C450 AMG Sport discussion only.
The car does indeed always start in comfort mode, regardless of what dynamic mode you were in last. However, I did notice that if your last mode was in Sport+, the startup exhaust has a noticeably sportier startup sound than if you left it in a lesser sport mode, even though it is still starting in comfort mode. kinda cool, but really wish it would default to starting in your last driving mode.
I ordered the standard 18" all season wheels as i have to battle NY winters, but really liked the look of the 19" options a lot better. Is anyone running 19" in the north east? Anyone planning on picking up a second set and swapping in/out all-season/summer tires? Wondering how the tire pressure monitoring system would be effected?...
Oh and...pictures or it didn't happen! J/k......sorta....lol

I know, I know, it's got cop tires and a cop engine, cop suspension and cop shocks and opy 4WD and the cop exhaust..is that all there is for the extra 10K starting gates or are there other features added that one could use to justify to the SO (there's ALWAYS a justification you know) that there is somehow really less than 10K in extra cost - not including the other extras.
Is there some easy feature compare that can be used (I can't seem to find a standard feature compare on the mbusa site that does this) or did someone else create a spreadsheet that summarizes this (you KNOW we do that!)
thanks
I appreciate the confirmation of my previous post. I was concerned with the firmness of the ride, what with the change in suspension from the C400, but was pleased after a long test drive that the ride was not harsh at all compared to my '08 TL. Of course I only tested the ride in the comfort mode . . . all I'll be able to use with the missus, I'm sure. When I'm on my own, I'll have fun playing with the others (modes, not misses!)
Its a great competitor to S4 and the 340xi, however, like many of you guys on this thread, there isnt any comparison when it comes to the styling both exterior and especially interior of the c450, compared to a comparable audi lexus or bmw.
Now to answer the question of perforated seats, unfortunately, the c450 does not come with perf leather seats now does it have the seat cooling option. My sales rep told me there was a problem with the supplier of such parts during the build. It may become available on later models however.
The only option I may have regret not getting would be the sports steering wheel. Other than that i love the pano roof, lighting packing is a huge must and i love everthing about it and the rearview camera is all i need without the entire multimedia package.
Im also somewhat glad I didnt get a chance to add the Night Package plus because it might have been overly done w the high glory black paint. I still the sleeper/luxury sport look rather than the overly aggressive look. Just my opinion. Enjoy!
I loved the C400 interior styling, including the perforated leather. Being in Atlanta, the idea of having cooled seats sounded very appealing. Then I look at the MBUSA builder and learn that I would discover that they are actually a “necessity”. Ok, I’m sold! Now MB says I can’t have them. What’s up with that? Not ‘cool’ to tease your customers, MB.

So, I passed on the C400 and waited for the C450 because, among other things, I thought the exterior styling with the black, rather than chrome, trim on the C450 would look much better… and it does. Of course, I was also hearing about the better suspension and other upgrades, but I wasn’t expecting a downgrade in comfort. First MB pushes the base price down by making the Burmester sound system an option, instead of being offered as standard, as it was on the C400, and now this – very disappointing! At least one can still pay the extra $s to get decent sound, but it appears that there is nothing one can do about MB taking away the ventilated seats!
There are other things that I’m not crazy about. For example, the wheel options aren’t reallythat great. CarPlay still isn’t available. And I’m not looking for noise, exhaust or otherwise, to be pumped into my cabin. The lack of ventilated seats just may have been the tipping point. I’m not sure because there’s still a LOT to like about this car. The interior is still beautiful and the exterior styling is much improved. And if it handled only as good as the C400, then that’s still pretty darn good. It’s still a very nice car, just now quite as nice, based on what I had been led to expect.
I’ve already sold my primary car in anticipation of buying this one and I’m now driving the family 3rd car. Now, I’ve got to decide whether this puts me back in the waiting game and/or back to looking at other options. I thought I was done with that! Arggghhh!
Last edited by AtlantaGuy; Oct 7, 2015 at 08:29 PM.
New to the board here performing research on the C450 I plan to order early next year.
I've browsed through most of this thread, and I haven't seen clear pictures or details of what the exact differences are between the lighting included with the Premium 2 package and the full lighting package.
If anyone could help explain/show the differences that would be great.
BTW... I'm extremely jealous of all of you guys that have taken delivery already.
First, just wanted to thank everyone for the insight I've been able to get from reviewing this board over the past few months. Coming from a 2013 BMW 328xi and was considering the C400 this summer until I saw the views here and learned about the 450.
I just signed papers for a new 450 today. Seems to be the first one in Toronto with black leather instead of artico (optioned with black exterior, premium package, lights package/AHA and the trunk closer). Canadian so I know packages are a bit weird.
Pick it up tomorrow and super excited. I liked the 328 but the interior felt real cheap even compared to my wife's QX60 and the engine, while relatively quick, puttered like a diesel and is a bit too laggy.
Anyone have pointers for getting up the learning curve on MB tech and buttons and stuff coming from a bmw? BMW nav was terrible (once sent me 20 km away from a rural address and wouldn't be able to find maybe 10-15% of entries), so hoping this one is better.
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
New to the board here performing research on the C450 I plan to order early next year.
I've browsed through most of this thread, and I haven't seen clear pictures or details of what the exact differences are between the lighting included with the Premium 2 package and the full lighting package.
If anyone could help explain/show the differences that would be great.
BTW... I'm extremely jealous of all of you guys that have taken delivery already.
I loved the C400 interior styling, including the perforated leather. Being in Atlanta, the idea of having cooled seats sounded very appealing. Then I look at the MBUSA builder and learn that I would discover that they are actually a “necessity”. Ok, I’m sold! Now MB says I can’t have them. What’s up with that? Not ‘cool’ to tease your customers, MB.

So, I passed on the C400 and waited for the C450 because, among other things, I thought the exterior styling with the black, rather than chrome, trim on the C450 would look much better… and it does. Of course, I was also hearing about the better suspension and other upgrades, but I wasn’t expecting a downgrade in comfort. First MB pushes the base price down by making the Burmester sound system an option, instead of being offered as standard, as it was on the C400, and now this – very disappointing! At least one can still pay the extra $s to get decent sound, but it appears that there is nothing one can do about MB taking away the ventilated seats!
There are other things that I’m not crazy about. For example, the wheel options aren’t reallythat great. CarPlay still isn’t available. And I’m not looking for noise, exhaust or otherwise, to be pumped into my cabin. The lack of ventilated seats just may have been the tipping point. I’m not sure because there’s still a LOT to like about this car. The interior is still beautiful and the exterior styling is much improved. And if it handled only as good as the C400, then that’s still pretty darn good. It’s still a very nice car, just now quite as nice, based on what I had been led to expect.
I’ve already sold my primary car in anticipation of buying this one and I’m now driving the family 3rd car. Now, I’ve got to decide whether this puts me back in the waiting game and/or back to looking at other options. I thought I was done with that! Arggghhh!

I really do share your frustration. I ordered the leather interior fully expecting that the seats would be both perforated and ventilated. Add to that the uncertainty of the website indicating that the surround sound system was standard as it was on the 400, I was teetering on the edge of giving up the 450 and waiting until the Jag XE came out next year and giving that a try. But after the test drive, I decided to stay with the Merc., concluding, I suppose, that no car is ever going to be perfect.
Will try to take pics when I get the car. At this point all I have are some crappy showroom iphone pics with tons of glare.
Last edited by mvw; Oct 8, 2015 at 01:11 PM.

First, just wanted to thank everyone for the insight I've been able to get from reviewing this board over the past few months. Coming from a 2013 BMW 328xi and was considering the C400 this summer until I saw the views here and learned about the 450.
I just signed papers for a new 450 today. Seems to be the first one in Toronto with black leather instead of artico (optioned with black exterior, premium package, lights package/AHA and the trunk closer). Canadian so I know packages are a bit weird.
Pick it up tomorrow and super excited. I liked the 328 but the interior felt real cheap even compared to my wife's QX60 and the engine, while relatively quick, puttered like a diesel and is a bit too laggy.
Anyone have pointers for getting up the learning curve on MB tech and buttons and stuff coming from a bmw? BMW nav was terrible (once sent me 20 km away from a rural address and wouldn't be able to find maybe 10-15% of entries), so hoping this one is better.
Thanks tmoney....LOVIN it!!!
a lot of tech in this car to explore, especially after driving an 05' for 10 yrs. just tried out the mbrace app with autostart and all..pretty impressive!
Just picked mine up. Shout out from the Midwest, Black with 19s...coming from a 400whp Evo 9 it sure is a change....one that I am liking though!
I already debadged it and will be getting tint tomorrow morning. Anyone throw straight pipes on these things yet? Thinking a Tune and Meisterschaft exhaust (spelling?) is in the works...
Last edited by sliqdaddy91; Oct 7, 2015 at 10:38 PM.
Yes, the HUD works with the SD Garmin Map Pilot. The only thing that I have not noticed was the speed limit on the road. I may need to hit a highway for that portion to activate. My current setting has my speed and any navigation instructions.
Just picked mine up. Shout out from the Midwest, Black with 19s...coming from a 400whp Evo 9 it sure is a change....one that I am liking though!
I already debadged it and will be getting tint tomorrow morning. Anyone throw straight pipes on these things yet? Thinking a Tune and Meisterschaft exhaust (spelling?) is in the works...
I'll probably wait to see the reviews on the aftermarket stuff.
My first "mode" (which is actually not a mode at all) will be surround view.

Joking aside, my biggest issue with the steady stream of add-ons is that I know a car is a terrible investment (considering I work in Finance and am an avid investor, and a car is pretty much the worst investment possible)...so, I'm trying to limit the damage. That said, I've wanted a nice car as long as I can remember and now that I'm about 5 years out of school (where I've worked my *** off) and making 6 figures, I can comfortably afford it but I still feel like I'm stretching myself...just because I know of the "you should only spend 20% of your salary on a car" and "you should only buy a car you can pay cash for" rules. So, I'm trying to pinch pennies where I can. The kicker is that I could much more easily afford a CLA or a C300; however, I don't want a CLA or a C300 because I'd rather just drive my current car that's paid in cash for from college rather than have a payment on a car I "kind of want". Ya know? The upgrades to the C450 that I have approved just keep adding up...$2K for the Multimedia Package on a 5 year loan is really nothing when looked at monthly, but considering I've already approved so many other upgrades ($1300 for Carbon Fiber Trim, $900 for 19" wheels, $800 for the dynamic lights, $1480 for the panorama roof, $2150 for the Premium 2 package) it's adding up to a lot, very quickly. If I was making $200K I wouldn't have a care in the world and I'd probably being building a $75K C450, but for now I'm trying to keep it to around $63K.

Yes, the HUD works with the SD Garmin Map Pilot. The only thing that I have not noticed was the speed limit on the road. I may need to hit a highway for that portion to activate. My current setting has my speed and any navigation instructions.
Yeah, I wonder if the HUD / SD Garmin Map Pilot combo is effecting the HUD speed limit display. You would think that the speed limit information would have to be available.
I am not sure what is involved but I am wondering once the SV is available on the C450 if it could be swapped out with the RV camera. I am sure it would be an expensive option but maybe worth it.


Last edited by iwork4wine; Oct 7, 2015 at 11:09 PM. Reason: typo
Just picked mine up. Shout out from the Midwest, Black with 19s...coming from a 400whp Evo 9 it sure is a change....one that I am liking though!
I already debadged it and will be getting tint tomorrow morning. Anyone throw straight pipes on these things yet? Thinking a Tune and Meisterschaft exhaust (spelling?) is in the works...
I got mine loaded with the exception of.
Multimedia - personally do not see the need and agree with others on smaller screen
Perfume... Nuf said
Pano roof - I never open them, save that weight, add some rigidity
Hud - Did not see the value for what I use the car for
Black/Cranberry. 19" multi spoke
I like the carbon bits, worth it in my opinion. Steering wheel is deluxe
I bought this as a commuter car, drive it about 26 miles a day, occasionally on the weekend.
Fun dive and enjoy it, is a great car. Front wheel/fender lip spacing is close, rear needs 10 mil or so.
Hoping for a solid tune that delivers good power and in a perfect world driving mode default, exhast for a bit more visceral sound (i have not experienced drone). 20-25 mil lower.
Polar white, 19" black wheels, carbon fiber side mirrors and spoiler, AMG steering wheel, AMG performance seats, Designo saddle brown.






