charlesray18

Hey guys, I've been looking for my first Benz for a while now and I've driven a 98 c230 with 146k miles, 98 c280 with 130k, and a 96 e320 i6 with 118k, and looked at a couple more. I looked the e class but they have it priced to high so I told them they could keep it. I really liked the c class to, and was wondering between the 280 and the 230, which would be the better car for the long run as far as repairs and what have you. Ilike the fuel mileage of the 230, but I like the acceleration and general quickness of the 280. Ugh what should I do??? Lol if I go with the 230 is there any kind of modifying I could do to make it more responsive?

ptcruiser

The C230 is more fuel efficient, cheaper to repair, and lots of parts available on line.
It is not a race car, but certainly has ample acceleration when needed.
Basically, with normal maintenance, they will last forever.

charlesray18

That's what I've been reading. And to update my thread a bit, I actually found a 98 c230 with only 82k miles for $3,700. The only thing it needs is the headliner replaced. Which I can go all custom with that since I plan to customize it anyway. So tomorrow I'm planning to apply for a loan and if it goes through, hopefully I'll be getting the car this weekend.

ptcruiser

The headliner is a standard problem when it's a southern US car. Heat separates the glue.
There is a post on the site that takes you through all the steps to remove it.
Good luck

charlesray18

Sweet! Thanks man I appreciate the help. Well upload pictures of the car when I get it!

aquinob

I have a 98 c230, nice car. Reliable overall, good mileage, I get around 26 running on premium. I replaced the headliner when I got it, was a bit of work, and some things I would do differently, but I'm satisfied with the results. I did post about it a while back here.

Lots of folks customize these cars some, but from what I can tell, they are not really "Tuner Cars" like many of the Acura, Honda's, etc. Most likely because they don't make as many or any add on parts for them. The other thing you have to get around is Mercedes engineering. In many ways they over engineer things which can get in the way at times. For example, all the door locks and trunk lock are powered with engine vacuum. And if you dont have enough vac? There is a pump in the trunk to supply that, so it may take a few seconds for it to open up. Most other car makers just use an electric solenoid and a switch. And the pumps can go bad too.

They also use the computer to control limits on the windows and sunroof travel. To sense the end of travel they use "Hall Effect" which means they sense a current draw increase in the motor and equate that with the end of its movement. So if the battery is disconnected then you have to re-train the computer so it knows where the end travel is on all windows. Other manufactures use limit switches.

And if you aren't aware, they use engine vac to control all the HVAC motor functions as well. Small bellows that contract to open doors when you change modes. So of course after umpteen years the bellows start to leak a bit and unless you want to take the dash fully apart (no simple operation) then you live with a system that has a mind of its own and changes as you drive along as the engine vac goes up and down with changes in rpm.

Just keep this in mind when you look at used Mercedes. Overall they are very nice cars and I plan on getting another, but they don't have that Japanese I can run it into the ground and it will still run personality. They take some TLC and preventative maintenance to keep it rolling down the road. HTH

charlesray18

Wow. I just learned a lot! Lol thanks for the information. I'm also curious as to what type of engine oil would be the best to use. I'm from upstate South Carolina, the coldest it gets here in the winter season would be in the 30's maybe 20's, and the hottest in the summer would probably be in the 90's and it might get up into the early 100's for a couple days. I do plan to use Castrol synthetic, but would it be better to use the 0w40 European formula or just the plain 5w30?

ptcruiser

Synthetic 5/30
Aquinob is pretty savvy about the C230.
Thankfully, I have never had any of the potential problems he mentioned.
I believe I can get 300,000 miles out of the car, and I am at 130,000 now, and it purrs like a kitten,
A few things to check, which is standard maintenance: Alignment, shocks and bushings, and springs. Is this a northern car (snow and ice)

aquinob

Mercedes specs out 0w40 synthetic, so that is what I use. Oil change interval is 10K miles, that is what I follow. I also use Mann filters, they can be bought online for for fairly cheap money, maybe 5 or 6 each. Its a Mercedes, so don't cheap out on it and use whatever oil Walmart has on sale at the time. Castrol synthetic should be fine, I use Mobil 1 that I get at (guess where?) Walmart for around 6 a quart. As long as it meets their spec, you should be fine.

charlesray18

Yeah I figured on going with the Castrol 0w40. And Walmart also has Fram oil filters for them too. There's a couple different ones, from standard, to high mileage and then there's one that's designed to work really good with synthetic oil. I've never had any problems with Fram in the past, so I might just go with them