Those of you who have test driven or own a C400 please chime in
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2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
Well I figure the 2015 C Class debuted at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show in January, so I think it's likely the 2016 show will have 2016 models. The salesman I spoke to today said that C Class coupes, apart from the C63, are part of the 2016 lineup as well as a hybrid model. He didn't know when the C450 was coming out but confirmed that it is replacing the C400.
M
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From: New Hampshire, USA
C450 (pre-ordered Jan 14)
When I got a chance to drive an Airmatic car, I didn't like it. It made the car feel heavier and it felt softer in every setting, even Sport+. Given what I was looking for, that was bad news, but there was something else that disturbed me much more. Over bumps and in other quick handling maneuvers, I got the distinct feeling that the rear end of the car was wallowing a bit, moving slightly side to side. I don't think it would have been perceptible to a passenger, but to me the side to side motion was really disconcerting. If you're looking for a sporting ride, I'd say the Airmatic is really not the way to go. If you're looking to tone down the stiffer-than-your-average-car suspension in the C400 and get a softer, smoother ride, and you're not planning to drive it like a sport sedan, I'd say the Airmatic option would be a good move.
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2015 C400 loaded
Can anyone who has driven or owns a C400 with 19" wheels and airmatic describe the ride quality? In Canada the only way to get the AMG interior on the C400 is as part of the sports package which includes airmatic and 19"s. I like the AMG interior but there are no testers with that configuration that I can test drive. The last thing I want is to end up with a car that feels like it's running on roller skates.
I have every single option you can get but the 19 inch wheels. I live in the city and wouldnt make sense, id kill those rims
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17 E43; 21 GLS580
Same here that's the only option I didn't order. I was afraid that the big wheels would lead to a crunchy ride, plus, stylistically, I like the AMG star wheels better since they show way more of the nice painted calipers. I didnt get the rear shades either because it would have delayed my build. My kids rarely use them anyway and I drive my car alone 90+% of the time.
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2015 C400 loaded
Same here that's the only option I didn't order. I was afraid that the big wheels would lead to a crunchy ride, plus, stylistically, I like the AMG star wheels better since they show way more of the nice painted calipers. I didnt get the rear shades either because it would have delayed my build. My kids rarely use them anyway and I drive my car alone 90+% of the time.
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From: WI
17 E43; 21 GLS580
At least you guys get rear climate control, I don't think it gets any colder in Canada than in WI, nevertheless we don't get that option, nor heated rear seats (I don't know if you get those).
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17 E43; 21 GLS580
I did get the parking option simply to get the front parking sensors. I could care less about the self parking feature which is mostly useless anyway since if the car is able to self park, anyone with a modicum of ability should be able to park in the same spot with ease.
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We don't get rear climate control either, nor heated rear seats. Maybe they'll offer those in the 2016 model. I'm tempted to just import a US spec C400 cuz it's cheaper even after paying duties but the MPH speedo would be an issue. I guess the other alternative is to wait till 2016s come out and see if AMG interior will be available with steel springs and 18s, or maybe just buy a set of 18's with non run-flats and throw those on.
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From: WI
17 E43; 21 GLS580
We don't get rear climate control either, nor heated rear seats. Maybe they'll offer those in the 2016 model. I'm tempted to just import a US spec C400 cuz it's cheaper even after paying duties but the MPH speedo would be an issue. I guess the other alternative is to wait till 2016s come out and see if AMG interior will be available with steel springs and 18s, or maybe just buy a set of 18's with non run-flats and throw those on.
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G37x Coupe
That's interesting to know. I did ask the salesman about rear climate control as I'd seen it on Euro spec models. It wasn't on his list of 'hidden' extras that could be added. It wasn't that big a deal to me as I can count the times I've had rear passengers in the last 10 years with one hand. I do think it's a nice feature though.
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17 E43; 21 GLS580
That's interesting to know. I did ask the salesman about rear climate control as I'd seen it on Euro spec models. It wasn't on his list of 'hidden' extras that could be added. It wasn't that big a deal to me as I can count the times I've had rear passengers in the last 10 years with one hand. I do think it's a nice feature though.
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*
On the Canadian model that I sat in, the rear climate controls are made up of two circular vents with a small round knob in between to control the direction of the heated or cooled air. It doesn't allow the rear passengers to control the temperature as far as I could tell.
Last edited by vols1; Nov 6, 2014 at 08:31 AM.
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late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
The rear control is particularly appropriate for hot, humid Asia and especially for the LWB model for China. Aside from personal use many of these cars will be in Taxi, Hotel & Airport collection service.
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17 E43; 21 GLS580
BTW it looks like a little robot face without the smile!!!!! Poor Bender!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/light3000/8325672474/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/light3000/8325672474/
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2015 C400
It seems like every review I read on the new C-class prefers the C300 over the C400. They claim to prefer the more nimble handling and also that the 2.0L turbo provides adequate power.
However, after driving the C400 the power is just too tempting to resist.
My question is... do you guys have any complaints about the following in the C400
-Transmission lurching at low speeds or during braking
-Ride quality being too firm for comfort on not so smooth roads in the city (without airmatic).
Those are my two main concerns.
Yes, I know I can test drive the car again to decide what's right for me but I wanted your valuable inputs as well.
However, after driving the C400 the power is just too tempting to resist.
My question is... do you guys have any complaints about the following in the C400
-Transmission lurching at low speeds or during braking
-Ride quality being too firm for comfort on not so smooth roads in the city (without airmatic).
Those are my two main concerns.
Yes, I know I can test drive the car again to decide what's right for me but I wanted your valuable inputs as well.
I live about a 90 miles from the dealership that I bought my C400 from. I have about 600 miles on the car most of which are highway miles due to having to drive back and forth to the dealership to get the recalls taken care of. The dealership is about 80 miles from my house. The first time when I went in to get the interlock steering mechanism checked out the tires that were also on recall were on back order. So between excepting delivery and the other 2 trips I'm sitting at just over 600 miles. I work from home and live less than a mile from the center of town so my local millage has been minimal. I accepted delivery about a month an a half ago and haven't noticed any of these issues during my travels. I have been somewhat reserve during these trips back and fourth due to the engine break in period but not to the point where I wouldn't have gotten a decent feel for the transmission yet. It is pretty damn smooth if you ask me. From my opinion I think all the trash talking I have heard about this car is pretty
much a bunch of bs..
My last car was a 2011 C300 and these engines are like night and day. Personally I couldn't justify spending that kind of money on the 2015 C300 and getting a 4 cylinder engine. There really is not a comparison between the new biturbo 6 and the 2 liter 4 they are offering. The new biturbo 6 is what they are running in the sl400 so for a little extra I would rather the power than ending up with a 4 cylinder engine. I can go to honda and get a car if I want a 4 cylinder and it certainly wouldn't cost 40k, lol..
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B200T
I live about a 90 miles from the dealership that I bought my C400 from. I have about 600 miles on the car most of which are highway miles due to having to drive back and forth to the dealership to get the recalls taken care of. The dealership is about 80 miles from my house. The first time when I went in to get the interlock steering mechanism checked out the tires that were also on recall were on back order. So between excepting delivery and the other 2 trips I'm sitting at just over 600 miles. I work from home and live less than a mile from the center of town so my local millage has been minimal. I accepted delivery about a month an a half ago and haven't noticed any of these issues during my travels. I have been somewhat reserve during these trips back and fourth due to the engine break in period but not to the point where I wouldn't have gotten a decent feel for the transmission yet. It is pretty damn smooth if you ask me. From my opinion I think all the trash talking I have heard about this car is pretty
much a bunch of bs..
My last car was a 2011 C300 and these engines are like night and day. Personally I couldn't justify spending that kind of money on the 2015 C300 and getting a 4 cylinder engine. There really is not a comparison between the new biturbo 6 and the 2 liter 4 they are offering. The new biturbo 6 is what they are running in the sl400 so for a little extra I would rather the power than ending up with a 4 cylinder engine. I can go to honda and get a car if I want a 4 cylinder and it certainly wouldn't cost 40k, lol..
much a bunch of bs..
My last car was a 2011 C300 and these engines are like night and day. Personally I couldn't justify spending that kind of money on the 2015 C300 and getting a 4 cylinder engine. There really is not a comparison between the new biturbo 6 and the 2 liter 4 they are offering. The new biturbo 6 is what they are running in the sl400 so for a little extra I would rather the power than ending up with a 4 cylinder engine. I can go to honda and get a car if I want a 4 cylinder and it certainly wouldn't cost 40k, lol..
Turbos and engine designs have moved on a lot from the days that number of cylinders and engine size were the only way to decide on a car's engine performance. This is why Mercedes and BMW model numbers no-longer (necessarily) correspond with engine size.
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2015 C400
It's not just about the cylinders. You can get a Honda with a V6 under 40K as well.
Turbos and engine designs have moved on a lot from the days that number of cylinders and engine size were the only way to decide on a car's engine performance. This is why Mercedes and BMW model numbers no-longer (necessarily) correspond with engine size.
Turbos and engine designs have moved on a lot from the days that number of cylinders and engine size were the only way to decide on a car's engine performance. This is why Mercedes and BMW model numbers no-longer (necessarily) correspond with engine size.
This is very true. My 2011 C300 was a really good example of it.
The specs:
2011 C300 3.0 liter naturally aspirated V6
228 hp
221 ft-lbs.
2015 C300 2.0 liter turbo
241 hp
273 ft-lbs.
In this case the 4 banger wins performance wise and you are very right...
But in the case of the 2015 C300 vs the C400 it certainly is a different story..
The specs:
2015 C400 3.0 liter bi-turbo V6
329 hp
354 lb-ft
2015 C300 2.0 liter turbo
241 hp
273 ft-lbs.
I'm no mechanical engineer or anything but I am pretty sure even if you moded these cars there is no way you would be able to make the C300 power output match the C400 power output if they were both maxed out to their potential ..
The point I was trying to make with the honda comment was that the engines in their cars are not far enough off in performance from the 4 cylinders that are offered in BMW's, Audi's or Benz's in their lower price point production models like the CLA class and C class. Cars like the CLA45 AMG are a different story.
I have had an audi A4 at the same time as a Honda accord and both were the same model year. While the Audi is obviously much nicer it isn't so much so to justify the price difference if performance is what you're after. At least not to me anyway.
