BMW 3 Series vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The BMW 3 Series starts from $94,700 before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz C-Class opens at $76,900. That makes the Mercedes-Benz C-Class the more affordable entry point by $17,800.

Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $104,170 and $84,590 respectively.

Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.

ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.

The BMW 3 Series features a 14.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Mercedes-Benz C-Class gets a 11.9-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The BMW 3 Series stands out with Harman Kardon audio — features our data doesn't list for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class counters with head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the BMW 3 Series gets sensatec synthetic leather upholstery while the Mercedes-Benz C-Class offers synthetic leather.

The BMW 3 Series uses a Petrol producing 190kW and 400Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.8 seconds.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class responds with a Petrol making 150kW and 300Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.3 seconds.

The BMW 3 Series has the clear power advantage at 190kW vs 150kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW 3 Series is 1.5s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

The BMW 3 Series measures 4,713mm long on a 2,851mm wheelbase, 38mm shorter than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class at 4,751mm (2,865mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 480L in the BMW 3 Series and 455L in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, giving the BMW 3 Series a 25L advantage.

For towing, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 1,600kg. That 200kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,853/year for the BMW 3 Series and $1,967/year for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. That is a $114 annual difference in favour of the BMW 3 Series.

Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (BMW 3 Series) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz C-Class). Both match on warranty length.