BMW Serija 3 E46 or Mercedes-Benz C-Klasa W203?

1998–2005 vs 2000–2007 · Sedan/Wagon/Hatchback 3-door vs Sedan/Wagon

In short

Length: Serija 3 E46 4,478 mm, C-Klasa W203 4,551 mm — a 7 cm difference.
Boot: Serija 3 E46 440 l, C-Klasa W203 470 l.
Lowest consumption: Serija 3 E46 5.5 l/100 km, C-Klasa W203 5.7 l/100 km.
Power: Serija 3 E46 85–170 kW, C-Klasa W203 85–160 kW.
Standard equipment: Serija 3 E46 18 items (Base), C-Klasa W203 23 items (Classic).
Neither is listed on Autodrom right now.

BMW Serija 3 E461998–2005 · 14 engines · Base, Edition Lifestyle, M Sport, Edition ExclusiveSpecifications →Listings →

Mercedes-Benz C-Klasa W2032000–2007 · 10 engines · Classic, Elegance, Avantgarde, Sport EditionSpecifications →Listings →

Only differences

better value

	BMW Serija 3 E461998–2005no listings	Mercedes-Benz C-Klasa W2032000–2007no listings
Dimensions
Length	Length4,265 mm–4,478 mm	Length4,526 mm–4,551 mm
Width	Width1,739 mm–1,751 mm	Width1,728 mm
Height	Height1,409 mm–1,430 mm	Height1,426 mm–1,467 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase2,725 mm	Wheelbase2,715 mm
Ground clearance	Ground clearance130 mm–140 mm	Ground clearance120 mm–150 mm
Trunk volume	Trunk volume310 l–440 l	Trunk volume455 l–470 l
Curb weight	Curb weight1,270 kg–1,625 kg	Curb weight1,385 kg–1,560 kg
Fuel tank	Fuel tank63 l	Fuel tank62 l
Engines
Production years	Production years1998–2005	Production years2000–2007
Body type	Body typeSedan, Wagon, Hatchback 3-door	Body typeSedan, Wagon
Number of engines	Number of engines14	Number of engines10
Power	Power85–170 kW (116–231 hp)	Power85–160 kW (116–218 hp)
Displacement (l)	Displacement (l)1.6–3.0	Displacement (l)1.8–3.2
Fuel	FuelPetrol, Diesel	FuelPetrol, Diesel
Gearbox	GearboxManual, Automatic	GearboxManual, Automatic
Drivetrain	DrivetrainRear-wheel, All-wheel (4x4)	DrivetrainRear-wheel
Lowest consumption	Lowest consumption5.5 l/100 km · 320d	Lowest consumption5.7 l/100 km · C 220 CDI
Best 0–100 km/h	Best 0–100 km/h7 s · 330i	Best 0–100 km/h7.4 s · C 320
Top speed	Top speed250 km/h	Top speed245 km/h
Trim levelsBase · Classic
Items in the base trim	Items in the base trim18 · Base	Items in the base trim23 · Classic
Items in the top trim	Items in the top trim33 · M Sport	Items in the top trim30 · Avantgarde
Equipment · Comfort6 · 7
Air Conditioning	Air Conditioning✓	Air Conditioning✓
Steering Wheel Height Adjustment	Steering Wheel Height Adjustment✓	Steering Wheel Height Adjustment✓
Steering Wheel Reach Adjustment	Steering Wheel Reach Adjustment✓	Steering Wheel Reach Adjustment✓
Front Power Windows	Front Power Windows✓	Front Power Windows✓
Rear Power Windows	Rear Power Windows—	Rear Power Windows✓
Power Steering	Power Steering✓	Power Steering✓
Power-adjustable mirrors	Power-adjustable mirrors✓	Power-adjustable mirrors✓
Equipment · Interior1 · 2
Fabric	Fabric✓	Fabric✓
Front centre armrest	Front centre armrest—	Front centre armrest✓
Equipment · Multimedia1 · 1
12V Socket	12V Socket✓	12V Socket✓
Equipment · Visibility & lights0 · 1
Heated Side Mirrors	Heated Side Mirrors—	Heated Side Mirrors✓
Equipment · Safety6 · 8
Driver's Airbag	Driver's Airbag✓	Driver's Airbag✓
Front Passenger Airbag	Front Passenger Airbag✓	Front Passenger Airbag✓
Front Side Airbags	Front Side Airbags✓	Front Side Airbags✓
Curtain Airbags	Curtain Airbags—	Curtain Airbags✓
Rear Isofix Mounts	Rear Isofix Mounts✓	Rear Isofix Mounts✓
Brake assist (BAS)	Brake assist (BAS)—	Brake assist (BAS)✓
ABS	ABS✓	ABS✓
Electronic Stability Control (ESP)	Electronic Stability Control (ESP)✓	Electronic Stability Control (ESP)✓
Equipment · Anti-theft2 · 2
Central Locking	Central Locking✓	Central Locking✓
Immobilizer	Immobilizer✓	Immobilizer✓
Equipment · Exterior2 · 2
Steel Wheels	Steel Wheels✓	Steel Wheels✓
Compact spare wheel	Compact spare wheel✓	Compact spare wheel✓
On Autodrom now
Listings	Listings0	Listings0

Frequently asked questions

Which is bigger — BMW Serija 3 E46 or Mercedes-Benz C-Klasa W203?

Length: Mercedes-Benz C-Klasa W203 4,551 mm, BMW Serija 3 E46 4,478 mm (a 73 mm difference). Wheelbase: 2,715 vs 2,725 mm. Boot: 470 vs 440 l.

Which uses less fuel — BMW Serija 3 E46 or Mercedes-Benz C-Klasa W203?

The most frugal BMW Serija 3 E46 uses 5.5 l/100 km (320d); the most frugal Mercedes-Benz C-Klasa W203 5.7 l/100 km (C 220 CDI).

Which is more powerful — BMW Serija 3 E46 or Mercedes-Benz C-Klasa W203?

The strongest BMW Serija 3 E46 makes 170 kW (231 hp) (330i); the strongest Mercedes-Benz C-Klasa W203 160 kW (218 hp) (C 320).

Other comparisons

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