1994-2000 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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1994-2000 Mercedes-Benz C-Class ▼
- Price Range: $1,900 - $11,500
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Pros
- Acceleration (C280, C36)
- Steering/handling
- Antilock brakes
Cons
- Wet-weather traction
- Road noise
- Rear-seat room
Vehicle Highlights
Mercedes-Benz sent its 190-series sedan into retirement after 1993, replacing it with a slightly larger C-Class sedan. Measuring 2.3 inches longer overall than the 190, and 1.2 inches wider, it rode a wheelbase one inch longer. The rear-wheel-drive, compact-size C-Class sedan came in two flavors. The C220 sedan used a 147-horsepower, 2.2-liter 4-cylinder engine with dual camshafts. The C280 sedan held a 194-horsepower, 2.8-liter 6-cylinder engine, also with dual camshafts. All models came with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Dual airbags were installed, along with antilock all-disc braking. Traction control was an option on the C280, governing both the throttle and the brakes.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Mercedes-Benz C280 Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 5 | |
| Fuel Economy | 3 | |
| Ride Quality | 6 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 6 | |
| Quietness | 6 | |
| Controls/Materials | 6 | |
| Interior Room | 6 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 2 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 3 | |
| Value within Class | 3 | |
| Total Score: | 46 |
Year to Year Changes
Our road test for the 1994-2000 Mercedes-Benz C-Class includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1994-2000 Mercedes-Benz C-Class and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1994-2000 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
All told, we've been impressed with the C-Class. This sedan is well worth a look if you're shopping in the luxury end of the compact-car league.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Mercedes-Benz C280 Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 5 | |
| Fuel Economy | 3 | |
| Ride Quality | 6 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 6 | |
| Quietness | 6 | |
| Controls/Materials | 6 | |
| Interior Room | 6 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 2 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 3 | |
| Value within Class | 3 | |
| Total Score: | 46 |
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $865 |
| Alternator | $330 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $1,035 |
| Brakes | $200 |
| Exhaust System | $650 |
| Radiator | $445 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $1,200 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $305 |
| Universal Joints | $545 |
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
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| 2000 | |||
| C230 | $7,000-7,900 | $6,200-7,000 | $3,300-3,700 |
| C280 | $7,500-8,400 | $6,800-7,600 | $3,800-4,200 |
| C43 | $11,800-12,800 | $10,600-11,500 | $6,600-7,200 |
| 1999 | |||
| C230 | $6,000-6,800 | $5,200-5,900 | $2,500-2,900 |
| C280 | $6,400-7,300 | $5,600-6,400 | $2,800-3,200 |
| C43 | $10,000-11,000 | $9,000-9,900 | $5,200-5,700 |
| 1998 | |||
| C230 | $5,100-5,900 | $4,300-5,000 | $2,000-2,400 |
| C280 | $5,700-6,400 | $4,900-5,500 | $2,300-2,600 |
| C43 | $8,500-9,500 | $7,700-8,600 | $4,400-4,900 |
| 1997 | |||
| C230 | $4,300-5,000 | $3,600-4,200 | $1,500-1,700 |
| C280 | $4,900-5,600 | $4,200-4,800 | $1,900-2,200 |
| C36 | $7,300-8,300 | $6,600-7,500 | $3,600-4,100 |
| 1996 | |||
| C220 | $3,600-4,300 | $2,900-3,400 | $1,000-1,200 |
| C280 | $4,100-4,800 | $3,400-3,900 | $1,400-1,600 |
| C36 | $6,200-7,000 | $5,400-6,100 | $2,700-3,000 |
| 1995 | |||
| C220 | $3,100-3,800 | $2,400-3,000 | $700-900 |
| C280 | $3,500-4,200 | $2,800-3,400 | $900-1,100 |
| C36 | $5,200-6,000 | $4,400-5,100 | $2,100-2,400 |
| 1994 | |||
| C220 | $2,600-3,200 | $1,900-2,400 | $500-700 |
| C280 | $3,000-3,600 | $2,300-2,800 | $700-800 |
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Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 4-door sedan | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 105.9 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 177.4 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 67.7 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 56.1 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3173 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 13.7 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 16.4 | |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 37.2 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.5 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 37.0 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 32.8 | |
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Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
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Powertrain Options and Availability
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| Supercharged dohc I4 | 2.3 / 140 | 185 | 200 | 5-speed automatic: 22/29 | 5-speed automatic: 22.8 |
| dohc I4 | 2.2 / 132 | 147 | 155 | 4-speed automatic: 23/29 | 4-speed automatic: -- |
| dohc I4 | 2.3 / 140 | 148 | 162 | 5-speed automatic: 23/30 | 5-speed automatic: -- |
| dohc I6 | 2.8 / 173 | 194 | 199 | 4-speed automatic: 19/26 5-speed automatic: 20/27 |
4-speed automatic: 19.2 5-speed automatic: -- |
| dohc I6 | 3.6 / 220 | 268-276 | 284 | 4-speed automatic: 18/22 5-speed automatic: 18/24 |
4-speed automatic: 19.7 5-speed automatic: -- |
| ohc V8 | 4.3 / 260 | 302 | 302 | 5-speed automatic: 18/23 | 5-speed automatic: -- |
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Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
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NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 1999 C-Class |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 4 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 4 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.








