2026 BMW 3 Series 330i vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C 300
What owning it really costs, all in
The value it loses plus what it costs to run — the cheaper car to buy isn't always the cheaper car to own.
You don't have to decide today. Save a little each week and your car fund keeps growing — pick the car when you're ready and the down payment is already there.
Start my car fundHave the Downly app? Open it hereBuying either one means a big payment up front — around $8,723 for the 2026 BMW 3 Series 330i or $8,909 for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C 300. Leasing can let you keep that money working for you instead of handing it to the dealer. See your monthly and how much cash you'd keep — lease vs buy, side by side.
Questions people ask
At a fair price the 2026 BMW 3 Series 330i costs less — about $43,616, versus $44,544 for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C 300.
They're close — both keep about 50% of their value after three years.
Looking at the whole picture — the value it loses plus what it costs to run — the 2026 BMW 3 Series 330i costs less to own over three years, about $25,216 (roughly 70¢ a mile), versus $25,644 for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C 300. The cheaper car to buy isn't always the cheaper car to own. A national-average guide, not a quote.
A common starting point is about 20% up front — that's roughly $8,723 for the 2026 BMW 3 Series 330i or $8,909 for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C 300. Start a fund and it keeps growing while you decide.
It's worth a look if you'd rather keep your cash. Buying either one means a big payment up front — around $8,723 for the 2026 BMW 3 Series 330i or $8,909 for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C 300. Leasing usually skips most of that, so that money stays yours instead of going to the dealer — Downly suggests putting $0 down on a lease. See lease vs buy for either car to compare the monthly and how much cash you'd keep.
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