Originally Posted by macct

Also, thank you to Vipershade. I appreciate the responses and your command of the car's specs.

Originally Posted by macct

I finally was able to test drive a C450 earlier in the week. Overall, the car felt tight and nimble for its size. My other impressions are:

* Acceleration from a standstill was good, but not really noteworthy. The C63, M3 and Macan Turbo feel more powerful off the line. Once moving, though it was fine. The car sounds great upon start-up, offering sounds beyond a luxury car, but far from boy racer.
* I prefer sport mode. The steering feels better and the car seems more coordinated than in comfort. The car moves well in Sport +, but I know I won't use it often.
* Steering feel was very good, offering more feedback than BMW. It was the major reason I crossed off the 4 series Gran Coupe from the list.
* Ride - firm and a bit unsettled. I think the unsettled may be from the runflats themselves or possibly being overinflated. I didn't notice a big difference between comfort and the other settings. I was expecting a firm ride, so it didn't really matter. Has anyone else noticed that?
* Handling was good. I really appreciate the feel of the car. I think the Gran Touring Runflats are the weak link, though. I can see having fun with this car with better tires. Not having high performance (summer or all seasons) is a let down.
* Noise level - more prominent than a C300, BMW 4 series or Macan Turbo, but more quiet and refined than an M3.

Overall, I really liked the car. I wish it had better tires and wider rims. I also wished you can have Sport or Custom as a default setting. Even though the C450 is not perfect for me, I ultimately decided it offered the best combination of the items I wanted. The other selection was a Macan Turbo. The Macan is also super nice. It handles exceptionally well for a small SUV. It is also so polished and the engine & transmission seem well sorted. In the end, though, I think the C450 will be more fun. It feels nimble, while the Macan doesn't.

Originally Posted by macct

I have a December build. The November slots wouldn't permit surround view or the performance seats. My build options are:

Iridium Silver
Black & Red int with Performance Seats
Carbon Fiber
Pano Roof
Hands Free
Multi Media
P2 & Parktronic
18" Wheels

I was going back and forth between the 18s and 19" 5 spoke wheels. I really want to change out the wheels (wider wheels) with better tires, and definitely not runflats. Not sure what my options are, or what will fit the car at this point.

Thanks for reading.

Originally Posted by iwork4wine

It seemed like production in Tuscaloosa was ahead of schedule. My sales rep was probably accurate indicating that a new engine type, even in an existing model takes time. How frustrating. I am glad your vehicle passed through the "Baltimore Triangle" quickly.

Originally Posted by iwork4wine

I cannot wait to see your interior. It should be sweet!!

Originally Posted by Vipershade

They misplaced the red engine covers



Yeah, lets hope the German configurator didn't make them look nicer than they actually are!

Originally Posted by iwork4wine

Those darn red covers where the hold-up.

I think the car looked nicer in person than what was shown on the German configurator. I was very concerned if I would like the vehicle on the way over to the dealership since I am essentially stuck with it.

The car was parked in the cross-walk between sales and service I was very happy with the first sighting. I am sure you will be very happy, if not I will trade yah (LOL).

Originally Posted by Vipershade

Your on!

Okay, I think you can safely update you signature/description info

Originally Posted by Vipershade

iwork4wine, you're going to get me back for that one, aren't you?

Originally Posted by iwork4wine

Yah better be quick with the trigger (regarding the profile change) when you get back from the dealer. (LOL)

Originally Posted by macct

Congrats to the new owners. Also, thank you to Vipershade. I appreciate the responses and your command of the car's specs.

I finally was able to test drive a C450 earlier in the week. Overall, the car felt tight and nimble for its size. My other impressions are:

* Acceleration from a standstill was good, but not really noteworthy. The C63, M3 and Macan Turbo feel more powerful off the line. Once moving, though it was fine. The car sounds great upon start-up, offering sounds beyond a luxury car, but far from boy racer.
* I prefer sport mode. The steering feels better and the car seems more coordinated than in comfort. The car moves well in Sport +, but I know I won't use it often.
* Steering feel was very good, offering more feedback than BMW. It was the major reason I crossed off the 4 series Gran Coupe from the list.
* Ride - firm and a bit unsettled. I think the unsettled may be from the runflats themselves or possibly being overinflated. I didn't notice a big difference between comfort and the other settings. I was expecting a firm ride, so it didn't really matter. Has anyone else noticed that?
* Handling was good. I really appreciate the feel of the car. I think the Gran Touring Runflats are the weak link, though. I can see having fun with this car with better tires. Not having high performance (summer or all seasons) is a let down.
* Noise level - more prominent than a C300, BMW 4 series or Macan Turbo, but more quiet and refined than an M3.

Overall, I really liked the car. I wish it had better tires and wider rims. I also wished you can have Sport or Custom as a default setting. Even though the C450 is not perfect for me, I ultimately decided it offered the best combination of the items I wanted. The other selection was a Macan Turbo. The Macan is also super nice. It handles exceptionally well for a small SUV. It is also so polished and the engine & transmission seem well sorted. In the end, though, I think the C450 will be more fun. It feels nimble, while the Macan doesn't.

I have a December build. The November slots wouldn't permit surround view or the performance seats. My build options are:

Iridium Silver
Black & Red int with Performance Seats
Carbon Fiber
Pano Roof
Hands Free
Multi Media
P2 & Parktronic
18" Wheels

I was going back and forth between the 18s and 19" 5 spoke wheels. I really want to change out the wheels (wider wheels) with better tires, and definitely not runflats. Not sure what my options are, or what will fit the car at this point.

Thanks for reading.

Originally Posted by Dr Chill

Confirmed the bad news. Car will arrive late October with designo Diamond white paint, designo saddle brown interior, and halogen headlights. Some unsuspecting old person will be buying it since we will be placing a new December build.

Originally Posted by inhartwetrust

Great review, thanks for posting. Was your test drive with the 18s or 19s? If the former, do you think the 19s and their performance tires would help mitigate the tire issue you were feeling?

Originally Posted by Vipershade

And when you think about it, it wasn't like they would do a brown stripe if you got the saddle brown designo interior.

Originally Posted by macct

The 19s should definitely provide better grip, being a summer high performance tire. I have no idea on ride quality, albeit run flats are always at a disadvantage compared to a typical design. IMO, the 18s leave a lot to be desire. While they may have been over inflated, their ride quality was not great on smooth roads and their handling capabilities contradict the performance aspirations of the car. I personally will not keep them on the car.

I didn't opt for the 19s, knowing I didn't love any of the wheels design and the tires would need to immediately changed out with delivery in December. I may do high performance all seasons on the 18s if I cant decide on what I want or do for wheels until the Spring.

Originally Posted by inhartwetrust

A sh*t streak/skidmark on the steerling wheel would be hilarious, though.

Originally Posted by inhartwetrust

Sounds great, thanks for the response. I'm in the same boat as you...trying to decide if I should just go with stock 18s and throw winter tires on them, then buy 19s from a 3rd party and put summer performance tires on them. Decisions, decisions.

I'm also with you on not loving any offered 19" wheel designs, I wish they had some all black wheels similar to the C63 offerings. That said, these (below) are growing on me - can anyone confirm they actually look this dark/black in real life and it's not just a photo effect? Most other pics they barely look black at all.

Originally Posted by inhartwetrust

A sh*t streak/skidmark on the steerling wheel would be hilarious, though.



Sounds great, thanks for the response. I'm in the same boat as you...trying to decide if I should just go with stock 18s and throw winter tires on them, then buy 19s from a 3rd party and put summer performance tires on them. Decisions, decisions.

I'm also with you on not loving any offered 19" wheel designs, I wish they had some all black wheels similar to the C63 offerings. That said, these (below) are growing on me - can anyone confirm they actually look this dark/black in real life and it's not just a photo effect? Most other pics they barely look black at all.

Originally Posted by Vipershade

If you also order the 281 steering wheel ($500), from what I was told, you should get the red stripe.

It would be nice for a confirmation photo on this... I'll see if I can find one from the dealers that have posted non-stock photos.

Originally Posted by skullboy

I was looking through pictures of actual cars arrived on dealer lot on Autotrader and did not see any steering wheel with color stripe at the 120'clock position at all, even the one that has the optional $500 performance steering wheel.

I was hoping for the red stripe to match the red seat belts and stitching.

Originally Posted by Waylon Zeng

Yep

Originally Posted by tmoneyC450amg

Damn this Joaquin Hurricane...the 450 been locked up since pick up date...looking pretty as ever though

Originally Posted by Vipershade

I think this thread may close the door on the designo interior / performance steering wheel white stripe at 12 o'clock question:

https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-c...a-leather.html

Multiple C63s have been spotted with this combination and none of them have a white stripe (all black / no stripes). This leads to the question of what combination does have the white stripe, and it seems that the white stripe is associated with the 851 – Black/Platinum White Nappa Leather $2,590 (and possibly 801 – Black Nappa Leather $2,590) which is not available on the C450.

I'll know for sure today, but it doesn't look good for the white stripe. And when you think about it, it wasn't like they would do a brown stripe if you got the saddle brown designo interior.

Originally Posted by apilla11

I am sorry I have not posted pictures yet of my AMG C450 I picked mine up last week on Saturday morning.

Will be posting pictures between now and this weekend.

For those of you waiting for your vehicle .... this car is amazing definitely worth the wait. Got the pleasure of driving it from New York down to North Carolina to test drive the new ride out.

Getting window tints installed this Friday will post the pictures probably after that

Originally Posted by Nautilus7

Has anybody noticed in the original C450 Dealer Ordering Guide, the Night Package changes the grill from Diamond to Two Louvers like in C400. What are your thoughts, which grill do you like more?
Thank you