Newzchspy

X2, there's no replacement for displacement. But, spinnin ain't winnin too!! That's the AMG. V8 for you. I've had 3 AMG V8s and one V6 SC. Easiest to mod: the C32 V6 SC by far. Best sound: C55 with Kleemann shorty headers. Best in snow : ML55 and ML 63 by far with Nokians of Blizzaks. Easiest to launch: any AWD vehicle.

Coincidentally as I write this, I see that the GTR AND TT PORSCHE , both AWD are still whooping up on the new Z06 (C7) ; you gotta love the AWD. SEE Car and a Driver April 2015

PeterUbers

Will check that out... Still waiting for the unicorn mid engine awd vette.... The rwd vette is a death trap! Lots of YouTube vids of vettes wrapped around trees

Most of my life is spent between 0 to 80mph so awd and 600hp was a win win for me... Gets me through 8 inches of snow too and rips around town leaving chargers and hellcats in the dust

Now they just have to bring the gtr's Godzilla ugly looks into the 21st century... I had high hopes for the eau rouge Infiniti that we will likely never see

dtc100

Let's suppose you are right to believe that C450 is a true AMG because MB told you so. I am afraid no one would believe you, because it does not have a true AMG badge at the right place.

My suggestion is, as soon as you drive your new C450 off the lot, waste no time, head straight to a shop and ask them to slap an AMG badge on the butt.

You do not want a 15 year old to laugh at you when you give him the story that MB salesman says my car is a true AMG, when he can easily see you don't have that badge in the right place

dtc100

You have just made my point.

BMW traditionally had younger buyer age than MB, and MB is trying to change that by introducing new styles, yet in your above statement you did not use "m sport" nor "c450 amg", because m sport line did not reduce BMW driver age, I doubt c450 will either.

It is the other things you mentioned that will potentially attract younger buyers-the sportier new generations of C Class, and the CLA/A classes.

Mr Enigma

I suppose that makes sense. I do think the "M Sport" or "AMG Sport" (or whatever it is being called) will change the demographic of buyers but perhaps this does not materially change the age profile of buyers.

I agree that the CLA (and other similar cars) have reduced the age of drivers buying an MB as the car is at a lower price point and can be purchased by younger people who typically have less disposable income. Add this to the sportier looks then you have a win for MB - they are touching on a new younger customer base that will probably buy a few more MBs later on.

I remember when I brought my W204 when I was 25 and everyone was telling me that an MB was for older people - apparently I should be getting a BMW instead... But ultimately you get the car you want more rather than what what other people say you should be getting.

Newzchspy

And for those of us who debadge our cars I guess it doesn't matter huh??? Some like it HOT, some like to keep em guessing.

coladin

you are right... There is the C450 AMG that slots below the C630 AMG. Oh wait...

trueblue_ips

Dtc100, I have no interest in badges and would prefer to debadge competely if this is an option as it is with bmw.

This whole debate was kicked off by another poster's thread which asked if you can buy AMG badges to stick on the back of the c450. That brought out incredible levels of snobbery from C63 owners with some ridiculous comments from posters such as jrcart.

mbenzc32

Good morning Everyone,

In the AMG PL forum, people of authority have stated "A Car Tuned by AMG, is NOT a True AMG. " It is that PLAIN and SIMPLE folks. Although the ad, marketing, and to some degree some badging indicates this is an AMG, it probably and most likely a half-baked, poser, fake, wannabe, AMG.

Have a great day everyone.

Drive safe,
MBenzC32

trueblue_ips

Arggghhhhhhh,
I can just imagine the total denial on the AMB PL forum. It is not just AMG tuned. Here are just a few extracts from MB official press release for the c450:

"The AMG brand promise....can now be experienced by an even broader target group. The C450 AMG 4MATIC expands the product range with another new AMG. An attractive entry into the world of AMG...the characteristic AMG body styling leaves no doubt that this model is part of the Mercedes-AMG model family"

Mr Enigma

The engine has not gone through the same build process as a true AMG. If that is key to your purchase then this is not the car for you.

BTW, knowing from previous posts that you are in the UK you'll be interested to know that the most recent review of the car say that the car won't be available in the UK until June 2016.

'Left-hand-drive markets get the C450 from June 2015. UK sales, however, don’t start until June 2016. Why? Because this is the first 4Matic C-class, and engineering the application for right-hand drive is responsible for the delay.'

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-rev...c-2015-review/

trueblue_ips

Mr Enigma, what do you mean by "True AMG"? It's either an AMG or it isn't. And it is. I personally couldn't care whether it is or not as I've stated on many posts that the "one man one engine" thing means nothing to me. That is way down on my list of priorities for a new car, below where the cup holders are placed.
The AMG brand is evolving with this car. The statement "if it hasn't got a hand built engine it isn't an AMG" is no longer correct. The statement "AMG cars towards the high end of the range tend to have hand built engines" is now more accurate.

Disappointing news on the release date as I ain't getting a left hand drive. Will you hang on for it?

Newzchspy

It may be half baked, but it'll beat my former C32 and yours. Stock and modded.

Mr Enigma

I personally don't care if it has an AMG brand on it or not, so a debate on this point and whether it's an AMG or not doesn't interest me in the slightest. I just want a capable car for my personal needs and wants. But from your posts you do care about the products AMG identity.

Hypothetically, I wonder if in 6 months post C450 purchase you will be twitching at the prospect of moving into a C63(/S)?

Regarding release date: I very much doubt the left-hand drive will be offered in the UK. I'm not sure if I will wait. My initial response would be to say I would wait because I can't see anything in that level of performance that beats the C class at this moment in time. If I get the C200 I can see myself wanting to move away from it after a few years because it might feel underpowered for my long term needs. I just sold my Audi R8 V10 last Friday but I barely drove that in the last year, racking up less than 2k miles. I did more driving in my wife's car since it's preferable for short trips to the shops and gym etc. I suppose I could upgrade my wife's car in the meantime which is what we were planning to do anyway...

Who knows what the future holds - the June 2016 date could just be speculation by the article and they bring it out sooner? I hope so.

[EDIT: Surely you must understand that this is just a large marketing ploy by MB for them to say it is a true AMG for the sole purpose of encouraging sales? Once MB have broken into the market and gained enough market share (which I think they will do with this product) they will probably ease off the mass marketing as a true AMG. This is probably a very heavily discussed and argued marketing choice for them - a very risky one as well.]

mbenzc32

Hello trueblue_lps,

Lets think about this for a minute. If this is as SIMPLE as a REAL and TRUE AMG, these C450 AMG Sport owners would have been given access to the AMG PL forum website. The FACT that it is a [I]half-baked, poser, fake, wannabe AMG,[I] they are NOT given access to the AMG PL forum my friend. PLUS they do not get the privilege of participating in the ADA Driving Academy at a discounted rate.

Drive safe,
MBenzC32

coladin

A true AMG has been renamed and rebranded. No longer is it Mercedes-Benz AMG. There are Mercedes-Benz models, such as the C450. Then there are Mercedes-AMG models. Like the C63.


It doesn't get an clearer than that. AMGs have 2 numbers nomenclature, not 3. Mercede-Benz models have 3. Mercedes-AMG have 2. Again, it is as clear as day the difference.


You bang your head against the wall pal. You are right about one thing, the AMG brand has evolved. Some like to say "diluted", I prefer to think of it as spirinkling their engineering prowess and bits in the Mercedes-Benz lineup. The evolution is the new name: Mercedes-AMG.


And the C450 does not belong in that group of cars.

coladin

See, I don't think the car has to be disparaged though. Most people around here get it, notably the AMG owners that this car is not an AMG. However, losers who want to proclaim this car as an AMG will be laughed at but I don't see why the car has to be dragged into this. I think it is going to be a great car, and critics so far agree.

Mr Enigma

+1.

trueblue_ips

coladin, MB state the c450 is part of the Mercedes-AMG group of cars. Fact.
It is an AMG car. Fact. have you read their press release? I can't see how they can have made it any clearer. It is a new car in the AMG range of cars. That is clear and unambiguous.

I agree 100% there is a discussion to be had about what the future holds for AMG with this car. But the discussion about whether it's an AMG or not is redundant. MB are as clear as clear can be that it is.

As for the PL, I fully expect c450 owners to be granted access to this. i bet the same arguments were had when the cla45 was released.

trueblue_ips

Mbenz, how do you know this? The car has isn't even been released. We're only now getting the very firSt test drives of it for goodness sake.
The AMG range of cars is expanding, like it or not. There are lots more c450 amg type cars coming.

jrcart

I am not going to lie, I was hoping and praying the W205 C63 would be offered on 4-matic.I would have picked one up for a daily. I was disappointed when I learned it would not be an option. That being said I will not lower my standards and buy a half AMG poser mobile. I would buy a C400 before I bought a fake AMG. I own a non-AMG GL550, I have no issues with non-AMG MB's.

I guess we will have to agree to disgree on the topic of wheter or not it is a poser ride. I say it is and you say it is not, we are all entitled to our own opinions. Bottom line it is a slippery slope and where do you draw the line. This could open the door to even more vanilla offerings from MB being labled with the AMG name and AMG badging. I simply do not like the direction they are taking things.

As for the CLA45, not sure what you are getting at. I would take a CLA45 over a C450 any day of the week. I have a very very good friend with a CLA45, it is bone stock right now, let me know when you take delviery of your C450 so we can line both cars up and see which one is quicker. I put my money on the CLA45.

jrcart

Sorry, but it is probably less than 70% of the AMG C63. Smaller brakes, different transmission and over 100 less HP.

jrcart

Yep, the C450 is a real AMG....right up until the time a C63 pulls up next to you at a stoplight lol.

#C450 #fakeamg

VFORCE09

Well Said Mbenzc32 on comment above


It looks like i will be one of those buying the C450 for my wife because she likes it but no way will I ever say it's a real AMG just an AMG sport package with a tune. so the bottom line is that people will believe its an AMG no matter what you say to them and for that more power to them..

bwoodbmw

Another hilarious thread on this topic.... people put WAY too much stock in a simple badge around here. Worry about the car, not the name of the car. I don't think anybody in here is arguing that the C450 is faster or a better track day super star than the C63. The 450 is interesting to me. I will never take my daily driver to a race track. I want something with a bit of luxury. I commute 7 miles a day, mostly in traffic. I don't need something thats rip roaring snorting and shooting flames out of its tail pipes to prove something in those 7 miles. That said when I get on the highway I want to have plenty of power to put the car where I want it to be and when I want it to be there. When I do go on the occasional longer drive I want it to be engaging and interesting to drive. C450 seems to be a sweet spot for me. Literally don't give a flying **** if it says AMG on it or not.