Search Consumer Guide Auto and the Web
 

1994-2000 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Date Published: 2/20/08

1994-2000 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
More Photos

Price Range:
$2,500 - 14,600

Class:
Premium Compact Car
1994-2000 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Expert Rating 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
Ratings: Maximum 10 points per category
Chart: One rating chart provided for a representative model
1994-2000 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS BUYING RESOURCES
Search Local Listings
 
Sell Your Car
 
Free CARFAX Record Check
 
1994-2000 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Review
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.
Year to Year Changes
1995 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: A new Electronic Traction System applied brakes to either drive wheel if slippage is noted, transferring more power to the opposite wheel. ETS replaced an automatic-locking differential on the C220's option list. Acceleration Slip Control, a more advanced system that also employed throttle control, remained optional on the C280. This year, it gained a dashboard switch that permitted turning off the throttle-control portion, leaving only the braking function. A high-performance, limited-production C36 sedan debuted in spring of 1995 with a dual-cam 3.6-liter 6-cylinder engine that made 268 horsepower. The C36 model also got a firmer sport suspension, 17-inch wheels and tires, and color-keyed exterior trim.
1996 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Except for a few new standard features, little changed for the third season of the Mercedes-Benz entry-level sedan.
1997 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: A base C230 model with a 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine replaced the C220. Horsepower rose only slightly, but torque grew from 155 to 162 pound-feet. A new 5-speed automatic transmission replaced the 4-speed unit, with adaptive electronic control that modifies shift action to match the operator's driving style. The airbag system now includes a front-seat occupant detection sensor, which deactivates the passenger-side airbag if it detects a weight of less than 26 pounds on the seat.
1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: The C-Class gets a host of revisions for 1998. Gone is the inline 6-cylinder in the C280, replaced by a V6 engine of the same displacement and horsepower rating. Also new is a high-performance model called the C43. It is powered by a 302-horsepower V8. Other changes include revised styling and a new "Smart-Key" anti-theft ignition system.
1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Changes included a new standard engine for the base model, standard traction control, and a new sport handling package on C230 models. The base engine was a supercharged version of the old and sported an additional 39 horsepower.
2000 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Automatic transmissions gained Touch Shift manual-shifting capability, with a separate gate. A telescoping steering column and antiskid control moved from optional to standard.
Car Buying Resources

Trade-In Calculator

Research how much your car is truly worth

Trade-In Calculator



Used Cars

Search online classifieds and find a local dealer
Search Local Listings

Vehicle History Report

Get a CARFAX Vehicle History... the first step to protecting yourself from costly hidden problems.



What's Under the Hood?

Learn about how cars work.

Learn things



Insurance

We're dedicated to making insurance easier.

Get Insurance



Sell Your Car

Reach over 8 million buyers
Sell Your Car
    Find a Used Car
Price Range:
to
 Radius:
    Vehicle History Report

FREE CARFAX Record Check
Looking at a used car, check for costly hidden problems before you buy.