Thanks everyone for all the info. He doesn't like the 'mushy' handling feel of the Lexus - his Celica GTS had rally struts and 235/60 tires, and the only other car he has driven much is my Sportline 300E. He doesn't like soft suspensions. He will probably look at the BMW just because it is supposed to be immaculate and perfectly maintained, but will also keep looking for his MB targets.

The BMW owner is leaving the country for an extended overseas job in a few weeks, so presumably is motivated to sell. If it feels good to him, maybe he will live with the lack of power. (After the 84 GTS, any kind of acceleration will be an improvement). It should corner and brake at least as well as the GTS, so who knows. That BMW trans does give me pause, however. a friend on his third bimmer was told by his tech to expect between 80 and 130k from a BMW auto, but this was on the pre 95 units.

He feels a bit confined in our C230, so I don't know how serious he would be about a C280 - but they are nice cars. A C280 sport would be fun, I would think, assuming he didn't want to pony up for the C 43.

__________________
John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E