With the exception of the high-performance C36/C43 AMG, the W202 C-class tends to get short shrift around here. That’s probably because for many, the W202 marks the point at which Mercedes began to lose its way. Not only did the taut, angular design language of yesteryear give way to the rounder, less attractive lines of the “jelly bean” era, Mercedes products from the mid 1990s onwards just never seemed as reliable or as well-built as those that came before. I think there’s something to this, but the upshot is that a garden variety C280 can be had for not much money. And while it isn’t quite as tank-like as the venerable W201 it replaced, it can still make for a satisfying commuter. If you squint hard enough, you can even see the design parallels between the two.
Tag: C280
1997 Mercedes-Benz C280 Sport
Of all the cars I’ve ever owned, the 1998 Mercedes-Benz C230 was perhaps the most honest. It wasn’t overly flashy, was rather basic as compared to other US market Mercedes at the time and went about its business with 148 horsepower on tap in a steady but dignified manner. While there were hotter AMG versions on offer, Mercedes did offer a Sport package for the W202 throughout its life which gave the standard models a bit more zest. This 1997 C280 Sport for sale in Illinois has covered just over 60,000 miles and represents the last year the M104 inline-6 appeared under the hood of the W202, to be replaced by the M112 2.8 liter V6 in 1998. These Sport models had came equipped with a tighter suspension, 15″ AMG wheels, blacked out exterior trim, carbon fiber look trim inside and a smaller diameter steering wheel.
Click for details: 1997 Mercedes-Benz C280 Sport on eBay
1998 Mercedes-Benz C280
For all the high end exotics we feature here at GCFSB, there’s a part of us that still appreciate more modest transportation. Outside of the AMG variants, a late model W202 C-class might not be the typical car of choice for the weekly lineup here on our site, but it’s a car I’m intimately familiar with. For six years, I piloted a 1998 C230, the four cylinder variant of the car we see here. My mother has driven a 2000 C280 for 14 years, racking up over 120,000 miles with nary an issue. These small Mercedes sedans are robust machines, and if cared for, have the longevity made famous by Mercedes-Benzes of yore. This 1998 C280 for sale in Florida may not be too arresting in Glacier White over tan MB Tex, but it has only 57,000 miles on the clock. Mint condition W202s are becoming harder to find, so this one is worth a second glance.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1998 Mercedes-Benz C280 on eBay
1998 Mercedes-Benz C280
Over the years, we’ve enjoyed showcasing high-performance or rather posh vehicles here at GCFSB. However, we do have an appreciation for the more mundane. These would be your base model or workaday vehicles. Those which are well-preserved especially grab our attention. This 1998 C280 for sale in Missouri represents the first year of the W202 C-class facelift. Two years later, W202 production would cease. Along with the demise of the R129 SL in 2002, a generation of styling language would come to an end.
The W202 C-class is a car I’m quite familiar with. I drove a 1998 C230 for six years and sold it to a friend, who has racked up over 200,000 miles. My mother, to this day, pilots a 2000 C280 in this very color combination. Her car is closing in on 130,000 miles, having bought it as a Starmark certified vehicle with only 7,000 miles on it. There is constant talk about replacing it with a present day Audi A4 or Volvo S60, but the old Benz just keeps going on from strength to strength.
Click for details: 1998 Mercedes-Benz C280 on eBay
1997 Mercedes-Benz C280 with 23k miles
Whenever I spot a Mercedes-Benz C36 AMG with low miles, they inevitably get snapped up in short order. Just witness the one we featured last week if you need evidence. If you don’t need the power and persona of an AMG variety Benz, then a C280 like this one for sale in New York could be just the ticket. This car is barely broken in with just over 20,000 miles on the clock and represents the last year of the inline-6 in the W202.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1997 Mercedes-Benz C280 on eBay
1996 Mercedes-Benz C280 Sport
The C class is one of those cars that people tend to use as a durable good. Whether it’s for taxi use in Germany or as a daily commuter here in the US, many of these cars have covered a good bit of miles. I racked up over 80,000 miles on a 1998 C230 and a friend of mine is still enjoying that car to this day. But, like the 1995 C220 in our Feature Listing gallery, this 1997 C280 Sport for sale outside of Philadelphia has escaped the ravages of time with only 52,000 miles on the clock. The Sport package added blacked out exterior trim, carbon fiber look trim in place of the traditional wood inside, a smaller diameter steering wheel, tighter suspension and 15” AMG alloy wheels.
Click for more details: 1996 Mercedes-Benz C280 Sport on eBay
1997 Mercedes-Benz C280 Sport
The W202 C class was the car that brought in new nomenclature to Mercedes-Benz, one that would see the manufacturer drop a lot of its staid reputation via a proliferation of new models and vehicle options into the new millennium. The first generation C class still had the appearance and build quality of a classic Mercedes-Benz, however. Mercedes decided to bring a little verve to this compact sedan by introducing a Sport option shortly before the 1998 facelift. This package included AMG style alloys, tauter suspension, carbon fiber style interior trim and a smaller diameter steering wheel. These days, a lot of C classes from the era have been pushed to the brink, covering hundreds of thousands of miles. Every now and then, though, you’ll come across a real good one, such as this white C280 sport for sale in California that has covered less than 50,000 miles.
Year: 1997
Model: C280 Sport
Engine: 2.8 liter inline-6
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Mileage: 45,380 mi
Price: $9,998 Buy It Now
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1997 Mercedes-Benz C280 on eBay
Offered to you today is this beautiful One Owner, Rust Free, California Car, non- smoker, 1997 Mercedes Benz C280 Sport with only 45k original miles. This very rare beauty comes in the beautiful combination of Polar white exterior on gray interior. Along with that, this car also comes with full leather interior, fold down seats, glass moon-roof, telescopic steering wheel, AMG sport wheels and much more.
This C280 comes with the last generation of the in-line 6 cylinder engine and is arguably the best gas engine Mercedes Benz has made. With only 45k miles, this Mercedes has several hundred thousand miles left on it. Any questions please call (626)705-5694. This vehicle was just inspected and serviced. As far as we know, everything in this vehicle is good working mechanical condition. This MBZ was originally purchased in Oklahoma and came with the owner when they relocated to California in 1999.
Just seeing this car brings back a lot of good memories from my 1998 C230. In fact, my mother is still piloting her 2000 C280 sedan (with the later V6 motor) that recently turned over 100,000 miles with nary an issue. These aren’t the most exciting Mercedes-Benzes, but they do everything well and if you just want a little bit more spice, a Sport model such as this one might be the answer. Also, this car comes with the rather uncommon fold down rear seat option. This is something I would have killed for on my C230, and is one of the reasons I’m enjoying my hatchback MINI at the moment.
-Paul
1999 Mercedes-Benz C280 Sport
I’ve always been quite partial to the W202 C class, as I used to own a 1998 C230 and my mother is still running a 2000 C280 with almost 90,000 miles and winces at the thought of giving it up for a lesser vehicle (read: any new mid-sized luxury or near luxury sedan on the market today). These were some of the last over-engineered Mercedes, along with the Geländewagen and R129 SL roadster. With their demise came a new era of Mercedes-Benz cars and trucks that, good vehicles as they are, don’t quite capture the classic essence of the marque. Here’s a very tidy C280 sport in Florida with a set of tasty AMG wheels that are thankfully not oversized and period correct.
1999 Mercedes-Benz C280 Sport on eBay
You are viewing a stunning, low mile 1999 Mercedes C280 Sport. Only 55k actual miles. No accidents, only two owners. Loaded with AMG wheels with new tires, sport package (sport seats, sport steering wheel, carbon fiber look trim, sport exterior trim, sport suspension). Also loaded with moonroof, 6 CD changer, Bose audio, telephone, dual power seats and much more. Florida owned and rust free. Drives as if new. Looks as if new. No dents or dings. Excellent condition. It will not be easy to find another one like this.
With a little over three days in the auction to go, there’s been a fair amount of bids and the price has reached just under $6,500. With low mileage, a desirable color and the sport package, I could see this C280 fetching maybe between $8,000 and $10,000, at the high end. Clean, low mileage W203s are not much more, but then, they don’t carry the cache of these first generation C class sedans. This isn’t the fastest or most exclusive piece we’ve featured on GCFSB lately, but this is a tasty piece that could serve someone very well as a daily driver for several years to come. Just ask the family (mine) who have owned two.
-Paul
