1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Review
Price Estimate: $156 - $253





Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Attractive and solid, the smallest Mercedes is a good value in the near-luxury market.
Cons
- Initial hesitation when taking off from a standstill.
What’s new
The C280 is the lucky recipient of Mercedes' new V-type engine technology, receiving a 2.8-liter unit for the engine bay. BabySmart car seats, BrakeAssist and side airbags also debut on the C-Class this year.
For sale near La Porte, IN
4 listings
- 73,736 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 20 City / 28 Hwy MPG
- The Auto Livery (192 mi away)
- Factory power sunroo...
- Dual power front sea...
Close
Located in Fairfield, OH
Absolutely incredible and very original condition C230 W202 Sedan finished in the beautiful Midnight Blue over Navy Blue optional real Leather interio...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
23 Combined MPG (20 City/28 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WDBHA23G2WA582009
Stock: WA582009
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 09-01-2024- 218,835 miles
- 1 accident, 2 owners, corporate fleet vehicle
- 20 City / 28 Hwy MPG
- Woodbridge Public Auto Auction (539 mi away)
Close
Located in Woodbridge, VA
LOADED WITH VALUE! Comes equipped with: Air Conditioning. This Mercedes-Benz C-Class also includes Power Driver's Seat, Clock, Climate Control, Tachom...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
23 Combined MPG (20 City/28 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WDBHA23G0WA646113
Stock: 144014
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 07-02-2025
Vehicle overview
The Baby Benz grew up four years ago when the C-Class replaced the 190E. The new car was substantially improved over the 190, offering better performance and more interior room. This year Mercedes' best selling models should appeal to Americans even more because of the larger engines. The new V6 that powers the C280 may not sound significant, but it produces better low-end torque than the engine it replaces while getting better fuel economy. And the V8 sitting under the hood of the C43 empowers the driver to leave just about everybody in its dust.
The all-new C43 supersedan boasts a 4.3-liter engine that produces 302 horsepower @ 5,850 rpm and 302 foot-pounds of torque between 3,250 and 5,000 rpm. Replacing the C36 sedan that turned heads from 1995 to 1997, the C43 is the latest combined effort of Mercedes-Benz and AMG, the German tuner that has modified and raced Mercedes cars for the past two decades. With this kind of power, an adaptive transmission and distinctive styling, the C43 fits well into the Mercedes tradition--yet still stands out on its own.
Other technologies new to the C-Class include side-impact airbags, the BabySmart airbag system that disables the passenger side front airbag when a Mercedes child seat is located in the front passenger seat and something called Brake Assist which provides maximum braking if Mercedes has determined that you have stabbed the brake pedal in a panic situation.
We're sorry to say that the fantastic C36 sport sedan will no longer see production. Designed from the outset as a limited production vehicle, Mercedes actually limited its production and pulled the plug on the car last summer. Never fear, though, many of the C36's trick styling effects have been transferred to the rest of the C-Class lineup.
The only models available this year are the C230, C280 and C43. Manually rowing the automatic shifter, a C230 can get to 60 mph in less than nine seconds. The six-cylinder C280 is much quicker than the C230 getting to speed, and getting there quickly doesn't mean changing your own gears. Handling is sure-footed with either car, and braking ability is quite good, although the C230, at 100 fewer pounds than the C280, feels somewhat more agile.
Base prices start just over $30,000 for the C230. The stronger C280 can be had for another five grand and includes the 2.8-liter V6, dual power front seats and an eight-speaker Bose stereo system. And then there's the new C43, entering the market at $52,750 . You may want to consider BMW's 328i, the Lexus ES300 or the Mazda Millenia before buying the Benz, but we can't help but think the C-Class is a relative bargain in this class, especially when considering the small car's ample luxury, spunky performance and solid construction.
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Indiana
$191/mo for C-Class C280
C-Class C280
vs
$170/mo
Avg. Compact Car
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
The Car-1998 Mercedes Benz C230
5 out of 5 starstoros888, 03/06/2013
1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C230 4dr Sedan
I bought it in Nov 1997 brand new with 4 miles on it.Its now 16 years old in Nov 2013 and accumulated about 85,ooo miles.My verdict:this
car is extremely reliable and economical to maintain,during the past 16 years it never turn me down,never brakes down on the road,in parking lot or at home,it starts on time,i follow the car maintenace program every 10,000 miles,the major expenses on … this car is my battery last year and replace my 4 tires 3 time during the last 15-16 years and the rest are minor repair or maintenance,annual inspection for sticker thats why i never traded it to any type of car,my 98 Mercedes Benz C230 is
my buddy for the last 15 years she is always with me all the time.
$0.10/mile car
4.38 out of 5 starsStateStreet, 10/29/2010
1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C230 4dr Sedan
I bought this car with 50k miles on it and have driven it for the last 10 years and currently have 270k miles on it. I agree with most of the comments below and aside from replacing a transmission (that in all fairness, I beat on) and replacing wear items (breaks, belts, front end, tires, charcoal canister) the car has been outstanding. My goal is to put 1 million miles on it and the key … is finding a good, independent mechanic that knows Mercedes and have him look it over once a year. It's good in the snow with 120 lbs of sand tubes in the trunk and good treads on the tires. I'm in New England and don't even use snow tires with the extra weight.
Ole Reliable
4.63 out of 5 starsdluvly01, 11/26/2014
1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C230 4dr Sedan
Never let me down plan on 1 million miles >
Very satisfied after 9 years
4.13 out of 5 starsChuck, 09/06/2006
1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C280 4dr Sedan
We did purchase a I-Net bumper to bumper warranty for $2000 and that's helped. I'd say we've almost even on that. Very few serious repairs. Did need a cat converter, a/c compressor and a few other minor things. Outside Mercedes warranty work, I'd say we had $1600 of I-Net warranty over 6 years. We take very good care of the car and it only has 82,000 after 9 years
1998 C-Class Highlights
C280
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $191/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 12.9 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
People who viewed this also viewed
4.3 average Rating out of 3 reviews. |
Starting at $62,450 |
4.3 average Rating out of 3 reviews. |
Starting at $45,950 |
Starting at $44,400 |
Related Used 1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Chevrolet Spark 2021 Review
- Infiniti QX50 2020 Review
- Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2021 Review
- Jaguar I Pace 2020 Review
- Hyundai Ioniq Electric 2020 Review
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Honda Fit Car
- I3 BMW
- Lexus NX 300H Awd
- Used Acura ILX 2013
- Used Acura ILX 2015
- Used Acura ILX 2016
- Used Acura ILX 2017
- Used Acura Integra 2014
- Used Acura Integra 2019
- Used Acura Integra 2020
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2026 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
- New BMW i4
- 2024 Dodge Durango
- Jeep Grand Wagoneer L 2024
- Dodge RAM 250 2025
- Vin Fast 9
- New Ford F-250 Super Duty
- 2024 Audi A7
- Revuelto Lamborghini
- 2024 Tesla Model X
Research other models of
- New Mercedes-Benz G-Class
- 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLE
- 2025 Maybach
- 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS
- 2024 EQS
- Mercedes-Benz EQS 2024
- New Mercedes-Benz EQS
- 2024 CLE
- Mercedes-Benz CLE 2024
- Mercedes-Benz CLE 2025
Other models
- Used Porsche Taycan in Methuen, MA 2025
- New BMW X4 for Sale in Cypress, TX
- Used Kia Ev9 in Princeton, NJ 2025
- Used Nissan Altima-Hybrid in Holyoke, MA 2011
- New Honda HR-V for Sale in Scottsdale, AZ
- New Ford Transit-Passenger-Van for Sale in Easton, PA
- New Volvo S90 for Sale in Levittown, NY
- Used Scion XD in Farmingdale, NY 2014
- Used Buick Envista in Stuart, FL 2025
- New Kia Soul for Sale in Murrieta, CA