Compare the2024 Mercedes AMG C-Class SedanVS 2024 BMW M3

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes AMG C-Class Sedan have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision. The BMW M3 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes AMG C-Class Sedan are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW M3 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the AMG C-Class Sedan. But it costs extra on the M3.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The AMG C-Class Sedan offers optional Car-to-X Communication, a system that seemlesly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The M3 doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

Both the AMG C-Class Sedan and M3 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the AMG C-Class Sedan has Active Brake Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The M3’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the AMG C-Class Sedan and the M3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, with its optional vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the AMG C-Class Sedan its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 131 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The M3 has not been tested, yet.

There are over 10 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the AMG C-Class Sedan’s warranty.

The AMG C-Class Sedan has more powerful engines than the M3:

As tested in Car and Driver the AMG C 63 S E is faster than the M3 Competition (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the AMG C-Class Sedan running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the M3:

The AMG C 63 S E can travel with zero emissions for 7 miles. The M3 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the AMG C-Class Sedan’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The M3 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The AMG C-Class Sedan has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the M3 (17.4 vs. 15.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Mercedes AMG C-Class Sedan comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the M3.

The AMG C-Class Sedan offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The M3 doesn’t offer an SMG.

The AMG C-Class Sedan stops much shorter than the M3:

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the AMG C-Class Sedan offers optional 20-inch wheels. The M3’s largest wheels are only 19-inches in the front and 20-inches in the rear.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the AMG C-Class Sedan can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The M3 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The AMG C-Class Sedan’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The M3 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better maneuverability, the AMG C-Class Sedan’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the M3’s (39.3 feet vs. 40 feet). The AMG C-Class Sedan’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the M3 xDrive’s (39.3 feet vs. 41.3 feet).

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the AMG C 63 S E is quieter than the M3 Competition:

The AMG C-Class Sedan has .4 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear legroom and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the M3.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the M3, the AMG C-Class Sedan has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The AMG C-Class Sedan’s standard easy entry and exit feature raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The M3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

Heated windshield washer fluid is standard on the AMG C-Class Sedan to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The M3 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

The AMG C-Class Sedan offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the M3.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the AMG C-Class Sedan third among compact premium cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The M3 isn’t in the top three.