Mercedes-Benz C-Class: General Info and Specifications

This article applies to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2007-2014).

Mercedes-Benz is a global powerhouse that operates in all seven continents, and even though they are known for their passenger vehicle operations, they also produce industrial equipment, commercial trucking, and even construction machinery.

Yet, even with their catalog of offerings, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has the lion's share of the small luxury sedan market worldwide. Whether it's used as a Taxi in Germany or a family car in Los Angeles, the C-Class is offered in many trims and combinations. Once the C-Class was introduced in 1993, it filled a specific niche that competitors like BMW had struggled to fulfill, and due to its success, the need to produce adaptable models to multiple markets grew.

Fast forward nearly 20 years, and the current W204 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is broken down into four different models, starting with the entry level C250 going up to the more-equipped C300 and the luxurious and powerful C350. Although when it comes to raw power, look nowhere else than Affalterbach's mighty 401-horsepower C63 AMG, which sports a naturally-aspirated V8 engine and racing-bred Brembo rotors and calipers — most of which have been developed by the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team. Regardless of the trim, all C-Class models excel at luxury, comfort, reliability and, of course, turning heads. Below is a general overview of the W204 C-Class.

Model Breakdown

C250

This new "entry" level Mercedes-Benz starts off with a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder Turbocharged engine which produces 201 horsepower and 229 ft-lbs. of torque. It also delivers an unprecedented 22 MPG city and 31 MPG highway thanks to its high-tech seven-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive drivetrain.

C300

The next step up from the C250 in the Mercedes-Benz chain is the C300, which can be enjoyed in coupe or sports sedan, as well as rear-wheel drive and 4matic (all-wheel drive). The C300 steps it up to a 3.5-liter 248 horsepower 6-cylinder engine. This model propels itself from 0-60 MPH in a respectable 6.2 seconds, as when equipped with 4matic it carries 3,803 lbs. of high-performance steel.

C350

The C350 is as big and powerful as you can get in the C-Class range without stepping into AMG territory. The flagship C350 takes an enormous leap forward in power, all the way to 302 horsepower delivered from the same 3.5-liter engine used in the C300. The engine control unit (ECU) was reprogrammed for added performance and sportier behavior on the road. This version, too, can be had in RWD or 4matic. According to statistics, the C350 made up about 38% of the C-Class total sales, which means most customers were less performance-driven and more luxury-oriented.

C63 AMG

The C63 AMG is the top of the range C-Class offered by Mercedes-Benz. Designed and crafted in response to the BMW M3 of its era, the C63 uses a colossal 6.2L, naturally-aspirated V8 engine, which revs to over 7000 RPM while producing 480 horsepower and 443 ft-lb. of torque when equipped with the optional performance package. In addition to the nuclear weapon under the hood, the AMG received wider wheels and tires, larger brakes and a bespoke suspension setup. As the W204 chassis' lifespan developed, the C63 was offered in sedan, coupe, and wagon form. Special editions included the addition of an optional performance package, which increased power via the engine management, and the send-off edition, called the "507 Edition," which, as the name implies, offered a ludicrous 507 horsepower and a tidy 450 ft-lb. of twisting force.

Scheduled Maintenance

The following scheduled maintenance is directly from the C-Class factory booklet:

• 5,000 miles: Tire rotation.
• 10,000 miles or 1 year: Engine oil and filter replacement, replace dust filter, wiper blades, tire rotation, and check fluid levels throughout.
• 20,000 miles or 2 years: Engine oil and filter replacement, replace fuel filter, differential oil change, replace brake fluid, replace wiper blades, tire rotation, and check fluid levels throughout.
• 30,000 miles or 3 years: Engine oil and filter replacement, replace dust filter, wiper blades, tire rotation, and check fluid levels throughout.
• 40,000 miles or 4 years: Engine oil and filter replacement, replace fuel filter, replace brake fluid, axle differential fluid, wiper blades, tire rotation, and check fluid levels throughout.
• 50,000 miles or 5 years: Engine oil and filter replacement, replace dust filter, replace front and rear axle fluid, replace wiper blades and combination filter, tire rotation and check fluid levels throughout.
• 60,000 miles or 6 years: Engine oil and filter replacement, replace fuel filter, replace brake fluid, axle differential fluid, wiper blades, tire rotation, and check fluid levels throughout.

Common Questions

What is the difference between a regular C-Class and a 4matic?

All Mercedes-Benz C-Class models are rear-wheel drive, which means the power of the engine is directed to the rear wheels. A 4matic Mercedes-Benz means the power is directed to the four wheels, very much so like a two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive pickup truck.

Why are C-Class models so expensive to fix?

The truth is that no car in this modern day is cheap to repair or maintain, but a certain premium is added to luxury vehicles. That being said, most C-Class models can be kept out of harm's way so long as their scheduled maintenance is kept a priority. As always, dealership labor costs will be greater than most independent repair shops. Consider researching quality "indie" shops in your area; alternatively, if you want to tackle some DIY maintenance jobs and save money, browse the MBWorld.org 'How-To' section for helpful, step-by-step guides.

Related Sites

• Mercedes-Benz C-Class Specs - Edmunds.com
• Mercedes C350 Snapshot - Cars.com
• Scheduled Maintenance Planner - MBusa.com