stolenfire

I'm thinking the same thing. We will see the first of the sedans in September/October and going by MB's recent schedule, we might see the coupe in showrooms in spring 2016 (similar to this year's GTs and C63s?)

If that is the case, i might wait for that instead as well. Also, given that the 340i and the new B9 A4 around the corner, 2015 is looking to be an exciting year!

stolenfire

Please let us know if you hear anything

PS: Looks good here

Glyn M Ruck

Will do. It is the logical replacement for my 20,000 mile CLK. Won't sell the CLK ~ consider it a classic.

EDIT ~ I hope it's pillarless!

Mr Enigma

Glyn, 20k miles or 200k miles?

Glyn M Ruck

20K miles. 34,000Km's. As new. Still smells new. Not even a single paint chip.

Mr Enigma

Not many miles at all!

Glyn M Ruck

It's my toy. I have other transport. I'm a modest man that does not list all my vehicles.

stolenfire

http://www.worldcarfans.com/11504069...ced-from-59976


Edit: For European markets

bwoodbmw

Can somebody tell me what starting price is in Euros for the C400? trying to figure out the premium MB is looking at for a 450 over a 400.

bwoodbmw

according to this the starting price of C400 is EURO52,390 which means we're looking at nearly a EURO7,600 premium for the 450 over the 400??? I know it isn't a definite but north of an $8,000 premium in the US for the 450 makes me want to go buy a C400 right now.

edit to add link for German pricing: http://www.mercedes-benz.de/content/...figurator_w205

RA7822

Well apparently France has it priced from around 58500 euro, which would put the c450 more like a 6k premium over the c400 in the US market. This would put it closer to $54k usd, although I would not be surprised if it was slightly lower, since it will essentially be a mid-level C class, replacing the c400. At least I hope that's the case, since also the c450 also comes pre-packaged with an inferior Audio 20 audio system despite the additional upgrades.

Dabo

Wow! I just went to the German site and used their "build your car" tool to configure the C450 that I think I'd want. The price went from 59,976 euros to 82,611 euros. OMG!!! When I build a C400 using the MBUSA configurator, it adds only about 15% to the MSRP. This German configurator added nearly 40% to my practice C450 build. Can it really be that bad?


And to be clear, I wasn't adding anything ridiculous; just stuff you'd expect in a car of this class. The German-spec C450 appears to come almost completely stripped; so many things that you'd expect to be "standard" on a car of this class seem to be an add-on options. Even electrically adjustable seats with memory, heated seats, automatic climate control, the Burmiester stereo, etc, etc, etc.... ALL cost extra!


Does anyone know if this is normal? Does Mercedes typically strip down Euro-spec cars and build all kinds of things into USA-spec cars as "standard" that would be extra cost options in Europe?

Glyn M Ruck

That's if you build your own car. Typically dealer ordered showroom cars in Europe & SA come pretty well loaded. In the US because of your package system they are usually less loaded to keep sticker price down. For many years some options available in SA & Europe were not even offered in the US. e.g. You could not buy a W203 with Parktronic or Distronic.

autopal

How cars are priced in Europe, particularly in Germany, is way different than what we lucky folks in North America experience. Pay no attention to those prices if you are in USA or Canada. If you want to have an idea of the US prices, go on MBUSA, build a base C63 with the options you would want on the C450, minus 10 grand, and you should be pretty close. The US C450 will come very well equipped, and price close to a fully loaded C400

BenzC400

I built a C63 (not C63S) with the same options as my C400. It came to $78,060. The sticker on my C400 was $63,075. So, if you minus ten grand, you get to a $68,060 estimate for a similar C450. About a $5,000 increase. It will be interesting to see if it works out this way.

autopal

Should be pretty close. The information I have (not confirmed, but from a very good source) is that a US spec C450 with every possible option, will not hit 70, grand. MB expects to sell a lot more C450 than C63, and they also are going after volume with this car. The plan is to seriously attack Audi's S4 and BMW M performance 335, so we will see. It's because of the aggressive pricing, why they decide to discontinue the C400 in North America, as it is basically the C450 with a lot more capability, much richer AMG exhaust system for not much more money, so the feeling was the C400 was no longer needed. I was one of those customers that was looking on the C400, until word of the C450 started to hit the rumour mill. I'm kinda glad I waited. What is interesting is, whilst it's not a full fledged AMG, sales of this car will be credited to AMG sale numbers.

BenzC400

The only option I didn't spec was the pano roof. Had I added the roof, the C63 would be $79,540. Minus the ten grand, the C450 fully loaded would be just under that $70,000 figure.

autopal

How long have you had your C400? What's your impression of the car? I can't imagine needing more power as a daily driver, but the AMG exhaust on the C450 is what intrigues me most.

BenzC400

I ordered it in April 2014 and got it in September. I love the car. You certainly don't need more power (it's very fast), but I think having more power is a want not a need. If given the choice of a fully equipped C400 and similar C450, I would go for the C450. I would want the extra performance. It's not needed though. I also prefer have the the newest generation of a car. I was disappointed that the C400 is discontinued.

The only question or concern I would have is the ride quality of the C450. I'm very happy with the ride of the C400 on 19 inch wheels with AIRMATIC. I think the steel sport suspension is too firm for a daily driver. Since the C450 dosen't get AIRMATIC, I really don't know how soft or comfortable the C450 's adjustable will be, even when set to comfort mode.

Glyn M Ruck

Only answer to that is a test drive over roads you typically use. The adjustable magnetorheological shocks as fitted to W204 which were switchable made a marked difference in Comfort vs Sport mode. Only had 2 settings at that time.

BenzC400

That's the plan. I'll take a test drive as soon as a C450 is available. I bought the C400 without a test drive and got lucky. I'm very happy with the AIRMATIC ride. After reading about different ride qualities in the C Class on this forum, I wouldnt buy again without a comprehensive test drive.

autopal

On your C400, when you are in sport or sport plus, does it change the sound of the exhaust over the comfort or eco settings? Is there any "rumble" at all? Or just quiet? I'm curious

BenzC400

I'd have to say it's pretty quiet. I have taken some 0-60 max performance runs. It sounds good, but I really didn't notice a sound difference between modes. I wasn't looking for it though.

Glyn M Ruck

There should be no sound change. There are no exhaust flaps etc.

PeterUbers

I have yet to hear a Benz v6 give a v8 rumble