Chrysler 300C vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class wins on money kept: 56% retained after three years vs 49%, worth about R 492 620 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| 300C | E-Class | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 528 990 | R 1 331 478 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 9 246/m | R 23 272/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 70% | 77% |
| Retained after 3 years | 49% | 56% |
| Value after 3 years | R 257 590 | R 750 210 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 271 400 | R 581 268 |
| Value after 5 years | R 181 474 | R 533 167 |
| Our tier | Orphan & discontinued | Premium (established) |
Chrysler 300C →
The 300C gave SA buyers full-size American presence for less than the German equivalents, from R359,900 at its 2005 launch to R528,990 for the 3.6 V6 by 2013. A Mercedes-derived 3.0 CRD diesel and the 6.4 SRT-8 bookended the range. Values fell hard once Chrysler left in 2017, so used examples now look very cheap against original list.
Known for: hemi v8 presence for e-class money
Mercedes-Benz E-Class →
The E-Class has long been the choice of established professionals who find the C-Class too small. Recent generations sell in modest numbers new but keep a solid reputation for comfort and technology. Depreciation is heavy in the first few years, typical of large German sedans.
Known for: comfort-first executive sedan
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Chrysler 300C or the Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class. It keeps about 56% of its price after three years against 49% for the Chrysler 300C, a gap of 8 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Chrysler 300C loses about R 271 400 over three years and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class loses about R 581 268. Fuel, insurance and servicing can narrow or widen that, but the depreciation gap is the number to start from.
What do they cost per month?
On typical finance (10% deposit, 72 months, 11.75%), the Chrysler 300C runs about R 9 246 per month and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class about R 23 272, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.