230 - no comparison, it's a much better performing vehicle.

Reliability has been excellent for us - we've had three minor problems since new. Crankshaft (or camshaft?) position sensor went out, replaced at dealer for a little over $400. The tank sending unit went south - replaced by a local independent, don't remember the cost but it wasn't huge. The most recent was a brake switch, causing the BAS/ASR light - under $50. Otherwise, it's been a great vehicle, and still drives like the day we got it. We won't be giving it up any time soon.

Assuming there are no widespread/expensive problems with this vintage of C280 that we've been lucky enough to avoid, I'd go with one over a C230 in a second...

Bill

I don't know the differences between 98 and 99. As far as the 97-98, the only advantage of the C230 that I know of is the gas mileage. If I had it to do over again I would get the 6.

Mike

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1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

Get the V6-It's a fantastic engine. And make sure you get the harmonic balancer replaced on the 1998-2000 C280. Good Luck

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1999 C280 Sport, 1967 911s Porsche

The C280 is better optioned, it came with automatic climate control and the Bose audio, along with possibly other things. I don't particularly care for either of the above, but the V6 in the 280 is significantly smoother than the supercharged 4 in the 230. It gives up a little bit in gas mileage, but is much more refined.

See if you can find a sport model in good shape, they're funner.

Agreed, but at the expense of ride comfort...we test drove a Sport, and thought it too harsh for our daily driver.

Also, the Sports have those goofy lookin' white gauges, and that funky fake carbon trim - not classic black and walnut, like the non-Sport.

Of course, my "goofy and funky" may be your "cool and groovy"...no offense intended to all of you Sport owners...