1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C280 Sport

Summary:

Awesome. Comfort and fun!

Faults:

Wiper fuse - mechanic replaced with sturdier fuse and wiper - easy and cheap.

Cruise - not functioning.

General Comments:

Has been a rock since I've bought it. Mostly just regular maintenance. Fun to drive in the corners and the straightaways. Not super fast, but enough oomph to put a smile on your face.

The interior is very comfortable and stylish (especially the Sport version with the faux carbon fiber), and it feels more modern than the 190e and 300e. Everything was dials and manual buttons on those, and wrapped in wood. Not my thing.

Looks great with a Thule rack. :)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th March, 2013

1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C230 2.3

Summary:

Lovely car

General Comments:

This car is amazing on acceleration and handling.

I've drove many other 4 cylinder cars, but this car really moves when you push the pedal.

Unbelievable handling on high performance tires.

I have also a Camry, 1993, 4cyl, automatic.

I was wondering in how many seconds these cars can do 0-100km/h (C230 vs Camry 2.2L)?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th July, 2009

1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class c-230 2.3 gas

Summary:

Not like the Mercedes-Benz I heard about

Faults:

The cold start sensor went bad at 28,000 miles $450.

The battery died at 25,000 miles $125.

The knobs for things like the seat controls, door locks and remote mirrors have all came off at sometime or another.

The center console cup holder just blew apart.

Snow shattered the plastic front wheel well liner.

The defrosters come on by them self when you first start the car and accelerate.

The car never starts on the first try always on the second try.

The special key only works when you are within 10 feet of the car even with new batteries in the key.

General Comments:

I bought this car from my sister in law knowing it had been serviced and garaged. I expected refined workmanship, but have been very disappointed. I have babied this car like no other, but have been disappointed in the overall experience.

The car is made to be sold to people who know nothing about maintaining their own vehicles since there is no books about the car except the owner manual, the dealer is the only one able to read the computer codes, and they know it so they charge you accordingly.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 4th July, 2005

1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C280 2.8L

Summary:

Fantastic car, only wish the paint had held up

Faults:

Air conditioner went out in '04 at around 125,000 miles. Other than that, car has required nothing but routine maintenance. Granted, though, my wife drives the car like she was an 80 yr old grandmother, not a 40 yr old man (like I would).

Only gripe I have about things lasting concerns the headlight bulbs. I have had to replace around five of them so far. I don't ever recall having to change that many in any other car I've owned or that my family has owned. I think this is pretty minor, though.

General Comments:

Paint has not stood up too well to the sun, clear coat has pretty much gone away from being parked outside almost all its days. Nights have always been in the garage.

Still starts every time with the original battery. Shifts like a dream, and gets 30 MPG on the highway.

I have absolutely nothing bad to say - the car has been wonderful and still is. I would drive it anywhere without hesitation.

Handling is rock solid and everything still works just as when we bought it new.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th May, 2005

16th Aug 2005, 18:38

I faced exactly similar problem - ac not working and rear bulbs getting fused often. However, I am also faced with starter problem (starting after 2-3 clicks).

20th Jul 2007, 11:34

I need to update my review since it's been a few years.

The headlight problem seems to have gone away, but I, too, experienced the rear tail light bulb burning out every 3-5 days about a year ago. I took it to my local mechanic and he diagnosed a fused electrical something-or-other in the tail light assembly. Anyway, $250 later it worked fine.

The car now has 180000 miles on it. Still rides like a dream, still gets 30 mpg on the freeway. Had to get the O2 sensor replaced at 175000 along with new brakes. The interior still looks great as well; no rips/tears in the leather seats or cracks in the dash or wood. Which reminds me, M-B has really cheapened the C class interior in my opinion. I note that these days, getting wood trim isn't automatic with their C cars. I think that's a shame.

I also need to retract my statement about the paint. I forgot that my wife was in a very minor fender bender that required the hood to be repainted when we'd had the car approx 18 months. The clear coat peeled from the repair, not the original factory job. Sorry 'bout that.

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