1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Review
1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Review





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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.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C280 4dr Sedan and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.12 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$184/mo for C-Class C280
C-Class C280
vs
$168/mo
Avg. Compact Car
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.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
5 star(80%)
4 star(14%)
3 star(1%)
2 star(1%)
1 star(4%)
57 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
The Car-1998 Mercedes Benz C230
toros888, 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.
4.38 out of 5 stars
$0.10/mile car
StateStreet, 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.
4.63 out of 5 stars
Ole Reliable
dluvly01, 11/26/2014
1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C230 4dr Sedan
Never let me down plan on 1 million miles >
4.5 out of 5 stars
Still a nice car at 14 years old
bobaquino, 09/02/2012
1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C230 4dr Sedan
This is my first Benz, I bought it not long ago from old lady that passed away so truly it was the "Little old lady that drove it on Sunday" car.
It had less than 68 K on it which was extremely low mileage for a 14 year old car, but unfortunately she took very poor care of the car bordering on car abuse.
I have been going through it repairing what I can and getting all the service caught … up, mostly by doing the work myself.
The trick to owning one of these old Benz's is that you don't want to constantly pay somebody else to do the work, (no dealer)
you need to be able to fix it yourself.
Fortunately, the car is actually quite service friendly, though parts can be expensive.
1998 C-Class Highlights
C280
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $184/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
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