BMW 3 Series vs. Mercedes-Benz C-Class
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
In comparing the BMW 3 Series's and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class's specifications and ratings, The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the BMW 3 Series's and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class's specifications and ratings, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a better car than the BMW 3 Series.
Pricing: For a new model, the BMW 3 Series's price is between $49,241 and $58,975, with the Mercedes-Benz C-Class priced between $15,570 and $106,158.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW 3 Series’s base engine makes 288 horsepower, and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class base engine makes 671 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: The BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class are comparable in regards to rear head room.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$49,241 - $58,975
Starting MSRP:
$45,600
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
$63,175
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
$45,600 - $83,900
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$15,570 - $106,158
Starting MSRP:
$83,900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
$63,175
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
$45,600 - $83,900
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$48,759
Price Range:
$13,900 - $54,595
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
$56,532
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
$48,759 - $68,334
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
949
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
6,599
# Good or Great Deals:
199
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
$56,532
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
$48,759 - $68,334
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
5,542
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
1,432
# Good or Great Deals:
455
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$24,971
Depreciation %:
54.8%
Resale Value $:
$20,629
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
54.7%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
51.9% - 54.8%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
Depreciation %:
Resale Value $:
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
54.7%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
51.9% - 54.8%
BMW 3 Series Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.3 / 10
Reliability:
7.5 / 10
Retained Value:
7.1 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Mercedes-Benz C-Class Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW 3 Series
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
11
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.3%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
10.3
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
3.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
2.5 - 10.3
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.1
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
3.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
2.5 - 10.3
BMW 3 Series Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 12Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
2 out of / 20Ranking
2 out of / 17Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 20Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
5 out of / 20Ranking
6 out of / 28Ranking
6 out of / 20Ranking
7 out of / 28Ranking
8 out of / 28Ranking
9 out of / 28Ranking
9 out of / 20Ranking
11 out of / 20Ranking
13 out of / 28Ranking
18 out of / 28Ranking
19 out of / 20Ranking
25 out of / 28Mercedes-Benz C-Class Rankings
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Plug-In Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Plug-In Hybrid
BMW 3 Series Trim Levels
330e, 330e xDrive
Mercedes-Benz C-Class Trim Levels
AMG C 63 S E Performance
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
288 hp @ 3800 rpm
Torque:
310 foot-lbs @ 1450 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.071 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
671 hp @ 6750 rpm
Torque:
752 foot-lbs @ 5000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.139 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
24 / 32 / 27
Range (city/hwy):
276 / 361 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity, Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
42 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.6 inches
Cargo Space:
9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
94.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
41 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.6 inches
Cargo Space:
21.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4083 lbs
Width:
81.4 inches
Height:
56.9 inches
Length:
185.9 inches
Wheelbase:
112.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.8 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4839 lbs
Width:
80 inches
Height:
57.4 inches
Length:
190.6 inches
Wheelbase:
113.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/45R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 9.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
265/40R19
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Jet Black
Blue
Phytonic Blue Metallic / Portimao Blue Metallic / Tanzanite Blue II Metallic
Gray
Brooklyn Grey Metallic / Dravit Grey Metallic / Skyscraper Grey Metallic
Red
Melbourne Red Metallic
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Black / Obsidian Black Metallic
Blue
MANUFAKTUR Starling Blue Magno / Starling Blue Metallic
Gray
Graphite Grey Metallic / MANUFAKTUR Graphite Grey Magno
Red
Not available
White
MANUFAKTUR Moonlight White Metallic
Silver
Cirrus Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Canberra Beige
Black
Black / Black w/ Blue Contrast Stitching
Brown
Cognac / Mocha
Gray
Oyster
Red
Tacora Red
Green
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Black / Black w/ Gray Stitching / Black w/ Yellow Stitching
Brown
Sienna Brown/Black
Gray
Not available
Red
Not available
Green
Titan Grey/Black w/ Black/Red Stitching
