Hi, im looking into getting a '95-'99 C280 with around 80,000 miles. I was wondering how reliable this car is because i have almost no income, I'm a college student. so i wont really be able to fix it if something goes really wrong. I have a 2002 Sentra now and all thats left to do is sell it. So, am i better off getting the Mercedes or keeping my car (i really hate it, the suspension is HORRIBLE and its really slow).

Also, I was considering getting a 1996 BMW 328i, but i read a lot of customer reviews and they say that there are a lot of repairs required. The Mercedes didnt have as much. Is the mercedes really a more reliable car? Thanks for any help you guys can give me.

 

Well I'm a highschool student and I drive a Mercedes Benz. These cars are very dependable, then again it depends who owned the car last and how he took care of it. My car was owned by an old man who obviously didn't race the car or anything like that. He kept it looking like new and it is quite impressive seeing that it still has all of it's power. I've seen alot of, what's that word...crappy condition newer mercedes with lower miles than mine. My car has never broke down on me, even if it did my dad would pay for the repairs cause I don't have a job at all. As far as BMWs go, M-benz are much better hands down and last alot longer. Then again it goes back to who owned the car last and how he took care of it. My advice is wait before you get a Mercedes, these are expensive cars and cost 3x as much for repair than an ordinary car. AND, most of them only take premium grade gas. (like mine) With these rising gas prices it may not be a good idea for a college student to buy a Mercedes. But whatever floats your boat.

 

thanks a lot for your help. I'll take this into consideration.

 

I would recommend the C230 instead, I have a 97 with minimal problems this far, 69K. I have found that am able to do some of the maintenance and repair work with the help of this site. The C280 V-6 has historical problems with head gaskets I believe which are very costly to get repaired. Be prepared to borrow some extra money via student for future maintenance. I hope this helps.

 

i recently bought a 1997 c280 and i did some routine maintenance. i can tell u that maintenance on my particular car is VERY expensive. even the routine stuff like tune ups, water pump etc.. can be extremely expensive(at the dealer, anyway.) i'm speaking to u from experience. i just paid $1200 for a major tune up and $ 851 for a waterpump. just make sure that the car has had a recent tuneup and routine maintenace done and u will not be dissapointed in the car, but be prepared to shell out some cash to maintain it if ur not mechanically inclined.(like me[:@]).

I love the car tho. its worth it!!( to me)