I am looking for a daily driver. I think that the C280 fits my needs best. What confuses me is the specs between the 1997/earlier and the 1998/later C280---

From one year to the next (Inline 6 to V-6); the brakes get worse (30 ft.), the power falls off, it loses 70 lbs., the mileage improves slightly.

what happened? the merger?

edit: it also lost 4 cu ft of luggage space, and front seating width?!

Merger had no effect on the `97 to `98 C-class.
Interior seating width is most likely due to the addition of side air-bags in 1998.

1998 was a year when slight exterior body change: lower body cladding, trunk lid took effect - which may effect trunk space.

The new V-6 engine was supposedly a better performer in emissions and front crash intrusion. Also the FSS - when to perform service - dash display appeared.

Do more research on oil leaking past gasket on inline six, and harmonic balancer or v-6

In 1998, it had the same brakes, so the results must be a variation in the test. Power should be about the same in the top end, and the V6 has more low end power accross a broader range of RPMs. I believe the loss of trunk capacity may be due to moving the rear seats back slightly giving the vehicle more rear passenger room than the 97.

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Ali Al-Chalabi

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