Should we keep our 2007 C280
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
2007 Mercedes C280 4MATIC
Should we keep our 2007 C280
I’m turning 17 in August and I’m being offered my brothers C280 since he is getting a new car. Either that or I can look for something different like a used Japanese car. The car has 85k miles and I am grateful to be offered such a car. However, I recently came across the Balance Shaft disaster that is waiting to happen. Do you think it’s a good idea to keep it?
Also what is you’re opinion on it being a first car?
Also what is you’re opinion on it being a first car?
Last edited by maximoose; May 24, 2020 at 04:19 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 148
From: Richmond, VA Metro Area
2005 C230 Sport Sedan-6 Speed Manual
You may want to check the engine number on your brother's car to determine whether it was affected by the balance shaft issue. I'm not an expert on the topic (I have an 05 C230 which is affected by the stretchy timing chain) and I am not sure that all 2007's are at risk. You didn't say what price your brother was asking for the car. If it is relatively inexpensive you could drive it until you ran into an expensive repair and switch to an Asian model at that time.
LILBENZ makes a good point. A Mercedes will almost surely require more maintenance and repair than most Asian brands. When my daughter was your age and needed a car, I bought her a used Honda Civic. At that stage of life, she needed a car she could rely on and didn't have the time, energy or attention to spend on the care and feeding of a Mercedes. The Civic may not make my heart beat a little faster like a Mercedes does, but it is fun to drive and get's her from point A to point B without fail. If you have a lot of other activities competing for your time such as school and enjoying being young, you can get a Mercedes later.
LILBENZ makes a good point. A Mercedes will almost surely require more maintenance and repair than most Asian brands. When my daughter was your age and needed a car, I bought her a used Honda Civic. At that stage of life, she needed a car she could rely on and didn't have the time, energy or attention to spend on the care and feeding of a Mercedes. The Civic may not make my heart beat a little faster like a Mercedes does, but it is fun to drive and get's her from point A to point B without fail. If you have a lot of other activities competing for your time such as school and enjoying being young, you can get a Mercedes later.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,975
Likes: 265
From: Sacramento, CA
2018 GLC300 4Matic; 2008 ML550 4Matic; 2004 C320
You may want to check the engine number on your brother's car to determine whether it was affected by the balance shaft issue. I'm not an expert on the topic (I have an 05 C230 which is affected by the stretchy timing chain) and I am not sure that all 2007's are at risk.
I have a 2007 E350 which is NOT affected by the balance shaft issue, so check the engine serial number as suggested by KevinH2000.
Furthermore, not all affected engines will have the issue for sure, but it is definitely a risk. Therefore, asking price of course as also suggested by KevinH2000 needs to be factored in.
Now, I am German, and you can take the German out of Germany, ......... you know the rest.
Me personally would ALWAYS take a European car (as seen in my below signature, we have 2 BMW'S and 2 MB cars), as I find Asian models boring, everyone has one and they definitely do not have the comfort like a German Automobile. Furthermore, the Interior designs are not to my standards. But of course, everyone has their own tastes and opinions, this is mine, nothing more. I prefer FPG (Fun per Gallon) over MPG.
My daughter drives a BMW 330i, I just purchased a C320 for my son as a first car, as I do not want them to be seen in an Accord, or Camry.
So, for me, if the car may not have an affected balance shaft engine, if the price is cheap, and with only 85K miles if the car is clean and taken care of, has been regularly maintained, my choice would definitely be the C280.
GOOD LUCK with your decision.
Last edited by S70Houston; May 25, 2020 at 05:05 AM.
Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 152
Likes: 23
2011 C300 Sport 4matic, 2005 C240 4matic, 2003 C230K Sport, 1999 C230K Sport, 1969 220D (first car!)
Do you have someone who can help you with maintenance and repairs? Are you interested in learning DIY? If so the C280 could be a fine car for you. This one sounds like a good starting point.
If you just want a daily driver that you don’t have to think about then not so much.
BTW, I got my daughter a C240 4matic when she turned 17. It’s been great for her so far but I do the MX. We got it with 130k, no issues so far but we’ve put less than 5k on it since March 2019.
As a parent, I like the AWD for Colorado and that it’s a very safe car.
G’luck!
5
If you just want a daily driver that you don’t have to think about then not so much.
BTW, I got my daughter a C240 4matic when she turned 17. It’s been great for her so far but I do the MX. We got it with 130k, no issues so far but we’ve put less than 5k on it since March 2019.
As a parent, I like the AWD for Colorado and that it’s a very safe car.
G’luck!
5
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,695
Likes: 1,830
From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
Look at it differently. The sturdy build of any Mercedes, and especially the extra airbags, makes it a good "first" car for a new driver. In my experience, newby drivers have accidents before they have maintenance problems. You want to be in a "tank" of a car until you learn how fragile you are through bitter experience.
I have a 2001 C320 that is just starting to show its age, and how it can run up a repair bill.
I have a 2001 C320 that is just starting to show its age, and how it can run up a repair bill.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,975
Likes: 265
From: Sacramento, CA
2018 GLC300 4Matic; 2008 ML550 4Matic; 2004 C320
Look at it differently. The sturdy build of any Mercedes, and especially the extra airbags, makes it a good "first" car for a new driver. In my experience, newby drivers have accidents before they have maintenance problems. You want to be in a "tank" of a car until you learn how fragile you are through bitter experience.
I have a 2001 C320 that is just starting to show its age, and how it can run up a repair bill.
I have a 2001 C320 that is just starting to show its age, and how it can run up a repair bill.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
