IluvS500

I just recently came across a C280 (94) Silver over black (I think) with 42,000 miles. They want 11,000 for it. Does that seem fair? Is year an ok year to buy? I am asking cause this car is for me. Even though its ten years old, I really dont care because its got low miles. Was heated seats offered on this model? Also, I find the shifter knob to be ugly. Are there any other Mercedes shifter knobs that would fit it? Ok thats it

ABsC280

i just bought mine last mo. 95 c280 w/ 90k for $7,000. probably spent $1000 (minor things tint, fix bumper, detail, etc.)so far fixing things up. now its squeeky clean, but i found a $1000 oil leak problem. other than that, i'm very happy w/ my car and get lots of complements. hope this helps...

SLCPUNK

I think it's a good deal considering the mileage. Why not see if the seller will lower the price? See if the head gasket and wiring harness have been replaced. If not then use that to negotiate the price down even more. Ask for records. I bought mine with 54k miles on it with all books and records for a 15.9k. I have 74k on it now and it drives like brand new. New wiring harness goes in this month. Head gasket was done when I got it. Drives fantastic. I love my car.

pointman

11k...HAHA, that guy must be joking. thatll never happen, offer him closer to 6or 7. trade in on something like that is almost nothing.

SLCPUNK

Nada (which is generally lower than KBB) is 11,500 for that model/year/miles. Doesn't mean you have to pay that, but he can start at 11k and you negotiate from that price. He isn't going to give it up for 6-7k, no way. If the head gasket and wiring harness are still orginal you can offer him 2k less off the bat just for that. If NADA says high retail is 11.5 then a credit union will finance for that. So good chance the guy could still sell the car around that price point.

GDawgC220

That is really good mileage for a 94 (as you can see my 94 has lotsa miles ). Definately try and talk it down. The w202's are awsome cars.

For sure ask about the wiring harness and headgasket (most common on early w202's) and if not, like SLCPUNK says, there's about 2 grand right there off. Make sure the service is up to date, etc.

Good luck on it, let us kno how it turns out.

-G-

blackmercedes

Ignore the odometer. It's a 1994 car, regardless of the mileage. Mercedes generally thrive on being driven and do nothing but rot when sitting idle. I have known more thana few people who were burned by buying low mileage garage queens for a serious premium over typical prices only to have to invest big sums into the car.

The 1994's still suffer from decaying wiring harnesses and possible leaky head haskets, no matter the mileage. Check the car out carefully.

ABsC280

yeah, i found out personally about the head gasket. oil leak. what about the wiring harness? and can it be a do-it-yourself job or do i need to take in. how much to repair.

GDawgC220

I think the wiring harness is about $800-$1000 depending on who you go to. It can be a DIY job, takes a while, but can definately be done with patience, time and a lil of skill. Go to www.club202.com

Someone did a great write up with pics on how to change the wiring harness yourself.

-G-

pointman

your best bet is to go to a dealer and tell them you have the 94 c280 etc... then they will tell you what they are willing to give you for a trade or out right sell. this will tell you exactly what the dealer was willing to give him.

SLCPUNK

I'm able to get my harness for 457 bucks. I will put it in myself and refer to that write up. I don't think it would be such a hard job. I guess it depends on what level of comfort you have working on your car. Remember there are plenty of good ones out there too. You can probably find one that has already had the problems fixed and pick it up ready to go.

merclover

does anyone know if the 96 models also suffer the decaying wire harness issue?...when was the head gasket leak prob solved? 99?

blackmercedes

The wiring harness issue effects the W124 and W202 cars from 1993 to 1995 model years.

Head gasket problems effect only the M104 engine in 2.8L and 3.2L form, available in the W124 chassis from 1993 to 1995 and in the W202 from 1994 to 1997, as well as the W210 from 1996-1997. In 1998, the W210 and W202 2.8L and 3.2L engines were changed to the M112 V-6 engine, which has no head gasket problems, but has harmonic balancer problems and possibly some lifter issues as well.

The M111 engine seems immune to the head gasket problems, despite it's similarity to the M104.

merclover

whoah! so u mean my humble C220 is immune to the two most expensive and painstaking problems?! WHOOOOOT!

GDawgC220

Hmm...I coulda sworn the headgasket problems affected the 2.2L engines too. Mine did have the headgasket problem tho

-G-

merclover

oh... i was starting to get some hopes... improved my belief that the 2.2 litre engine was small, but hard as a rock.
bah, still have around 90k miles to go...

edit: well ur 220 is a 94...mine is a 96...u think MB could have changed somthin in the engine in those 2 years?

ricerokets4life

all i gotta say: stupid harmonic balancer.

GDawgC220

They may have, but I think it applies to the first two years of the w202s...read somewhere that they corrected the problem in the 97 models with better parts or something of the sort. If you look at the data from 94-96, the specs are exactly the same, but in 97 the specs changed.

-G-

merclover

what happened 2 u? wot engine u have?

GDawgC220

From his pic, looks like the C280 with the updated V6 engine (I believe 98+).

I think the harmonic balancer can go out of whack and break off while the engine is on and then shred everything in it's path that it takes.

Seen some pretty nasty things (oil pan, hoses, etc get ripped).

-G-

SLCPUNK

Right, but that does not apply to 1994 c280. The problem started in 98.

GDawgC220

right, if you are referring to the harmonic balancer.

-G-

blackmercedes

There are cases of M111's needing a head gasket replacement, but they are very rare. The M104 has a very high occurance.

The aspro M111 in 2.2 and 2.3 form sold in North America in the W202 (sold in others worldwide) is one tough little engine. I know many techs that regard it as one of MB's finest, along with the M119 DOHC V-8.

The engine is understressed and includes long life parts like a double row timing chain. I have a couple of friends with higher mileage M111 equipped W202's, and their engines are like new in every regard, including non-existant oil consumption. These engines are over 350K-km's (220K-miles) and showing no signs of slowing down.

The M104 will last every bit as long, but does have the head gasket weakness. Some people have had the gasket replaced more than once, others have found that the updated gasket (there are several updates to the part) has worked well.

The M112 is an engineering marvel. Inside the engine is one of the most robust looking block/crank/journal assemblies imagineable. The engine has very low emissions. The harmonic balancer problem is not major in it's own right, but can become a very expensive failure die to collateral damage. Some cars/SUV's have sustained thousands of dollars of damage thanks to the debris being shot around inside the engine compartment. Not good.

As to the M111, it went through one change from 1994 to 1998. The 1994-96 2.2L engines and 1997 2.3L engines have the HFM (hot-film-management) fuel injection systems. These are different from the CIS systems MB used for years on the M103 engines in that it uses more "computer" control. In 1998, the 2.3L engine was switched to the ME 2.1 system. Of course, the other difference is the minor bump in displacement in 1997 to 2.3L.

My memory could be off, and the 1997 2.3L engines might also be ME 2.1, but I think the switch was at 1998.

A 1996 C220 is the best used buy of the W202 line. No wiring harness issues, the bullet-proof four speed auto, the updated ACC dash unit, keyless entry (crappy IR, but still factory) and the bullet-proof M111 mill. The prices for the 96's are low and these are affordable cars to buy, own, and maintain to high mileages.

The 1998 model brought many changes including slightly updated exterior panels including the rockers, rear valance, front valance, trunk lid and grille. The taillights were smoked as well. Tire sizes changed from 195/65-15 to 205/60-15. The interior got new door panels, side air-bags and the SmartKey system. For the US, traction control became standard. (Not so in Canada)

1997-98's can be great cars, but watch for the early 722.6 five speed box. The tranny is great thanks to the longer legs, but many early units have suffered problems. Often, the ETC (Electronic Control Unit) is the culprit, and replacing it solves all problems. If I were shopping used, I'd look for a 98 with the tranny updates done. Last of the W202 body updates, aspro M111, five speed, side bags, SmartKey, etc. Just be careful about that 722.6.

2000 C230-K sedans are also good buys, but folks in my neck-o-the-woods still want huge bucks for them. I keep my cars until they have the odo's shocking most people, so the Kompressor unit is an unknown to me, but people seem to be having good luck them so far. Time will tell on that one. The extra HP is nice, but I have a motorcycle to quench my thirst for speed, so not needed by me.

In the C280 line, I would buy a 1998- C280 with the M112 and have the harmonic balancer replaced immediately regardless of the past history. The car is pretty much bullet-proof from that point. Find one where the owner ignored the FSS and changed the oil much more frequently, or be prepared for some major bills. I'm not sure about the class action suit in the US and non-original owners, so proceed with caution.

Any W202 from build 06/98 has the updated 722.6 tranny.

ricerokets4life

i know i was just pointing out cuz i had that problem unfortunately. the tranny is showing problems also and its expected b/c it was manufactured in 12/97, before the updated tranny was introduced, as blackmercedes stated.

moral of the story: unless you can get a good deal on a 97-98 model c280, look for other w202s.

blackmercedes

What problems are you having? Harsh 3-2 and 1-2 shifts are solved 99% of the time with a new ETC. A hesitation off the line in first or second is most often the pressure control spring, which is an easy fix.

Sometimes, the whole shebang is done for, but this is rare.

At 148K mine had the pressure control spring go south, but the dealer got MB Canada to replace the tranny, converter and ETC under warranty. This way I have the completely updated tranny. This gives me some peace of mind as the odo climbs.