It is not bad enough that are sports teams SUCK but they have to **** us off with the vehicle purchases too.

 

Does working in the past in NYC count for anything? Plus I live almost half-way between the 2 cities.

 

19' winter tires are expensive, plus, I wouldn't want to be changing tires on rims twice per year. You are not only damaging your tires each time, but you run the risk of damaging the rims as well. For winter, the recommendation is always one size down, and narrower tires, so I will be definitely getting a set of 18s for winter. Then I can do the switch myself. I just find it so much easier, and less hassle, and I don't think it cost me anymore over the 5 years I plan on keeping the car

 

Just got a call today from my dealer saying the last minute night package addition couldn't be placed last week because production already started. Looks like everything is still on track for early October delivery for me

 

Ok. Got an email from my salesperson telling me they just got their first C450 in, would I like to come in an take a look at it. "Can't drive it, but you can get in it and look around," he says. So, thinking it must be on the showroom floor, I go there and find out, no, it's on the shop floor. Turns out the car has been delivered for someone in corporate to drive, so it's not for sale, which is why I can't drive it. It''s not equipped like mine will be, but it is still a pretty sweet ride, so I'm still excited about the car. He says, "Start it up." "you said I can't drive it," I say. "You can't, but I want to hear it start!" Now, I'm comparing it to an 8 year old TL, but it did sound good: a deep low growl, and this is in comfort mode. So I'm a happy camper, but I still have to wait a month. Hopefully you all will finally get yours soon! Oh, and he talked to 'production', and my car will be built the way I ordered it, with no changes, despite the confusion on the MBUSA configurator

 

a couple dealerships around me are starting to show inventory on the web

 

Longtime lurker here. Was looking at the C400 last year but decided to wait for the C450. Saw on autotrader that there are a few in my area; before I could call my sales adviser he called to say that they have one available to drive (it was a sold order but a few days ago the buyer called to say they weren't taking it, so the car was now available to test drive).

The car: Iridium silver with black leather interior (red stitching), aluminum high-gloss black trim. Very lightly optioned: summer tires, rear-view camera, panorama sunroof and the hands-free access package. MSRP: $57,635.

The car looks great--a nice touch of aggressiveness over the C300/C400. Great looking wheels and calipers and I like the diamond grill. Interior is very sharp. The regular seats are quite nice but the side bolsters are tight (I'm 6' 210 lbs but a little too much of my weight is in the middle--trimmer drivers won't be bothered by the bolsters). I did have trouble adjusting the seat to my liking but I didn't spend much time on it--I wanted to drive the car!

One thing you notice right away--the exhaust. It's much sharper and more aggressive than the C300/C400 (at least, that's my memory; I haven't driven a C400 for four months). The exhaust note gets more distinct as you move to Sport+ mode. I started in comfort and immediately drove over a rough stretch of road. You felt the impacts but it wasn't harsh. I don't think I'd have any trouble using the car as a daily driver despite the surfaces I drive which range from brand new and smooth to "rough and needs replacing now!"

Took the car on some winding back roads but there was a lot of traffic (it was around 6:30PM and we were close to town) so I couldn't really wind it out. From my limited testing, the engine is great: it sounds good, is responsive, and feels very strong. My sales adviser pointed me to some traffic circles (aka roundabouts) where I could speed through complete circles --the car felt very composed and cornered well. (The C400 handled similar curves with far less composure.)

Slight negatives: as mentioned, the seats (but I think I'd probably be fine with some more adjusting. They felt great but I didn't like how I was sitting--felt like I was leaning just a little forward). The steering is very direct but a little light and it didn't seem to improve much in sport+; I was surprised to get back in my A4 and feel that it had slightly better (or maybe just more familiar) steering. The car also feels "large"--it's not a huge car but it's not an S3. Of course, I need four doors for the next several years so this isn't really a negative. (And it helps the backseat room: with the driver's seat adjusted for me, I fit fine in the backseat. The transmission tunnel is low enough and narrow enough that a child or teen in the middle seat will be able to handle it.) Last: I really don't like the column-mounted shifter (but I'm sure I'll get used to it).

Overall: great car! Felt like a very refined S4 and I didn't even begin to test its limits. It's not cheap (whenever I option it, I get past $60,000 really quick) but the combination of luxury, sport, looks, and available safety equipment is extremely hard to beat. I still want to compare to the Jaguar XE (great looks, almost as powerful supercharged V6, and highly praised handling) but if I got a great deal on a C450 right now, I'd be extremely tempted to take it and not look back.

One other issue: I asked my adviser about the availability of ventilated seats. He said that they have been removed from the interior package (something we knew from the configurator) but are available as an option (although you have to get the interior package with its leather seats to choose this option). I haven't had time to confirm that on the configurator.

Looking forward to more reviews--hope everyone who ordered one gets their car as soon as possible!

 

Nice brief review! Certainly makes me feel like I made the right choice in not getting a preowned C400.

I'd double check on the ventilated seats. I don't even think it's a standalone option. Having asked the dealership and some other, I didn't get a good response on that. My salesperson also contacted MB HQ to double check but to no avail. It's pretty similar to what MBUSA did to the C63, in which the ventilated seats were stripped for "performance purposes", so afaik the Alabama plant doesn't have any ventilated seats in stock for assembly.

 

Welcome! Good info, thanks for sharing that.

If I had to take a wild guess, I would say that you were in Dublin, OH when you took your test drive...

...close?

 

Ha, Crown Eurocars of Dublin? That'll be my Benz dealer when I go to place my order in early 2016 (need to pay off my school loans in full first!). Have heard great things and my sister and brother in law have had great experiences there, so I wouldn't be surprised if that were the dealer the lucky poster was working with.

To the guy who posted the review, great read and thanks for taking the time to post! Has made me even more excited for when my time to order comes.

 

Thank you for the great feedback.

 

I think that I am going to take your advice and purchase 18" rims with the winter tires. The on-line retailers actually show availability with these tires. It should be a lot easier than remounting 19" tires. The rims are not nearly expensive as M-B's OE.

Does any one know what 19" summer performance tires are on the C450? The DOG just indicates 225/40 R19 RF (Front) and 255/35 R19 RF (Rear).

 

FYI for those waiting on the C450... I had placed an order in late July (long island, ny) and was originally told to expect delivery in mid October. Was surprised to just get a call from my sales rep indicating that the car is at VPC and he should expect the car to be delivered in about 5 days!

 

That's great news. I ordered mine on 7/28. Just saw my guy yesterday and he told me the car is scheduled to be built on 9/28. Hopefully they'll move mine up. They sure are taking their own sweet time in presenting this car.

 

Good luck having your car released from the VPC. Mine was down in the "Black Hole/Bermuda Triangle" since 8/27 and it just left today. Hopefully your vehicle will not be in limbo for a month.

 

C450 is in at Ft. Mitchell, KY dealership. Will pick up on Saturday. Looking forward to a little Saturday afternoon cruise.

 

Congrats and looking forward to some pics.

Mine is supposed to arrive at the dealership tomorrow but I will believe it when I see it. I am a little skeptical since the sales rep already missed 3 estimated ETAs. I am too busy to grab it if by the grace of god it does show-up Friday. Hopefully, I can get my financing together tomorrow.

 

In fairness to your sales rep he/she is probably just going off the information Mercedes provides - it's their fault the cars are being delayed. My rep told me an ETA of 9/20 which was missed, then arrival this week and delivery on Sat, and just now bumped to next week. Trying to get some more details from him but I bet mine's just sitting at the VPC too.

 

I don't blame the sales rep. He is just the messenger. I honestly thought there was a problem with the vehicle and was seeking alternative transportation. It looks like I should be good to go soon.

 

http://www.smailmercedesbenz.com/new...le-greensburg-

At least it's not a PA boycott... these are the first two that I have actually seen in a PA dealer's inventory.

 

I am in trouble ... Mine maybe still be a valid boycott since I ordered the vehicle in Princeton, NJ. TMoney is off the hook.

 

You're good... Nothing at Princeton yet (except for a boat load of GLE450 AMG Sports ), but Catena has two: http://www.raycatenaunion.com/new-in...or-bodyStyle-0

 

Will C400 winter tire package fit in the C450? The dealer says C450 package costs $4800 versus $2800 for C400...

 

You should be seeing a C450 show-up in Princeton shortly unless they do not add sold vehicles to the on-line inventory. I finally have the word that "The Eagle Has Landed".

 

I know the tire size is the same for the C450 as the C400 but I am not sure about the rim width. I am pretty sure they are the same since I have been shopping at TireRack.com using a C400 as the car for selecting ires. They finally added the C450 on Tuesday to their website.

$4,800.00 Sounds outrageous. Mine priced-out ~$1,900.00 with 18" rims and Pirelli Sottozero 210 Series II Run Flats.