The Mercedes-Benz 400 is a compact car built from 1992 to 1993 over 2 generations. Between 1992 and 1993 it grew 23 cm longer and gained 245 kg. Engines offered: V8. Worth buying? It scores near the top of what we track at 4.5/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the 400 is
The Mercedes-Benz 400 is a compact car that Mercedes-Benz built from 1992 to 1993 — 2 model years. Our measurements put it at 2 generations, the current one starting in 1993. It has been offered with V8 power. Its closest siblings in the Mercedes-Benz range: 300, 560, 260.
400 generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the 400's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the 400 that gives 2 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 476 cm | 280 cm | 1750 kg | - | - |
| 1993 | 499 cm | 297 cm | 1995 kg | +23 cm | +245 kg |
Between 1992 and 1993 the 400 gained 23 cm in length (+4.8%) and 245 kg in weight (+14.0%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the 400 that is 245 kg against 23 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Mercedes-Benz 400 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment 400 owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Mercedes-Benz 400 have? Power & range
The Mercedes-Benz 400 is offered with 1 powertrain — 4.2L 8-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 1 for the Mercedes-Benz 400, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 | 4.2L · 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | RWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
The 400 by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Mercedes-Benz 400. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | 400 | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 3 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Reliability | 4.5 / 5 | Best and worst years |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Mercedes-Benz 400?
The 400 is a compact car, built from 1992 to 1993 across 2 generations. Engines offered: V8.
How many generations does the 400 have?
2 by our measurements, the latest starting in 1993. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the 400 grew 23 cm longer and gained 245 kg.
What is the Mercedes-Benz 400 warranty?
New models carry 4 years / 50,000 miles basic cover and 4 years / 50,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the 400 reliable?
It scores 4.5/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific 400?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
More in Mercedes-Benz
| Model | Years | Recalls | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz G-Class | 1999–2026 | 75 | — | 3.5/5 |
| Mercedes-Benz Sprinter | 2010–2026 | 143 | — | 4.0/5 |
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 1994–2026 | 213 | — | 4.0/5 |
| Mercedes-Benz S-Class | 1994–2026 | 176 | — | 3.5/5 |
| Mercedes-Benz 300 | 1981–1993 | 11 | 26 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Mercedes-Benz 350 | 1983–1991 | — | 21 mpg | 4.5/5 |
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.