'99 MB C280 - 328?

[David in NC]

There looks like a good deal on a local C280. What should I look for. How does it compare to a 328? Thanks

[David in NC]

Doesn't anyone have an opinion on a '99 C280?

[abeye28]

Not into the older C-class.. 328 better looking car and handles better. My .02

[wkohler]

I wouldn't buy any Mercedes with the letter in front of the numbers. Of course, I'm not a Mercedes person.

[rlomba8204]

There looks like a good deal on a local C280. What should I look for. How does it compare to a 328? Thanks

Outside of the fact that the E36 is easier to find with a manual, the W202 C280 is hands down a nicer car. W202 build quality is generally much better than E36 build quality, no comparison in fact. A quick pass through the interior of both cars confirms this.

Both cars are now older, so they need a thorough pre-purchase.

Some 202s have issues with rust on the bottoms of the door seams -- part of a new process of rust proofing in the later 90s that had some kinks.

Autoboxes need to be checked as with any older autobox.

M104s like to eat headgaskets, but the smaller version (2.8) seems less prone. Check the coolant tank and pull the stick. Mercedes straight sixes were never as good as the BMW straight sixes. Their V-6s, outside of initial teething problems, have been very robust, even by M30 standards. That being said, the M104 is a very sweet motor when running well.

Suspension issues are very similar to BMWs. Front end bushings have a 60k to 90k mile lifespan, depending on where the car is driven. Rear suspensions are more complex than the comparable BMW -- typically a variation on the 5 link set-up first introduced on the 201. Very slick, but parts wear like anything else. Not hard to handle in terms of fixing, and problems are easy to spot.

Get the sport package variant if you can find one.

Check the climate control. It's generally a full auto system on the 280s. Nice, but like any ACC, it can break.

Check the operation of the rear headrest fold down, and the sunshade if equipped. Give the electrical toys a good examination in general.

Hope that helps. Good luck.

[mooseheadm5]

E36 or E46 328?

[rlomba8204]

Excellent question. '99 was the first year for the sedans, but the coupes and converts, IIRC, were still E36s. Duh on me.

[John in VA]

'99 was the first year for the E46, if that's the 328i you were referring to .

[rlomba8204]

If you are comparing an E46 328i to a W202 C280, then it's a much closer call that would come down to condition and availability of a manual and sport package. (280s, IIRC -- no manual, only the 230s with the M111 and I'm not 100% sure of that either.) To me, the E46 sedan was much improved over the E36, and I guess that's not surprising. But that assumes condition is similar . . . .