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).

And im wondering which parts i should replace right away just so that they dont break larer, I heard that the head gasket is one that should be fixed, anyone know what else? And also, is there a manual so that i can do the maintinence myslef?

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.