The ‘Baby Benz,’ as it was once known, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, had already established itself as a significant upgrade from the 190E four years prior. Known for enhanced performance and a more spacious interior, the Mercedes Benz C Class 99 models took another leap forward, particularly appealing to the American market with even more potent engines under the hood.
This year marked a notable power boost for the C230. Now badged as the C230 Kompressor, it benefited from supercharging, resulting in a substantial increase of 37 horsepower and 38 foot-pounds of torque. This pushed the figures to an impressive 185 horsepower and 200 foot-pounds of torque, respectively. This upgrade transformed the C230’s performance, making it significantly more responsive and engaging to drive.
The C280, equipped with a V6 engine, also saw improvements. While the displacement remained the same, the engine was refined to produce more low-end torque than its predecessor. This translated to improved acceleration from a standstill and enhanced drivability in everyday situations. Furthermore, this enhanced performance came without sacrificing fuel efficiency, making the C280 a more appealing all-around package.
Sitting at the top of the mercedes benz c class 99 range was the formidable C43 AMG. This supersedan was powered by a robust 4.3-liter V8 engine, unleashing 302 horsepower at 5,850 rpm and a matching 302 foot-pounds of torque, available between 3,250 and 5,000 rpm. The C43 AMG was the successor to the admired C36 sedan (produced from 1995 to 1997) and represented the latest collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and AMG, the renowned German tuner with decades of experience modifying and racing Mercedes vehicles. With this level of power, coupled with an adaptive transmission and distinctive AMG styling cues, the C43 AMG firmly cemented its place within the Mercedes-Benz performance tradition, while also standing out as a unique and exhilarating model.
Beyond engine enhancements, the mercedes benz c class 99 also incorporated advanced safety technologies. Side-impact airbags became standard, enhancing occupant protection in the event of a side collision. The innovative BabySmart airbag system was also included, designed to automatically disable the front passenger airbag when a Mercedes-Benz child seat was properly installed in the front passenger seat. Another significant safety feature was Brake Assist, a system that intelligently detected emergency braking situations and automatically applied maximum braking force to help reduce stopping distances.
The 1999 model year offered three distinct mercedes benz c class 99 variants: the C230 Kompressor, the C280, and the C43 AMG. The C230 Kompressor, when using the manual shift mode of its automatic transmission, could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just over eight seconds. This represented a notable two-second improvement compared to the previous year’s naturally aspirated C230. The six-cylinder C280 naturally offered even quicker acceleration than the C230 Kompressor. Regardless of the model, handling was described as confident and sure-footed, and braking performance was commendable. The C230 Kompressor, being slightly lighter than the C280 by approximately 100 pounds, was perceived as being a touch more agile in its handling characteristics.
In terms of pricing, the base price for the mercedes benz c class 99 C230 Kompressor started just above $31,000. Stepping up to the more powerful C280 required an additional investment of around $4,000, but this included not only the 2.8-liter V6 engine but also added features such as dual power front seats and an upgraded eight-speaker Bose stereo system. The high-performance C43 AMG positioned itself at the top of the range, entering the market at $53,000. While potential buyers might also consider competitors such as the BMW 328i, Lexus ES300, or Mazda Millenia, the mercedes benz c class 99 C-Class presented a compelling value proposition within its class. This was especially true when considering the compact car’s blend of luxury appointments, spirited performance, and robust build quality, making it a strong contender in the premium compact sedan segment.
