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BMW 3 Series Saloon vs Mercedes C Class Sedan comparison

Compare performance (530 HP vs 680 HP), boot space and price (39900 £ vs 41300 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – BMW 3 Series Saloon or Mercedes C Class Sedan?

BMW 3 Series Saloon vs Mercedes C Class Sedan: Key differences

BMW 3 Series Saloon

  • barely noticeable cheaper
  • hardly perceptible lighter
  • minimal more trunk space

Mercedes C Class Sedan

  • clearly perceptible more power
  • significantly more efficient
  • slightly more electric range
  • barely noticeable quicker from 0–100 km/h

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

3 Series Saloon

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are often the first things buyers look at. Here it becomes clear which model has the long-term edge – whether at the pump, the plug, or in purchase price.

BMW 3 Series Saloon has a barely noticeable advantage in terms of price – it starts at 39900 £ , while the Mercedes C Class Sedan costs 41300 £ . That’s a price difference of around 1383 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: Mercedes C Class Sedan manages with 1.60 L and is therefore significantly more efficient than the BMW 3 Series Saloon with 2.40 L. The difference is about 0.80 L per 100 km.

As for electric range, the Mercedes C Class Sedan performs slightly better – achieving up to 117 km, about 16 km more than the BMW 3 Series Saloon.

C Class Sedan

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the Mercedes C Class Sedan has a clearly perceptible edge – offering 680 HP compared to 530 HP. That’s roughly 150 HP more horsepower.

In acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes C Class Sedan is barely noticeable quicker – completing the sprint in 3.40 s, while the BMW 3 Series Saloon takes 3.50 s. That’s about 0.10 s faster.

There’s no difference in top speed – both reach 250 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: Mercedes C Class Sedan pulls noticeable stronger with 1020 Nm compared to 700 Nm. That’s about 320 Nm difference.

3 Series Saloon

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In curb weight, BMW 3 Series Saloon is hardly perceptible lighter – 1575 kg compared to 1695 kg. The difference is around 120 kg.

In terms of boot space, the BMW 3 Series Saloon offers minimal more room – 480 L compared to 455 L. That’s a difference of about 25 L.

When it comes to payload, Mercedes C Class Sedan to a small extent takes the win – 570 kg compared to 495 kg. That’s a difference of about 75 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Mercedes C Class Sedan is clearly superior overall in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

BMW 3 Series Saloon
Mercedes C Class Sedan

Costs and Consumption

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Engine and Performance

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Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis
from about £41,300
C Class Sedan

Mercedes C Class Sedan

  • Engine Type : Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Diesel MHEV
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 183 - 680 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 1.6 - 9 L
  • Electric Range : 11 - 117 km

BMW 3 Series Saloon

The BMW 3 Series saloon is a driver's car in a suit, blending poised handling with a cabin that feels more premium than its practicality suggests. It’s composed enough for daily duties yet playful enough to keep weekend drives interesting, making it a sensible choice for buyers who still want to have fun.

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Mercedes C Class Sedan

The Mercedes C‑Class is the compact executive that dresses like it owns the boulevard, with an interior that blends modern elegance and plush comfort to make everyday driving feel unexpectedly special. On the road it pairs poise with a hint of cheeky agility, rewarding drivers who want refinement without forfeiting a touch of fun — and yes, it still looks great in the driveway.

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BMW 3 Series Saloon
Mercedes C Class Sedan

Costs and Consumption

Price
39900 - 91000 £
Price
41300 - 103400 £
Consumption L/100km
2.4 - 10.1 L
Consumption L/100km
1.6 - 9 L
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
96 - 101 km
Electric Range
11 - 117 km
Battery Capacity
19.50 kWh
Battery Capacity
19.50 kWh
co2
54 - 227 g/km
co2
41 - 205 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
40 - 59 L
Fuel tank capacity
50 L

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
Sedan
Body Type
Sedan
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
4
Doors
4
Curb weight
1575 - 1960 kg
Curb weight
1695 - 2195 kg
Trunk capacity
375 - 480 L
Trunk capacity
315 - 455 L
Length
4713 - 4714 mm
Length
4751 mm
Width
1827 - 1903 mm
Width
1820 - 1900 mm
Height
1440 - 1446 mm
Height
1438 mm
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
405 - 495 kg
Payload
480 - 570 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Diesel MHEV, Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Diesel MHEV
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox, Manual Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
150 - 530 HP
Power HP
183 - 680 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.5 - 8.6 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.4 - 8.6 s
Max Speed
218 - 250 km/h
Max Speed
235 - 250 km/h
Torque
250 - 700 Nm
Torque
250 - 1020 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 6
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
110 - 390 kW
Power kW
135 - 500 kW
Engine capacity
1995 - 2998 cm3
Engine capacity
1496 - 1999 cm3

General

Model Year
2024 - 2025
Model Year
2024 - 2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E, F, G, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
E, B, D, G
Brand
BMW
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
What drive types are available for the BMW 3 Series Saloon?

The BMW 3 Series Saloon is offered with Rear-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive.

The prices shown are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted for local VAT. Local registration taxes (e.g. NoVA, BPM or CO2 malus) are not included. This information is not legally binding.