[Mongo]

I've been looking at some C280s lately 1997-2000 that can replace my '87 Porsche 928 as a daily driver after traveling 155,000 miles. Gas mileage is a small PITA and I want to get started on finishing this 70% restored car. A W202 would be the workhorse in the mean time while I work on it.

How reliable are generally higher mileage C280s? I'm in California and looking in the trader. There seems to be a big price difference between a car that has 125,000 miles and 155,000. The one I'm looking at is a 1997 C280 with 144,000 miles. Is that high mileage for that year?

 

[tirona]

w202 in general and comparison to other mb models is pretty reliable, especially the newer ones (97-99) the 97 c280 you are looking doesn't have high mileage, considering that average driver puts 12k miles a year. actually you are better off with a old mb with 200k miles but with all maintanance done, than the same model year with 100k miles but bad maintanance.
two main things to look in that 97 c280 is if there are any oil leaks at the front/passenger side of the engine, and ask them if timing cover or headgasket has been replaced. second ask if they have changed the tranny fluid + filter. a lot of early 722.6 transmissions (97 was first year for 722.6)have had the conductor plate ($200) changed by now.
ask for records for maintanance. and what's the price if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Pringles21]

Also get the car raised a bit and check the flex disc's. Usually the front ones go bad first then the rear. You want to check that. It's not a pain to change though. My '97 C280 i got it with about 155,000 miles on it with just about all the maintenance records. That was only about a year and half ago. Now I got about 170,000 on it and the only things I have changed that needed changing other than regular maintenance have been the rear flex disc, thermostat and radiator. and the fan clutch but you should be alright if you can find a C280 with all the maintenance records.I love my C280 and would never trade it for a W203.
Good luck and be sure to ask them if they have ever changed the tranny fluid.
and tirona what's the conductor plate? is it the pan with the magnet in it?

 

[epatsellis]

w202 in general and comparison to other mb models is pretty reliable, especially the newer ones (97-99) the 97 c280 you are looking doesn't have high mileage, considering that average driver puts 12k miles a year. actually you are better off with a old mb with 200k miles but with all maintanance done, than the same model year with 100k miles but bad maintanance.
two main things to look in that 97 c280 is if there are any oil leaks at the front/passenger side of the engine, and ask them if timing cover or headgasket has been replaced. second ask if they have changed the tranny fluid + filter. a lot of early 722.6 transmissions (97 was first year for 722.6)have had the conductor plate ($200) changed by now.
ask for records for maintanance. and what's the price if you don't mind me asking?

My wife and I just bought a 94 C280 w/207K, all maintenance records since day one, with all maintenance schedules followed. Every little thing has been taken care of in it's entire lifetime and the dreaded headgasket repaired 8 months ago. Other than a couple of tiny (half the size of a dime) rust spots, a few interior bulbs that need replacing (just cropped up) and a CEL that refuses to go out (harness is fine), it is flawless. Clearly a no brainer at $2k. I expect that we'll be driving this car for quite a few years before passing it on.

As a replacement for a 928, no, but I still miss the 928 I sold 10 years ago. Good solid transportation, it is.

erie

 

[gsc280]

I drive a 98 C280 with 175559 mile on it, of those I've put 85k+ on it myself. I have had only minor problems, i.e. MAF and the PCV clogging, but they are easy fixes. And with that many miles on it, that's to be expected. It's a great car, if there taken care of I see no reason they shouldn't go 500k or more.

 

[BenzMaster19]

I drive a 98 C280 with 175559 mile on it, of those I've put 85k+ on it myself. I have had only minor problems, i.e. MAF and the PCV clogging, but they are easy fixes. And with that many miles on it, that's to be expected. It's a great car, if there taken care of I see no reason they shouldn't go 500k or more.

I absolutely agree!

 

[DirectLA]

I had no idea the 928 made a good daily driver! I LOVE those cars, had a 944 & Cayenne now (if you count it) but always lusted after a 928.

 

[Mongo]

I had no idea the 928 made a good daily driver! I LOVE those cars, had a 944 & Cayenne now (if you count it) but always lusted after a 928.

I had a 944 also I daily drove. I even autocrossed it too (see avatar). I sold it to put the money into restoring the 928. Unfortunately, the great 944 I had was burned to a crisp by the new owner who believed he could work on fuel lines with no knowledge about how to tighten them. :crybaby2: