2020 BMW 3-Series vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz C Class

2020 BMW 3-Series

#1 in Luxury Small Sedans

2020 Mercedes-Benz C Class

#3 in Coupes

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330i Sedan

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
3 Series 330i Sedan	26	36	$38,400	$40,750
3 Series 330i Sedan North America	26	36	$38,400	$40,750
3 Series 330i xDrive Sedan	25	34	$40,260	$42,750
3 Series 330i xDrive Sedan North America	25	34	$40,260	$42,750
3 Series M340i Sedan	22	30	$50,720	$54,000
3 Series M340i Sedan North America	22	30	$50,720	$54,000
3 Series M340i xDrive Sedan	22	30	$52,580	$56,000

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AMG C 43 4MATIC Convertible

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
C-Class AMG C 43 4MATIC Convertible	18	25	$60,865	$64,750
C-Class AMG C 43 4MATIC Coupe	19	27	$54,990	$58,500
C-Class AMG C 43 4MATIC Sedan	19	27	$52,593	$55,950
C-Class AMG C 63 Convertible	17	24	$72,662	$77,300
C-Class AMG C 63 Coupe	17	26	$65,706	$69,900
C-Class AMG C 63 S Convertible	17	24	$79,806	$84,900
C-Class AMG C 63 S Coupe	17	26	$72,850	$77,500
C-Class AMG C 63 S Sedan	18	27	$71,158	$75,700
C-Class AMG C 63 Sedan	18	27	$64,014	$68,100
C-Class C 300 4MATIC Convertible	21	29	$52,593	$55,950
C-Class C 300 4MATIC Coupe	21	30	$45,073	$47,950
C-Class C 300 4MATIC Sedan	23	33	$40,796	$43,400
C-Class C 300 Convertible	21	29	$50,713	$53,950
C-Class C 300 Coupe	22	31	$43,193	$45,950
C-Class C 300 Sedan	24	35	$38,916	$41,400

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$38,400

$60,865

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$40,750

$64,750

Monthly Payment Estimate

$679 / month

$1079 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.7

Read Our Full Review

7.3

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2020 BMW 3-Series is back on top among compact sport sedans, even as the competition closes in.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is as gorgeous inside as it is outside, and it has moves to match.

TCC Likes

Dual personality
Longer, wider, stronger
Impressive technology

Have it your way body styles
All of which are gorgeous
Strong powertrain lineup

TCC Dislikes

8-speed automatic only
Added dimensions don’t add much inside
No electrified powertrains to start

Manual would be nice
Hefty pricetag
Rear-seat and cargo space just so-so

Fuel Economy

City

26 mpg

18 mpg

Highway

36 mpg

25 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Compact Cars

Subcompact Cars

Interior Dimensions

Second Head Room (in)

37.6

35.6

Second Shoulder Room (in)

54.6

51.7

Front Head Room (in)

38.7

38.8

Front Shoulder Room (in)

54.8

Second Leg Room (in)

35.2

Passenger Capacity

Front Leg Room (in)

Exterior Dimensions

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

71.9

71.3

Track Width, Front (in)

62.3

63.1

Length, Overall (in)

185.7

184.8

Height, Overall (in)

56.8

55.4

Track Width, Rear (in)

62.9

61.3

Wheelbase (in)

112.2

111.8

Min Ground Clearance (in)

3.6

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

8.8

Brakes

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

14.2

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.6

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

15.6

17.4

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

37.4

39.7

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Rear Tire Order Code

R02

Front Tire Size

P225/45HR18

Spare Tire Size

Front Tire Order Code

R02

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P225/45HR18

P245/40HR18

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3582

Wheels

Spare Wheel Material

Front Wheel Size (in)

18 X 7.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

18 X 7.5

18 X 8.5

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Engine

Displacement

2.0 L/122

3.0 L/183

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

255 @ 5000

385 @ 6100

Engine Type

Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4

Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-6

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

295 @ 1550

384 @ 2500

Engine Order Code

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

Trans Type

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.82

0.86

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.32

1.21

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.71

4.80

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

3.36

3.24

Trans Order Code

2TB

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.72

1.64

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.64

0.72

Drivetrain

Rear Wheel Drive

All Wheel

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

First Gear Ratio (:1)

5.25

5.35

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

2.81

3.07

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

2.17

2.25

Summary

Body Style

Sedan

4MATIC Cabriolet

Vehicle Name

BMW 3 Series

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Suspension

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

5.9

8.5

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

180

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

2020 BMW 3-Series

2020 3-Series available; 2021s arriving
Rebate: $1,000 loyalty cash
Financing: From 0.9% APR for 60 months
Lease: From $419 for 36 months

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2020 Mercedes-Benz C Class

2021 C-Class can be ordered
Discounts: Up to $4,500 off (sedan)
Lease: $449/mo. (sedan)
Finance: 1.99% APR for 36 mo.

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