1995 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C280 from North America - Comments

LCD clock back light has been out for as long as I've had it.

SRS light comes on for 2 minutes upon starting, but doesn't affect anything.

Wood covering on center console is showing minor cracking from age.

First of all, don't buy this car expecting a sports car. It's not designed to take corners fast and hug curves in the road. It was designed to be a cruiser, get it out at 75-90 mph (120-145km/h) and relax; that's what it's made for.

Acceleration is good, however with rear wheel drive, you will experience slight loss of traction on slippery days if you give it too much gas.

Steering is smooth and solid, not sporty.

Cabin layout is great. Elegant yet user-friendly at the same time.

Air conditioning cannot keep up with 5 people in the car on a very hot day.

Don't let the price fool you, I bought the car for 2/3 the price of my 2000 Toyota Camry, and I love the Benz ten times as much.

It's a Mercedes-Benz, expensive to maintain, only drinks premium fuel, but is also the safest car on the road. If you can look past the few negatives you will find a vehicle containing luxury, elegance, safety, power, simplicity, all in a refined package.

By the way - this car takes about 2 weeks to fully appreciate, don't expect to fall in love with the feel the second you step inside, it comes with time.

I have also owned the same vehicle, a C180 1995 Esprit, in Sydney, Australia, since November 2002. I bought it with the 95,000kms on the clock, and have now done 125,000kms.

I agree with most of what is said, with a few exceptions.

Firstly, I believe it DOES corner quite respectfully.

Secondly, the rear wheel drive does quite the OPPOSITE to what he states: In wet weather it spins the wheels noticeably LESS than a front wheel drive car; I don't understand how he can say that!

Also I do not find it an expensive car to service, no more than an average medium GM car! At that age (10 years old) there are lots of these cars out there, therefore lots in the wreckers yard, and there are quite a lot of items that do not have to be new (obviously I don't mean brake pads, shockers, steering parts, etc.) For example these cars have a fairly long wheelbase with only a moderate clearance, so... the first thing I did when I bought it was go over a curb into my parking space and bang the little exhaust emission control muffler (or silencer) just under the driver: it had to be replaced: New AU$2500!! Used AU$500!! They have GOLD in them and Merc ones have special silencing stuff in them, making them VERY expensive, and they seldom wear out for a long time, unless I'm driving of course..

I LOVE very close weave synthetic cloth seats -- in my opinion anybody who uses leather or MBtex in Australian weather needs his head examined -- these are the best seats I have ever had, better than velour and totally sweat-free.

The C180 is not fast, but IS a motorway car, no doubt. Does have some take-off speed, but not really competitive; darned annoying when you have to put on the air-con as it needs revving then. Solid as a rock etc. I have suffered with some bad relays causing the indicators to cease functioning in high humidity, also a "peep" sound coming from the heater unit, something to do with the (wonderful) vacuum system, otherwise -- high marks.

I have a 1995 C-180 Esprit manual, I agree with most of the comments posted here.

Can I just say though, the SRS Airbag light staying on?

Mine too does the same, this is because I have had the instrument panel out of the dash, with the ignition on. It can however mean though that the airbag has been deployed in the past, perhaps the car has been in an accident and the light has not been reset. My clock can't be read either for the same reason.

I agree these definitely are highway cars, even though the original right up was of the C280 (which I believe is somewhat of a rocket to drive), and yes the C180's are annoying to drive with the air con on, especially on hilly take offs. However, with mine, when I drop the car back to third at 100 km/h and floor it, I find few cars that can keep up with me, right through the gears until I change up into fifth at around 190 kays, still accelerating.

I disagree with the handling of the car too. Mine has the upgraded wheel/suspension package and handles like a dream, and believe me, mine doesn't exactly get an easy life.

If you are a fool with money, you will find maintenance expensive, then again, you wouldn't buy a Mercedes, you would buy a BMW :)

Cost is also relative to how long parts last too.

I have a Mercedes C 280 auto 'N' reg 1995. It is black with leather interior, electric front seats, 10 stack CD, an after factory fit, and all the other toys including climate.

The original owner paid £38,000 for it and I paid £7,000 secondhand. The car was purchased with 25,000 miles on the clock. I have enjoyed driving it so much that even with it being my second vehicle I have added 15,000 miles.

The comments on the SRS light staying on applies to my vehicle also, but it does go off after a couple of minutes, and remains the one concern I have of the car after two years ownership.

I put unleaded fuel in it, as that is what is advised on the fuel filler cap, and with careful driving manage 30 mpg. However, as said by other owners, when you put the foot down this is a rocket ship, and you have to show restraint as it reaches licence losing speed in seconds.

I have only seen a few C280 models and would like to know if it is a rare beastie, and what is the general opinion of the vehicle by those in the know?.

I own a 1995 C280 that has 160,000 miles on it. It still runs great and doesn't seem to have any mechanical problems. Engine is smooth, quiet and feels healthy. One thing that is aggravating and I see others commenting on that too, is the meter panel. The gas, temp, and speed meters stay at zero for some time and then suddenly turn on. The wiper also hesitates sometimes. I had the motor checked and that was found to be OK.

Other than that, I enjoy the drive, it responds well to acceleration and never felt loosing control. I had a Honda Accord before this and never had a comfortable feeling driving that car over 70 mph.

Interior is good and comfortable with leather seats and good sound system, except for the wooden lining on the console that shows small cracks. Overall, I am pleased with it and found a good friend for the road.

I have a 1995 C280. The first drive in it made me fall in love with the horse power. The biggest problem with the C and E-class is the electrical wiring. I have one crack so far on my wooden center console, also experiencing SRS light and at times the ABS light comes on. The speedo and rev indicator needle takes time to come into operation - referring back to electrical wiring harness. Merc was suppose to use silicon wiring instead - notice the cracks on the insulation of the wiring inside the engine compartment.

I also replaced the mass flow sensor on 260 000 km and that was an expensive round for me.

Overall - great to drive, best for long distances, therefore, I will put up with the afore-said problems until I can afford a new one.

Hello Mercedes Lovers!! I am looking at buying either a C280 Elegance 1997 or C220 Elegance 1995?

Not sure the C280 will be very economical? I test drove this (C280) private sale car and it is really well maintained with good service, only a couple of minor problems, such as back rear window seems foggy from inside and plastic bit under handle on drivers side door handle is broken, but lights underneath still working?

The car felt heavy to drive, but very quiet on back suburban roads. Both cars in good condition with 180,000KM and 150,000 Km.

Any helpful opinions about these vehicles would be appreciated. I'm from Queensland, Australia!!

I would agree with most of what this person said in there review with the exception of this car being the safest on the road. When it comes to safety NOTHING beats a VOLVO! Statistics proves that. If your concerned about a car & safety, Volvo is the way to go. They have been known for safety before I was born & I'm 25 going on 26!

To last comment:

Volvo has invented very few safety technologies. They sure have known how to sell that image but:

1) First safety cell: Mercedes, in the 50's. Ponton model.

2) First safety belts: Saab in the 50's.

3) First car with ABS: Mercedes, in 1978.

4) First car with Traction control: Mercedes, beginning of 1990's.

5) First car with ESP (stability control) : Mercedes in 1995.

6) First car with BAS (emergency brake assistance) : Mercedes in 1995.

7) First Crash prevent braking: Mercedes, 2007.

Do you remember ABS became optional in Volvo's in 1992-93?

They sure have great sales strategies, but facts don't favor Volvo in any way.

I knew of Lincoln having ABS on the Continental MK IV in the early 70s.

I own a 1995 C280 with 195k miles on it. I bought it in 2000 with 57k miles. I love this car. It handles and rides perfect. It fits me like a glove.

I owned a 1995 BMW 3 series, which I traded in on the C280, a 1997 Lexus ES300 and a 2003 Cadillac CTS. I would have to say the C280 has got to be the best entry level luxury vehicle ever produced. I recently changed the engine wiring harness and MAF sensor.

Over the years I did most repairs myself, so it hasn't been very expensive for me to own. I'm handing it down to my 16 year old son because I know it will be a very safe and reliable car for him, and it should last him through college, and he has been asking for it since he was 13.

With the exception of the wiring harness that MB refuses to acknowledge as a recall defect, the car is just GREAT.

I own a 1995 Mercedes c280 Sport with 129,000 miles on the clock. Within two weeks of buying the car, the head gasket went and so did the front suspension arms. £1,600 and three weeks later, the car was sorted and my credit card was sore.

I usually go through cars like women go through shoes, not keeping them for more than a couple of months. I have however, become somewhat attached to this particular car though. I don't know whether it's the understated nature of the car, the fact that it glides past 100 mph without any drama, or whether it's the timeless design and old school build quality of the interior that more contemporary mercs seem to lack.

One things for sure, I can't think of another car that gets it so right. If ever there was an underrated future classic, this surely is a worthy candidate.

I have a 1997 C-280, and I try to keep it in the best shape possible. I feel safe in it, and it feels so solid compared to many other cars. It has 117,000kms on it and runs beautifully.

I have put some money into it however with minor repairs, but it is all worth it in the end.

It does suck up premium fuel pretty good, but that’s the price you pay for luxury.

Just recently I had some trouble with my front passenger mirror, because it won’t go down, but I’m buying a new center console of the switches. If this car is cared for and loved, it will last a long time.

I’ve gone to 3 German car festivals, and my car has won 1st prize on 2 occasions. I’m still going to maintain it so I can have it for many years to come. :)

p.s. I’ve even been asked if my car was the new Mercedes! LOL :-P.

Hi all, Merc lovers...

I just bought a C280...

Before I decided to buy this car, I thought this car is amazing for the accelerating...

From the body we can see it has the small size and comes with big engine 2.8L...

I just felt this car slower than W124 300e 24v..

300e 24v is more responsive than C280?

Am I right?

Or there is something wrong with my C280?

Of course it will be slower than the 300 24v.

The 280 is lighter, smaller and the engine has lesser displacement and is not a high performance motor, like the 24 valve 300.