'97 C280 a good buy?
 

Hi, I found a beautiful '97 C280 really immaculate with a Car Fax buy back gaurantee. I plan on having 1 of two really, really good german service garages do a good once over prior to purchase. Years ago I think they quoted over $200 for the service - I forget.

My question is, are these cars expensive to maintain? This one has 110k miles. I'm getting it from alady dealer that sellsolder or high milage cars. She gets some of her carsfromarea german motor dealers and some from auction. They dohave ahuge inventory for a small dealer. I've known this dealer for a number of years, but I don't know how reputable she is - very bare bones service. The extended warranty she sells is called Secure Capital and I don't think that company can be very good, because I couldn't find them on the Internet - I don't think I want to pay the extra $1274 for that - I feel extended warranties are worthless much less on a car of this age.

So, basically oil changes are $70but you only needevery 10K miles? And a break job is needed how often? And what other normal maint. is there to these cars? Thanks!

RE: '97 C280 a good buy?
 

I have a `97 C230 so 4 cylinders, not 6 like the C280. It has 203K miles and runs great. I change the oil every 3Kmiles , I use regular, not synthetic, Castrol High Millage, I think it`s about $12 for 5QT at Wal-Mart. Takes about 6QT i think, not sure . Oil filter is $6-8 so everything about $20.I bought the carmore than an year ago, and after 12K miles I didn`t had to change the breaks yet... Depends on what kind of driving style you have. I don`t press the break pedal to hard only when necessary. If you are a racer, you can change the break pads after 6 months maybe.All I can say it that I love this car.
I am wondering, changing the oil every 3K , what is estimated for my engine life?
I don`t exceed 4K rpm, just normal way of driving. 500K miles? :-)
"And what other normal maint. is there to these cars?"Just wash itand wax it... and .. enjoy it! :)

RE: '97 C280 a good buy?
 

i wouldnt use any other oil then what MB recommends. well maint. u can do ur self but worse sanareo is an engine cost more then $1200. so its up 2 u if u want 2 get it.

RE: '97 C280 a good buy?
 

I would say no to this. I have a 2000 C280 with 60,000 miles and its not good. Poor interior(looks like plastic). hard shifting, uncomfterable seats, poor radio and very small. I would recommend either a W210 E Class 1996-2002 or a w203 2001-2007 C Class. I use to like the 1994-2000 c class untill I bought one and I regret doing it.