1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

280 Sport Sedan

6 Cylinder 2.8 Liter

Automatic

WDBHA29GXWF719353

Gasoline

This has been a great car for me and my wife. I am the second owner and have owned the car since February 2003. It runs and looks great. I average over 24 miles per gallon; higher on the freeway. The Sport Package is really neat - the ivory guages are classy looking - and the sport tuned suspension delivers great performance. I've received a lot of compliments on the car over the years and a while back my mother-in-law actually asked if it was new (after I had it detailed). The dealer replaced the transmission around 92k miles and it has worked great ever since. About five years ago I put tint on the car for $400 and continue to be very impressed with the quality & workmanship of the tint. A few weeks ago it passed a California SMOG test and I replaced the windshield wiper motor and an O2 sensor. I put C43 AMG Monoblock wheels on it which gives it better handling and an even sportier look. When I first got the car I "debadged" it but still have the original "C280" insignia and they could easily be reapplied. The Electronic Slip Control (ESC) is a helpful safety feature and I've always felt confident driving this car in the rain or stormy conditions. These cars have an incredible turning radius which comes in handy. If you have not driven a Mercedes they are very "solid" feeling; it is hard to explain with words but once you drive one most other cars don't feel the same. The C280 Sport model is a great combination of luxury and sportiness. Kelley Blue Book says this car is worth $4,570 in Excellent condition, $4,170 in Good condition, and $3,495 in Fair condition (all are Private Party Values). I'd say it is in "Good" condition as it looks and runs great but a few items, mainly cosmetic, could use to be fixed. I will do my best to describe the vehicle's condition and any known problems it has, however, ultimately the car's condition upon the end of the auction is the buyer's responsibility. I encourage serious potential buyers to ask any questions they need to before bidding, and I'd welcome a potential buyer have it checked out by a local Mercedes Benz Dealer or Certified Mechanic to give them piece of mind (the cost of the inspection is the potential buyer's responsibility). The Air Conditioning Compressor and Tank were both replaced at a local dealer less than two years ago, however, the A/C is not blowing cold air currently. There is likely a leak in the system. The headliner on the sunroof has come off (see picture) but someone could easily leave it that way if they chose to. The power remote feature of both the right and the left mirrors is not working; I adjust the mirrors manually. The left rear window does not work; it could need a switch or a regulator. The front black plastic grille is cracked but you can hardly tell until you open up the hood. It was hardly noticable to me so I left it as is. There's a dent just underneath the right rear tail light (see picture). There's also a dent on the top part of the left front wheel well (see picture). A couple of the radio buttons are loose but work fine. The passenger seat electronic adjustment capability works intermittently. An approximate twelve-inch section of the molding under the rear bumper is somewhat mishaped - you can hardly tell by the picture of the rear of the car. I have one key and the original manual. This is a lot of car for the money! This particular C280 Sport was nearly $40,000 new with all of the features & options it has. Through this auction someone could easily buy this at a huge discount to when it was new and possibly get another 100k miles out of this car. Specifications: MSRP $ 38,400 Engine Type SOHC 3-valve 2.8 Liter V6 w/SFI Engine Size 171 cid/2799 cc Horsepower 194 @ 5800 RPM Torque (lb-ft) 195 @ 3000 RPM Wheelbase/Width/Length 105.9"/67.7"/177.4" Transmission Five-speed automatic Curb Weight 3341 pounds Fuel Capacity 16.4 gallons Brakes (F/R) Disc (ABS)/disc (ABS) Drive Train Front-engine/rear-wheel-drive Vehicle Type Five-passenger/four-door Coefficient of Drag (Cd.) 0.32 Performance: EPA Economy, miles per gallon city/highway/average 21/27/25 0-60 MPH 7.5 seconds 1/4 Mile 16 seconds @ 88.5 mph Top speed 130 mph Here's a professional write-up I found on-line about the 1998 C280 Sport: OUTSIDE - For 1998 the C280 has a redesigned grille and front air dam, along with sculpted side sills, flared fender wells and new "smoked" taillight lenses. A small integrated deck lid spoiler is also new this year. Mercedes hasn't embraced the use of the E-Class round headlamps on C-Class sedans, instead relying on the time-tested rectangular lamps similar to those on the top-line S-Class. The Mercedes three-pointed logo is conspicuously mounted atop its hood. INSIDE - The door panels and armrests have sporty carbon-fiber-type panels on the dash and center console that stray from the traditional Mercedes burled wood norm. There is plenty of room for four full-sized adults, and five can be accommodated reasonably well. The front bucket seats are covered in leather upholstery, and are firm and very supportive, with lots of side and thigh bolstering. The instrument panel has an attractive ivory background and the power windows are the one-touch up-or-down variety. The keyless ignition key fob contains a radio frequency unit to lock and unlock the doors, but uses a separate infrared system to start the car. Standard C280 items include automatic climate control, 10-way power front seats, a remote locking system, power windows, door locks and mirrors, along with cruise control and auto-dimming mirrors. [Optional items included on my C280 Sport are glass sunroof ($1,100), Sport Package ($890), and CD Changer ($995).] ON THE ROAD - Under the C280's hood is a 2.8 liter V6 engine that produces 194 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. This engine is smooth and quiet and uses such technology as three valves and two spark plugs per cylinder, and a two-stage intake manifold for more efficient combustion. Also, an internal balance shaft helps to smooth vibrations, and a computer-controlled oil monitoring system can extend oil changes up to 20,000 miles, depending on driving habits. Acceleration is the most notable benefit of the C280 Sport's powerplant compared to older models. The sole transmission available is a five-speed automatic, and we found it smooth and unobtrusive in its gear changes. BEHIND THE WHEEL - Though its main purpose is that of a comfortable, competent sedan, the C280 shows remarkable agility. The front suspension is a double wishbone design, and the rear suspension uses a five-arm multi-link setup. Both ends use coil springs, gas-pressurized shock absorbers and a stabilizer bar, as well as anti-dive and anti-lift geometry. The road feel is taut, and the chassis feels rigid, yet it soaks up most bumps and jolts without transferring them to the cabin. And with the Sport model's optional stiffer calibrations and wider tires, along with its communicative power steering system, twisting roads are handled with ease. This C280 Sport includes Mercedes' Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system that uses both brake and throttle intervention to help keep the car on course. Four-wheel disc brakes with an anti-lock braking system (ABS) are standard. SAFETY - Along with ABS, dual dashboard and side-impact airbags are standard, as is technology to sense whether a baby seat is installed in the front passenger-side seat. Shipping & Payment: Buyer responsible for shipping cost; I'd be glad to drop it off to local shippers. A $500 non-refundable deposit is required within 24 hours of the end of the auction. The remaining balance owed on the final auction price is due 7 days after the auction ends. Warranty Information about this auction: This vehicle is being sold as is, where is with no warranty, expressed written or implied. The seller shall not be responsible for the correct description, authenticity, genuineness, or defects herein, and makes no warranty in connection therewith. No allowance or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness, imperfection, defect or damage. Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle, and to have satisfied himself or herself as to the condition and value and to bid based upon that judgement solely. The seller shall and will make every reasonable effort to disclose any known defects associated with this vehicle at the buyer's request prior to the close of sale. Seller assumes no responsibility for any repairs regardless of any oral statements about the vehicle.