1994 Mercedes C280
 

I am new to this board so excuse me if I don't follow proper proceedures for asking questions.

I am a college student who has finally convinced my parents to buy me a car. I was looking a c280's and was wondering just how many miles I can expect to get out of one? I know it varies with climate and how the car was drivin, but an average estimate would be appreciated, and any other help in buying one.

Thanks
Matt

Previous HISTORY & service would be a KEY fact in the life expectancy of any used car. ALWAYS have the car checked out by a third party(MB TECH) to find out just what you are getting into.
Have seen some very nice cars with 250,000 miles & some rotten ones with less than 100,000!!

thanks
 

thanks for your help. when i zero in on one in particular I will post the details. by the way, how much would it cost to get a third party to check out a car for me in metropolitan Chicago?

Thanks
Matt

Watch for a leaking head gasket and a bad wiring harness. These are very common problems that are fairly expensive to fix.

Regards,

Don

The '94-'95 C280's could have a bad engine wiring harness, and the oil leak at the head gasket would affect '94-'97 models.

You may try the search function on either of these topics. The archives are full of information on both of the issues.

Yeah, I'd say to make sure that the car had the wiring harness and head gasket replaced (just to be safe), because these are both very common & costly repairs. And much of the time, they will have been previously performed.

Good luck!

i hope you are counting on spending alot on repairs
 

As a college student i would be concerned with the amount of money it takes to keep these things on the road.

Just replaced the arm bushings and ABS unit - cost at an independent shop - $2100 - dealer would have been a lot more

Head gasket is leaking .... another $1000

Oxygen sensor - 400

Water Pump - 480

Misc BS - 500

My advice - if you are already planning on spending 10-15K buy an old 85 300D - they are tanks, look cool and you could pick one up for about 5k - save the rest of your money for repairs on it. If you are on a serious budget - forget it. Buy a honda or toyota.

I would not buy another C280 - maybe I got a lemon but I have seen similar problems with this model.

96 C280 - 110K