Hagerty’s 2025 Bull Market List notably features no sports sedans, unless you count the Dodge Magnum SRT-8, and I do not (it’s awesome, but it’s a wagon). With the popularity of SUVs and historic trucks, are sporty 4-doors a dying genre? Rising prices for the great sport sedans of the 1980s and 1990s show that interest is pretty strong — so strong, the average enthusiast is priced out of many cars. Today’s Market Monday will focus on a car that might be future collectible: the Mercedes-Benz C36/43 AMG.

The E28 BMW M5 has become a highly collectible sedan and values have increased accordingly. The models that succeeded the E28, the E34 and E39 M5 have similarly taken off in value, likely spurred by the rise of the E28. You might think the competing Mercedes models might offer an affordable alternative, with the brand’s focus on luxury and predilection for automatic transmissions, but the mightiest Mercs are darn expensive.

The rare AMG-massaged Mercedes-Benz 300E 5.6/6.0L “Hammer” is already a blue chip collectible—a Gullwing for a new generation. Other Mercedes hot-rods like the W124 Mercedes-Benz 500E and W201 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evo I and Evo II are six-figure cars, with the Evo II pushing a quarter of a million dollars in value.

If you’ve missed the boat on cars like these, as I have, you may wonder what might be an as-yet undiscovered collectible. The E30 and E36 M3, especially the Lightweight, have started to become desirable with prices rising in recent years. I’ve always liked the looks of the E36–they still had the design language of the E30 but in a more modern package. The market doesn’t seem to have discovered the Mercedes-Benz equivalent yet: the C36/43 AMG.

The C36 and C43 AMG were built on the W202 chassis, which in 1993 succeeded the 190E and defined the new C-class of compact executive sedans and wagons. They were constructed as the first official partnership venture between Mercedes and (its new subsidiary) AMG. I’ve always really liked the understated design of the first-gen C-class, probably because it’s a gentle evolution of Bruno Sacco’s design for the W201. The interior, thankfully, builds on the brutally simple ergonomics of the previous design without succumbing to 90s blobbiness.

The C36 was the first of the AMG-modified variants of the C-class and featured a warmed-over 3.6-liter straight six engine putting out 280hp. The upgraded engine delivered 74 more horsepower than the stock C280s engine, and torque numbers were impressive at 252 lb-ft. A heavier differential from the upcoming E-class helped put the power to the tarmac safely. Bigger brake discs front and rear were necessary given the additional power, and to improve handling the springs and roll bars were both stiffened up.

Exterior modifications were pretty subtle by AMG standards, consisting of a modified front air dam with fog lights, side skirts and near rear valance capped off with 17 inch wheels and AMG badging.

While the C36 was intended to be a competitor to the Bavarian’s M3, the C63’s automatic transmission held it back in 0-60 times. The Merc’s handling just couldn’t compete, but it was on-brand for Mercedes and delivered a comfortable ride.

In 1997, AMG improved its work on the C36 by cramming a 4.3-liter V8 into the C-class. Car and Driver noted in its 0-60 test that the C43 was actually 0.1 second slower than the inline 6 of the previous car and half a tick slower than an M3, despite the V8 block being signficantly lighter.

Editors did praise the improved handling of the C43, however, as well as its supremely comfortable seats. Bodywork was slightly revised and perhaps less sharp than the C36, but this was the late 90’s after all.

The average price for the Mercedes-Benz C36 is around $12,000 and for the C43 it’s $15,000. Expect a car at that price point to be in average condition, with a few flaws and pushing 100,000 miles. Dealer retail for a similar car seems to run at around 20% higher than private party, unsurprisingly.

The highest sale in the graph above for the C36 was a 56,000 mile car in excellent condition. Expect to pay a bit more for the V8-powered C43. In my opinion, the sweet spot between price and condition for a usable classic is a car that falls between average and high. With V8 power rapidly vanishing in modern cars, the C43 may represent a slightly better investment.

Comparing the C36 AMG to its class equivalent from BMW, the E36 M3, the value proposition for the Merc becomes obvious, especially at the high end. While the M3 is the better performer, the Merc is a close competitor. If your driving preferences lean toward comfort with gutsy performance when you need it, the Merc delivers.

The Mercedes-Benz C36/43 AMG cars are pretty rare, though rarity is no guarantee of desirability. Around 1,000 C36 and 1200 C43s were imported to North America from 1995-2000 with just 5,000 built world-wide for each model. These cars will never be as valuable as a McLaren SLR or a 500E, but I think it’s only a matter of time before collectors find these and values start to increase. Rising tides and all that. If you’re on the hunt for a usable modern classic that is likely to appreciate in value, find one of these in a dashing color (best of luck!) and hold on to it.

Personally, I’m a little torn between these two cars. The C36 has the more durable 4-speed automatic and a slightly more aggressive body kit, but is powered by a V6 and suffers from the biodegradable engine harness syndrome, I believe. The C43 on the other hand makes V8 noises, but has the softer bodywork and a somewhat troublesome 5-speed auto. It reminds me a bit of the 1.9L vs 1.6L debate for the Peugeot 205 GTi or the 8v vs. 16v argument for the Lancia Delta integrale. Maybe just buy the best C-class AMG you can find.

What do you think? Will the W202 AMGs be future collectible? Let me know in the comments!

Wolf and Mare provides car finding, appraisals, and auction services for buyers and sellers of collector European cars. If you’re interested in acquiring an overseas car, give us a call or drop a line!