Looking at 1996 C280, an gotcha's I should look for?
 

1996 C280 in nice condition, 195K miles. Asking $3500 OBO. Is this a reliable car or is it ready to become a money pit?

I don't know about the 6 cyl engine, but the price is high. I would say $2500 is more like it. I would offer $2000 if it is good otherwise. Check for worn steering parts, check engine light on. If there are things not working then the price declines rapidly.

There is noting wrong with the car mechanically or cosmetically. asking price is 3500 OBO. with 195K miles I was wondering if I would be soon looking at a head rebuild, new cam etc. Maybe a rebuilt fuel distributor as well etc.

Any problems areas with this model I should be aware of?

Thanks

Maybe it's just me, but I wouldn't buy a C-Class with anywhere near 200K. To make the C-Class, they take an E-Class and say "How many parts can I remove/redesign/replace to make this car $XX,XXX. The lack of quality really shows, especially when you have them side by side. You should be able to find a 1990-1995 E-Class with 150K or under in that price range. It will be much more reliable down the road than the C, IMO.

Agreed.... i would just avoid the 93.... other than that... i agree about the e-class...

94-95's especially nice

"C" or "E' irregardless. 1996 was on the edge of the dreaded wiring loom problems. Make sure the loom is O.K. or has been changed out.

Much, much too expensive.

I agree with everyone. 3500 for a C-Class with 200K is a little rich. What part of the world are you ? I got my 95 C280 for 1200. Rust free and very clean inside and out, with 140K on the clock. Now luck for me I payed so little because, A few months after I got her it needed a head gasket. And when I was doing gasket I found that the wiring harness was shot. Still can't belive Mercedes would not do anything for any of us that had that problem. Wires fell apart in my hand. I did the gasket and made my own wiring harness, so it did not cost me a arm and a leg. But I have to say I love the car and would get another one. It handles well good on gas and is good in snow. And is a rocket ship compered to my SD...LOL
I would find out if buddy did any head work and look at wires. Easy way to check is to look at injectors wires. If there split and has coating falling off offer the guy 1500. I think you could find one for less with less Miles. I can find you a few in your area if you want. I spend my days looking for rigs to buy and sell. Would only take a sec to find a better one for yah.

Double agreed. My experiences with a 95 C280 almost soured me on the brand for life... but with miles like that certainly most of the gremlins have bee repaired/replaced.

More likely just band-aid fixes all over to keep the car out of the junkyard.

I'd buy another 1996 C280
 

I bought a banged up 1996 C280 with suspension issues and no A/C in 2003 for $3K. It had 222,000 miles on it. It's still in the family with over 280,000 on it. It has always been a daily driver.

Last summer I was trying to buy (locally) a banged up 1996 C280 with 25,000 miles on it. I could have gotten it for under $6K. I took it to a Mercedes dealer for a PPI and learned that nothing had ever been done to it - even had the original fuel filter. It needed everything that every 96 C280 needs:

new head gasket (which i knew)
shifter bushing
lower control arm bushings (even with 0 miles, they are shot on this car)
and maybe some other things that i've forgotten.

I passed on it, because it needed a couple grand in collision repair work. The guy sold it on Ebay for close to $7K, I think.

I do not believe that you have to worry about the wiring harness on a 96.

Don't get me wrong, in addition to the items listed above the original owner and I replaced zillions of things on the 96 that I do own. Typical items are:

windshield wiper motor and transmission
combination switch
water pump
duovalve
transmission mount (and tear out insulation above driveshaft)
power steering pump
lower ball joints
sway bar bushings
Oxygen sensor
EGR valve
mass air sensor
A/C condenser
fresh air vacuum element
exhaust gasket
radio LCD display
visor mirrors
sunroof headliner

plus many others.

But over 15 years and a quarter million miles, you are going to be replacing things. It is to this day a nice driving (though now rusting) car. It's a way better car than our 2001 S430 and 1997 E420. Period.

I won't pass judgement on the asking price, but I would want to know what's been done to the car so far before making an offer.

C280 195k miles.... I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole.
 

C280 195k miles.... I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole.

Sorry to anyone who thinks otherwise.