The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is one of the most popular cars worldwide. It gained popularity since the debut of the 190E, which brought affordable Benzes to the masses, and it refused to break down no matter what. Back in the 1990s, Mercedes was dominating the sedan segment with its W124 E-Class. The introduction of the C-Class, however, enabled Mercedes to offer their lower priced cars to a wider array of consumers.
The third generation C-Class was produced from the year 2000 to 2007. It carried a ton of engine opinions, it came with a rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive, and a 6-speed manual, or a 5 and 7-speed auto. The third-gen C-Class also came in three different AMG models - including a diesel, which never came to the US.
Thanks to the help of depreciation, you can find a ton of used third-gen C-Class cars today that sell next to nothing.
The Third-Gen Mercedes-Benz C-Class Engine Options In Detail
Mercedes-Benz injected a wide array of engine options since the year 2000. Europe got a 4-cylinder diesel option in the form of the C200 or C220 CDI in the pre-facelift models. Soon after, a 5-cylinder engine came in, named the C270 CDI. The C270 made 170hp in stock internals - AMG tuned the very same engine to produce the C30 AMG, which is the first and last diesel AMG engine ever produced.
Diesel engines never came to the US, but the bulletproof C320 and C240 did. This was up until Mercedes facelifted to a whole new range of engines. The facelifted C-Class came to the US markets in 2005. Two new engine options were available, a supercharged inline-four and a NA V6, which Mercedes used across all ranges of the V6 until late 2011. The supercharged inline-four was named the C230 Kompressor, producing 190 horsepower, while the V6(C230) got 204 blazing fast horses. All-wheel-drive came with the C240 and C280 V6. The same array of engine options was available for Europe as well, but they got different power ratings due to emissions regulations.
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Across the three AMG engines, the C55 gets us the most excited. This was around the time Mercedes replaced the supercharger from their AMG engines to use a bigger engine displacement to produce more power. The switch was made from the C32, a 3.2-Liter V6 supercharged engine that produced 354 horsepower, to the C55, which boasted 5.4-liter and made 367 horsepower together with a climb in torque of 376 lb-ft. The list of engine options, paired with a compact sedan styling and lightweight body, make for a perfect first-time car or a drift project, and here is why.
The Third-Gen C-Class Is A Surprisingly Great Project Car
Getting your hands into some German horsepower can be a bit expensive, especially when counting labor and parts. The third-gen C-Class, however, never came with any of the fancy Airmatic suspension Mercedes is known to be expensive for, and it’s relatively easy to work on. The fact that most of these models came with rear-wheel-drive and independent rear suspension already makes the little Benz capable of drifting.
It also came in a 6-speed manual transmission for both the European and American market. Pair that with a supercharged inline-four, and you've got yourself an already capable car. Modding is also much easier than expected - the supercharger, or as Mercedes likes to call Kompressor, can be an easy upgrade by just replacing the Kompressor pulley. It also produces a nice sound when revving to 6,500 rpm. The V6 engines are naturally-aspirated, but they produce great power too. An ECU tune can pump up the power to 255-280 horsepower without causing damage to the stock internals. The V6 engines also come in a 7-speed automatic, which allows the car to hold gears longer and go faster, too.
The Third-Gen Mercedes-Benz C-Class Is Also Dirt Cheap
One of the best parts about this generation C-Class is the price. The third-generation C-Class can be found anywhere between $2,000-$8,000 depending on where and from whom you buy. There are plenty of these listed in auctions, Facebook marketplace, or any dealer lot.
Here Are The Best Third-Gen Mercedes-Benz C-Class Models To Buy
It goes without saying that there will be weak points of this generation C-Class. Our best advice is to shop for a facelifted model. These are the models produced after 2004 when Mercedes improved this car in more than one way. The pre-facelift models have a very weak point you can never fix - rust, unless you are buying from a state where there are only hot climates like California.
The facelifted models also get better engines. If you are shopping in the US or Canada, the C230 V6 will be more than capable of daily driving and a bit of rear-wheel drive burnouts. It also came in a manual in the US, but that’s very rare to see. The C55 AMG is also one of the best models to get, and it’s one of the cheapest AMG models you can get your hands on - it retails for about 8500$ according to recent data in Cars And Bids. Surely, in 2022, the third-gen C-Class might not be the fanciest car you can get but as per its price, it can be the best first car for anyone no matter the case.