2026 Mercedes-AMG® C 63 vs. 2027 BMW M3
The 2026 Mercedes-AMG® C 63 S E PERFORMANCE Sedan and the 2027 BMW M3 Competition xDrive Sedan are all-wheel-drive performance sedans that start at $88,000 and $88,600, both excluding destination. The C 63 S E PERFORMANCE produces 671 horsepower and 752 lb-ft of torque to the M3 Competition xDrive’s 523 horsepower and 479 lb-ft, and reaches 60 mph in 3.3 seconds to the M3 Competition xDrive’s 3.4 seconds. BMW includes scheduled maintenance for 36 months or 36,000 miles, and Mercedes-Benz publishes no included scheduled maintenance.
Key differences
- The C 63 S E PERFORMANCE produces 671 horsepower and 752 lb-ft of torque to the M3 Competition xDrive’s 523 horsepower and 479 lb-ft.
- The C 63 S E PERFORMANCE reaches 60 mph in 3.3 seconds and the M3 Competition xDrive in 3.4 seconds.
- The M3 Competition xDrive has a curb weight of 3,990 lbs to the C 63 S E PERFORMANCE’s 4,817 lbs.
- BMW includes scheduled maintenance for 36 months or 36,000 miles. Mercedes-Benz publishes no included scheduled maintenance.
- The C 63 S E PERFORMANCE starts at $88,000 and the M3 Competition xDrive at $88,600, both excluding destination.
Main matchup
| Specification | 2026 Mercedes-AMG® C 63 S E PERFORMANCE Sedan | 2027 BMW M3 Competition xDrive Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP, excluding destination | $88,000 | $88,600 |
| Destination charge | $1,250 | Not published by BMW |
| Engine | Handcrafted AMG® 2.0L inline-4 with electric exhaust-gas turbocharger and rear 150kW electric motor, P3 Performance Hybrid System | 3.0-liter BMW M TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 671 hp | 523 hp |
| Torque | 752 lb-ft | 479 lb-ft |
| Transmission | AMG® SPEEDSHIFT® MCT 9-speed | 8-speed M Steptronic Sport Transmission with Drivelogic |
| Standard drivetrain | AMG® Performance 4MATIC®+ all-wheel drive | M xDrive all-wheel drive |
| 0-60 mph | 3.3 sec | 3.4 sec |
| Top speed | Not published | 155 mph, electronically limited |
| EPA combined fuel economy | 20 mpg, 2025 EPA rating | 18 mpg |
| Curb weight | 4,817 lbs | 3,990 lbs |
| Seating capacity | 5 | Not published by BMW |
| Cargo volume | 11.6 cu ft | Not published by BMW |
| New vehicle limited warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
| Powertrain warranty | No separate term published | No separate term published |
| Complimentary scheduled maintenance | None | 36 months / 36,000 miles |
| IIHS award, this model year | TOP SAFETY PICK | Not yet rated |
Notes: BMW does not publish a destination charge, seating capacity, or cargo volume for the 2027 M3 on bmwusa.com. Mercedes-Benz does not publish a top speed for the 2026 C 63 S E PERFORMANCE. fueleconomy.gov has no 2026 entry for the C 63 S E PERFORMANCE, so the 20 mpg combined figure is its 2025 EPA rating. The IIHS award shown is for the 2026 C-Class sedan, and IIHS does not rate the Mercedes-AMG® C 63 S E PERFORMANCE separately.
Performance matchup
Mercedes-Benz offers one C 63. BMW offers two further M3 trims, both rear-wheel drive.
| Specification | 2026 Mercedes-AMG® C 63 S E PERFORMANCE Sedan | 2027 BMW M3 Sedan | 2027 BMW M3 Competition Sedan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP, excluding destination | $88,000 | $79,300 | $83,500 |
| Destination charge | $1,250 | Not published by BMW | Not published by BMW |
| Engine | Handcrafted AMG® 2.0L inline-4 with electric exhaust-gas turbocharger and rear 150kW electric motor, P3 Performance Hybrid System | 3.0-liter BMW M TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder | 3.0-liter BMW M TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 671 hp | 473 hp | 503 hp |
| Torque | 752 lb-ft | 406 lb-ft | 479 lb-ft |
| Transmission | AMG® SPEEDSHIFT® MCT 9-speed | 6-speed manual | 8-speed M Steptronic Sport Transmission with Drivelogic |
| Standard drivetrain | AMG® Performance 4MATIC®+ all-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive |
| 0-60 mph | 3.3 sec | 4.1 sec | 3.8 sec |
| Top speed | Not published | 155 mph, electronically limited | 155 mph, electronically limited |
| EPA combined fuel economy | 20 mpg, 2025 EPA rating | 19 mpg | 19 mpg |
| Curb weight | 4,817 lbs | 3,840 lbs | 3,891 lbs |
| Seating capacity | 5 | Not published by BMW | Not published by BMW |
| Cargo volume | 11.6 cu ft | Not published by BMW | Not published by BMW |
| New vehicle limited warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles | 4 years / 50,000 miles | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
| Powertrain warranty | No separate term published | No separate term published | No separate term published |
| Complimentary scheduled maintenance | None | 36 months / 36,000 miles | 36 months / 36,000 miles |
| IIHS award, this model year | TOP SAFETY PICK | Not yet rated | Not yet rated |
Notes: BMW does not publish a destination charge, seating capacity, or cargo volume for the 2027 M3 on bmwusa.com. BMW publishes torque, top speed, and curb weight on its M3 technical highlights page, which does not state a model year. The 20 mpg combined figure for the C 63 S E PERFORMANCE is its 2025 EPA rating, because fueleconomy.gov has no 2026 entry.
Arriving soon
Mercedes-Benz announced an all-new C-Class on October 26, 2026, with the C 350 and C 350 4MATIC® reaching US dealerships in the first half of 2027. The announcement does not include an AMG® C 63 variant. Mercedes-Benz USA announcement
BMW announced an all-new eighth-generation 3 Series on September 29, 2026, with US sales beginning in the first quarter of 2027. BMW did not announce an M3 version of the new generation. BMW of North America announcement
Maintenance
Mercedes-Benz publishes no included scheduled maintenance for the 2026 C 63 S E PERFORMANCE. BMW includes scheduled maintenance on the 2027 M3 for 36 months or 36,000 miles. Mercedes-Benz Prepaid Maintenance plans are available at Mercedes-Benz of Columbus North.
Why shop the C 63 at Mercedes-Benz of Columbus North
- America’s first AMG® Brand Center, with a dedicated AMG® showroom and AMG®-trained specialists
- No market adjustments above MSRP and no mandatory dealer add-ons on any new vehicle. See How We Price
- AMG® service with AMG®-specific tooling. See Mercedes-AMG® service
Questions
Is the Mercedes-AMG® C 63 S E PERFORMANCE Sedan faster than the BMW M3 Competition xDrive Sedan?
The C 63 S E PERFORMANCE reaches 60 mph in 3.3 seconds and the M3 Competition xDrive in 3.4 seconds. The C 63 S E PERFORMANCE is rated 671 horsepower and the M3 Competition xDrive 523 horsepower.
Which has more horsepower, the Mercedes-AMG® C 63 S E PERFORMANCE Sedan or the BMW M3 Competition xDrive Sedan?
The C 63 S E PERFORMANCE produces 671 horsepower and the M3 Competition xDrive 523 horsepower.
Which costs more to start, the Mercedes-AMG® C 63 S E PERFORMANCE Sedan or the BMW M3 Competition xDrive Sedan?
The M3 Competition xDrive starts at $88,600 and the C 63 S E PERFORMANCE at $88,000, both excluding destination.
Which includes scheduled maintenance?
BMW includes scheduled maintenance for 36 months or 36,000 miles. Mercedes-Benz publishes none, and Mercedes-Benz Prepaid Maintenance plans are available at Mercedes-Benz of Columbus North.
Where can I test drive a Mercedes-AMG® C 63 near Columbus?
At the AMG® Brand Center at Mercedes-Benz of Columbus North, 7990 State Route 37 East, Sunbury, Ohio 43074.
View AMG® Inventory Request a Test Drive
Sources
- https://www.mbusa.com/en/vehicles/model/c-class/sedan/c63w4se
- https://www.mbusa.com/en/vehicles/class/c-class/sedan
- https://media.mbusa.com/news/2026-mercedes-benz-model-line-updates
- https://media.mbusa.com/news/the-new-mercedes-benz-c-class
- https://www.mbusa.com/content/dam/mb-nafta/us/owners/manuals/2026/MY26PCWarrantyBooklet.pdf
- https://www.mbusa.com/en/owners/service-maintenance/prepaid
- https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/m-series/m3-series/bmw-m3-sedan.html
- https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/m-series/m3-series/bmw-m3-sedan-technical-highlights.html
- https://www.bmwusa.com/explore/bmw-value/bmw-maintenance/ultimate-service.html/1000
- https://www.bmwusa.com/explore/bmw-value/bmw-maintenance/terms-and-conditions.html/1000
- https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/49018.shtml
- https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/50324.shtml
- https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/50325.shtml
- https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/50326.shtml
- https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/mercedes-benz/c-class-4-door-sedan/2026
Last verified: October 29, 2026
Specifications and prices are from each manufacturer’s US website or press release as of the date above and may change. Starting MSRP is the manufacturer’s base price and excludes the destination charge, taxes, title, registration, options, and dealer fees. BMW, M3, Porsche, 911, Land Rover, and Range Rover are trademarks of their respective owners. Mercedes-Benz of Columbus North is not affiliated with BMW, Porsche, or Land Rover.